Tag: College

International Office Consulting, sunapsis and UEMS

International higher education in the US has changed dramatically over the last few decades. In 1998/99 there were only 490,933 international students studying in the US. By 2008/09 there were 671,616. As of 2017/18, there were 1,078,822 international students studying in the US. That is more than double what it was two decades ago.

This sudden growth in international students, along with how complex immigration regulations have gotten, means more work for the small international student and scholar staff at universities. The manual method used in previous years was now too time-consuming for the staff to handle efficiently. Which is why many universities are looking for software, like sunapsis, to help manage their universities international student population.

sunapsis is a case management software that connects to the SEVIS database to help manage international students. However, implementing sunapsis into a university system can be very difficult, especially if you do understand many of the steps necessary.

This is where International Office Consulting comes into play. Jodi Barnhill, the CEO, started International Office Consulting last year (2017). It is comprised of a team of “veteran international case management software experts who have been in higher education for, combined, over 25 years…” They have expertise “working with international cases management software. Homeland Security Sevis systems, student information systems, and HR systems on campuses.”

International Office Consulting “helps international students and scholars offices leverage the power of technology and join the 21st century.” They help universities, ones without any software and those with older case management software, implement sunapsis into their campuses systems.

Jodi is also a strong supporter of eShipGlobal and our UEMS system. UEMS helps international student advisors in several ways: by enabling students to pay for shipping labels, helping to ensure accurate shipping addresses, bulk label printing and more. UEMS can also be integrated with synapsis, allowing advisors to see which students’ shipping documentation is ready. If a university uses UEMS or if they are interested in integrating UEMS with synapsis, Jodi and her company would be able to help.

International Office Consulting has helped several universities, such as Rutgers and University of Texas at Dallas. Their clients often call their help a “blessing” and that they feel “safe and comfortable” knowing that International Office Consulting will be there for them.

With more and more international students coming to the US to study, universities are having to adopt new techniques and technology to handle the influx. This trend does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon either. So, the question many universities now face is how efficient is their international student and scholars office and department running and how can they improve it.

By Ashleigh Cue

June 21, 2018
Diversity and Connecting Cultures

Diversity. It is something we hear often but many don’t stop to think about what it actually means. It is far more than just the color of one’s skin or their gender. Diversity includes beliefs, social class and cultures. But why is diversity so important? A diverse culture is full of varying perspectives. Differing perspectives help us to sharpen our own ideas and perspectives. We either strengthen our already existing ones, obtain completely new ones or blend the perspectives to build a potentially stronger one. Diversity is especially important in higher education.

One if the goals of universities is to produce enlightened and educated individuals. To do this universities and professors have to expose students to various cultures, ideas, thought processes, traditions, etc. One group that helps to create to a diverse campus is the international student population. International students from all over the world contribute to the diversity by sharing their own experience, perspectives and cultures, which can greatly benefit the higher education community.

Diversity is so important that it is the theme for the 2018 NAFSA Annual Conference. The full theme is “Diverse Voices, Shared Commitment.” It focuses on the multiple perspectives, including those across national boundaries. One aspect they emphasize is that without a shared commitment multiple voices are just noise and have no real power. Shared commitment has trust; it is a relationship, a connection. Without that relationship, a true connection, diverse cultures tend to clash.

We at eShipGlobal believe in having a diverse culture, which is why we have a staff comprised of various ethnicities, genders, cultures and backgrounds. We have seen first hand how these combination of cultures can produce amazing results. So, our question and theme for the 2018 NAFSA Annual Conference is: “What is true intercultural connection?” We would like to hear from all the advisors and anyone else who would like to contribute. What is true intercultural connection and what is its greatest benefit?

By Ashleigh Cue

May 10, 2018
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

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The year is quickly coming to a close. University staff and students will be celebrating the end of the semester and the holiday season. The holiday season is a time to relax and spend time with the people we care about. It is also a time to reflect and look back at all the great things that happened and accomplishments we had over the year.

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” – Winston Churchill

We have had another great year at eShipGlobal working with our users to bring in new international students. While the increase in international student enrollment was not as high as last years, we still brought in more international students than the year before. We hope that in this upcoming year we can work together to bring in more international students and expand the global community.

One of the greatest accomplishments this year is the increase in the number of international students applying for OPT. To help support this growing number, we improved our UEMS solution to better support OPT shipments. Our products evolved and grew this year thanks to your great suggestions.

As we usher in the new year, we hope to provide more service and support for all our clients. Our goal at eShipGlobal is to simplify the shipping process. So, whether you are a single international student services department, an entire university or a business, we want to be able to help you simplify your shipping process. We look forward to working with both new and old users and can not wait to see what this new year has in store or us.

We are very grateful for all your loyalty and support. We hope you have a great holiday season, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

“Cheers to a new year and another change for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

By Ashleigh Cue

December 21, 2017
Helping to Lower Shipping Costs

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Shipping is typically not a fun thing to do. We all greatly enjoy receiving packages, but not necessarily the mailing of them. However, shipping is still important, even in our digital dominated society. There are many things that cannot be digitally transmitted and must be shipped, such as OPT applications and I-20 documents.

Shipping, especially expedited, can often be a bit more costly than ground mailing. However, the speed and security it offers is significantly better. Unfortunately, the cost for shipping in general will be increasing in 2018 as shipping carriers, like UPS, FedEx and DHL, will be increasing their shipping rates.

At eShipGlobal, we believe in making shipping easier by simplifying the process and mitigating the amount of money spent on shipping. We don’t believe shipping should be difficult, which is why we offer shipping solutions that help lower shipping spend across various industries, such as business and higher education.

We also strive to help both incoming international students and international students currently studying in the US by offering discounted shipping rates, carrier rate shopping, and will soon be offering a-la-cart shipping fees. This allows us to lower shipping rates for international students looking to ship important, time-sensitive documents like Optional Practical Training (OPT) Applications, also called the I-765 form.

Shipping is one way that connects people together. It empowers global and cultural exchange to build a global community. Which is why we strive to make it easier for individuals, businesses and other entities to ship their important documents and packages.

Businesses and universities, if you are looking for a way to lower your shipping spend in 2018, we have several solutions that can benefit you. International students can save money on shipping through our UEMS (University Express Mail Service) or eShipNOW solutions.

Let us help you save money on you shipping.

