The student balancing act

It used to be that university was the final step before entering the workplace. However, for increasing numbers of students, it is now at university that the first steps are made into the world of work, in all its gritty glory.

According to a report on student employment, ‘All Work and Low Pay' published by The National Union of Students in the United Kingdom, the number of full-time students working in paid employment rose by 54% between 1996 and 2006. The figures are eye-opening. The numbers of working male students increased by 47% during that time, while for female students, this increase was 67.5%.

Most work in low-paid jobs in retail and hospitality - some 40 % in retail and 21% in hotels and restaurants. Average salaries ranged from £6.21 an hour in retail and £5.70 in hospitality for men to even less for women - £5.98 in retail and £5.51 in hospitality. 

Most also work long hours considering that they are also full time students - the average was 14 hours per week. Some work even longer. At least 20% worked 15 to 20 hours per week and a further 20 % worked 20-plus hours.

So why do they do it? Why may you well end up doing it?

There are two main reasons, both having to do with need. They are the need for experience and the need for money.

A 'how to' guide on scholarship application

You have the transcript of your grades - stellar, of course.

You have your references and testimonials - all glowing, naturally.

You have in mind exactly what you are going to say during your interview before various demanding panels - it's all well thought out, earnest and compelling, obviously.

So you have everything you need for the scholarship application process, right? Read on for some useful advice on how to prepare yourself to go get other people's money. It may surprise you.

 Take time, make time.

Applying for scholarships is not for the impatient. It can be a long, tedious process of applying for many different scholarships, pestering the same pool of folk over and over again for testimonials and of endless essay writing.

What's that degree worth? Not much for some former EDMC students

Photo credit: Misty Keasler for Businessweek

There was a sobering story in the August 5 edition of Businessweek about how former students of the for-profit colleges  run by the Education Management Corp (EDMC).

You've definitely heard of these schools - the chain of Art Institute schools such as the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale are among their group and they are the second-largest chain of for-profit colleges after the University of Phoenix folk.

According to Businessweek's report, EDMC is under attack from former students and from government officials over the quality of its degrees and the tactics it uses to attract students.

For Students

Ahh... university!

You know you're looking forward to it. The years you spend at university or college are quite likely to be some of the best of your life, an unbeatable combination of intellectual stimulation, fascinating people and out-of-class fun.

Hence, it is important to make a good decision about where and how you will pursue your university education so we have a range of information and resources available for you so you can do just that. The information on this site will also help you in making sound decisions when it comes to financing tertiary education.

We can guide you through the university application process, from university rankings to listings of long distance programmes and descriptions of the tertiary institutions within the Caribbean.

One of the main things you might be wondering 'how am I going to pay for this?' We can help provide the answer to that, with tons of articles and information, such as scholarship listings, application advice and budgeting advice.

We will also fill you in on the various official requirements including student visa requirements and essential exams that need to be done to get into universities in different countries.

Of course, you want to be certain that wherever you go is legitimate so we have provided links to educational accreditation bodies throughout the region, so you can be sure that your university years would not be wasted.

For Parents

At the Caribbean Education Source, we know the university experience is not just confined to the students.

Parents go through it all too - thankfully, minus the all-night studying sessions! Unfortunately the parents' university experiences comes with mid-term money request phone calls and 'empty nest syndrome' included.

Hence, we have a range of information and resources available for parents so you can help your children make the best decisions about their university education. The information on this site will also help you in making sound decisions when it comes to financing tertiary education.

We know one of the biggest concerns for parents when it comes to university education is 'how am I going to pay for this?'

We have lots of articles and advice that can help you answer that question, from a page full of funding links to scholarship listings and descriptions of the loan options available. We also have budgeting advice from those who have been there before - other parents.

There is also information to guide you and your child through the university application process, from university rankings to descriptions of the tertiary institutions within the Caribbean.

There are also resources on various official requirements - from student visa requirements to the exams that need to be done to get into universities in different countries. To make sure it's all legitimate, we have links to various educational accreditation agencies throughout the region, so you can be sure that you're sending your offspring to a recognised institution.

How To Cook Like A University Student

Yes ... the end is near. The end of your sheltered life is at hand and with it comes a new beginning which involves, among other things, labouring over a hot stove and cleaning up after yourselves.

With CAPE season now upon you, the end of your secondary school life is drawing ever closer. No doubt, many of you are already busily preparing for your departure to universities in the region and elsewhere. Hence, now is the perfect time to introduce all of you sheltered birds - soon to fly the coop - to the realities of university life by teaching you the most essential of lessons: how to cook like a university student.

For, along with your books, money and other necessities, you will need to throw in some tried and true menus on how to prepare a great (well...edible) meal when all you have in your cupboard is a handful of rice and a soon-to-be-expired tin of sausage.

Do you want to learn how you can survive when you only have ten dollars left to last until the end of the month? Do you need some tips on how best to sponge on thy neighbours? In other words, how to cook and eat like a UWI student?

Here's how:

MACARONI AND CORNED BEEF-

We will start our series of recipes with this UWI classic. This meal is central to any university student's diet. It is the perfect un-nutritious, unbalanced, high-caloric, but most importantly cheap, quick and filling meal.

You need: