Liberal Arts Colleges

Self-publishing enables the writer to control every aspect of the creation and promotion of their book. It’s an appealing option for creative people who have the confidence and time to undertake such a large task. But most writers enter the process not knowing what to expect, relying on their well-honed research skills to learn the ins and outs of the publishing biz. Before you dig too deep, read through the list of 10 things to consider before self-publishing and determine if you’re up for the challenge.

1. The success rate is tiny
   Very few self-publishers experience success because they simply don’t know what they’re doing. In many cases, they lack the foresight and perseverance required of a self-proprietor. Some of the common problems encountered by first-time self-publishers include the refusal to seek the help they need, the use of unprofessional covers and weak titles, overprinting and lazy marketing. It takes a lot of time and effort to write, print and market a book, so plan accordingly.
2. Do it for the right reasons
   Because of the amount of risk involved, it’s wise to go into the process not expecting to make money. In other words, don’t expect self-publishing to become your primary source of income – if it generates any income. Also, don’t self-publish because you don’t feel that you need any help. If your book has been rejected by multiple publishers, then it could likely use a change or two.
3. It helps to have a niche
   Most successful self-publishers are experts in a field with a narrow target audience. If you’ve already made a name for yourself in that niche – perhaps through lectures or previously published articles and papers and you have at least a modest audience, then you could market the book to those same people. Professors often utilize this strategy because they don’t immediately intend to mass market their books.
4. You’ll be running a business
   That means a business license is required. You’ll need to know the cost of the operation – as you’ll see below – and you’ll need to devise a marketing strategy if you intend to reach an audience beyond the modest one that may already be established. As a publisher, you’ll need to create a name that include -books, press or publishing- so that people will know what it represents.
5. You’ll need money
   Self-publishing is a big investment. In addition to the cost of printing, money must be set aside for marketing and hiring an editor, illustrator and/or graphic designer. A traditional publishing house is normally responsible for those costs, but since you’ll be doing it on your own, they’ll be your responsibility. Be sure to research and establish a budget beforehand so that you won’t encounter any unforeseen financial problems.
6. You’ll still need an editor
   Because you won’t be dealing with a publishing house, you’ll need to find an editor to look over your work and offer his or her sage advice. Self-publishers hire freelance developmental editors to perform those tasks – they ensure you have an interesting and readable book. The final say on all matters is still yours, but their expertise will be needed if you have little or no previous publishing experience.
7. Know the details
   Before your book hits the shelves, it’ll need an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and a Library of Congress catalog number. The ISBN enables book retailers to identify the title amid their vast collections of books. You can obtain one from the RR Bowker Company. The Library of Congress catalog number enables you to get your book into libraries.
8. Sales will be your job
   As previously mentioned, self-publishers must know how to run a business. In order for a business to be successful, it must have an efficient sales team – in this case, it’s you. You’ll need to convince brick-and-mortar bookstores, online bookstores, distributors and wholesalers that your book will be profitable. It’s important to know that different buyers require a different cut of the sales, so don’t demand for every buyer to take the same amount. And remember, patience is a virtue – your books won’t fly off the shelves all at once.
9. Respect will be hard-earned
   If you’re fortunate enough to earn respect, it will be hard-earned. Reviewers tend to ignore self-published books because self-publishers tend to be amateurs who, honestly, produce unappealing work. It’ll be entirely your responsibility to get your work noticed by reviewers, retailers and readers. The process by which you compose your book will help determine how much success you’ll have.
10. It’ll never be too late to sell your book to a commercial publisher
    If you successfully reach your intended market and have shown there’s potential to reach an even larger audience, then a commercial publisher will likely express interest in taking over the title. But this doesn’t always mean they’ll push it into the next stratosphere of sales. Make sure the people with whom you work will have as much interest in promoting the books as you have – otherwise, the transaction will be pointless.

Until recently, nothing has challenged traditional reading quite as much as the introduction of the e-reader, an electronic reading device that displays books in a digital format. E-readers have catered to the changing times and rise of technology with lightweight designs, Internet access and having your own personal electronic library on the go. What e-readers don’t have is the longevity and simplicity of paperbacks that can be read anywhere, anytime. It’s truly hard to replace the feel, smell and beauty of a bound book, but it’s up to the readers to determine the fate of paperback books. Here are 10 reasons why a paperback is better than an e-reader:

• No Wi-Fi needed
  With paperbacks, you don’t have to worry about connecting to the Internet to read your favorite romance novel, or download the latest New York Times best sellers. With ebooks, you’ll need a wireless hookup to browse the online libraries and buy or download books. For older e-reader versions, you have to connect to a computer to download ebooks on the Internet, which means more hassle and more reading time taken away for technology purposes.
• No charging necessary
  Paperbacks are fully charged and fully functional all the time. There’s no battery included, no charging required and they have an unlimited shelf life. With e-readers, you may have a battery life of two weeks or less before they go kaput during a road trip when you’re halfway through a book. Not to mention, the life span of an e-reader is probably only a couple years.
• Inexpensive
  Paperback books are far more economical than e-readers, which can put you out upwards of $400 to $500, not including the cost of downloading ebooks and additional gadgets. Depending on where you shop, you may spend a few dollars or $20 dollars on a book that can be passed on to friends, bought back by a bookstore or donated. Also, there’s always the option of checking out books from the library at no cost to you.
• Travels easily
  Traveling with e-readers can be a huge hassle, especially in airports, because you have to remove your device from its case and send it through the security check separately. A book takes no time to scan and can be left in your bag because it doesn’t require a separate check. E-readers can’t be used on the plane when the captain tells passengers to turn off all electronic devices, but paperbacks can be read during any flight time.
• You can recycle, donate and sell back books
  Paperbacks can be recycled, donated or sold to a bookstore, resale shop, school, church and anywhere else books are needed. You can sell back books and get more than half of your money back in online marketplaces, bookstores or book sales. Because electronic reading devices are so new and expensive, they won’t be donated or recycled any time soon.
• Read whenever, wherever
  Whether you’re in a park, on the subway or floating in a swimming pool, you can safely read a paperback book, without worrying that you’ll be $400 down the drain. The portability of paperbacks far exceeds the portability of ebooks because they are battery-free, durable and don’t require Internet access. Paperbacks can survive coffee spills, days at the beach and being dropped in a puddle, whereas the electronic competitor would be a goner in no time.
• No eye strain or blinding glare
  You won’t have to worry about eye strain after reading a paperback, nor will you have a LCD screen blinding you. Sure, you can adjust the brightness of the e-reader’s screen, but there is no backlight included for reading in the dark.
• No technical problems
  E-readers can be defective and have annoying software problems that disrupt your reading. Paperbacks don’t experience technical problems, software bugs or crashes. Paperback books are simple and technology-free, which makes them user-friendly for any age.
• Illustrations
  Illustrations have an important role in children’s books, cookbooks and how-to books to guide the reader and aid in storytelling. Book illustrations provide a visual representation of what’s happening in the story and it breaks up the monotony of text. Some ebooks don’t contain illustrations or omit images that aren’t referred to at great length in the text. E-readers just don’t have the same artistic elements that books have.
• Unlimited borrowing and lending
  Depending on your personal lending policy, there is usually no limit to how long you let a friend borrow your book. With many e-readers, you have a maximum amount of days you can borrow a book before it goes back to its rightful owner or has to be check out again. The ease of borrowing and checking out books from the library makes paperbacks a more convenient process.

Sociopaths have antisocial personality disorder, which is a chronic mental illness that affects your everyday thoughts, behaviors and relationships. Sociopaths may violate the law and the rights of others, while having little regard for right and wrong and lack of remorse for their senseless acts of crime. If, after reading this list of sociopathic personality disorder signs, you think you may be dealing with a sociopath, you should encourage your friend or loved one to seek professional medical help.

• Persistent Lying or Deceit
  If a person repeatedly lies, uses aliases or cons people for personal enjoyment and gain, while feeling no remorse when caught, you could be dealing with a sociopath. Sociopaths are very believable liars and rarely tell the truth. They aren’t concerned with doing the right thing, therefore making it easier for them to deceive people and get their way by lying.
• Lack of Remorse, Guilt or Empathy
  Sociopaths don’t experience much remorse or guilt for their behaviors, nor do they have empathy for others’ feelings. They may be engaged in violent acts, such as child abuse and abusive relationships, but not take responsibility for their actions or accept blame.
• Incapacity for Love
  Because sociopaths are making more enemies than friends, they don’t give or receive love easily. Family members, friends and coworkers may distance themselves from sociopaths because of their repeated lying, deceit and neglect that has damaged their relationship. Sociopaths may also have trouble making and keeping friends because they put themselves above others and aren’t concerned with their feelings.
• Irresponsible
  Sociopaths are generally irresponsible and unreliable individuals, who seem to be oblivious to the harm or disappointment they cause others. They are quick to lie and blame others for acts they clearly committed, and do not accept blame or apologize when they are wrong.
• Impulsive Behavior
  Promiscuity, infidelity, alcohol and drug abuse and gambling are just a few of the behaviors exhibited by sociopaths. Their lack of accountability and disregard for safety makes it easier for sociopaths to engage in dangerous or impulsive behavior that could be damaging to themselves or others.
• Juvenile Delinquency
  Juvenile delinquency, such as stealing, animal cruelty and aggression are some common attributes of a young sociopath. Sociopaths think they are above the law and rules that everyone must abide by, therefore, a life of rule breaking and illegal acts starts at a young age.
• Grandiose Sense of Self
  Sociopaths are convinced they are above everyone else and they are entitled to certain things no one else gets. Because of this mindset, sociopaths may be engaged in illegal activities and have reoccurring difficulties with the law. Sociopaths are delusional and feel as if they deserve a free pass in every situation.
• Manipulative
  In addition to pathological lying, sociopaths will manipulate strangers and people close to them in order to get what they want. They often use charm and wit to manipulate people, who could become a victim or enabler.
• Aggression or Violent Behavior
  Sociopaths tend to be aggressive and violent in their day to day behavior. They may commit senseless crimes, abuse a loved one or neglect a child in an effort to release anger or show dominance.
• Agitated
  Sociopaths are easily agitated by the smallest things and have no patience for boredom. Whether it’s being on time to work, following the law or not violating the rights of others, sociopaths have a difficult time doing as they are told.

Although you may think you should graduate from college in four years, it’s not the norm. Data pertaining to graduation rates compiled by The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates that just 36 percent of students who entered college in the 2000-01 school year graduated in four years. “Timely” graduations are less common due to a myriad of reasons – all of which make graduating in five years more appealing to the average college student.

