There are many essential things that you may not think of when you go away to school.  You may get through the semester without them, but after you have these, your life will never be the same.  Okay maybe that was a little dramatic but get ready because college life is full of drama.  College is exciting and nothing else in your life is quite like it.  So get ready for some good times and make sure that you have these items included in your suitcases.

1. Soundproof headphones.  These are a college essential.  Sometimes you need to shut out the world and this is the best way.  If you need to study for a test, get a good night’s rest which doesn’t include listening to your roommate snoring, or you don’t want to listen to the boy band downstairs, or other noises and distractions, these headphones are a great way to go.

2. Cork Board.  A cork board is not only fairly cheap but it can be used to take telephone messages, write notes, keep announcements of upcoming parties or study sessions, and used to hang pictures of you and some friends or family.

3. Putty.  The last and final thing is putty that can be used on your walls to hang things up.  While nails and pins used to hang pictures may not be allowed in your apartments because they leave holes, there is a simple solution.  You can use putty to hang your favorite pictures on the wall, without leaving a scratch or a hole.  The putty is easy to remove and if it leaves anything on the wall, it can be wiped off.

4. Hot Water Bottle.  A hot water bottle or rice bag can also be really nice if you are going to school in a place that has more than one season.  Sometimes it can be chilly while doing homework or at night and the heating bill can get expensive.  This is a cheap way to warm yourself up.

5. Air Freshener.  Another item that may seem fairly simple is an air freshener.  Sometimes your roommates may not have the same rules of cleanliness that you follow.  By having an air freshener you are more likely to maintain your sanity.

College is a once in a lifetime experience and you can be ready for it by having these items.  These items will simplify and make your life more comfortable.  Whether you’re living on campus in the dorms, or off campus in an apartment, these purchases can help you in your life outside of the classroom.
 

There are many parents throughout the world that are concerned about some of the ideas their children learn in school .  In the past few days I have heard different examples of parents that don’t want their kids learning about certain topics.

For example, parents in Gaza don’t want their children to learn about the Holocaust.  The fact is that it was a major event in modern world history and it’s the reason that millions of people from all corners of the world are dead.

Granted, parents are responsible for their children and have the right to question what their children are learning in schools.  After all, parents are the most influential people in their children’s life and it’s important that they are involved with their children’s education.  However, sometimes I think parents are worried about what their children might learn in school because it is different from the beliefs that they hold.

So where is the balance?  Should parents be able to determine what the lesson plan is in schools?  Even though there were 6 million Jews killed in the holocaust and thousands of civilians died, parents in Gaza don’t want the information about the Nazi genocide being introduced into curriculum in U.N. schools.

This displays a major barrier between Jews and Arabs.  Jews see this inaction by Arabs as a denial of Israel’s right to exist, while Arabs see the Holocaust as an excuse for Israel’s creation.  This is controversial and I can see both sides of the argument, but children need to learn what is and has been going on in the world.

Finding the right balance is also a hot topic in the United States as well.  Parents were upset about President Obama’s speech to students.  I guess a major factor is how old the student is, older students are less likely to buy into ideas as younger children.  Parents were especially worried about what the pamphlets would say and what kind of an influence they would have on their young children.

School districts in this event did the proper thing by notifying parents about the speech and what would be going on.  They also allowed parents to check their children out of school or to keep them home for the day.  I think what much of this boils down to is that parents need to allow their children to learn about different topics in school but then discuss them at home.

Education is supposed to be where individuals learn about general knowledge, and develop reasoning and judgment, in order to prepare for life.  Students need to be learning about important events and different theories so that they can make educated decisions.  They don’t need to believe everything that they hear, but at least they will understand different theories, perspectives, and aspects of our history.

Some of the lessons students learn from a well rounded education, can help students understand one another and therefore find a peaceful solution that can improve everyone’s life.  History cannot be repeated if it is remembered.

Despite tough economic times, the future is looking bright for designers. As the need for professionally-designed Web sites and other marketing materials increases, demand for designers will increase by 15 percent in the next 7 years, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Students graduating from design degree programs in the next 5 years will find plentiful work and growing salaries, according to experts.

"The myth of the starving artist is dead," says Stephen Rawlins, a leading industry observer. "More and more companies are realizing that they need great designers to stand out in today’s economy. The kids who used to doodle on their notebooks instead of working on math in high school are going to rule the world."

Rising design salaries confirm this. According to Salary.com, the middle 50 percent of Web design jobs pay between $54,140 and $71,722. The lowest 10 percent make $46,989 or less while the top 10 percent earn $80,580 or more. The middle 50 percent of graphic design specialists make between $50,234 and $64,844. For more skilled designers, these salaries can quickly rise above $100,000.

The following universities and a number of others, offer flexible, quick, and well-respected design programs online, with majors in Web design, graphic design, animation, illustration and interior design.

Kaplan University

University of Phoenix

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh: Online Division

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