“Because we are a globally connected village, we need to remember that our choices are not isolated. They have a powerful ripple effect, and that ripple is global.” – Linda Fisher Thornton

By Ashleigh Cue

December 12, 2017
How Small Colleges Can Benefit From UEMS

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International students are a big source of income for many US universities, large and small. This is why universities across the US are actively trying to recruit international students. The process to bring in international students can be long and costly, especially for smaller universities and colleges. They often are understaffed and have a smaller operating budget than larger universities.

One area that universities have challenges with is shipping the I-20 documents to the incoming international students. Usually it means gathering shipping information, filling out a shipping label, and printing the label for each incoming student. Also, the university must either pay the shipping cost, which smaller colleges may not have the budget for, or collect payment information from the students. For understaffed universities, this is very time consuming.

Luckily there is a solution that simplifies the process, saving the universities and the students time and money. UEMS, University Express Mail Service, has been used by large universities throughout the US (Yale, Carnegie, Columbia, and more). However, it is extremely beneficial to smaller universities as well.

UEMS is completely free to use. There is no monthly cost and no subscription fee for either the university or the student. It is an online solution that allows students to pay for the shipping label to ship the I-20 document. Students input their own information, which improves accuracy. All the university staff needs to do is print the labels, which can be done in bulk, and mail them off.

In addition, students save with discounted shipping rates. They can also choose which carrier available to them that they want to ship through and how fast they want the shipment.

So whether you are a large university or a small community college, UEMS can help you ship important documents to students all over the world. It will help improve efficiency giving you more time to focus on other important matters.

If you are interested in signing up for UEMS, you can register your university or department at https://study.eshipglobal.com/uregister/. You can also learn more about UEMS and all the benefits it can provide to both universities and students on the UEMS website.

By Ashleigh Cue

November 27, 2017
A Thank You from All of Us at eShipGlobal

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It is that time of the year again! The time when students return home and busy university staff get to enjoy the Thanksgiving break. It is a time to relax and reflect on all of the things we are thankful for. However, just feeling thankful is not enough. The holiday is not only about feeling thankful, but also about giving thanks. That’s why it is called Thanksgiving.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

We have had another great year here at eShipGlobal and when we look back at all that has helped us achieve the success we have had, we find ourselves most grateful to our many users.

eShipGlobal has been working with universities since 1999 and many of our users come to us through word-of-mouth. Our UEMS (University Express Mail Solution) service, which launched 10 years ago, is now being used by approximately 898 universities and colleges and together we have helped 749,724 international students and scholars enter the US to study.

All of this would not be possible without your support, usage, suggestions and wonderful testimonials. Every year through various channels like email, phone conversations or when you all stop to see us at our booths during conferences throughout the year, we get to hear your kind support and encouragement through testimonials or just simple thank yous. It is now our turn to thank you for being a part of the eShipGlobal family.

“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” – Alfred North Whitehead

Whether you have been using us for many years or you are a new client, we are very grateful for all your loyalty and support. So, from all of us to you, we want to thank you and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

November 20, 2017
Top 10 Blogs On International Education

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This week universities and campuses all across the US will be celebrating International Education Week. International students from all over the world will be showcasing their home countries cultures, holidays and food! Perhaps you will learn more about the Chinese culture, try a Nigerian dish or attend a Diwali celebration/event. Universities and advisors are working hard to put together fairs and events that celebrate international students and international education. It is a great time for domestic students and international students to mingle, share cultures and learn more.

In celebration of International Education Week, here are our top 10 favorite blogs talking about international education:

Top 10 Universities with the Most International Students

There are a lot of universities in the US to choose from. To help we have gathered a list of the top 10 universities with the most international students! (Read More…)

Top 10 US States With The Most International Students

The United States has fifty states and over one million international students. Here is a list of the top 10 states with the most international students. (Read More…)

What Degree Fields Attract International Students From The Top Origin Countries

It’s important for international recruiters to market efficiently. Looking at the top degrees international students study by country of origin can help. (Read More…)

What Degree Fields Do US International Students Come to Study

With international recruiting efforts, it is vital that universities know what degree fields are attracting international students. (Read More…)

New Beginnings and Making American Friends

Studying in the US is a time for new beginnings. Once concern international students have is making American friends. Here is why you shouldn’t be worried. (Read More…)

Campus Cultural Connections Can Enrich University Experiences and the Global Community

Attending university is an experience that can be enriched by sharing your time with people from other cultures, both domestic and international. (Read More…)

Why International Recruitment Efforts Are Important to US Universities

The US universities has lost ground in the international higher education market, which is why international student recruitment efforts are important. (Read More…)

Understanding the Critical and Ever-Changing Role of International Student Services Professionals

ISS professionals help international students who come to the US as they navigate the practical and social challenges of studying in a foreign country. (Read More…)

Getting International Students Acclimated

With so many international students entering the US it is important for universities to help them to acclimate to their new environment. (Read More…)

Studying in the US, I-20 and UEMS

Personal Shipping Solution

Coming into the US to study is a long process with many steps and forms. One of those forms required to even start the process is the I-20 form. (Read More…)

Happy International Education Week!

By Ashleigh Cue

November 14, 2017
I-20s and University Shipping
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Universities all over the US are faced with the task and challenge of shipping important documents like the I-20 to international students all across the world. The I-20 form cannot be scanned or photocopied, which means universities must mail the form to the student. Here lies some challenges:

Cost
Universities normally use express mail or expedited mail when sending these forms. This can be expensive when sending documents internationally. Not all schools want to pay for the shipping and, therefore, require students to. To do that the school has to bill the student for the shipping cost by gathering credit card information or use another mean of getting the payment information.

Accuracy
In addition to having to collect the payment, universities have to gather the shipping information from the student. This can often result in errors in the shipping address.

Time
This is self-evident given the first two challenges. For the shipment of just one I-20, university staff needs to collect and write down payment and shipping information. They also must print out shipping labels, often one at a time. The entire process can be very time consuming.

UEMS, University Express Mail Service, by eShipGlobal helps simplify this process. It is an online solution that allows students to pay for shipping labels on requested documents. University staff can print labels in batch all through the UEMS system. Better yet, It does not cost the school or the student to sign-up/register for UEMS and students can save money with eShipGlobal’s discounted shipping rates. They can also choose which carrier available to them that they want to ship through and how fast they want the shipment.

