Tutor Corps Program's February 2011 Newsletter

Ten Steps to a Better Paper

Step 1: Choose a topic that you care about, perhaps related to a career or personal interest.

Step 2: If at all possible, use a sub-notebook or laptop. Otherwise, invest in some 3 x 5 index cards.

Step 3: If necessary, do some preliminary reading; for example, an overview article to help you develop a thesis or focus for your paper. (Your focus may change as you’re doing Step 4.)

Step 4: If you need to do research, write your notes and ideas on a computer so it’s easy to move things around. The Internet is an amazing tool. (Check out www.metacrawler.com. And this for periodical resources: www.elibrary.com. Ask your school library for a log-in.) If you don’t have a computer, write one piece of information per index card.

Step 5: Place each piece of information into one of a few categories. This will be the structure of your paper.

Step 6: Within each category, put each piece of information in a logical order.

Step 7: Turn these ordered pieces of information into smooth paragraphs. Add and subtract material as you see fit. Don’t spend much time just staring at the screen. Keep adding, subtracting, and revising stuff even if you’re not sure the changes are good! The constant changing keeps you feeling like you’re making progress, and probably sooner rather than later, your paper will get better and better.

Step 8: Write an introduction and conclusion. Don’t stare at a blank screen. Write whatever comes to mind! It’s much easier to revise than to generate brilliance out of thin air.

Step 9: Put your paper away for a day and then revise again.

Step 10: Show a draft to the person who will be grading the paper: the professor or teaching assistant. Often, your professor will be willing to read a draft. If not, utilize your resources at school! Try one of the campus’ writing tutors or a friend.  This way, you are far more likely to increase your grade.

= SUCCESS!

Help If You Get Sick

  
Most colleges generally provide, at minimal cost, such benefits as unlimited visits to the campus infirmary for consultation and treatment by student health service doctors and nurses. Your student health service will probably serve mainly as a dispensary, offering a few basic services that may include the following:

• Prescribing commonly used medicines and/or psychological counseling
• Performing routine diagnostic tests and X-rays
• Providing first-aid treatment of injuries not requiring surgery

An Ounce of Prevention

The very best way to handle being sick is not to get sick at all! And there’s a lot you can do to make sure this doesn’t happen. With help from an internist at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, we’ve compiled a few sure-fire tips to boost your odds of staying well.

They include:

• Wash your hands. Your mother was right. Do it before you eat, stick your finger in your mouth, or—this is really important—touch your eyes or nose.
• Take a multivitamin.
• Get a flu shot.
• Don’t do stupid things (drinking and driving, or drugs).
• Stock your own medicine chest. Keep it clean and keep it natural!
• Force fluids, preferably water or all-natural juices.

Check these links for natural medicines or homeopathic treatments. Treat your body well and it’ll treat you well!:

http://www.naturalmedicine.com/

http://www.nativeremedies.com/

http://www.naturalherbsguide.com/

Tips to Help Manage Your Money

1. Track your cash. To be fiscally fit you need to know how much goes in and out of your account. Keep monthly records of your spending and living expenses. (Try out www.BillMonk.com or www.mint.com.)

2. Get organized. Keep ATM transaction receipts, bills, purchases and tax records organized together in labeled files. This will help you stay on track with your budget and make it easier when it’s time to pay bills.

3. Shop second hand. Buy used books! Used books are usually in good condition and cost about half the price of new books. If you can curb the desire for all new flashy items and clothing in favor of reliable practical things with a bit of history, you’ll be ahead of the pack.

4. Keep the car home. The insurance, maintenance and gas will eat you alive. Most university towns are compact and everything you need will be within walking distance of campus. If some of your friends have a car, great—let them cover the expense.

5. Look for student discounts. Take advantage of the perks offered to students. Be on the lookout for deals on plane tickets, pizza, books, clothes—everything. The student newspaper is a good place to start. The Internet can be a gold mine of discounts. 

6. Get smart about credit. Credit cards are not magic money; they’re a loan with an obligation to repay. Don’t spend more than you can afford to pay back. Get a card with a low limit. Shop around for the best deal and read the fine print before signing up. The best idea is NOT TO HAVE ONE AT ALL!

“Don’t use a credit card for anything you eat, wear, or listen to. Who wants to pay interest on a meal eaten a month ago?”

Been There Should’ve Done That  -Suzette Tyler

7. Smart spending equals savings. Find inexpensive ways to entertain yourself. Visit museums, parks or read at the coffeehouse, check out sales racks and consignment shops, cut coupons or search the Internet. If you do a little research, you will save money.

8. Protect yourself. Don’t be a victim of fraud or identity theft. Guard your credit card, PIN and account numbers. Tear up your receipts and bills!

9. Pay attention. There are errors in bank and credit card statements! Read your bills and statements each month. This helps you keep track of your spending, alerts you to fraud and any mistakes that may occur on your account. If you move, inform the bank of your new address. Guard your credit card number and close unused accounts.

Average credit card debt for college students: $2,748

Been There Should’ve Done That  -Suzette Tyler

10. Get the best deal on a checking account. Shop around before opening a checking account. Smaller banks may offer a better deal. Compare fees. Ask if there’s a fee for dealing with a teller, including deposits or withdrawals. Ask if there’s a fee to use a debit card. Ask about ATM fees. Ask if overdraft protection is part of the student package. If not, ask about linking such coverage to a bank-issued credit card.

11. Start saving. Open a savings account. Establish a savings plan and kick in a little money each week. Stick with it. Compound interest is a wonderful thing and it’s always wise to have a little extra tucked away.

12. Bonus tip: Don’t be dumb! Some expenses can be easily avoided. Things like parking fines, overdue library books, and late fees are controllable by simply reading signs and following the rules.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Remember that you must reapply each year for your financial aid. If you have not already done so, be sure to file your FAFSA as soon as possible! If you received any scholarships this year, now would be a good time to send a letter to the group that awarded the scholarship. Let them know what you’re doing and how much you appreciated the financial assistance. Perhaps they will renew it! And finally, there are other scholarships out there. Call Jody, your financial aid office, OR Google anything and everything that you think you might be eligible for!!

Laugh Every Day!

They say laughter is the best medicine, and this holds especially true for college students, mainly due to one particularly nasty recurring problem: stress. College-related stress has a negative impact on the body. It leads to exhaustion, a decrease in metabolism, a weakened immune system, and general unhappiness. It’s hard to avoid situations that cause stress, but it’s not hard to find methods to combat its negative effects. Laughing is one of these methods.

Not to get too physiologically specific, but the act of laughing releases an antibody known as IgA. This little critter releases endorphins, fights off stress-related hormones, and in general makes you feel good. Not to mention the physiological benefits of letting loose. The physical act of smiling actually shifts your mental state toward the positive. Basically, laughing is like an ultrapowerful vitamin, and you should treat it as such :)

Contact info:

Tutor Corps College Coordinator

Jody Foege

509 Hope Circle

Immokalee, FL 34142

Phone: 239-657-7153

Cell: 941-677-8804

Fax: 239-658-1997

E-mail: jfoege@guadalupecenter.org

Breaking the cycle of poverty through education.