Um, So What Should I Be Choosing As My First Guitar

Um, So What Should I Be Choosing As My First Guitar The Beginner Guitarist's Guide to Making the Right Choice. ChaptersHow to Avoid Ending Up With an Inappropriate Guitar?What are the Different Types of Existing Guitars and Their Features for Beginners?Choose the Right Guitar: Buying Options.In ConclusionWith eight years of practice, I’ve often had to deal with students’ loss of motivation, simply because of an inappropriate guitar, bought too quickly or often based on an attractive design. They don't pay an attention to the playability, the fact that it sounds great, or that its features - say its headstock, body and neck - are actually made well.I’m Kelsey and I’m a guitar teacher.For some, during the first purchase of a guitar, only the electric guitar matters - because it has style, it plugs into an amp, and makes noise! Acoustics or classical guitars are generally overlooked in favour of the vision of being a cool electric guitar player.The other problem that people with a new guitar find is that they expect to be a master of their musical instrument straight away. Above all, peo ple often believe that it is easier to play before they actually learn how to play the guitar. Which is not entirely wrong and you will understand why.People put a lot of value on their first guitar, so to choose well, some key features have to be kept in mind when buying.  You should also be remembering the fact that, although your hands are itching to shred that fretboard, you are a beginner guitarist - and that you first and foremost need an appropriate guitar for beginners.Of course, you will evolve and progress during your guitar lessons near me and, at the same time, you will refine the type of sounds you are looking for. Also, you will probably desire to try several different sounds and styles after a few guitar lessons. Maybe you will become interested in fingerpicking, meaning you might find yourself wanting an acoustic or an electro acoustic guitar. You might find that the deeper, groovier noise of the bass guitar sounds great, and so you check out the electric bass. This is to say that you need to follow what you like, acoustically and in terms of the style of music.  You will then start to acquire other guitars: it’s not uncommon to meet an amateur with several guitars. He will make his choice according to the style tackled.Pay attention and don’t forget that you are a beginner. Even if it’s interesting to start with an instrument that matches your desires and musical tastes to keep the spirit up during that tough time of learning, the type of sounds coming out of the guitar should not be your first concern. Keep in mind that when you first start learning to play the guitar, you're not sure to continue... So pay attention to the cost of this first purchase: go for the low end of price, but don't compromise on quality.Also, you should have a complete guide to selecting and changing your guitar strings...What are the Different Types of Existing Guitars and Their Features for Beginners?Who is your favourite guitarist? Maybe their instrument choi ces can help you decide.There are three main types of guitars, not to mention more specific models like the Dobro for instance.The first thing that someone who wants to learn how to play the guitar should do is to choose the guitar that suits them best according to its characteristics and sound.The Classical GuitarA classical guitar is the usual choice for beginner guitarists or parents. It is perfect for styles like bossa, classical or flamenco - as these nylon string musical instruments were developed with these styles in mind. The body shape, the size of the fingerboard, and the delicate hollow body are all designed specifically for these purposes.The classical guitar is for the purists!But is not ideal for beginners. The classical guitar, as its name indicates, is initially intended to play classical pieces.However, it can also appear in other musical currents such as bossa nova, jazz or flamenco, but will be less present in styles like rock, pop, pop rock, or even funk.The clas sical guitar has a wider neck than all the others and nylon strings. Of course, nylon strings are softer than the steel strings you find on acoustic guitars, but it does not make it easier to play, quite the contrary! Depending on the material, the price of the guitar strings may vary.By default, beginners or parents tend to buy this model of guitar because it has the most affordable prices. However, the width of the neck and the more spacing between the strings can quickly hurt beginner guitar players' fingers. And the affordable price is a bit misleading: they are marketed for beginners and they are, more often than not, not great quality.    