For larger universities or universities with multiple departments, eShipGlobal has another solution which includes UEMS. Their Enterprise solution can provide more visibility and management of the shipping process across multiple departments or systems. It is a customizable solution that allows universities to manage their outbound shipping, connect and manage their own carrier accounts, and it consolidates invoicing.

The web-based solution integrates with financial, ERP or 3rd party legacy systems and allows universities to look at past orders and receive reports on shipping analytics. Anyone or any department connected to the system will be able to compare the carrier rates based on the universities carrier discounts, saving them more money.

Universities can also add-on to the Enterprise solution with packages like:
- The Export Control Package, which helps universities ship internationally in compliance with government regulations: ITAR, EAR, etc.
- The Inbound Package, which provides universities with more control over inbound shipping.
- Supply Chain Analysis Service, which is a more in-depth analysis of universities shipping data to provide meaningful insights into their shipping habits and spending.
Shipping should not be difficult, which is why eShipGlobal aims to simplify the process while saving their users money and time.

By Ashleigh Cue
November 13, 2017
Top 10 Universities with the Most International Students
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There are thousands of universities in the US, which means there are a lot of choices and tough decisions to make when looking to study in the US. As of 2016, the US was home to over one million international students and more come every year. So if you are looking to study in the US as an international student, you’re probably are looking at a bunch of different universities. To help you we have gathered the top 10 universities that attract the most international students (for the 2015/16 academic year).
1. New York University
- Number of international Students: 15,543
- Global Ranking: Tied for #28
- Globally ranked #7 for Economics and Business
- Nationally ranked #5 (tie) for Business Programs
1. University of Southern California
- Number of international Students: 13,340
- Global Ranking: #62
- Graduate Engineering program is ranked #15
- Ranked #24 for their graduate Business program
1. Arizona State University – Tempe
- Number of international Students: 12,751
- Global Ranking: #134
- Ranked #1 for innovative schools
- Ranked #24 for Economics and Business
1. Columbia University
- Number of international Students: 12,740
- Global Ranking: #9
- Graduate Engineering program is ranked #19
- Graduate Business program is tied at #9
1. University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
- Number of international Students: 12,085
- Global Ranking: #51
- Engineering program is ranked #19 globally
- Graduate Engineering program is tied at #9
1. Northeastern University – Boston
- Number of international Students: 11,702
- Global Ranking: #228
- Graduate Engineering program is ranked #39
- Their graduate Business program is ranked #54
1. University of California – Los Angeles
- Number of international Students: 11,513
- Global Ranking: #13
- Computer Science program is ranked #40 globally
- Their graduate Business program is ranked #15
1. Purdue University – West Lafayette
- Number of international Students: 10,563
- Global Ranking: #103
- Ranked #40 for their Graduate Engineering program
- Graduate Engineering program is ranked #8
1. Boston University
- Number of international Students: 8,455
- Global Ranking: #39
- Their graduate Engineering school is ranked #34 (tie)
- Ranked #44 (tie) for their graduate Business school.
1. University of Washington
- Number of international Students: 8,259
- Global Ranking: #10
- Their Computer Science program is ranked #56 globally
- Ranked #25 (tie) for their graduate Engineering school
Good luck with your decision making! There are a lot of great choices. If you are looking for more great universities, check out our University Spotlights or our University Program Spotlights!

By Ashleigh Cue
November 10, 2017
New Beginnings and Making American Friends

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Coming to the US is not just a grand adventure or a great journey, it is also a time for new beginnings. You are in a completely different country, dealing with a different culture and having to start a new life as an US international student. There are many fears that international students face when coming to study in the US. One of which is whether they will be accepted by American people.

Unfortunately, there are many bad stereotypes associated with the US and Americans. For instance the idea that Americans are: boastful and arrogant, alcoholics, promiscuous, racist, think they know everything, or that they believe all countries should imitate the us. Stereotypes are usually created through two ways: learning from people around you or media. Neither are good representations of an entire country.

A good example is a study conducted that American’s who watched crime shows had an increased fear of crime, despite the the fact that crime actually decreased. Another real life example is the fear of safety when living in the US as an international student.

According to the FBI there were 5,850 incidents of hate crimes in 2015. Out of those 56.9 percent, about 3,300 incidents, was motivated by race or ethnicity bias and the majority were not violent. The number of incidents did not increase much from the year prior. Even if it increased 20% (which is unlikely) and was only towards international students (again unlikely), the number of being a victim of hate crime is .33%. The actual odds of international students being victims of a hate crime is extremely low.

Believe it or not, US is one of the top 5 friendliest countries in the world. The biggest challenge to making American friends is putting yourself out there to meet them. Many of the students you meet on campus are away from their friends and family. They are starting a new beginning as well and want to make friends.

If you want to get connected, make American friends and start your new beginning off right you need to get involved. Join an organization, go to campus events, talk to fellow classmates and put yourself out there. Just be mindful of the social cues, which can differ.

Another way you can get connected is by joining our community, UEMSConnect! The purpose of UEMSConnect is to be a community where international students can connect with other international students, domestic college students, organizations and advisors. It is also a great place to find resourced to help you with this new beginning, such as guides, how-tos and great business partners who offer services to help you live and study in the US. So, what are you waiting for?

By Ashleigh Cue

August 17, 2017
Finding a College Organization to Join

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College is an exciting time in many people’s lives. It is a time of learning, discovery, growth and independence. College is also accompanied with numerous changes: more independence, living in a completely new city and being away from friends and family.

Meet New Friends

One of the best ways to meet new friends, find a new support system and grow while in college is to be a part of a college organization. There are MANY different organizations that can be found on campus: fraternities, sororities, clubs, interest-groups, associations, etc. Not only can these organizations help you while in college, they can also help you outside of college.

Network

Being a part of an organization always looks good on a resume. Not to mention, these organizations often maintain contact with previous members who you can network with. Networking with current and previous members can help you find jobs, internships or get references. This will greatly help you find a job after graduating.

Great for International Students

If you are an international student, there are probably organizations and clubs for international students and students from your home country. Connecting with people from your home country may help you feel more comfortable while you are living in the US. They will also be able to provide support on how to adjust to live in the US and on campus. They went through the same challenges and difficulties you did and would be a great support to you.