1. The unquenchable thirst for knowledge
   Eager learners graduate in five years too. Many students opt to double major in order to gain additional skills and supplement the knowledge they’ve gained in a discipline. For example, a public relations major with aspirations to represent big businesses could also major in business. That way, they’ll know the inner-workings of the companies they’ll represent, enabling them to become more efficient PR practitioners.
2. Major decisions
   Most 18-year-olds can barely manage their current lives and yet they’re expected to make a decision that’ll possibly determine what they’ll do for their entire adult lives? Selecting a major isn’t supposed to be easy, and for many students, it takes time and experience to figure out which discipline is best for them. There’s no shame in changing your major as long as you find one that suits your strengths and interests.
3. Persistently pesky prerequisites
   Many upper-level classes can’t be taken before the appropriate prerequisite classes have already been completed. In some cases, a certain grade -higher than just passing – has to be achieved in the prerequisite class. If you failed to meet the requirement or you simply didn’t realize a prerequisite existed, feel fortunate that time is on your side.
4. Transferred to greener pastures
   As many transfer students have learned the hard way, not all credits are transferrable and not all prerequisites from different colleges are the same. So if you’ve transferred to greener pastures – perhaps from a community college to your typical big state school out in the boondocks – and you find yourself playing catch-up, don’t make the work more stressful by rushing to meet a four-year graduation date.
5. Dropped classes happen
   And there’s no shame in it. You should be more concerned about your GPA than the amount of dropped classes you accumulate. Don’t risk failing a class just so that you’ll graduate “on time.” If you find yourself struggling in a subject and you’re too busy to make up any ground, cut your losses and give it a shot next semester when you have more time.
6. Too many hours, too many worries
   In order to remain eligible for major scholarships, loans and health insurance, you must be enrolled full-time. Additionally, you might have a job and participate in extracurricular activities. With such a busy schedule, you aren’t exactly mimicking the “Animal House” lifestyle. Your time in college is your last chance to be a kid and live without real responsibility. If possible, don’t sign up for 15 hours, enjoy college and make it last. Attend a few more keggers. Linger around your favorite bars. Sleep in a few more times. The additional memories will last forever.
7. Summer isn’t fall or spring
   During grade school and high school, fun was the focus of your summers. In college, you’re almost expected to bridge the gap between spring and fall by taking a couple of classes. It’s not uncommon for students to take a full load, as opposed to just knocking down a credit or two while enjoying the best the season has to offer. On the other hand, you may have an internship or job for which you’re responsible and school just isn’t your number one priority.
8. Life outside of school
   Sometimes life gets in the way of your studies. Personal health problems, family health problems or financial problems arise, and it’s not always possible to deal with such issues while enrolled in school. Luckily, you can take a semester or two off during college and pick up where you left off when you’re ready.
9. Finding a job still isn’t easy
   The national unemployment rate is still hovering just below 10 percent. Not an encouraging sign for recent graduates who are looking to get their feet wet in the real world. Since the economic downturn began in 2008, it has been a common occurrence for the newly college educated to take – or keep – the same types of jobs they’ve had during college and high school. You went to college for that? Wait an extra year and perhaps the job market will improve. If it doesn’t, at least you’ve put off the job-hunting misery and frustration for another year.
10. The real world can wait
    Full-fledged responsibility isn’t appetizing. With a nine-to-five, sleeping in whenever you please is no longer an option. Partying is reduced to two nights per week. The margin for error in your work decreases – if you’re fired, you’ll be relying on mom and dad again. The real world is sink-or-swim, and if you’re not prepared, you’ll be sleeping with the fishes. The extra year enables you to get your mind right, mature and prepare for the next stage of your life.

Has a stench of phoniness invaded your nostrils? Do the cliches from our public servants seem extra thick? Campaign season is upon us, so it’s time to cast a cynical eye upon the men and women who are seeking our support. Right now, politicians are combing through the cities, districts, states they hope to represent next term, using exaggerated accents and downhome lingo to win the hearts and minds of prospective voters. Although most seem extra smarmy, their dedication is admirable. They spend every waking hour shaking hands, delivering speeches and making decisions that could make or break their political careers. But the flurry of constant activity can bring forth some costly errors, as evidenced by Phil Davison’s recent rant. Here are 10 historically infamous campaign blunders that have proven that politicians are in fact human.

1. Allen’s “macaca” moment

   Coming into the 2006 political campaign season, George Allen was heavily favored to reclaim his US Senate seat in Virginia and he was considered a hot prospect to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 – until he unleashed a seldom-used slur during a campaign stop in Breaks, Virginia. Allen referred to an Indian-American as “macaca” as he was filming the event. The slur’s definition varies, but can be described as a racial epithet pertaining to South Asian people. Despite the unclear meaning, the context in which Allen used the term didn’t help his claim that it was an innocent comment:

   “This fellow here over here with the yellow shirt – Macaca – or whatever his name is. He’s with my opponent. Let’s give a welcome to Macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.”

   Allen eventually lost the race to Democrat Jim Webb by less than four-tenths of a percentage point.

2. Jackson’s apparent prejudice

   Jesse Jackson’s 1984 candidacy in the Democratic presidential primary was considered a longshot during the onset of the campaign, but he surprised many pundits by winning five primaries and caucuses. His legitimacy was short-lived, however, as he used the pejorative term “Hymies” in reference to Jews and called New York “Hymietown” while speaking to Washington Post reporter Milton Coleman. Once pundits caught wind of his blunder, he denied having said it, claiming that the Jews were conspiring against him.

3. Hart’s untamed heart

   Gary Hart narrowly lost the 1984 Democratic primary race to Walter Mondale and became the party’s frontrunner to reclaim the presidency in 1988. But before the primary season started, Hart had to fight off rumors that he was having an extramarital affair, going so far as to challenge the press to follow him around. On the same day he issued the challenge, the Miami Herald reported the scandal – after following him – and model Donna Rice was thrust into the national spotlight. It was later discovered that Hart had spent the night with Rice on a yacht aptly named Monkey Business. He withdrew from the race a week after the story broke.

