The threshold period before entering an institute of higher education can be one that is filled with anxiety, frustration and also excitement. Friends give you one opinion. A family gives you several more. Your high school teachers throw in their two pennies worth. Finally, you are left not knowing what to choose. In today’s world, not only are there many top-notch colleges offering a mind-boggling variety of courses, there are equally a large number of fraudulent institutions that are not all that they seem to be.
Here are some simple suggestions for choosing the right college for your needs.
- Make a list of the type of college you are looking for in terms of on-campus or online colleges, co-educational or only boys /girls. Also, you would need to decide if you wish to have accommodation on campus or if you prefer to commute and be a day scholar.
- Then, make a list of three subjects that you have an aptitude for and that you would like to major in. Always remember that your specific educational choice may not be the most lucrative in terms of employment after college, but that it is equally important to follow your heart so that you don’t choose a field of study that doesn’t interest you.
- Next, try to identify the specific state in which you wish to study. Federal aid may vary from state to state, so remember to thoroughly research all possible funding options in the state/college that you shortlist.
- Try to think about whether you want to study in a big or small college. Many small colleges offer non-conventional streams that might just be what you are looking for.
- There are literally thousands of colleges across the USA and making the right choice isn’t simply as easy as a magical formula. Choosing the right college takes time and research. Do listen to the views and suggestions of family, your seniors, and academic counselors before making your shortlist. Visiting educational fairs may also be a way of getting detailed information about all available options.
- It is surely advisable to organize all the details you collect through various sources in a systematic manner using data organization software so that you have an at-a-glance spreadsheet that summarizes all your observations.
- Start researching well in advance and be meticulous about details, for this is what will hold you in good stead when it comes to making your final shortlist. Good luck with your college hunt.
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Common Cold and Allergy Symptoms
Read moreGetting a cold is one of the most frustrating things. You have to deal with a runny nose and a constant series of sneezing. Moreover, a cold may be accompanied by a cough or vice versa. It makes things worse when you have to go to school or office. You may end up contaminating the workplace and infecting a whole lot of other people. We sometimes confuse an allergy for a cold as an allergy too causes congestion in the nose and leads to a runny nose. If you are sneezing and coughing, the first thought that comes to mind is a cold. These symptoms could be a sign of an allergy as well. Confused whether it could be cold or allergies symptoms? Read on to know about the similarities in both conditions.
Similar cold and allergy symptoms
An allergy occurs when the immune system has an adverse reaction to a substance or a series of substances. When you are exposed to an allergy trigger (which varies from person to person), your immune system releases histamines. The release of histamines to counter an allergen leads to the symptoms of an allergy. While allergies and colds do share some common symptoms, they are entirely different. Wondering if there are any common cold or allergy symptoms? Yes, indeed there are. Here are a few symptoms that occur in both cases:- Watery eyes
- Nasal congestion
- A runny nose
- A sore throat
- Coughing
- Sneezing
A common cold may cause some other symptoms, but it is not accompanied by rashes on the skin or a sensation of itchy eyes. Over 50 million Americans experience allergies every single year. Some of the most common allergens in the country are tree grass and weed pollen. These are seasonal allergens and may be difficult to detect at times. Other year-round allergens include the following:
- Certain food items like eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and milk
- Dust mite
- Animal saliva or dander (house pets like cats or dogs may cause this)
- Mold
If you are suffering from cold or allergy symptoms, visit a doctor immediately to figure out whether it is caused due to a cold or due to an allergen. It is best to determine what you are allergic to as soon as possible to avoid going through these episodes on a regular basis.
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The Best 401(k) Retirement Plan Practices
Read moreA 401(k) retirement plan is one of the best tools for working people and employees of a company for creating a secure retirement fund. For employees, the advantages are pretty obvious earnings and contributions to the 401(k) are tax deferred and secondly, employers tend to provide matching contributions to the 401(k) account (ranging from 0-100% of employee contributions). Listed below are the best practices for an employee’s 401(k) retirement planner:
Think about a Roth 401(k): Employees can invest taxed money in a Roth 401(k). Hence, those funds aren’t taxed when you withdraw them during retirement. If you’re beginning with a low salary which will rise later, it’s better to take the tax hit before than later. Alternately, if you expect your income to decline, a regular 401(k) will suit you better. The best thing will be if you have access to and can afford and contribute to both types, thus hedging your bets.
Sticking to the plan: It’s easy to create a long-term investment plan and change it frequently. However, the ideal asset allocation strategy is to choose a mix of funds and stick to the plan even if the market falters it will pay off in the long run.
Investment advice fees: Free investment advice never hurts. However, if you’re paying someone a percentage of your portfolio to guide you through the choices and the process, you should understand that if you’re a young investor with limited assets, it’s probably not worth it. Instead, go in for the free guidelines and online calculators that many companies offer, to start with.
Not touching the 401(k) before retirement: Dipping into the 401(k) nest egg is tempting, but do not so it. Not only will you end up paying taxes and extra fees, but you’ll also lose out on possibly compounded returns. Leave your 401(k) alone so that your profits can be reinvested, which will enable your nest egg to grow exponentially year after year.
Rolling over funds when quitting job: If you are quitting your job, it is very tempting to ask the employer to cut you a check for the 401(k) money, but it’ll cost you huge amounts in penalties and taxes. Instead, leave the account as it is to gain maximum from it. However, if you are asked to leave the company’s retirement plan altogether, roll the funds into the 401(k) at your new job or into an IRA. That way, your retirement nest egg continues to grow and is safe.