Finding an Organization

Many universities have a listing of their college student organizations, however, some only are viewable to students with a student ID. So how can incoming college students, especially international students, connect with clubs and organizations on campus and vice versa? That is where UEMSConnect can help.

Online Community

UEMSConnect is an online community that aims to connect incoming international students (domestic college students are welcome too!) with clubs, organizations, alumni and advisors from universities they are looking at attending. Using the groups and group forums, incoming college students and current college students can communicate, share stories or show off their college.

Clubs and organizations can either create a group specifically for their club and/or they can create a forum board under their university’s group forum. They can chat, private message, share pictures and more all on one community.

Being a college student can be difficult and adventurous at the same time. It is a time to spread your wings and learn. So, don’t graduate college with regrets. Join an organization, get connected, share your stories and have fun!

By Ashleigh Cue

August 3, 2017
University Program Spotlight: University of Michigan’s Business Management Program
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If you are interested in studying management you may want to consider University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Their undergraduate management program is nationally ranked #1 by US News and ranked #5 for their graduate management program. The school also hosts over 7,000 international students.

University Name: University of Michigan

Location: 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Number of Undergraduate Students: 28,983

Number of Graduate Students: 15,735

Number of International Students: 7,630 approx.

Cost of Tuition: in-state tuition – $14,402 (2016-17)

out-of-state tuition and fees $45,410 (2016-17)

The Program:

University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business have a core belief that the best way to learn something is by doing it. They have numerous classes that are hands-on and work with large companies like Target, Kraft, Fox Sports and more. They even have a fully functional model trading floor.

21% of University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business’ 3,295 students are international students and the school boasts 45,000 alumni in 88 countries. They also boast high employment rates after graduating their programs: more than 90% of their graduates get a job three months after graduating.

A Preview of the Offered Classes (for more check out their curriculum):
- Entrepreneurial Management
- Applied Quant/Value Portfolio Management
- Creativity at Work: Theories and Practices
- Business Strategy
- Business Analytics & Statistics
- Behavioral Theory in Management
- Operations Management
- And more…
If you want more information or just want to see what people are saying about the program, check out the business/management program’s website at: https://michiganross.umich.edu/.

Are a part of the school or program? Share your experience or story through our community UEMSConnect. Just signup or login and share it under the university’s group!

By Ashleigh Cue
July 31, 2017
Freshman’s Guide to College Textbooks
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Getting ready for your first semester is college is filled with excitement and anticipation. Many are counting down the days for when they can ‘officially’ call themselves college students. Perhaps you have already started buying your school supplies. If you have already signed up for classes, you may even know what textbooks are listed for your class. Textbooks are another expensive cost to a college education. That is why you should be aware of these 5 things.
1. Textbooks can be EXPENSIVE
Textbooks can range from $5 to $500 easily. There is no average cost for textbooks, because it often depends on the major. For instance, many science books cost hundreds of dollars, so a science major will spend more than a art major, which usually has cheaper books or does not require any. It is important to note that just because you spend $300 on a textbook does not mean that it is bound. Some books are loose-leaf, which means they are unbound and require a binder to put all the loose pages into.
1. Don’t buy your books before class starts
Many blogs and articles might tell you to buy your textbooks early, but that could be costly. Professors have little to no control on what books are listed as required on the class catalog. So, you may have bought that $100 book and it will not be used. Buy your textbook right after your first day of class, when you get the syllabus. If your course requires multiple textbooks, wait to buy the other books until about a week or two before you need them. Sometimes professors have to redo the class calendar due to circumstances, which could result in one of the books previously listed as required not being used.
1. Look for off-campus bookstores
Some textbooks may sell out fast in your campus bookstore, especially if it is a core class that all majors have to take. Usually there are one or more off-campus bookstores, usually somewhere near campus, that sell college textbooks.
1. Rent or Buy Used
As mentioned before, college textbooks can be expensive. One way to help keep costs down to to buy used textbooks or rent them for a semester. Renting is always a good option and there are several places to rent textbooks: Chegg, Amazon, off-campus bookstores, etc. Just keep in mind when the books have to be returned (usually the last day of finals). However, if you are going to need the book for future reference or it is a good book to keep around for your major, you can buy it used at a cheaper cost. Because they are used the condition they are in often varies between gently used to completely marked up and usually the condition does not affect the price.
1. Borrow
This is the cheapest of all the textbook options. Connect with someone in class or find someone who has taken the class before and see if you can borrow their textbook. You can even ask someone taking the class and offer to share and split the cost of the textbook.

With the cost of college and textbooks being so high, it is becoming important to try and reduce costs as much as possible. By utilizing or being aware of these 5 textbook tips, you can help lower the amount of money you spend on college textbooks. Just think, for every dollar you save the less you will have to pay back in loans and interest.

Have any other tips for saving money on college textbooks? We would love to hear them! Share your tips on our social community UEMSConnect and help other students learn from your experiences.

By Ashleigh Cue
July 27, 2017
University Program Spotlight: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Engineering Program
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The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s undergraduate engineering program, is ranked #6 in the US, just below the tie for 4th place. What is great about the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the number of international students attending the university. They are ranked number 5 on the list of schools with the most international students.

University Name: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Location: 601 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820

Number of Undergraduate Students: 33,368

Number of International Students: 12,085

Cost of Tuition: in-state tuition – $15,698 (2016-17)

out-of-state tuition and fees $31,320 (2016-17)

Areas of Engineering:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- General Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials and Science Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
- Engineering Physics
A Preview of the Offered Classes (for more check out their catalog):
- Intro Differential Equations
- Computer-Aided Design
- Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
- Conservation Principles Bioeng
- Analog Signal Processing
- Solid Mechanics Design
- Aerospace Control Systems
- And more…
More about the program:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a college-wide program called the Illinois Engineering First-Year Experience (IEFX). This program incorporates your interest and aspirations with your engineering education. Student within this program take a project based course, developing or building things like: machines, prototypes, or an android apps.

If you want more information or just want to see what people are saying about the program, check out the engineering program’s website at: http://engineering.illinois.edu/.

Are a part of the school or program? Share your experience or story through our community UEMSConnect. Just signup or login and share it under the university’s group!

