If you want to earn a high salary straight out of college, you had better pay attention to what major you choose. You probably know that a social science or humanities degree is not likely to earn you the big bucks after graduation. 

You definitely want to earn a living wage after college at the least, but if you’re ready to start earning the big bucks right after graduation, then you need to plan ahead and focus your studies on particular subjects. Here are the five best college majors to earn a high salary after you are handed your college diploma, according to an article on Forbes.com by Susan Adams.Adams reported on a survey by Looksharp, a business that manages a website for entry-level and internship jobs called Internmatch. 

The survey is called the “2015 State of College Hiring.” The survey clumps broad categories of subjects together and doesn’t include every single major at every college. However, it does give you an idea of the areas of study that are likely to end up with rewarding graduates with high salaries. The top major in the survey for starting salaries is computer science, which has an average starting salary of $66,800. Just behind computer science comes engineering. All types of engineering were included in the engineering category, and the average starting wage is $65,000 annually. 

The “mathematics and statistics” category has an average $60,300 starting salary, followed by economics at $58,600 and finance with a starting salary averaging $58,000.These starting salaries reflect the average beginning salaries all over the United States. That is to say, there are big differences in what employers offer in different parts of the country. For example, computer science graduates can earn $85,000 per year out of college in the San Francisco Bay area, which is almost $20,000 more than the national average. 

Those computer science students who earned great grades can command over $100,000 to start out in that region. The cost of living is really high in San Francisco and the surrounding vicinity, so keep that in mind. Contrast these numbers with the last on the list, which is social services, which has a new graduate average starting salary of just $34,700, followed by number two on the list, English, at $39,600.History comes in third at $40,300, and then graphic design follows history at $40,700. 

Number five from the bottom of the list is the arts with an average starting salary of $41,500. The arts usually comes in at the very bottom of such surveys. The LookSharp survey is not the only survey that ranks college majors by their potential for high salaries for graduates. 

PayScale.com listed the top five majors as well. According to BusinessInsider.com, which reported on PayScale’s findings, petroleum engineering offers the highest salary for graduates with a median starting salary of $102,300, and a median mid-career salary of $176,300, which is a 72 percent jump in salary. 

Chemical engineering comes in second with a median starting salary of $69,600, and a median mid-career salary of $116,700, which is a 68 percent jump. Computer engineering students can earn a median starting salary of $67,300, with a median mid-career salary of $108,600, which is a 61 percent increase.

 Nuclear engineers earn $67,000 as a median starting salary, and they earn a median mid-career salary of $118,800, a jump of 77 percent. Computer science and engineering students can expect a median starting salary of $66,700 and a median mid-career salary of $112,600, which is an increase of 69 percent. 

So if you’re planning your career after college, and you want a high salary right after graduation, focus your efforts on getting a degree in computer science or a field of engineering. There is no consensus on the highest-paying college major, but they center on these two areas of study. 

Pretty much anything related to math and science is going to bring home the highest salary. If you’re more of a social science or art person, remember that you’re studying those subjects because you really like them, not because of the salary that you’re likely to earn. No matter what you end up studying or what kind of job you have, remember that money doesn’t equal the happiness. Do a job because you like it, not because of the size of your potential pay check.

With the advent of the smartphone and tablet, studying is now an activity that you can more easily do on the go. Apps make it easier than ever to study for that final or midterm, and they utilize instructional methods that speak to just about every learning style. So whether you like to learn by moving and touching (swiping, tapping, and clicking), by seeing what you’re learning (pictures, graphs), or listening (instructional videos, recordings), there is an app that will make it much more pleasant to study. Here are some apps from CollegeChoice.net and ExamTime.com.

Quizlet

Quizlet is one of the most versatile studying apps available. Create a set of flash cards with Quizlet on any topic. Arrange your study cards by subject. Add pictures. Add text and definitions in different languages. Play games to learn how to spell the words on your flash cards faster and more accurately. You can also play games to match the front and back sides of the cards. Add your voice or add words in 18 languages (helpful for studying foreign languages) to the cards if you want an audio component.

Recording App

Speaking of voices, use the voice memo app on your phone to record your voice or your professor’s lectures (if she allows it). When you review your notes, making an audio recording of you paraphrasing the notes in your own words forces you to state what you learned out loud. Later on, listen to the recording to review faster than re-reading the textbook. Listening to lectures again can help you clarify concepts you don’t understand.

iTunes University and Khan Academy

Check out the course material from colleges and universities on iTunes U (only available for iOS). You can watch video and read text on subjects that you’re studying. You may find a resource that explains something you didn’t quite catch in class in a different way. Download the Khan Academy app to watch videos on a variety of topics to enhance your in-class learning and to help you study for tests.

MyScript Smart Note

If you like to write down notes with a pen and paper in class and not type, then MyScript Smart Note might be a great app for you. There are lots of apps that let you handwrite with a finger or stylus, but they can’t really keep up with the speed with which you have to take notes during a lecture. This app isn’t any better about getting your  notes down faster, but it is good for taking notes if you’re taking notes from a book and are studying at home or at the library. One positive aspect of MyScript is that it can recognize handwriting in more than one language, and it can understand even the worst handwriting. This app is available for iOS and Android. The app enables you to change what you wrote with certain hand gestures. You can also draw and add media like images, sound, or PDF files from cloud storage. For a couple of dollars, you can add more pages, the ability to export, and back-ups as well. 

XMind

Xmind is only for desktops and laptops, but it is a versatile mind mapping tool. It isn’t mobile, and there is no Web app for it, but it can be a great planning tool for studying. Mind maps help you categorize and organize your thinking around a central topic and are usually helpful for visual learners. XMind has a free version, but you can pay extra for cloud storage and business-level perks if you want. 

ExamTime

This app lets you create mind maps, flash cards, notes, and quizzes. You can use all of these tools to help you prepare for exams. Organize your notes, and create flashcards and practice tests of your own. Share them with your friends to help them study, and they can share their materials with you to help you improve your grades. Your notes are all stored in one location, making them easier to find and study from. You can also study in groups, private message other users, use the online calendar, and plan your studying. This is a Web app, so you can use it from any device with a browser.

SelfControl

If you’re like most students, your mind wanders easily when you study. Use SelfControl to block a list of websites for an amount of time you choose when you study. You can better concentrate on studying and stay off of the Internet. 

Scholarships are your ticket to getting out of having to pay for college with student loans. You may even not have to work if you get enough scholarships! If you know where to find scholarships and the right way to apply for them, you may just be able to get your college paid for. Here are some tips to help you get started on the scholarship search and application process.

Finding Scholarships

Finding scholarships is not always easy, but there are plenty of resources available to help you find them. You’ll have to do some serious digging and research to find relevant scholarships, but the effort will be well worth it.

1.) Visit Your Guidance Counselor.

If you’re in high school, visit your guidance counselor. This person should be your first stop on the journey of finding scholarships. He or she has relationships with colleges and knows which scholarships you might be eligible for. If you’re already in college, go by the financial aid office to learn about potential scholarships for which you might be eligible.

2.) Visit the Library.

You can go to the book store to get a book about scholarships that are out there, but you can also often find such books at the public library for free. Make sure you find the latest version of the book. The title of the book often contains the year for which it is relevant. They’re typically published every year.

3.) Search Online.

FastWeb.com and Scholarships.com should be your best friends online when you’re looking for scholarships. Fill out your profile, and then search for scholarships that match. These sites provide eligibility information, application instructions, and contact information for the scholarship organization.

4.) Visit Professional and Civic Organizations Online.

If you or your parents are part of a civic or professional organization, there may be scholarships available to you. You can also find scholarships for students from professional organizations that are in your field of study.

Applying for Scholarships

Once you find the scholarships for which you want to apply, the next step is applying for them. Paying close attention to detail is vital if you’re going to win any scholarships. If you stop paying attention for any length of time, your application will reflect that, and you’ll miss out on college funding.

1.) Read the Eligibility Information Carefully.

The eligibility information should be one of the first pieces of information about a scholarship that you read. This will quickly tell you whether you have a shot of getting the scholarship and can prevent  wasting time applying for a scholarship for which you’re not eligible.

2.) Read the Application Instructions Carefully.

