As a college student, your online identity is in a vulnerable time. You should be working to make sure it’s what you’d like to present to future employers, professors, and colleagues, but at the same time, your friends probably want to share photos of you at the latest party. Here’s a guide to keeping a good online reputation while still having fun.

Google yourself. First things first, you need to see what you’re up against. If you have an obscure name, most of the results probably relate to you, but if you’re Jane Smith, they may not apply to you at all. Check out the links on Google to see what’s already out there on you and consider how satisfied you are with the results-you may want to find a way to change them.

Create quality content. Many top networking sites rank highly on Google, so by sharing pictures, writing, and other content that best represents you, you may be able to edge out other results that you’d rather not be associated with your name.

Join social networks right away. As soon as you hear about a new social networking site, jump on and claim your name before anyone else does. This way, you’ll be able to better control what’s said in your name, and won’t be mistaken for someone else.

Register your domain name. Check to see if your name is taken as a .com domain. If it’s not, snap it up as soon as you can. You can use this site to create an online resume, link to your best work online, and make sure that no one else can control this slice of the Web. If your name is not available, you can set up an alert to be notified when it comes up, or you can contact the owner to purchase it.

Make a Google profile. Most everyone will Google you first to find out the real story on you, so any way you can control your Google results helps. Using this profile, you can ensure that the links you want to share will be a part of the search results for your name.

By thinking carefully about managing your image, you can make a difference in the reputation that’s shared about you online. Taking a few simple steps can save you from embarrassment and missed opportunities later, so don’t hesitate to get started today.

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With essays, complicated applications, and expensive fees, you probably do not have the time or the money to apply to every college you have some interest in. Try to narrow down your list of schools and pick the right one for you by considering majors, prices, and personalities.

Pick the right college by major. The most important part about college is what you will be studying, so it is important that you find colleges that offer degree programs that interest you. If you have always known that you want to be a scientist then look for the best colleges you can for it and take a detailed look into the specifics of the degree programs they offer. Even if you have no idea what type of career you want to pursue, you probably know what you like to learn about. If you equally enjoy learning about liberal arts and human sciences, find colleges that offer programs in both of those areas. Narrow down your list of colleges by majors and then compare each of them to help you decide which one may be the best fit for you.

Pick the right college by price. While your education is not something you want to buy cheap, you also need to be realistic when it comes to your financial situation. Some schools are significantly more expensive than others, and it will not matter how good of a degree program one has if you cannot afford to complete it. Search for colleges by tuition prices and determine which ones might be a possibility for you. But keep in mind that there are many financial aid opportunities out there that can help make your college dreams possible, so if you really like a particular university contact their financial aid office and see what they can offer you.

Pick the right college by personality. You will be spending the next few years of your life at the school you enroll in, so it is important to make sure that you love it. Take a trip and visit the schools you are the most interested in. Once you are on a campus you can get a better idea of how your personality fits within the school’s personality. Tour the campuses and learn more about each school’s traditions, history, and values. As a student you will be spending countless hours on campus so it is important that you are inspired by it.

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Parents and teachers alike can list several benefits and drawbacks for students being homeschooled during primary and secondary education. But what can a homeschooled student expect when they begin attending college?

Of course, attending college for the first time can be exciting and stressful at the same time, but for homeschooled students, these emotions might be magnified. By being homeschooled, these students are not used to the same type of teaching or the same environment as students who were educated in a traditional school. For example, homeschooled students are not used to learning in large classrooms filled with many other students. This can mean added distractions and added pressure to stay focused. With a much larger teacher to student ratio in college, homeschooled students may also feel overwhelmed and isolated, as they are less connected to their professors and have had less social interactions than non-homeschooled students. Also, those who were homeschooled are generally used to having their parents’ or tutors’ supervision, as well as an enforced study schedule. This can leave homeschooled student unable to manage their study time effectively in college and to also rebel without their parents’ watchful eye.

On the flip side of this argument, it is proven that homeschooled students can be better prepared academically for college than those who attend public or private primary and secondary schools. According to this study, Academic Statistics on Homeschooling, by the Home School Legal Defense Association, students that are homeschooled actually outperform their public school counterparts by 30-37 percentile points in all subjects. These statistics might indicate that homeschooled students are more advanced in their studies, which would leave them academically better prepared for college coursework. Also, many homeschooled students have already overcome any learning or studying disabilities they may have thanks to the hands on teaching of their parents or tutors. Many traditional students only discover what study and learning environments work best for them when they enter college, like studying in a quiet library versus studying with peers in a group.