By Ashleigh Cue
July 24, 2017
Tips to Help You Succeed In College

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The start of the new semester is just around the corner. The summer is nearly over and many classes will begin again starting next month. This is an exciting time for all the incoming freshmen. They are now college students. College is different than high school. Many professors won’t remind you when something is due. Your parents won’t get notified of any bad grades. You are in complete control of your education, including whether you succeed or not. To help you navigate the college lifestyle, here are some tips to help you succeed.

Take Your Classes Seriously

Some students come to class just because of attendance and do not even try to learn anything. Some sit in the back playing on their laptops or some just skip class entirely. You are spending a lot of money on your education. If you are not going to learn, why spend the money?

Keep A Copy of Your Syllabus

The syllabus contains a lot of important information like: when assignments are due, information about big projects, grading policies, and professor contact information. Having a copy of the syllabus on hand is always a good thing. For instance, when your professor thinks an assignment is due that week, but is actually in the syllabus as the week after.

Sit Close To The Front

Sitting up close will keep your attention on the lecture and less on the students next to you. When you sit up front, you also indicate to the professor that you are listening. Some professors associate the students who sit in the back as the ones not paying attention in class.

Take Notes

The act of taking notes can actually aid in remembering the class material. They also are great to have when studying for an upcoming exam or later as references for future classes.

Talk To Your Professor

There is a saying “If your professor does not know who you are, you are probably failing the class.” That is not completely true, but knowing your professor does help you succeed in a class. By talking to the professor you build a rapport with them which could be beneficial in the long run. Jobs will often ask for references and professors make great references. Also they may be more lenient if a mistake happens if they know you.

Register For Classes Right Away

Classes fill up fast. Especially classes with great professors and required classes. The last thing you want is to be stuck with hard professor (not easily understood or just a harsh grader) or have to postpone graduation because you did not get into a class you needed. This can be harder if you are new because upperclassmen will have an earlier registration date. However, pay attention to payment deadlines. Students will be dropped from a class if they haven’t paid by that time, allowing you to quickly grab up the seat they had.

There are tons of tips and advice for students to help while in college, but knowing these ones will not only help you succeed in college, they will also help you succeed once you are done. These tips help you to build habits like: note taking skills, networking with important people, good work ethics, listening skills and more. You are paying for and spending time in college, so make the most of it and learn all that you can from your classes.

By Ashleigh Cue

July 20, 2017
What Degree Fields Attract International Students From The Top Origin Countries?

Last week we looked over what degree fields are attracting the most international students. Knowing what degree fields are being sought can help universities know what programs they should show case in their marketing efforts. However, it is also important to know what degree fields to push in what countries. So let us look at the top countries of origin for US international students and the top three degree fields they populate.

China

Since China is the leading country of origin for US international students, about 32% come from China, it is not surprising that the degree fields they choose to study are among the top three most popular degree fields for international students. The majority of Chinese international students come over to study Business & Management, about 24%. The next popular degree field with 19% is Engineering. The third most popular degree field is Math & Computer Science with 14%.

India

Indian international students make up about 16% of US international students and like China, their degree field choices are also in the top three. The majority of Indian international students can be found in two degree fields: Engineering holding about 36% of Indian international students and Math & Computer science holding 35%. The third most popular degree is Business & Management, but only with 10% of Indian international students choosing to go into that field.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is slightly different than India and China. Their most popular degree choices for Saudi Arabian students are: Engineering with 26%, Intensive English with 19% and Business & Management with 18%.

South Korea

There is not a specific degree that South Korean international students flock to. Instead they have a handful of degrees that are more popular than the others. The most popular degree is Business & Management with 17%, followed by Other with 14%. Fine and Applied arts are technically in third with 12.9% (13% when rounded), but Engineering and Social Sciences are close with 12.8% and 12.6% respectively.

Canada

Like South Korea, the is no particularly strong degree field that attracts Canadian international students. The degree field with the most is Business & Management with 16%, followed by Other with 15.2% and then Health Professions with 14.9%.

Nepal

Nepal is not technically one of the leading places of international students (ranked number 11), but US universities did see a 18% increase in Nepalese international students for the 2016/17 school year. There are actually four degrees that attract the majority of Nepalese international students: 22.3% in Physical & Life Sciences, 21.8% in Math & Computer Science, 16.3% in Engineering, and 16.1% in Business & Management.

Recruiting international students is a marketing effort and like all marketing efforts, the more targeted the better result. By marketing specific degrees in specific countries, it makes for a more compelling message. Universities would be marketing their degree-specific programs to students who are interested in the those degree fields. By having a more tailored message and focus, universities could attract more international students to their school and degree programs. This in turn, will help to increase the number of international students studying in the US.

By Ashleigh Cue

July 17, 2017
Study Tips Based on Your Learning Style

–Everyone is different. We all have our own personalities. Nobody has the exact same personality as you. So why do we tend to think that everyone learns the same?

When people usually think of studying, they think of taking a textbook and reading it somewhere quiet (like a library). Many people think that a quiet place to study is ideal, because there are less distractions. But some people actually study better with noise going on in the background. The traditional study habits, quiet place to read, would not benefit this type of learner.

The real question is what type of learner are you. If you know that then you can tailor your study habits to improve your studying efficiency. There are three main learning styles: Auditory, Visual and Kinesthetic. There are many learning style quizzes on the internet to help you determine which one you are.

The Learning Styles

Auditory

If you are an auditory learner, you learn better by listening. You probably learn a lot when attending lectures. If you can record your lectures, then you can play them back when time comes to study for an exam or test. When studying from books read out loud or ask someone to read it to you. If you have someone to study with have them ask you questions out loud. They also tend to be able to study best when something is playing in the background (music, people or the tv).

Visual

Visual learners are people who learn best by seeing it. They prefer when professors write on the chalk boards and are probably avid note takers. Visual learners tend to do better in quiet study places away from audio distractions. Taking notes during class, writing down notes when reading textbooks, highlighting text in books and flipping through flashcards are great ways to study as a visual learner.

Kinesthetic/Tactile

The kinesthetic/tactile learners are doers. They learn by doing things. They also can learn while moving around, taking breaks, or drawing. Hand writing notes, creating flashcards, acting out stories, or hand-on activities.

While there are three main learning styles, it does not mean that you are entirely one or the other. You may have a dominant learning style, but also have characteristics of the other two learning styles. The best online tests to take are ones that will show you what percentage you are in each learning style, like 25% Auditory, 40% Visual, 35% Tactile.