Your application will end up in the trash faster than you can blink if you don’t carefully follow the instructions for each application. Don’t get careless and accidentally submit the essay for one scholarship that was meant for another. Follow each instruction to the letter if you want your application to get serious consideration from the scholarship committee.

3.) Represent Yourself Honestly.

In your application, essays and other application materials, represent yourself as honestly as possible. Speak from the heart in your essays, but don’t overdramatize your life or opinions. Fill in accurate GPAs and class rankings. Chances are that you will be found out if you lie, and you’ll lose your scholarship as a result in most cases.

4.) Double Check Your Application.

Before you turn the application in, make sure that you have included every piece of supporting documentation necessary to complete it. If you don’t have a document, your application may end up in the trash. Don’t expect the scholarship committee to contact you if you are missing something.

5.) Write a Neat Application.

Every document in your application should be completed neatly. It reflects poorly on you and your ability to do well in college if your application is messy or incomplete.

Searching for and applying for scholarships takes maturity and a sense of purpose. If you want someone else to pay for your college, you’re going to have to research and work hard to make  that happen. It’s not impossible by any stretch, but it does require a commitment to see the process through. 

Apply for Hundreds Scholarships with Just One Application 

Once you have your diploma in-hand, it’s time to start thinking about your financial future and planning for it, if you haven’t already begun to do so. Once you get a full-time job (again, if you haven’t had one already), you’ll have a steady income to start saving, investing, and spending. Here are some tips from Forbes.com to help you get started making smart financial decisions.

1.) Budget

It will take a few months, but keep track of what you’re spending on utilities, rent, gas, insurance, groceries, entertainment, clothes, etc. This will help you figure out how much money you can safely spend each month without running into financial troubles from spending more than you earn. Write down how much money you’re bringing in from work each month as well. Then start to flesh out your budget and stick to it. Remember to create a budget category for emergencies like a new set of tires for your car or a trip to the emergency room. Also, keep your expenses down while you establish yourself financially.

2.) Look for Student Discounts

College students should become masters at exploring the ways their educational status can save them money. Vendors, local venues, restaurants, and services near college campuses often offer student discounts that could save your freshman big money during the first year. What’s more, by looking for discounts, students learn the value of hunting down great deals.

3.) Stay Out of Debt.

If you don’t have debt payments, you can have more choices when it comes to your career. If you don’t have to meet a ridiculously high salary level every year to ensure you pay on your debt each month, you can apply for jobs that have lower salaries, but which you might like much more than one that pays six figures annually. Also, potential employers do credit checks on applicants, and you might not get a job offer at all if your credit report comes back with a high debt to income ratio.

Debt is incredibly hard to avoid, though. Forbes.com reports that a Fidelity Investments study found that 70 percent of the 2013 graduating class had an average debt of $35,200.

4.) Get Rid of Your Debt Fast.

Paying down and eliminating your debt should be your top financial priorities after graduation. If you have student loans, your payment on them is not just a monthly obligation you have to pay: it is an evil if your life that you must annihilate quickly. You may have to work more hours, get another job, start freelancing, or spending less money on eating out or buying clothes, but you will thank yourself in the long-run. When that debt is gone, you have more monthly income to spend as you want, and you can start thinking about bigger purchases, such as a house or new car.

Even if you can only save another $20 per month,  that can help reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan. You may also be able to save some money by having the payment automatically deducted from your bank account each month. This can reduce the interest rate in some cases.

5.) Set Up an Emergency Fund.

You never know when life is going to throw you a curve ball or dump everything it has on you at once. Set up an emergency fund with at least three to six months’ of living expenses. Shoot for a year, but this can take a significant time to accumulate. If you’re suddenly laid off or have medical expenses, these savings can keep you afloat financially. Stash your money in a money market mutual fund or a bank savings account.

6.) Move in with your parents

 Anything ! To keep housing costs down. This presumes they’re cool with the idea and won’t charge you rent. You’ll then be able to devote the money you save on housing to cutting your debt and increasing your savings.

7.) Start Investing Now.

You’ve got time on your side, and this gives your money more time to multiply. Buy stocks or mutual funds. Check out the National Endowment for Financial Education or SmartAboutMoney.org for free information that explain the fundamentals of investing. You can also learn about investing through a community college class or through a workshop from a group like the American Association of Individual Investors that does not sell anything financially-related.