4. Perot goes MIA

   Ross Perot was the ultimate underdog in 1992 as the third party candidate, but he garnered an astounding amount of support as he portrayed himself as the ultimate Washington outsider. During the summer, he actually led the race, as his message resonated with Americans who were tired of establishment politicians. But in mid-July, he suddenly decided to drop out, causing many of his supporters to feel betrayed and costing him much of their support. Perot later claimed that he made the decision because the Bush campaign threatened to release digitally altered photographs of his daughter, who was about to get married. Two weeks later, he was back in the race, but the campaign was foundering.

5. Perot’s vice admiral

   “Who am I? Why am I here?” Vice Admiral James Stockdale’s opening line to the 1992 vice presidential debate was well-received, but his subsequent performance left people wondering if the questions were sincere. Phil Hartman made matters worse with his spot-on parody on Saturday Night Live, immortalizing Stockdale as an all-time bad choice for a vice presidential candidate. The Perot/Stockdale ticket eventually lost the election, but they did earn 19 percent of the vote – and unprecedented amount for a third party. Stockdale is remembered today as a man who was thrust into unenviable circumstances. He had no formal preparation and he wasn’t notified of his participation until a week before the debate.

6. Dean scream

   Howard Dean is another Democratic primary frontrunner who sealed his fate with his own reckless abandon. Although it wasn’t quite as bad as, say, cheating on his wife with a model aboard luxury yacht, the Dean scream did give voters the perception that he wasn’t presidential. The red-faced rant came after a third-place finish in the 2004 Iowa Caucus as he was attempting to garner enthusiasm from his supporters during a post-caucus rally. The words leading to the scream will forever live in campaign blunder infamy:

   “Not only are we going to New Hampshire, Tom Harkin, we’re going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico, and we’re going to California and Texas and New York … And we’re going to South Dakota and Oregon and Washington and Michigan, and then we’re going to Washington, D.C., to take back the White House! Yeah!!!“

7. McCain and “The Agents of Intolerance”

   True mavericks never pull punches. But John McCain’s straight talk during the 2000 Republican primary caused him to further lose the support of Evangelicals, whom his primary foe, George W. Bush, was heavily courting. McCain labeled evangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell as “agents of intolerance” before the Virginia primary, which came several days after a crucial loss in the South Carolina primary. Along with a brutal set of attack ads from organizations that supported the Bush campaign, the remarks helped fuel Bush’s momentum, and he went on to win Virginia and nine states on Super Tuesday en route to the Republican nomination.

8. Dukakis becomes a toy soldier

   In the 1988 presidential race, Michael Dukakis put himself in the line of fire by posing in an Abrams tank while sporting a helmet and a not-so-reassuring grin. The objective was to prove to the electorate that he wasn’t weak on defense, as his opponent George HW Bush – a pilot during World War II – had depicted him. The video became the subject of Bush attack ads, which helped level the Dukakis campaign once and for all. Today, the image is remembered as a massive public relations disaster that no current or future campaigns hope to duplicate.

9. Romney’s brainwashing

   Four decades before his son made a run for the Republican nomination, George Romney attempted to do the same. Going into the 1968 Republican primary, he was considered the frontrunner to challenge Lyndon Johnson, who was responsible for the escalation of the Vietnam War. Romney previously supported the war, but adopted a more critical view of it as the public became more cynical. Much too his dismay, an offhand remark he had made to a Detroit television host was picked up by the national media, causing his poll numbers to plummet and candidacy to die. Romney said, “When I came back from Vietnam, I’d just had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get.” Amid the outcry of criticism from fellow politicians were Vermont Governor Philip H. Hoff’s comments, which encapsulated the view of many voters: “Either he’s a most naive man or he lacks judgment.”

10. Dewey’s do-nothing campaign

    It was Thomas Dewey’s presidential race to lose in 1948, and he certainly did his part to ensure Harry Truman had a fighting chance. Because of the three-way split in the Democratic Party, Dewey believed the campaign simply had to avoid making mistakes in order to win, so the candidate relied on vague and non-committal statements. On the other hand, Truman’s campaign operated aggressively, calling out Dewey on his refusal to speak with substance. Dewey and the media remained oblivious as Truman gained support. In fact, many pollsters stopped polling weeks before the election. The result of Dewey’s do-nothing campaign was a stunning victory for Truman and a well-known erroneous headline in the Chicago Daily Tribune, reading “Dewey defeats Truman.”

There must be a temptation for famous actors to believe their own press and start to think they really can be successful at anything as long as they put their mind to it. This mix of gumption and delusion has led to some truly awful artistic endeavors, though, especially when it comes to screen actors trying their hand at making music. Sure, some are able to make the jump: Zooey Deschanel’s band She & Him is proof that it’s possible to be talented in multiple arts. Unfortunately, the majority of actors who try their hand at music wind up embarrassing themselves. Let this list serve as a warning to all stars: be grateful for what you have. Don’t push your luck.