The most important thing to remember is that what works for one person might not work for you and vice versa. Based on your learning style strengths you should develop your own study habits.

By Ashleigh Cue

July 13, 2017
What Degree Fields Do US International Students Come To Study?

International students come from all over the world to study in US universities and institutions. With international recruiting efforts becoming increasingly more important, it is vital that recruiters and international student services know what degree fields are attracting international students.

Engineering

Engineering is the most popular degree field for international students with over 216,000 majoring in it. That is 10% more than the previous year. The majority just study Engineering as a whole, but about 13,000 study Engineering Technologies/Technicians and approximately 2,000 study Transportation and Materials moving.

Business & Management

Business & Management sees the second most interest from international students with just over 200,000 students deciding to study it. However, with only a 2% increase from the previous year, this degree field did not see the huge increase that Engineering did.

Math & Computer Science

This field of study saw the most growth between the 2014/15 and the 2015/16 school year. The number of international students coming to study Math & Computer Science went up 25% to over 140,000 students. The majority, over 107,000, are in the Computer and Information Sciences.

Social Sciences

There are over 81,000 international students studying Social Sciences, which is a 7% increase from the year prior. Social Science as a whole has the vast majority with about 53,000 students, with Psychology trailing behind with only a little over 14,000. Area, Ethnic, Cultural and Gender Studies are the least popular, only attracting about 2,600.

Physical and Life Sciences

The two areas of study that dominate the Physical and Life Sciences is Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Physical Sciences. There are about 75,000 students studying Physical and Life Sciences. About 40,000 are studying Biological and Biomedical Sciences, while about 34,000 are studying the Physical Sciences.

Fine & Applied Arts

Surprisingly, Fine & Applied Arts is the next popular field of study with almost 60,000 international students coming to the US to obtain this degree. The majority, approximately 45,000, are specializing in Visual & Performing Arts, while the other 14,000 are studying architecture.

Intensive English

This degree field, while still boasting over 40,000 international students, seems to be losing its popularity. Most of the fields of study saw an increase between 2014/15 to 2015/16 school year, Intensive English saw a 17% drop.

Health Professions

The US has almost 34,000 international students studying one of the Health Professions fields. Out of that number only 301 are in Residency Programs.

Communications & Journalism

This is another field of study that saw a decent increase, 5%, between the 2014/15 to the 2015/16 school year. This bring the number of international students studying a Communications and Journalism field to 21,000.

Education

The Education field saw a 10% increase from 2014/15 to 2015/16, bring the total number of international students in that field to approximately 20,000.

Humanities

Humanities has several different areas of study: Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistics; English Language and Literature/Letters; Theology and Religious Vocations; and Philosophy and Religious Studies. There are over 17,000 international students studying humanities. While the majority are studying either Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistics or English Language, Literature/Letters, these areas of study saw a drop in numbers, -1.2% and -5.4% respectively. Theology and Religious Vocations saw an increase of 17.6% and Philosophy and Religious Studies had an increase of 3%.

Legal Studies and Law Enforcement

There are over 15,000 students studying Legal Studies and Law Enforcement, which is a 9% increase from the year prior. The majority study Legal Professions and Studies, almost 13,000.

Agriculture

There was not much of a change in the enrollment for international students in the Agriculture field of study. The number still is just over 12,000 students. What did change was the area of study these students entered into. Agriculture itself had a -2.8% drop, but Natural Resources and Conservation saw an increase of 6.7%

Other

There are many other degree fields out there, if the student actually declared one. Liberal Arts and Sciences/ General Studies & Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies have the largest number with approximately 50,000 and 18,000 respectively. Others include Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies and Family & Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences.

By better understanding what fields are attracting international students, universities can improve their recruitment efforts to match those interests. This is important if universities want to improve their international student population.

By Ashleigh Cue

July 10, 2017
Social Community for International Students (and College Students)

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Studying in the US

It can be a scary and exciting adventure when you decide to leave your home country to live and study in the US. This transition is often filled with uncertainty and questions; questions like: how can I easily acclimate to the US, where will I live and will I experience culture shock. Even after moving to the US, you will probably still have questions.

Knowledge is key

There is a saying: knowledge is key. The same saying is true with studying abroad. The more you know and the more you expect, the easier your transition will be. Having resources to help guide you through the process, tips on how to live in the US and a directory of companies that help international students studying in the US, will help answer questions and ease the uncertainty.

Resources Available

Providing resources and connections for international students is the primary goal for UEMSConnect, an online community. UEMSConnect is an eShipGlobal initiative to help international students, advisors and other university staff or students connect. It serves as a library of knowledge. International students have access to resources like, blogs, infographics, videos and services aimed to help them live and learn in the US.

The Online Community

As mentioned before, UEMSConnect is an online community. It is a social platform designed to connect international students, international student advisors, and college students. One of the best ways to deal with the uncertainty is to be connected to advisors and students from the university you are looking at attending.

Making Connections

Through the community international students will be able to talk to other international students, advisors, or US college students via online chat, group boards and private messaging. This is a great way to learn about the school from the people actually attending. International students coming into or already studying in the the US can (and are encouraged to) share tips, advice events and stories. What better way to learn about the challenges you may face when living and studying in the US then from student who made the same journey.

Connect Offline Too

The connections made on UEMSConnect transcend the digital world. Once you enter the US you can connect with the students, clubs, organizations and advisors you talked to in the community groups. These organizations, clubs and advisors hopefully where using their ability to list events on the calendar, so you may even know about what events will be taking place during your first few weeks on campus.

Join Today!

Whether you are a incoming international student, a current international student, an advisor or a college student, UEMSConnect is a community designed to help you succeed when studying in US Universities. Sign-up is quick and easy. We hope to see you there!

By Ashleigh Cue

July 6, 2017
Social Community for International Student Advisors, International Students and College Students

When international students decide to live and study in the US, they often have questions. These questions can range from topics like acclimating to the US or how to apply for OPT. Coming to live in a foreign country is often filled with anxiety and uncertainty. After all, they are leaving their family, life and country behind to live in a different culture.

International student advisors are often the ones having to face these questions and guide international students on their journey. It is an important job and often a busy one. They plan orientation, on-campus events, workshops, advising and sometimes even recruiting of international students. In fact, they have a long list of jobs that they are responsible for and unfortunately, many international student services (ISS) departments are understaffed.

That is why it is important for ISS professionals to have resources for not only them, but for international students as well. UEMSConnect, an eShipGlobal initiative, is an online community where international students, advisors and other university staff or students can connect. Advisors will be able to communicate with other advisors around the country to learn and share tips about being an ISS professional. What better way to learn than from seasoned international student advisors.

Not only can they talk to each other via online chat, group boards and private messaging, they will also have access to resources that can help them in their career. Content such as videos, blogs and infographics are available about a variety of topics, including: international student recruitment, international student statistics/studies and services that could help ISS professionals in their field. These resources are designed to help alleviate their jobs or at least shed insight into current trends.

Advisors also have access to the calendar to post events they think would be relevant to potential or incoming international students. These events don’t just have to be on-campus either, you can set up an event for an outside webinar or schedule a group chat.

There are also resources for international students: blogs, infographics, videos and services. These resources are designed to help international students live and learn in the US. They cover topics such as acclimating to the US to a guide on applying for OPT. Not to mention it is also a great way for them to connect with advisors, students and organizations from the university they want to attend.

The more tools and resources advisors have at their disposal, the easier their jobs will be. If you are interested in being a contributing advisor to UEMSConnect we would be happy to hear from you! Check out our new community and see how it can benefit you.

By Ashleigh Cue

July 3, 2017
Recruiting International Students Using Social Media

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International student recruitment is important for universities and it’s importance is growing. Universities market to and recruit international students using a variety of methods: marketing material, agents and digital tools. A part of these methods is social media, which is becoming even more important. According to Social Admission Report, 76% of the class of 2017 used social media when deciding where to enroll.

Instagram, which many universities are now incorporating into their social media efforts, has shown to have a correlation between the number of followers and international student recruitment. While this is not a direct connection to international recruitment, it does provide some data which could push universities to use it more for international student recruitment. Instagram allows universities to showcase their campus, students, events and even local hotspots for international students to see. This can help student visualize how life would be if they attended that university and may help persuade them into attending.

Other social media platforms that are popular with international recruitment efforts is Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. They all are the more well-known social platforms. Facebook is the largest social media platform in the world and YouTube arguably being the second biggest search engine on the web.

Facebook pretty much dominates globally in popularity. However, there are some countries, particularly Russia and China, that have their own social platform that surpasses Facebook in popularity. So let’s look at the top social media platforms for the top origin countries for international students.

China

The most popular social media platform for China was QZone. However, WeChat may have more active users: 846+ million vs 632+ million. Another popular platform that many companies, universities and agencies are using is Weibo, which has 297 million active users.

India

Like most of the world, the most popular social platform in India is Facebook. Other popular platforms are WhatsApp, LinkedIn and Twitter. Instagram is gaining popularity in India doubling its monthly active users between September 2014-2015.

Korea

YouTube is the biggest social media platform in South Korea followed by Facebook. Twitter is ranked at number three, tied with Instagram. However, Facebook appears to be losing popularity while Twitter appears to be gaining it. It is also important to note that South Koreans are known to be heavy smartphone users. Facebook and Instagram do not have apps for the country’s android users, which is why many of them are turning to local social media platforms such as Band and KakaoStory.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is much like India in terms of social media platform popularity. YouTube is the most popular social network for Saudi Arabia followed by Facebook. Instagram and Twitter are close in popularity, with Instagram just coming in above Twitter at the end of 2016. Some statistics indicate that Twitter has more active users at 6.37 million compared to 5.41 million.

Canada

YouTube and Facebook are equally popular in Canada with Twitter coming in next. Interestingly though, is that Instagram is just marginally ahead of Pinterest as the 3rd/4th most popular social media platform.

With international recruitment becoming such an important effort for universities, it is important to know how to connect with potential students. Each country has their own digital and social media trends. Proper usage of social media platforms, along with traditional recruitment tools, can help boost efforts and attract more international students. It is more efficient to know where potential students are and connect with them there, rather than tossing out content with the hopes that they may find it.

By Ashleigh Cue

June 26, 2017
Spending the Summer Abroad

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Summer is usually the time to travel and explore the world. Many college students tend to do this by taking summer classes abroad or by volunteering abroad. In fact, over 300,000 students studied abroad in the 2014/2015 school year. About 1 in 10 undergraduate students study abroad before they graduate. It is a college experience that is truly invaluable.

So where do they go?

The top three destinations by regions is: Europe, Latin America & Caribbean, and Asia. The vast majority, 55%, of US students study abroad in Europe with Latin America and the Caribbean being the next top destination with 16%. Asia comes in third with 11% of the US study abroad students. The top countries to study abroad in is the UK, Italy and Spain. Other countries that attract US students is France, Germany, China, Ireland, Australia, Costa Rica and Japan.

How long do they usually stay?

The majority of people, about 63%, who decide to study abroad do so in the summer months and usually stay for a max of 8 weeks. 34% stay for about one semester and only 3% say for about one year. So summertime is the most popular time to go. This could be due to many universities offering summer semester classes abroad.

Volunteering abroad

If you want to spend your summer abroad, but don’t necessarily want do it for academic credit or as part of a class, you can always volunteer abroad. More than 22,000 US college students worked, interned or volunteered abroad in the 2014/2015 school year. The top three destinations were Mexico, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Volunteering abroad is a great way of giving back to the world, while gaining world experience. Not to mention it looks good on a resume!

Staying connected with family and friends back home

One of the hardest parts of going anywhere far away is dealing with the distance between you and your loved ones. There is always the modern methods of communication, such as email, text messages and phone calls, that will keep you connected, but it still can be hard. A great way to stay connected with your family is by sending souvenirs and trinkets from your abroad experience back home. eShipNOW, a personal shipping solution, can help you save money when shipping these items back home. Your friends and family can also send stuff to you while you are abroad, keeping you even more connected.

Summer is a time where amazing adventures and journeys take place. Don’t waste your summer’s sitting at home doing nothing. Go out explore the world, experience new cultures and make the most out of your summer and college life!