8.) Put Money in your Retirement Account.

If you’re under the age of 50, you can put in up to $17,500 into 401(k) or other similar retirement plans. The money is taken out of your paycheck automatically, and it’s tax deductible. The money is tax-deferred until you take it out. If you can afford it, put as much money into your account as your company will match. Many employers will contribute a certain amount to your account if you do so yourself each month, so take advantage of it. It’s free retirement money. Employers typically require employees to save four to six percent to receive the highest match. You might be wary about tying up your money, but it’s worth it to have that money down the line.

You’re a college student. You’re not rolling in cash, though you wish you were.

So when you’re assigned $100, $200, and sometimes even $400 textbooks, there’s no way you can pay that much.

Try these options instead.

1. Price comparison sites

Websites like SlugbooksandBigWords will allow you to compare used and rental textbook prices from a variety of websites, allowing you to find the cheapest way to get those books.

2. “Rent” from the library

Don’t want to spend any money at all? It’s a stretch, but check with your school library. They might have the textbook you need on reserve, and then you can just visit it when you need it!

3. Get an alternative with built-in study tools

The website Boundless offers a $19.99 digital alternative that is aligned to your assigned textbook and also includes flashcards, quizzes, and study reminders. With these textbook alternatives you can study on-the-go!

4. Share with a friend

If you have a friend in your class with you, split the cost of the textbook and share it. This way, you’ll also have a study buddy! (Make sure you trust your friend if you choose this option!)

Hope this helps – you should have no problem saving money on textbooks now.

Now go rock the semester and enjoy the sound of the extra change in your pocket.

First year of college tips! part 1- academics

Hey y’all! So I know I’ve been terrible about posting this year (adjusting to college + miss rona = struggle), but I’ve honestly missed this blog and would like to start posting more often! Since I have officially finished my first year of college as a Sustainability Studies and Business Management double major, I wanted to share some tips on surviving your first year of college! This first part of the series will focus on academics!

-don’t go crazy with the course load: seriously, don’t be that kid who takes like 18 credits in their first semester. No matter what, adjusting to college life is weird, so give yourself enough time to explore, adjust, meet new people, and practice self-care!

-if you are not a morning person, do not sign up for morning classes (unless you have to!): Since I live off-campus, I have to wake up at 7:30 for my 9:30 classes and it is my personal hell (an 8:30 just might kill me). The early risers will try to convince you it’s not that bad, but schedule your classes at times when you will be the most present and engaged. 

-try out some interesting classes! This is the time when you will have some freedom to explore different areas of study, so don’t hesitate to try something new or take a weird class! Who knows, you might accidentally find something you love.

-it is absolutely ok to change your major! No matter how put together some people may seem, no one has their life completely figured out in their first year of college. You may find that the major you have excitedly been waiting to take classes for is absolute ass and that is ok! Talk to advisors and people in your classes to see what is right for you. I actually found my second major (sustainability studies) through a conversation with a random girl in one of my classes. 

-sit at the front of your class! if you are easily distracted, like me, it is the only way to stay focused. 

-show up to office hours prepared. no matter how confused you are, the second you walk into office hours you are going to forget every single question you had, so make sure to write them down and come with the materials you need so you don’t waste your time and your professor’s time.

-all-nighters are overhyped. I used to hear so many people boast about the all-nighters they pulled to study but I genuinely think it is a waste of time and energy. Unlike a high school schedule, your college schedule is going to leave you with so much free time. Try to finish all of your work in the time between classes so you don’t have to cram it all into one night. I did this, and honestly spent so much time sleeping during the fall semester (oops)

-join Facebook groups/group chats for your classes. this gives you a way to ask questions and get materials when you miss class.

-don’t study in the same place for hours. I’ve found that moving to a new location every now and gave me time to reset and helped me retain more information. The longer I stay in one place, the more distracted I get. 