Of course, you can support your guitar while playing by choosing the right guitar strap so that your arms don't get overly tired...If you wish to play bossa nova music, classical or flamenco, the classical guitar is the one you need. But if you are looking more into playing folk, pop or rock music, forget about the classical guitar and head t o an acoustic guitar.It is purely personal and taking into account my eight years of experience in teaching guitar lessons, I advise against a classical guitar to begin with. Unless, of course, you are absolutely committed to the sound produced by these musical instruments.For others, however, after some time practiced on a guitar more adapted for you, you will refine your tastes and your pursuit for sonority. Therefore, it is not impossible that the classical guitar can correspond with you afterward. For me, I only use it occasionally when I have to record melancholy themes.Discover how to choose a guitar strap, and check out the straps that Guitar Center has to offer.The Acoustic Guitar: Great for Beginners because of its Versatility and Thinner NeckThe folk guitar is ideal for beginners.Unlike the classical guitar, the acoustic guitar has steel strings and a much thinner neck. This feature makes it a versatile guitar, adapted to play a great diversity of musical styles. It is wid ely used in pop, rock, blues, jazz, and pretty much every other style you can think of.It covers a much wider range than the classical guitar. If you want to play popular pieces that you hear everywhere, play with friends, sing together, take it with you wherever you go and if your musical influences are folk, rock, pop, pop rock, variety or blues, this is the guitar you need.Despite a slightly higher price than its little sister, the classical guitar, the acoustic guitar remains an extremely versatile instrument. It covers a much larger range of music than the classical guitar and is also much easier to play thanks to a thinner neck. It’s also more comfortable and more suited for playing current music. This is the guitar that I recommend you  begin taking guitar lessons with.You'll find that the acoustic guitar comes in all different shapes - from the dreadnought to the parlor to jumbo and grand auditorium. And you'll notice in the picture above that some have a cutaway and other s don't. These changes in body style become more important as you become more familiar with the instrument, but just note now that the size of the guitar body - and consequently of the sound hole - affects the sound: some are louder and more resonant, whilst others are more gentle.If you are starting out, the best acoustic guitar might not be the dreadnought - as these are very large.The Electric Guitar More expensive and bulky than the others; less suited for beginners unless you only dream of playing rock.Choosing your first guitar is hard - but don't fret too much.The electric guitar is a guitar without a sound box: it’s the main difference with acoustic guitars. The microphones placed under the strings produce the sound.The electric guitar became a mythical instrument in the 20th century, thanks to legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and BB King.The electric guitar strings are quite similar to the acoustic guitar strings (steel strings), although they are gene rally softer. The electric guitar is used for playing  a vast variety of styles, from jazz to hard rock. The electric guitar's very thin neck and very low tension of the strings make it one of the easiest guitars to play. Its disadvantage, however, is that it must be connected to an amp so that the volume is correct: this implies additional purchases.The electric guitar's price also remains affordable. While it may be easier to play, it is, however, more difficult to move and involves purchasing an amp. It is not the guitar that I recommend to begin with, unless you greatly appreciate its unique style.Choose the Right Guitar: Buying Options.Acoustic: Epiphone DR-100A very good acoustic from a well-regarded brand: nice design, good playability, and great sound for the price.Acoustic: Seagull S6A new brand that makes incredibly good instruments. Pricier than other beginner instruments, but a dream to play - both for amateurs and experts.Electric: Yamaha Pacifica PAC112VOne of the most respected brands in beginner musical instruments. Classic Stratocaster shape with great price.Electric: Epiphone Les Paul Special II PackA good option for those looking for a stylish axe but with all of the accessories.Classical: Cordoba Iberia C5From the best of classical guitar manufacturers, the perfect beginner guitar.Classical: Yamaha C40A great, reliable instrument from one of the most-loved guitar brands out there.In ConclusionThe classical guitarAdvantages: Has a very soft sound, ideal for bossa nova, jazz, and flamenco.Disadvantages: It's limited in terms of style and difficult to play.The folk guitarAdvantages: A versatile guitar, adapted to playing almost any style. It has a thin neck that makes it easier and more comfortable to play. Ideal for learning to play the guitar.Disadvantages: It has steel strings, it's less flexible than nylon strings and hurts the fingers in the beginning, but that can be overcome quickly.The electric guitarAdvantages: It has a very thin neck and very weak strings that make it easier to play. It's suited for all styles (a multitude of sounds).Disadvantages: It's less portable than the folk guitar, and you also have to buy an amplifier to go with it.Now that you have all this information, you just need to decide which guitar you want to play and get started learning on the guitar that best meets your expectations: how to choose the guitar of your dreams thanks to these few recommendations.Once you’ve found your dream guitar, find a guitar class around you thanks to Superprof.And for more guitar accessories?