By Ashleigh Cue

June 22, 2017
5 Things to Do Over the Summer

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1. Try Out A New Hobby

Hobbies are a great way to pass time while learning something new and developing more skills. There are many hobbies you can try: sewing, painting, drawing, fixing up cars, wood crafting and more. Don’t feel the need to limit it to just one. You have all summer to try and find a hobby you enjoy. Perhaps your new hobby will be a future career or produce extra cash.

2. Volunteer

Volunteering is not only good for the soul, but it also looks great on resumes and college applications. So don’t just sit around the house all day. Go volunteer at a soup kitchen, animal shelter or nursing home. You can even help build houses or read to children. No matter what type of volunteer work you decide to do, you will do doing something amazing.

3. Take a Summer Class

This probably won’t seem so appealing, especially since you just finished a long semester, but taking summer classes keeps your mind sharp and brings you one step closer to graduation. Taking a summer class at a community college could also help you save money, reducing your potential student loan debt.

4. Travel

When most people think of traveling during the summer, they think of going to far off countries. You don’t need to fly to Paris to have a great summer. In fact, you don’t even need to travel far to see some amazing sights. All you need to do is go to the desert to look at the night sky, climb one of the many mountains in the mid-west, or just head to a beach on the west coast. Even just traveling a few hours outside your city can be a great experience.

5. Spend Time With Those You Care About

This one can be one of the most forgotten or overlooked things to do during the summer. If you went off to college, maybe in another state or perhaps just a city a few hours away, you probably don’t get to spend as much time with your family and your childhood friends as you used to. These people are important, so spending the free time you have with them is a great way to spend your summer.

Whatever you decide to do this summer, just don’t forget to enjoy it! We would love to see and hear about all your summer adventures. You can share your stories with us by using the hashtag #UEMSConnect when posting to social media. Don’t forget to check in to see other people’s stories too.

By Ashleigh Cue

June 20, 2017
Happy Father’s Day

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“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” Sigmund Freud.

People have different purposes in our lives. They are there to help us grow, provide support or to share experiences with. However, it seems to be that our family is what leaves the most impactful impression on our lives. Our mothers are the caring nurturers, the hearts of the home. They help kiss the wounds and provide emotional comfort to us when we need it. Our father’s, however, often play a different role in our lives. So how would you describe a father?

Provider – Fathers are often the provider of the home. There are many ways fathers are able to provide for the family: they often are the ones that bring home the money, they provide the stability in the family, and they see to any needs the family may have. They are the handyman of the family, making sure everything is working and building or fixing anything that is not.

Protector – Children and spouses often look to the father for protection. They chase away are the monsters that hide underneath kids beds or in their closets. They are the ones that check the house in the middle of the night after hearing a strange noise. They are the ones people go to when they are in trouble and need someone to stick up for them. Fathers are the security for the family.

Strength – Mothers might be the ones to kiss away all the boo-boos, but fathers are the ones that encourage us to keep going despite them. They help provide strength and support when we are faced with difficult challenges. They also tend to be the ones that enforce the rules, providing a structure within the family. They hold the house up.

Fathers are the head of the home. We often look to them for guidance and for solutions. They are the ones we call when we are stuck on the road with a flat tire or need to be picked up from somewhere late at night. They also are the ones to help teach us responsibility, work-ethic and determining what is right from wrong. Our fathers play a big role in our lives. The dedicate countless hours towards their family, making sure the needs of the family are met. That is why we want to thank every father out there. Thank you for all the hard work you do for your family. Happy Father’s Day!

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” – Jim Valvano

For all you children out there, young and old, what have you done to show your father how much you love and appreciate him? Send him something nice this Father’s Day.

by Ashleigh Cue

June 13, 2017
10 Struggles of a College Student

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College – a world of freedom, away from your parents and surrounded by friends. Unfortunately, college also comes with a lot of struggles. Especially if you want to succeed and actually graduate. These struggles can be consequences of bad choices, poor organization or utterly bad luck. No matter the cause of these struggles – the stress and frustration that accompanies them is real. So here are some of the few struggles college students may face and some tips to help avoid them.

Struggle 1: Your computer died right after finishing an assignment

Advice: Save your papers frequently and on many devices (cloud, flash drive, Google Docs) because you don’t know when your computer will die/crash.

Struggle 2: Your printer won’t print because it’s out of blue ink.

Advice: Beg your parents for a laserjet or print your paper out at the school’s computer lab.

Struggle 3: Slow or no wifi on campus.

Advice: While you can’t change or fix your college’s wifi, you can go to a cafe or library.

Struggle 4: Group projects.

Advice: Make friends in class, hope the professor does not assign groups and talk to the professor about any issues within the group. Don’t forget to talk to your group members after class to find out the best form of communication, assign tasks and to set up deadlines.

Struggle 5: No matter how hard you try, you still have no idea about what to write for your paper.

Advice: Believe it or not, reading relevant text can help you get ideas about what to write. Start with an outline and go from there. Don’t be afraid to write down what comes to mind, you can revise your paper as much as you want before you have to submit it.

Struggle 6: Realizing after you wrote your paper, you still need another page to meet the minimum requirements.

Advice: Be descriptive when writing and if possible add additional information relevant to the paper topic, such as a quote, another perspective or including another study.

Struggle 7: When all of a sudden all your professors assign big projects that are due during the same week.

Advice: Two words – time management. It is important to start working on what you can right away. Good news is that managing your time is a skill that will get better over time.

Struggle 8: Class presentations.

Advice: Have general notes about what you are going to say and practice before you have to get up and talk.

Struggle 9: Pulling all-nighters.

Advice: Try to avoid pulling all-nighters as much as possible. If you absolutely must stay up all night then take naps, drink coffee, avoid carbs and go to bed early.

Struggle 10: Realizing you forgot to do an assignment.

Advice: I know this is hard to do, but don’t panic. You can not change the past, but you can take steps to help the situation. The first step would be to talk to your professor. If you have a track record of being a good student, they may be willing to give you partial credit. In addition, complete any and all extra credit assignments.

The number of times you face these struggles should improve over time. You will get better at time management, studying, and preparation. Just remember these challenges are minor, for the most part, and they are only making you stronger. If nothing else, they are lessons in stress management.

We want to hear from you!
Have any tips or advice you want to share? You can connect with us on social using the hashtag #UEMSConnect. We would love to hear all about your college experiences: both the struggles and the fun moments. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

By: Ashleigh Cue

April 6, 2017