-if you have the means invest in an iPad/tablet! I pooled all of my graduation money to buy an iPad and apple pencil and I am so happy with that decision. I got the good notes app and write notes and download readings (so I can highlight them) on there. Also, whenever I have to read novels for class I get them on the kindle app (which is often cheaper than buying a physical copy). This has helped me save a lot of paper and makes my backpack so much lighter.

lmk if I should do more of these / what you would like to see next! (thinking of doing a post on how to cope with remote learning and online classes next)

We get it, if you’ve accomplished a lot, you might really be feeling yourself. You might want the world to know. You feel GOOD. But I think there’s a very thin line between being proud of your accomplishments and being pretentious.

And I toe this line often, admittedly.

What I’ve Learned:

• Honestly, don’t bring things up if they’re not relevant to the conversation. Don’t try to “sneak” it into the conversation. You know how you can tell when someone is lovestruck because they constantly name-drop their boyfriend, or say “oh, my boyfriend and I…” in every sentence, when the conversation is about school loans or something TOTALLY irrelevant? Yeah, exactly. It can get annoying. Having a boyfriend, or receiving an award, is not your WHOLE identity (I hope).
• It is way more impressive to be humble about your achievements in most settings. Unless this is an interview or you are helping someone who is interested in your experiences, there’s really no need to brag that you got a full ride or how you’ve gotten a 4.0 GPA unsolicitedly. There’s a time and place for everything. Even with forums like LinkedIn which are meant to showcase your professional accomplishments, you need to watch your tone and wording so that the post does not come off as snarky or pretentious!
• Life is not a competition. I’ve realized my need to share accomplishments is because I like the validation, but it’s like ??? That’s no bueno. I am actively working on not seeing everything as a competition because that makes life unnecessarily more dramatic and stressful. There’s a difference between confidence and pretentiousness! 

Tldr; share only when needed, be humble (sit down), and take a chill-pill. Keeping this points in mind have helped with my mental health too!

I recently started graduate school and have been very fortunate to land a TA, or teaching assistant, position! I help teach three sections of an undergraduate introductory science course. 

It’s been about a month of being a TA, and whew… it’s a lot of work! Here’s what I want you all, as undergraduate students, to know:

• I’m a college student too. Like you, I am here at this university to study. I may be at the graduate level, but I still have classes to attend, assignments to complete, research to participate in, etc just like you. I am not at your beck and call, and cannot be expected to respond to emails immediately, unfortunately. I try to reply to emails within 1 business day.
  
• I don’t know everything about this class topic. Yes, I have a background in the subject and was chosen from the applicant pool to be a TA. But that does not mean I know the answers to every question you have about the material. I will do my best to answer or point you to good resources, though. But please don’t expect that I’m a walking encyclopedia! I’m finding that I get very specific questions or “what if” questions - and I love it! But just know many times this may not be within the scope of this course.
• I have imposter syndrome. I’m not sure how I got admitted as a graduate student. I’m not sure how I was chosen to be a TA. I still feel very unqualified in many aspects of my life! 
• We are not necessarily close with the professor. We likely have meetings with the professor weekly to discuss things, but it’s a very professional friendly relationship. TAs are not necessarily chosen because they work in the same field or research lab as the professor; certainly not me!
• As a first-time TA, know I’m anxious before each section I teach! Try to be understanding and have patience. I’m doing my best! If a TA has taught before, they are likely more experienced and less likely to get flustered. 
• Grading actually takes … a while. Don’t expect your papers to get graded ASAP. I have 3 lab sections to teach, and it’s about 80 students total for me. That’s 80 assignments I have to grade… every week. 
• Understand that being a TA is much more than teaching a section and grading papers each week. I have to attend a required teaching pedagogy course (on top of my busy coursework!), weekly TA meetings with the professor, host weekly office hours, spend hours before section to prepare, respond to student emails which range from anxiety/mental health issues to wifi problems to confusion over a topic, etc. PLUS, throw in COVID-19 right now and it can get hectic! I’m at 20 units this quarter! I know not all TAs are this busy (some are in their last quarter, or just focusing on research) but just a FYI!
• Why do we want to TA? Benefits include great experience, tuition remission, networking, etc. Receiving a TA position gives you amazing experience to interact with students to teach them a topic you’re (hopefully) passionate (or at least, proficient) at. It looks great on a resume, plus it doesn’t hurt that most TA positions offer fee remissions. AKA most of your fees for the quarter/semester are paid as a result of your employment AND you get a monthly salary on top of that. It’s not “cushy”, it’s appropriate given the amount of work. Lastly, the chance to network with professors and leaders of the field is amazing too!
• Please participate in class! It’s really awkward for us when we do our best to teach, and … no one participates. Or students do the bare minimum. If it feels awkward for you, trust me, it’s awkward for me too.
• Many times, the class is structured and formatted in a specific way and the TA is just a facilitator. I’m very fortunate that the course I help teach is very structured: specific powerpoints, assignments, worksheets, homework problems, etc. I do not really have a say in how the lesson planning of the overall class. I have more say in the individual sections I lead, but even then I have to abide by certain rules (no recording of lecture, no posting of powerpoints, etc), use specific powerpoints (I can add my own slides, or modify a little bit), etc so that there is consistency between all TAs. That makes sense, right? 