The Boston University College Experience

The Boston University College Experience Shannon earned her bachelors degree in math education from Boston University. She specializes in math tutoring, geometry tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Boston University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Shannon: Boston University (BU) is an extremely urban campus located right in the city of Boston. Our campus is a 1.7 mile stretch down Commonwealth Avenue. Being in the city, there is no need for cars and most students walk to class, as the academic buildings are all centrally located near each other. If you are not up for walking, there are many other modes of transportation as well. BU does run its own shuttle that has eight stops on the main campus and three on the medical campus. It is free to all students and there is a mobile app to track it. Also, because BU is located in the heart of Boston, we have the MBTA (subway) Green Line run down our campus. There are seven stops on our campus and you can use the T to either get to class or take it to various destinations in Boston. As for safety, I never felt unsafe at Boston University, but that is not saying you dont have to be smart. The university itself and campus are very safe and offer many different programs to keep you safe. The campus itself has a blue light system that has phones attached that call directly to Boston University police department, which are about every 100ft from the last one. On the back of every student's ID, there are numbers for BUPD, Health Services, and an escort system that, if you are leaving the library at 2 AM and dont want to walk across campus alone, will send a male and female student to walk with you. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Shannon: Every professor and teaching assistant is required to have as many office hours as they teach, but this is not the only time they are available. I have never had any issue just emailing them and saying I cant make their office hours or I would like to meet more. The professors want you to succeed, so if you need a little extra help, they are certainly willing to do so. Sometimes you may click better with your teaching assistant, as they were students in this class once. Generally graduate students, TAs are super helpful and can sometimes relate better than a professor can. As for advisors, they are usually teachers as well, so you will have to work around their own class schedule. My advisor was a godsend with all my questions, even answering my emails at midnight. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Shannon: Dorms are great. BU has no exclusive freshman dorms, but there are some that are mostly freshmenWest Halls and Warren Towers. These dorms are both the large dormitory style with the communal bathrooms on the floor. These dorms each are located above dining halls, laundry, and mailrooms so you dont have to go far to do anything. What makes these dorms great is their sense of community. In Warren Towers there is a common room on every floor that connects the sides of the floor. This is a great place for everyone to hang out and get to know each other. When I was a freshman, getting to know my entire floor of 40 people and have 40 new friends before I even started my first class was the biggest relief in the world. So there are some benefits to large dormitory style dorms. But those arent the only options. At BU we also have apartment (with kitchen) and suite-style living (with its own bathroom). We have houses called Brownstones that are like living in a typical house on the s treets of Boston. They have 8-15 rooms in them and 4-5 bathrooms depending on the building. Less underclassmen live in these, but they are definitely a viable option. I myself lived in one as a junior and I loved it. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Shannon: Boston University is very into research, so if you want to delve into a major and do research, we have the tools for you. For example, Boston University is one of the leading researchers in brain trauma and neuroscience, so there are tons of opportunities for learning in that particular field. That being said, within BU there are so many colleges and schools that it's hard to say one is not supported by its own college. For instance, our College of Communications is #2 in the country and our School of Hospitality is #1, so they clearly have programs and supports set in place. I had friends in just about every school, from the School of Business to the School of Fine Arts, and every single one of them loved their programs and loved the opportunities they had. As for my experience, I majored in Math Education in the School of Education and I never felt unsupported. My school was constantly checking in on me, making sure the program was working for me, and generally getting to know me as a person. Being in the second smallest school at BU, I was able to really know my professors on a personal level. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Shannon: BU has over 1,000 clubs and sports, so its easy to find what you like and become a part of that community. At the beginning of the year we have an event called Splash where all of the clubs and sports set up booths, and freshmen can wander around, gather information, and sign up. It makes it easier to see what clubs BU has and learn more about them. I myself was part of the Dog Pound, the student pep club, and I met most of my friends through this club. As a freshman, I probably signed up for 20 clubs and then I narrowed it down to the few I felt truly fit me. Aside from clubs, we also have 21 division one sports, club sports, and intramurals that you can also sign up and join. Lastly, we do have Greek life at BU, but its not large, clocking at only around 11 percent. However, we do certainly have Greek life available if you want to join. I was not in a sorority myself, but I had friends who were and they loved it, so its all about what you want. BU has so many different opportunities to find your niche within the university. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Shannon: Several of the colleges atBU have their own Career Center, as well as a career center for the whole university. They will help with a variety of things, like resume review and applying for jobs. I went to the career center for the whole university as a senior and was shown lots of tools for how to find education jobs. As for recruiting, that really depends on the individual school or college. I know that there are several career fairs each year in all of the schools and several opportunities to meet with potential recruiters, both within each school and the university as a whole. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Shannon: There are libraries in each school, as well as study lounges in every dorm. Depending on the size of the dorm/school and time of day, the lounges and libraries vary in fullness and noise levels, so its about what environment you like to study in. There are tons of places to pick from, so if one is full because its exam week, there is always another place to go. Describe the surrounding town. Shannon: BU is in the city of Boston, not on the outskirtsit is fully immersed in the city. That being said, as a student you have the entire city and a world of opportunities at your disposal, and BU students tend to take advantage of that opportunity. Theres nothing better than picking something to do in the city and going out and exploring. You have many things to do, from pro sports to some of the best museums in the world. There is so much to do that it's really hard to get bored. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Shannon: We are a medium sized university with 16,000 undergrads. So, we are smaller than a big state school and larger than a small liberal arts school. That being said, it does not feel big. Walking down the street everyday, I see tons of people I know everywhere and always feel comfortable. As for classes, the average class size is around 25 people, but you do have some large classes of 100 people in introductory classes. Those large, 100 people classes are required to have discussions later in the week. These discussions are generally around 10-15 students and you have a chance to meet with the teaching assistant, go over anything you dont understand, and ask questions. After you start to delve into your major, it becomes more rare to have classes that big and most classes have around 10-30 people. I never felt overwhelmed by class size. If I was having questions in a class, there were so many ways for me to get helpfrom the discussion classes to office hours. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Shannon: I came to BU undecided about my major, so I originally started in the College of Arts and Sciences. About halfway through my freshman year, I decided I might be interested in the School of Education. In order to transfer or even see if you wanted to transfer into the school, you were required to take ED100an introduction to the department. Professor Phil Tate taught this class. Professor Tate is the first professor that students are introduced to in the School of Education, so in some ways, he has the ability to make or break it for you. During my first class, Professor Tate began with a fun little anecdote about what hat you will wear as a teacher. He began his crazy introduction by putting on different hats and talking with different exaggerated accents. But as crazy as his little speech sounds, it worked. As he talked, I immediately knew I had found what I wanted to do. He had this essence about him that pulled me in and reassured me that being an educator was one of the greatest things I can do. After that class, I knew what I wanted to do with my career. Check out Shannon'stutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Opening the Lines of Communication