1. Bruce Willis: Bruce Willis helped define cool in the 1980s, thanks to “Moonlighting” and Die Hard. But his foray into classic R&B on his debut album, The Return of Bruno, was an uncomfortable vanity project that never caught on with the public the way his movies and TV series did. The lead single, a cover of the Staple Singers tune “Respect Yourself,” made it to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, but that’s the best luck he would have. The video is, predictably, an exercise in discomfort.
2. Don Johnson: Not content with being the man responsible for making a nation wear pastel shirts under rolled-up suit jackets, Don Johnson turned his attention to pop music, releasing a pair of albums in the 1980s, Heartbeat and Let It Roll. (These were followed by 1997’s ill-named The Essential and Tell It Like It Is.) Johnson seems to be an affable fellow, and “Miami Vice” made him a superstar with a career that’s lasted decades, but his pop music is just unlistenable dreck. Even the hype-fueled success of the single “Heartbeat,” which made it to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, wasn’t enough to make his records anything other than sad diversions from a screen career.
3. Eddie Murphy: Eddie Murphy was one of the funniest actors of the 1980s, period. Hands down. No debate. Sadly, his recording career came off as unintentionally funny thanks to his bizarre earnestness, the curious presence of Rick James, and the unavoidably terrible songs. His first single, “Party All the Time,” is one of those disposable tunes that shouldn’t be sung by anyone with talent, and his later duet with Michael Jackson, “Whatzupwitu,” is something we all wish we could forget.
4. Russell Crowe: Russell Crowe is best known for brooding on screen and punching inanimate objects off screen, but he’s also got a questionable musical past. As the lead vocalist and guitarist for 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, he gets to rock out to his heart’s content, but it’s impossible to look past the fact that (a) Russell Crowe is singing to you and (b) he’s not that great. The music is pretty mediocre post-grunge, and the only reason the band is even marginally famous is because their frontman would go on to win an Oscar.
5. Keanu Reeves: Poor, sad Keanu. He wants respect, and he’s a nice guy, but he’s forever doomed to live down the braindead persona of Ted “Theodore” Logan. In the 1990s, he played bass for Dogstar, a rock band cut from the same hilariously overwrought cloth as 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. It’s another instance of a mediocre band making good on the extracurricular activities of its movie star member. Interesting trivia: Weezer’s first gig was opening for Dogstar.
6. Lindsay Lohan: After singing in some of her movies, Lindsay Lohan decided to start releasing albums. Her 2004 debut, Speak, was followed by 2005’s A Little More Personal (Raw), and while both achieved some chart success, they were met with at best mixed reviews. The albums are designed to ride the coattails of forerunners like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, with matching amounts of over-production and insubstantiality.
7. Heidi Montag: Heidi Montag’s recording skills make Lindsay Lohan look like The Beatles. After rising to questionable fame on MTV reality series “The Hills,” Montag became a poster child for excessive plastic surgery and meritless celebrity. In January 2010, she released Superficial, a pop album whose low quality didn’t do her career any favors. It wasn’t well received by the public or the press. She continues to release singles like “Higher” with boyfriend Spencer Pratt behind the camera.
8. Steven Seagal: Yes, Steven Seagal dabbles in music as well as martial arts and bad acting. Despite the legitimate awesomeness of Under Siege, Seagal has taken fire for his musical endeavors, and when you hear them, you’ll understand why. His 2005 album Songs From the Crystal Cave is a weird mix of world and country music, and it didn’t fare well with listeners. Even die-hard Seagal fans (of which there are literally tens) aren’t into his music.

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9. Paris Hilton: Hotel heiress and professional lazy person Paris Hilton created a record label to release her 2006 album Paris, which consists of the same generic dance pop you’ve been hearing for years now. Politely put, it was not embraced by listeners. She hasn’t put out another one since; keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way.
10. Jennifer Love Hewitt: Jennifer Love Hewitt has been releasing albums for longer than you might think: her debut, 1992’s Love Songs, came out in Japan the year she turned 13. But it’s 1996’s Jennifer Love Hewitt and 2002’s BareNaked that cemented her status as a middling vocalist with songs that sounded like knock-offs of Cheryl Crow and Meredith Brooks. (Brooks, not coincidentally, produced the 2002 record.) Her records are proof that she should, for now, stick to acting.

Although you may think you should graduate from college in four years, it’s not the norm. Data pertaining to graduation rates compiled by The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates that just 36 percent of students who entered college in the 2000-01 school year graduated in four years. “Timely” graduations are less common due to a myriad of reasons all of which make graduating in five years more appealing to the average college student.

1. The unquenchable thirst for knowledge

   Eager learners graduate in five years too. Many students opt to double major in order to gain additional skills and supplement the knowledge they’ve gained in a discipline. For example, a public relations major with aspirations to represent big businesses could also major in business. That way, they’ll know the inner-workings of the companies they’ll represent, enabling them to become more efficient PR practitioners.

2. Major decisions

   Most 18-year-olds can barely manage their current lives and yet they’re expected to make a decision that’ll possibly determine what they’ll do for their entire adult lives? Selecting a major isn’t supposed to be easy, and for many students, it takes time and experience to figure out which discipline is best for them. There’s no shame in changing your major as long as you find one that suits your strengths and interests.

3. Persistently pesky prerequisites

   Many upper-level classes can’t be taken before the appropriate prerequisite classes have already been completed. In some cases, a certain grade higher than just passing has to be achieved in the prerequisite class. If you failed to meet the requirement or you simply didn’t realize a prerequisite existed, feel fortunate that time is on your side.

4. Transferred to greener pastures

   As many transfer students have learned the hard way, not all credits are transferrable and not all prerequisites from different colleges are the same. So if you’ve transferred to greener pastures perhaps from a community college to your typical big state school out in the boondocks and you find yourself playing catch-up, don’t make the work more stressful by rushing to meet a four-year graduation date.

5. Dropped classes happen

   And there’s no shame in it. You should be more concerned about your GPA than the amount of dropped classes you accumulate. Don’t risk failing a class just so that you’ll graduate “on time.” If you find yourself struggling in a subject and you’re too busy to make up any ground, cut your losses and give it a shot next semester when you have more time.

6. Too many hours, too many worries

   In order to remain eligible for major scholarships, loans and health insurance, you must be enrolled full-time. Additionally, you might have a job and participate in extracurricular activities. With such a busy schedule, you aren’t exactly mimicking the “Animal House” lifestyle. Your time in college is your last chance to be a kid and live without real responsibility. If possible, don’t sign up for 15 hours, enjoy college and make it last. Attend a few more keggers. Linger around your favorite bars. Sleep in a few more times. The additional memories will last forever.

7. Summer isn’t fall or spring

   During grade school and high school, fun was the focus of your summers. In college, you’re almost expected to bridge the gap between spring and fall by taking a couple of classes. It’s not uncommon for students to take a full load, as opposed to just knocking down a credit or two while enjoying the best the season has to offer. On the other hand, you may have an internship or job for which you’re responsible and school just isn’t your number one priority.

8. Life outside of school

   Sometimes life gets in the way of your studies. Personal health problems, family health problems or financial problems arise, and it’s not always possible to deal with such issues while enrolled in school. Luckily, you can take a semester or two off during college and pick up where you left off when you’re ready.

9. Finding a job still isn’t easy

   The national unemployment rate is still hovering just below 10 percent. Not an encouraging sign for recent graduates who are looking to get their feet wet in the real world. Since the economic downturn began in 2008, it has been a common occurrence for the newly college educated to take or keep the same types of jobs they’ve had during college and high school. You went to college for that? Wait an extra year and perhaps the job market will improve. If it doesn’t, at least you’ve put off the job-hunting misery and frustration for another year.

10. The real world can wait

    Full-fledged responsibility isn’t appetizing. With a nine-to-five, sleeping in whenever you please is no longer an option. Partying is reduced to two nights per week. The margin for error in your work decreases if you’re fired, you’ll be relying on mom and dad again. The real world is sink-or-swim, and if you’re not prepared, you’ll be sleeping with the fishes. The extra year enables you to get your mind right, mature and prepare for the next stage of your life.

College is a time for learning, maturing and discovering who you truly are. It’s also a great time to date and learn about the opposite sex. Juggling 15 hours, a part-time job and a girlfriend or boyfriend can be hard, but it’s still manageable and fun to have someone to share the ‘best four years of your life’ with. So get out there, be brave, but most of all have fun! Here are the ABC’s of college dating:

• Ask them out
  
  When it comes to college dating, you’ve got to be brave and that sometimes means being the first one to ask out your crush. College is a time to take risks and build confidence, which makes it the perfect setting for dating.




• Boundaries
  Having boundaries is important to college relationships, when almost anything flies. Depending on your personal boundaries, you may draw the line at having sex before marriage, dishonesty or doing anything against your will. When boundaries are upheld, you’ll have a more satisfying and healthy relationship.




• Contraception
  
  If you’re going to do the deed, you’d better use protection for your health and to prevent pregnancy. Different forms of contraception are available to students through university health clinics and local health care providers.




• Dates
  Dating is a relative term used in college, because not many relationships start with a first date. Money is tight in college, and unless you want to eat off of a McDonald’s dollar menu, first dates are usually over beer and a movie.




• Engagement
  If you’ve been dating someone for a while and you’re approaching graduation, expect people to ask when you are getting engaged. Getting engaged straight out of college isn’t as popular as it used to be, but people will still insist that they hear wedding bells in your near future.




• Flings
  College dating involves plenty of flings, or short-term relationships. Let’s face it – some flings are strictly sexual and no strings attached, whereas others are cut short because the couple isn’t compatible or they don’t get along.




• Go to class
  
  You have to go to class for obvious reasons, but why not go to find a potential boyfriend or girlfriend while you’re there. Dating someone (not your professor) from class is not as difficult or unheard of as it seems. Because you happen to be in the same class, you already have something in common. You can use homework or an upcoming test as an icebreaker, and see where it goes from there.




• Heartache
  Heartache is inevitable for some college relationships that are torn by distance, lying, trust issues and a slew of other problems. Even though college is a laid-back, enjoyable time in most students’ lives, relationships are still tough and heartbreaking when they don’t work out.




• Influential
  Your college years are some of your most impressionable times, when the people around you can influence your actions and way of thinking in both good and bad ways. The person closest to you, specifically a boyfriend or girlfriend, can influence you to do things you never thought you would, but it’s important to be true to yourself and not get mixed up in something that puts you at risk.




• Judgmental
  
  Some people are quick to pass judgment before starting a relationship and during one. You may have heard some not-so-positive things about someone who you would consider dating, but instead of giving them a chance, you may judge them based on these rumors. Even in relationships, boyfriends and girlfriends can be judgmental towards their mate’s past relationships, lifestyle choices or beliefs.




• Kissing
  College couples can be seen kissing all over campus. Whether it’s because they are away from their parents’ watchful eyes or they’re head over heels in love with each other, college couples don’t hold back from kissing in public.




• Love
  College relationships experience a different kind of love than others. Call it lust or a honeymoon period, but college relationships are intensified by close bonds, similar interests and the amount of time spent with each other.




• Making memories
  College isn’t called the ‘best four years of your life’ for nothing, and what better way to spend those years than with someone you love. Whether it lasts forever or ends after college, you will have long-lasting memories with the people you date in college.