tldr; Being a TA is a lot of work. Since becoming one, I honestly have had a shift in how I formerly thought of TAs… I find there are ups and downs to being a TAs but overall my experience has been positive. But just know, we are people too! We have other responsibilities and we get stressed out too! :)

• Let go. Let go of the past, any resentment you have, any “what ifs” you have. Anything. Live in the present and don’t spend so much time thinking about the past.
  
  I’ve wasted a lot of time overthinking about the past and it was just so … unnecessary. Do I really think my ex gave me a second thought after we ended things? Not really, and definitely not to the extent that I analyzed our relationship for his flaws! Sometimes, overthinking and analyzing the past re-opens your wounds and you get hurt again (and again… and again…)
• Stop comparing. There will always be someone better than you but also someone worse than you. Comparing is a fruitless endeavor! If you must compare, do it for the purpose of bettering yourself. Like “Wow, I love Shay Mitchell’s make-up. She’s so pretty. What products or makeup techniques does she use, so I can try on myself?” or “This girl got a full-ride scholarship. What does she have for experience? Maybe one of her experiences is something that would be relevant for me and can help my professional career.”
  
  Truthfully, I’ve learned that each person in my grad program has something that obviously shined in the eyes of admissions committee and got them in here. It may not be obvious to me as an outsider, but I can’t keep comparing. We’re all at the same school, aren’t we? And funding wise, too. I got a pretty good chunk of $ and I need to stop comparing!
• Stop surrounding yourself in toxicity. If you have a relative who is toxic or is negative or you always feel DRAINED after your interaction with them repeatedly, then that’s a sign they need to be O U T of your lives (or realistically, reduced interactions). Same with friends. Same with coworkers. This is probably the most important part of this whole “bettering yourself” vibe. How can you get better if the people around you constantly drag you down?
  
  For the people who you can’t just cut off contact, I reduce contact. I stop sharing anything that’s particularly important to them. (God knows I have an older sister who uses anything and everything I say to her as ammunition in arguments.) I share boring stuff only. Safe stuff. Small talk. Act cordial but not BFFs. Stonewall them. Minimal contact. They might say you’re cold and standoffish, but who the fuck cares? Mental health matters and you don’t need to share every single thing with every single person in your lives. I’ve learned it’s best to confide in only a couple people.
• Make time for “you time.” If you’re busy at work or school, still try to carve out some time where the goal is just to relax you. Maybe grab a solo lunch with yourself at your favorite place, maybe binge on Netflix for a teeny bit, maybe treat yourself to a spa day. Whatever relaxes you - you deserve it! 
  
  If I’m really stressed out, my body will show it. I will breakout on my face. I get easily irritated. I will have dark bags under my eyes. I have to remind myself that I need to take deep breaths and not to let my body “feel” stressed because I don’t want my body to “show” signs of stress. Because god knows it takes forever (seemingly) for a pimple to clear up! And even longer if I pick at it and it scars… I reason with myself, “Do I want to have a breakout on my face that might last longer than my stress freak-out period?!” I think not!
• Learn what your triggers are and try to remedy it. For example, one of my triggers to anxiety is feeling overwhelmed with my workload. But if I get better at planning my workload and being honest and transparent with myself, it eases my mind. I recently bought a Passion Planner that is coming tomorrow!

Mental health is a very important thing. PLEASE take active steps to make sure you feel okay! What are your tips for ensuring good mental health?