Opening the Lines of Communication Here are a few tips to enhance communication between you and your child: Spend time together. At times, finding a moment alone with your child may seem impossible between your busy work and school schedules, extracurricular activities and homework time. However, children may not feel comfortable talking about their problems at the dinner table or in front of their siblings. Seek opportunities to spend time with your child outside of the house. Whether you are shopping, playing a sport together or going out for ice cream, your child may let their guard down when the two of you are simply enjoying one another's company. Ask the right questions. Instead of asking questions that warrant one-word answers (How was school? or Did you have a good day?), try phrasing your questions in a way that encourages your child to elaborate (What was the best part of your day? or What did you like about school today?). And don't stop there. When your child answers that he or she enjoyed an experiment performed in science class, ask why. Listen attentively. If children feel that their parents are truly interested their lives, they will be more likely to talk to them about the good as well as the bad. First, just listen. Children who are struggling in school may feel extremely uneasy discussing the topic, so if a child does open up, the first and most important thing to do is listen. Acknowledge his or her feelings. Don't offer words of wisdom or immediately formulate a plan to solve the problem. Simply listen to your child in order to better understand. Showing empathy will make your child feel more comfortable and less ashamed. Remember to praise. While it is natural for parents to be disappointed with poor grades, frequent discussions about their children's failures in school can be damaging to their self esteem and motivation. Addressing such problems is important, but more vital is the plan forward. Work with your child to define steps to help him or her, and remember to take frequent notice of your child's successes and improvements along the way, no matter how small. Doing so will reinforce hard work, provide encouragement and boost your child's confidence. Face problems sooner rather than later. Ignoring the warning signs that your child is struggling in school will not make the problem disappear. If you rarely see your child working on homework, offer your help. If the end of a semester has passed and your child has not produced a report card, request to see it. Stay in touch with your child's teacher and school to ensure you are aware of any issues that your child may not be sharing with you. When problems do crop up, seek tutoring or other help. Learning to communicate with your child is a process that takes commitment and practice. By cultivating a relationship of trust, understanding and openness, you are encouraging your child to turn to you for help in school and in other areas of his or her life. If your child is struggling in school, call Huntington today. We will work with you and your child to uncover the root of the problem, helping your child do better in school by tailoring a program that will focus on the areas where he or she needs the most assistance.

Calm Your Mind Understanding Managing Stress

Calm Your Mind Understanding Managing Stress Improving Academic Performance “A bit of stress in short doses is useful in improving our memory and enhancing performance. However, too much, too regularly, is extremely damaging to our mental and physical well-being.” From https://www.headspace.com/science/stress, a web-site founded by globally recognized mindfulness and meditation expert Andy Puddicomb Just because you have no major or minor diagnosed mental health disorder, doesn’t mean you have a completely healthy mind. If school, work, sports, orsocial situations tend to make you nervous and stressed, your performance suffers. You’ve probably heard that the right amount of stress is a good thing, but too little or too much stress is a bad thing. The idea is that if you are too care free, you may let important tasks fall through the cracks, and end up dropping the ball on that big school project. At the same time, if you are extremely nervous about performing poorly and get really worked up before a big test, you might find yourself having a lot of trouble concentrating or thinking clearly. Too little stress or too much stress is bad, but the right amount of “stress” can lead to clear thinking, appropriate focus, and a generally extremely helpful sense of calm and confidence that allows you to execute on test day or deliver a great presentation in school or at work. Here’s an incredibly short primer on the science behind the above paragraph. We humans can control part of our nervous system: thoughts, muscle movement, etc. But, after that, lots of our nervous system is beyond our conscious control. We know how our body works, but can’t directly control it. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is the part of our nervous system which we can’t directly control. It regulates thinks like kidney function, liver function, healing, etc. The ANS itself can be broken down into two sub-systems, the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). The SNS is what gets activated when we are extremely excited, afraid, or stressed out. It’s the evolutionary “fight or flight” response you may have heard of. If a man jumps out of a dark alley and punches you, the SNS will increase adrenaline, and decrease blood to any part of the body that isn’t good at helping you fight or run away. So, the immune system, libido, and brain get less blood are partially “deactivated” while the muscle tighten up and your arms and legs receive more blood. In other words, your immune system, libido, and brain kind of turns off, while your arms and legs and heart turn on. You are ready to fight or fun, but not to think. Obviously, this is bad for academic performance. The PNS system, on the other hand, is the bodies “relaxation response.” When the PNS is activated, essentially everything we just read about with SNS is reversed. You aren’t ready to run or fight, but you are much calmer, breathing slower, and receiving more blood to the brain. Ready to calmly think and problem solve. Whereas the SNS dominated state is good for fighting and fleeing, the PNS dominated state is good for focus, concentration, recall, and analyzing information. When it comes to academic performance, taking tests, or performing well at work, you need your SNS to keep you awake, but not for much more. In general, you’ll perform better when the PNS system, which again helps you focus, analyze, and problem solve, is in control. In other words, roughly, when we think of “stress” in layman’s terms, the SNS system is what creates stress, while the PNS system is what reduces it. “….chronic stress also exerts a strong and adverse effect on the brain even altering brain cells, brain structure, and brain function. Research has shown that unmanaged stress: Diminishes short, and long-term memory Inhibits the formation of new memories Diminishes the ability to learn new things Diminishes problem-solving abilities Diminishes the ability to concentrate” Joshua David O’Brien, founder of the Mindfulness Community of Central Pennsylvania In one study, individuals were placed into two categories: 1) high stress and 2) low stress, and then given a series of problem solving and memory tests. The low stress group performed 2x better. So, what can you do to activate your PNS and manage your stress? The answer to stress management is a little odd to some. Healthy eating, appropriate nutrition, a positive attitude, and constantly maintain perspective on events in your life are hugely important factors. However, recognition of the power of the breath, which naturally extends into what is called “practicing mindfulness” and sometimes “meditating” are important underused solutions to over-stressed lives, particularly in western countries. The following is borrowed from Joshua David O’Brien, founder of the Mindfulness Community of Central Pennsylvania “Mindfulness Meditation is a practice of being fully and attentively present in the moment. In the same way one might practice a musical instrument or martial arts form, we practice being mindful and aware through skillful meditation. In formal practice we use the breath as an object of awareness. We follow the physical sensations of the breath as it flows in and out of the body. We allow the breath to flow naturally without controlling it as you would in a breathing exercise….one of the first things we learn when we try to do this practice is how easily distracted the mind can be. All sorts of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and sensations call for our attention and we find we’ve forgotten all about the breath.” Simply practicing mindfulness for 10-15 minutes a day can lead to significant benefits in a relatively short period of time. Again according to https://www.headspace.com/science, after as few as 11 hours of accumulated mindfulness practice, the brain changes structurally to improve focus and self-control, people are able to stay on tasks longer, anxiety and stress was reduced, and the list goes on. Clearly, all of these benefits are directly applicable to improving academic performance. I think that if we taught ourselves and our children how to practice mindfulness, we’d see better grades, higher test scores, and better overall performance in and outside of school. To read more about being mindful, consider reading - Get Some Headspace: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life In Ten Minutes a Day â€" by Andy Puddicombe Mindfulness: An Eight Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World â€" by Mark Williams and Danny Penman Here is a popular “TED” talk about the benefits of taking 10 minutes out of your day to be mindful. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'f08a3c58-464f-4164-a82e-313b7951bbb2', {});

Secret of Happiness is Freedom, the Secret of Freedom is Courage

Secret of Happiness is Freedom, the Secret of Freedom is Courage The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage Carrie Jones Carrie Jones is an American writer who became famous thanks to the work in the genre of young adult fiction. Jones has received several awards and her books filled the shelves of bookstores in New York, becoming bestsellers. Carrie Jones grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire. She moved to Lewiston, Maine to attend Bates College. Initially, Jones did not want to be a writer, she was much more interested in the prospect of becoming a lawyer. But life turned out differently. And it has led to the success of working as a reporter and editor of the newspaper. Subsequently, the author has received awards and eventually she was awarded the prize for non-fiction literary.