• Not a care in the world
  Dating in college is a lot of fun. For most students, college is a pretty carefree time that is enjoyable to spend with another person. This laid-back environment is perfect for dating because you are generally less stressed and have fewer factors working against you.




• Open communication
  Having open communication is vital to any relationship, even ones in college. For some students, this is the first real relationship they’ve ever had and they don’t know what to say half the time. As your relationship progresses, it’s important to open up and share your feelings with your significant other, so you can work through problems and be honest with one another.




• Parties
  College parties can be a good way to meet potential mates. Unlike most college bars, you can carry on a conversation with someone at a house party and may feel more comfortable in a group setting with friends around.




• Quarrels
  College relationships and heated arguments often go hand-in-hand. From close-quartered living, jealousy to excessive drinking in college, quarrels are bound to happen when couples have unresolved issues that they don’t talk out.




• Responsibilities
  Your responsibilities change in college and they increase when you are in a relationship. You can’t just ignore your significant other’s calls all night or stand them up when you had plans, if you are trying to stay with this person. Making time for another person, while trying to prepare for your final exams, can be a difficult endeavor that not every person is capable of.




• Sleepovers
  College couples spend a great deal of time together, especially spending the night at each other’s places. The freedom of not being under Mom and Dad’s roof, allows couples to have sleepovers and more adult-like relationships. With this one-on-one time together, couples often grow closer and become more serious.




• Trust
  Just like any serious relationship, there needs to be trust in a college relationship to make it work. Couples who either live in the same dorm or have a long-distance relationships both have to trust their mates. Honesty is the best policy if you want your boyfriend or girlfriend to trust you completely.




• Understanding
  A major component of college relationships is understanding one another. To truly understand each other comes with time and acceptance of different views, beliefs, goals and interests that you may not agree with. You also have to be understanding of their needs in the relationship, such as time alone, time with friends and respecting their priorities.




• Variety
  There is a wide variety of people to date in college, and the rules or stigmas of dating in high school don’t translate in college. You can date someone older or younger than you, someone with different political or religious beliefs and no one will care. The options are endless when it comes to dating in college.




• Work
  When it comes time for graduation, couples have to make some serious decisions about their work and relationship. College couples sometimes have to choose between their career and theirrelationship when the two factors no longer mix.




• X-boyfriend or girlfriend
  Ex-boyfriends and girlfriends can be hard to avoid in college. If you happen to have mutual friends, have classes in the same building or go to the same coffeehouse, chances are you’ll run into him or her at some point. Even if the relationship ended smoothly, being civil is the best way to get past the awkward run-ins with exes, and keep your current girlfriend or boyfriend happy.




• Young
  As old as you may think you are in college, you’re still just a kid. For many serious couples, getting engaged is the next big step, but they are not financially or mentally ready to get married. It’s important to take things slow in college, not get too serious too quickly and just enjoy one another’s company.




• Zeros
  In college, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll date some zeros here and there. You may not immediately “ditch the zero and get with the hero,” but you’ll learn something new with each failed relationship, and it will help you figure out what you really need in a significant other.

Modern history has the benefit of being captured on film, whether it’s images from the Depression or footage from the Iraq War. But older eras are necessarily harder to bring to life, despite visual evidence of what life was like during, say, the medieval period. The films on this list are great representations of medieval history because they breathe new life into an era that often feels dead or impossibly alien to modern students and movie-goers; they’re also just good movies. Give them a look.

