Show Yuh Colo(u)rs!

Photo credit: Collegecolorsday.com

... Because it's College Colors Day in the USA today.

So if you are one of the more than 13,000 Caribbean students at colleges and universities in the US or among the hundreds of thousands more who have studied there in the past, then Friday, September 3rd is the day to put on/squeeze into your college jersey and represent.

College Colors Day is in its sixth year, having been around since 2005. It is:

"an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that make the college experience great by encouraging people across America to wear apparel of their favorite college or university throughout the day," 

according to collegecolorsday.com.

What is also is a pretty clever marketing tool for The Collegiate Licensing Company, which is the biggest collegiate trademark licensing and marketing company in the USA, so of course, not coincidentally, College Colors Day, coincides with the kick-off of intercollegiate athletics season, particularly football.

My Uni Experience: Ah Bajan Trini T'ing!

Everyone thinks that Bajans and Trinis don't like each other. But I beg to differ. I suppose, in theory we should not like them for real. They deprive us of our flying fish. They talk funny. They dare insinuate and even boldly argue that Carib is better than Banks. And yes, they probably do quite deserve the label of ‘Tricky-dadians'.

But still, I have a soft spot in my heart for them. In fact, I'll go further and shamefully confess...I love Trinis. There, I said it!

It wasn't always so. Please, let me explain my downfall. To be honest, I blame Mona - that's not another Trini, that's UWI.

I went through my first year there pretty much impervious to the charms of those oily people from the southern Caribbean. But then in my second year and again in my third, hordes of them descended upon UWI - to do geology, to do mass com, to do actuarial science...but most of all to brainwash good Bajans like myself.

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.

Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB) Sir Louis H Lockhart Scholarship

Worth: Tuition, fees, books, supplies and/or equipment required for the programme.

Offering Organisation: Antigua Commercial Bank

Requirements: Applicants must be citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. Preference is given to applicants who are enrolled in or have been accepted by an accredited college, university or vocational educational institution. Preference will be given to completion of the final year of the study.

Contact: Legal/Secretariat Department, Antigua Commercial Bank,

Thames & St. Mary’s Streets, St. John’s, Antigua

More info: Antigua Commercial Bank

Deadline: May 31

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship

Worth: US $26,000 or its equivalent.

Offering Organisation: Rotary Clubs of Barbados

Requirements: Applicants must be citizens of a country in which there is a Rotary Club. Applicants must have completed at least two years of university of college course work or must have a secondary school education and been employed for at least two years.

Contact: rotarybarbadossouth@gmail.com

More info: Rotary Club of Barbados

Deadline: August 31