Internship Vs. Job Which Is Best During the School Year

Internship Vs. Job Which Is Best During the School Year Image via Unsplash.com Your schedule Your personal schedule, from classes to organizations, is one of the most important factors in deciding whether to take a job or internship. While most part-time jobs are flexible with classes and can offer hours over the weekend, many internships only offer shifts during the week and need anywhere from 10 to 40 hours a week. Also, you will need to factor your commute into your decision. Many college campuses have cafes, stores, and other spaces that offer part-time jobs that you can easily get to between classes or once you are done classes for the day. However, you will likely need to travel off-campus for an internship. If you require public transportation, you need to account for walking to and from drop-off locations as well as the possibility of the transportation being late. If you are driving, you will need to keep traffic in mind. Student organizations on campus If your college or major does not require that you need an internship to graduate, look into student organizations that can offer you experience that you would have gained at an internship. Many colleges have organizations based on majors, which look great on a resume. If you are a journalism major, for instance, your school likely has a newspaper that you can be involved with. This allows you to get hands-on experience without having to leave campus. Set aside time each week to devote to the organization of your choice and schedule your part-time job shifts around the time you need. Also, volunteering is a great way to get experience. There are opportunities in many fields for volunteer work. This work is done on your own time and schedule, so you are able to take a job and gain experience.

How Millennials Can Reduce Debt and Invest In 2019

How Millennials Can Reduce Debt and Invest In 2019 via Pexels.com Where should you begin if youre living under a mountain of debt?   First things first: evaluate your monthly budget. How much are you spending by going out with your friends for drinks? Are you attending every single trivia night in your city? Is that really necessary? Cut down your entertainment spending first and foremost. After you re-evaluate your entertainment budget, the next thing you should look at is how much youre spending on extras. Most students do a little weekend shopping, eat out too much, or splurge on things they just dont need (probably Amazon). The second thing you should do after looking at your entertainment budget is look at your spending habits from the past few months and evaluate what you could have gone without. Next, you need to start looking at your debt to income ratio which you might think is tough to do while youre in school or if youre a new graduate. But its really not bad. Simply add up all of your monthly bills that youre  required to pay.  (This is called existing. What does it cost you to exist as who you are? Rent, credit cards, student loan, gas, food, etc.) Once youve added up everything you have to pay, look at your  net income.  (This isnt how much you make in one month, this is  how much you  bring home  in one month.) Evaluating your debt to income ratio is how people know theyre living paycheck to paycheck. You arent going to get very far in life if youre barely making it month to month between your income and your bills. So one of them has to change. You either need to lower your monthly bills or you need to find a job making more money. In order to find a job making more money, it might require you to invest in yourself through education. Theres a chance you arent in a financial spot to do so. This means the next thing you need to do is:  pay your bills down faster.   The absolute first thing you need to know about being in debt and trying to get yourself out of debt is:  you should never, ever, ever  only  pay the minimum payment required on any credit card bill.  See, credit card companies are funny little suckers they know they can take advantage of young people who are impulsive. They know they can get you hooked on swiping your little plastic card so you can have the things you  think  you need; the things you  think  youve just  got to have.   If all you do every month when it comes to your credit card bill is pay the minimum balance, youre always going to be in debt. Those credit card companies dont want you to pay off your bill! The interest youre having to pay is  how they make their money.  So the  first  thing you need to do when you get your credit card bill is write a check or make a payment for  more  than the minimum balance. Otherwise, youre going to continue to receive a credit card bill every month instead of just paying it off. via Pexels.com What if you dont have credit card debt, but you do have student loans?   