1. The Passion of Joan of Arc: Carl Theodor Dryer’s gorgeous silent film about Joan of Arc remains one of the best of the era as well as a haunting portrait of her trial and death in 1431. A perfect starting point for history buffs looking for great movies.
2. El Cid: Spanish military hero and Valencia governor Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, aka El Cid, lived from 1040-1099. He gets the big-screen treatment in this 1961 epic from Anthony Mann starring Charlton Heston as the titular hero.
3. The Adventures of Robin Hood: Robin Hood is one of the most enduring heroes of English folklore, and this 1938 film starring Errol Flynn as the peasant hero remains one of the best. The story is set during the reign of Richard the Lionheart, who was King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199.
4. A Man for All Seasons: Fred Zinneman’s adaptation of Robert Bolt’s acclaimed play won multiple Oscars, including best picture and best actor for Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More. The film follows More’s ethical battle and his decision to stand for his faith and refuse to support King Henry VIII’s decision to position himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England just so he could divorce his first (of many) wives. For his choice, More was executed in 1535.
5. The Lion in Winter: Set during the Christmas of 1183, The Lion in Winter finds England’s King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) and Queen Eleanor (Katharine Hepburn) dueling over which of their sons should inherit the throne. Hepburn won an Oscar for her performance in this modern classic.
6. The Seventh Seal: A landmark of world cinema, Ingmar Bergman’s riveting drama is set circa 1350 and revolves around a medieval knight (Max von Sydow) who plays a game of chess with the physical personification of Death (Bengt Ekerot) who has come to collect him. The premise and style have been imitated ever since, but nothing can top the original.
7. The Name of the Rose: Based on Umberto Eco’s novel, the film is set in the early 1300s and revolves around a mysterious death being investigated by a Franciscan monk (Sean Connery). The film did mixed business in the U.S. but was a much bigger hit in Europe.
8. A Knight’s Tale: I readily admit that this one plays pretty loosely with history, not least in the way it pairs Queen tunes with jousting scenes. But Heath Ledger makes a winning hero in Brian Helgeland’s tale of a squire in the 1370s who masquerades as a knight to win the love of a noblewoman. Plus, come on: knight movies need more rock music.
9. The Return of Martin Guerre: This French film from 1982 is based on real events from the mid-1500s in which a French villager leaves for war, only to have his identity taken by another man who later claims to be the long-lost soldier. (Trailer here.)
10. Henry V: Kenneth Branagh’s debut feature is a gritter and bloodier version of Henry V than usual, especially when compared with Laurence Olivier’s version from 45 years earlier. It’s a gripping, gritty adaptation of Shakespeare’s play about King Henry V, who ruled England from 1413 until his death in 1422. Not one to miss.
11. Alexander Nevsky: Directed by Sergei Eisenstein, one of the pioneers of Russian cinema, this film revolves around Prince Alexander, who led the Russian people to victory against the attempted invasion of Novogorod by Teutonic Knights in the 1200s. The fight climaxes with the Battle of the Ice, which was fought on top the frozen Lake Chudskoe.
12. The Decameron: Based on the writing of Giovanni Boccaccio, which is said to have inspired Chaucer, this Italian film from Pier Paolo Pasolini is a humorous, sex-filled narrative set against peasant life in the 1300s. The film also won a jury prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
13. The War Lord: This 1965 film stars Charlton Heston as a Norman knight in the 11th century tasked with defending a village. The narrative is noted for being one of Hollywood’s first major attempts to depict the polarizing force of feudal culture on relationships; up until then, most movies tended to gloss over this aspect of the era’s politics.
14. Becket: One of the most lauded films of 1964, Becket follows the spiritual evolution of Thomas Becket (Richard Burton), whose growing conflict with King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) led to his ultimate death. A great movie to pair with A Man for All Seasons, which deals with similar issues, or with The Lion in Winter, in which O’Toole also played Henry II.
15. Richard III: Shakespeare’s play about Richard III, who only ruled England from 1483-1485, has been adapted many times, but Laurence Olivier’s 1955 version is considered definitive, as well as one of the best filmic adaptations of Shakespeare, period. A fantastic film for movie lovers and history buffs alike.

Now that a new school year has arrived, high school juniors and seniors are beginning to stress about the dreaded SATs. Up to this point of their academic careers, no test has been more important to their futures, so it’s no wonder why they approach it with such apprehension. Aside from the more expensive measures of preparation, there are a few simple practices that should be taken to heart. If you’re on the verge of sitting for the SAT, consider the tips listed below and give it your best.

1. Buy a practice booklet
   Essential to every novice SAT taker is a practice booklet, which can be purchased inexpensively from sites like Amazon, or you can use a free PDF from the College Board. This resource will provide you with test-taking strategies and questions taken from previous tests.
2. Take practice exams on your own
   Taking self-administered practice exams is the best way to get the timing down on each section. According to the Princeton Review, the 54-question math section lasts 70 minutes, the 67-question critical reading section lasts 70 minutes, and the writing section lasts 60 minutes, containing 49 multiple choice questions and one 25-minute essay.
3. Read, read and read some more
   Not much a reader? You’re not alone, but it wouldn’t hurt to become one in the weeks before the SAT. Read newspaper articles, magazines and books; anything that you enjoy will suffice. In the process, pay close attention to what you’re reading. Can you remember the details after you finish? Were there any holes in the story? Were there any words you didn’t understand? If so, look up their meanings in the dictionary.
4. Do crossword puzzles
   Doing crossword puzzles is a fun way to expand your vocabulary. You can take them out of the newspaper or purchase crossword puzzle booklets composed from publications like the LA Times, New York Times or Chicago Tribune. Additionally, some websites offer free SAT crosswords that feature words taken directly from the test.
5. Take online SAT vocabulary tests
   They’re free, easy to use and excellent killers of time – not unlike crossword puzzles. One website in particular, vocabtest.com, offers a comprehensive study guide for students of varying levels who are looking to brush up their vocabulary skills. The site not only includes definitions, but also vocabulary sequences, synonym and antonym practice, and practice with parts of speech.
6. Know the writing prompts you’ll face
   Find SAT writing prompts from previous years so that you’ll know what to expect when test day comes. Examples can be found in SAT preparation booklets and from SAT preparation websites like the College Board. As you start to practice, make outlines that establish a clear structure.
7. Formulate a clear strategy for writing essays
   Quickly determine your opinion of the topic and be ready to provide a compelling case with several supporting points. Provide relevant examples and don’t stray away from the question. Focus on the structure and flow so the essay is easy to understand. Display your varied vocabulary, but don’t overdo it; wordiness can send the message that you’re trying too hard, making an otherwise good essay difficult to read.
8. Utilize math study guides
   You may not have kept your study guides from your Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II classes, but you might be able to get a hold of them by asking your friends or teachers. It’s essential that you possess an understanding of these subjects because they make up most of the math section.
9. Memorize math vocabulary
   Can you remember the difference between an acute and obtuse angle? What’s the difference between a mean, median and mode? What’s a polynomial? These are things you should know, but they can slip your mind if you haven’t reviewed them in a while. It’s not uncommon for students to forget basic math vocabulary. Jot down the terms you’ve missed while practicing and memorize them before the big day arrives.
10. Practice your math strategy
    Set aside a brief amount of time each day to practice your test-taking strategy. On the multiple choice sections, carefully read through word problems until you can build your pace. Use the process of elimination when you’re stumped. On the non-multiple choice sections, answer the easy questions first and tackle the more difficult ones afterward.