Student loans are a tricky little thing. Most of the loans college students are taking out these days have a grace period of six months after graduation before you have to start making payments. This six months should be used to find a job with incredible earning potential (you  do  have a college degree, after all). Get yourself settled into a place with decently low rent, pay down your credit card bills, and then recognize how much youre going to have to pay in student loan payments every month. Look at this loan like I taught you to look at your credit card bills:  pay more than the minimum requirement and youll see a much more drastic change in the amount you owe.   Investing in yourself can be great, but student loans are  real.  Theyre something most college students have to deal with after graduation. Dont feel like youre the only one fighting this battle, just realize that unless you bite the bullet and start paying it down youre going to be looking at making payments for a VERY long time. The longer you make payments, the more interest its likely that youre paying. The faster you can pay it down to nothing, the less money youre going to waste on interest. via Canva.com You might feel like you dont have a lot of money, but you want to start investing to secure a stellar financial future. Where do you begin?   Instead of holding onto your cash,  investors.com  suggests you invest in stocks and stock funds. In the long-term, returns on cash investments look good, but investments in stocks look better. The key is to  start investing when youre young.  Investors.com even suggests that contributing $5500 per year to an SP  500 index fund, it will be worth almost $4 million after 42 years. That sounds a lot better than earning nickels and dimes on the dollars of what you have sitting in the bank, doesnt it? Absolutely. Should I already be worrying about retirement even if Im in my early 20s?   Yes. Absolutely. Its never too early to start saving for retirement. So as youre evaluating your financial situation and trying to figure out how youll pay for your apartment in a swanky retirement home, you should know that the earlier you begin investing, the bigger the payout is in the long term. Lets run some numbers: According to CNNs  money.cnn.com, it is absolutely  imperative  that you understand the amount of money youre missing out on just by putting off stocking up for your retirement by a few years. Here are the examples they use: If, at age 25, you begin saving $3000 per year. Then after 10 years, at 35, you completely stop saving. By the time youre 65 (which were loosely using as retirement age,) you will roughly have about $338,000 in savings. Seems pretty crazy, doesnt it? Now lets imagine that you put off saving for retirement until youre 35. Since youve missed out on saving for a few years, you decide youre going to contribute $3000 per year for the next 30 years. By the time you reach 65, you will have set aside $90,000 of your own money, but it will grow to only about $303,000. Theres $35,000 in difference because you put off saving for a few years. So whats the lesson to be learned from this?  Start investing early. But what should I invest in? How do I know if Im investing in something worthwhile versus making a bad decision?   Sometimes people get intimidated by investing in the stock market. I understand this completely. But there are other options. You dont  only  have to invest in the stock market there are definitely more options to choose from. If youre looking for advice on how you should invest, seek out a financial advisor. Many people think they have to have hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings before an advisor will even give them the time of day. But this isnt the case. If you cant help or stop yourself from wanting what you want, and you really want to make a big purchase, where should you begin?   Your first step towards buying something thats much larger than you would typically buy, you need to split it into chunks. Save for it in steps. There are several ways you can do this: some people will save for large purchases with cash in a clear jar. The reason for this is so you can see yourself saving as you go. Then, when you go to make a large purchase, you wont see a difference in your bank account. Instead, youll use the money you saved over a number of weeks. Split up the purchase into reasonable chunks. You might think of paychecks as a reasonable measure of time. For instance, set aside $50 every paycheck, and after a few months, youll have enough saved to buy a large ticket item. There are many students, today, who are not in ideal financial situations. In fact, its hard to get yourself to a place where you feel financially stable and happy. When youre a college student, you feel overwhelmed by finances. Youre drowning in debt, you dont have much time to work, and you dont feel like youre bringing in very much money on a weekly basis. However, theres a time and a place for you to get yourself in a more stable financial situation. Dont feel like you have to immediately have your life figured out. Sure, theres a pressure to make sure you get yourself together and you have a stable life after college but thats exactly it  after college.  You have time to get yourself financially settled. The best thing you can do for yourself in the meantime is to make intentional and  smart  financial decisions.