While there are pluses and minuses to being homeschooled early in life, it can leave those students ill-prepared for the independence and rigors of college life. Taking steps that ensure their success like maintaining a strict study schedule, joining a formal study group, meeting with professors and teaching assistants and simply being aware of their potential hurdles, can really ease the transition from being a homeschooled student to a well-adjusted and successful college student.

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Whether you’re in school to become a comparative literature professor, fiction writer or just enjoy literature, you’ll find that it’s hard to fit into your schedule every kind of literature course you’d like to take. Luckily, in your spare time, you can take a look at these Ivy-League literature courses, lectures and reading lists to give you an edge in your studies or next book club meeting and allow you the opportunity to explore all the stories, poetry, authors and themes you want.

Classic, Medieval and Renaissance

Study the classics, medieval and Renaissance literature, including works by Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Christopher Marlowe in this list.

1. Foundations of Western Culture: Homer to Dante: In this course, discover what defines works, symbolism and ideas as being classical or Medieval. [MIT]
2. Literature and Ethical Values: This course was designed to help students analyze classical literature by applying an ethical philosophy. [MIT]
3. Classical Literature: The Golden Age of Augustan Rome: Readings in this course include works by Cicero, Horace, and Virgil. [MIT]
4. Medieval Literature: Dante, Boccaccio, Chaucer: Here you’ll study great writers by reading the Decameron and the Troubador. [MIT]
5. Renaissance Literature: By reading works by Christopher Marlowe, Francis Drake, John Donne and Vespucci, you’ll gain an understanding of the era’s major themes. [MIT]
6. The Homeric Odyssey and the Cultivation of Justice: Learn all about the culture, themes and significance of The Odyssey here. [Harvard]
7. Classics in Western Philosophy: Study the literature and philosophies of Plato, Aristotle and Descartes that ultimately shaped Western traditions. [MIT]
8. Classics Faculty: Get podcasts from the Classics department at Oxford covering classical literature, Roman comedy, and more. [University of Oxford]
9. The Bible: Study the Bible as a work of literature. [MIT]
10. Virgil’s Aeneid: Analyze each part of Virgil’s famous work here. [Stanford]
11. The Ancient World: Greece: In this course, you’ll gain an understanding of the political, social, religious and economic trends and values that shaped the works of Homer. [MIT]
12. Tales from Ovid: Interview: Listen to a discussion and analysis of the Ovid. [Stanford]
13. English Renaissance Drama: Theatre and Society in the Age of Shakespeare: Understand the social, economic and religious context of England at the time of Shakespeare. [MIT]

American Literature

This grouping of American literature courses covers the colonial era through modern times.

14. Staying Alive: This course covers the narratives of short stories, poems and novellas mostly from American writers like Stephen Crane, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Eudora Welty. [MIT]
15. American Literature: This American literature class is also an intensive writing class. [MIT]
16. Identity in American Literature: Keepin’ it Real Fake: Study the complicated themes surrounding identity, ethnicity and gender in American literature. [MIT]
17. The American Novel: Novels studied in this course range from The Scarlet Letter to Beloved. [MIT]
18. Studies in Fiction: Stowe, Twain and the Transformation of 19th-Century America: Learn how these revolutionary writers helped influence and document the transformation of America in the 19th century. [MIT]
19. Major Authors: Melville and Morrison: Compare and contrast the works, images, themes and styles of Herman Melville and Toni Morrison. [MIT]
20. Masterworks in American Short Fiction: Take a look at American short stories and novellas like "The Turn of the Screw" and "Old Mrs. Harris." [MIT]
21. Richard Wright, Native Son and the Beinecke Library: Being Brought to My Senses: This lecture explores Richard Wright’s controversial modern work. [Yale]
22. The Wasteland: Interview: Analyze "The Wasteland" when you listen to this lecture. [Stanford]
23. Major Authors: After the Masterpiece: Novels by Melville, Twain, Faulkner, and Morrison: Find out how these fiction writers’ craft changed after their most famous works. [MIT]
24. Plot Against America: Discussion: Listen to a discussion about Philip Roth’s novel here. [Stanford]
25. Studies in Fiction: Rethinking the American Masterpiece: Study major American texts in a new way when you follow this online course. [MIT]
26. Studies in Drama: Too Hot to Handle: Forbidden Plays in Modern America: Readings here include plays by Eve Ensler, Henrik Ibsen and George Bernard Shaw. [MIT]
27. Writing Early American Lives: Gender, Nation, Faith: Learn about the themes and values that populated early American literature. [MIT]
28. American Classics: Take a look at classic American texts like The Constitution and works by Betty Friedan, Allen Ginsberg, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Frederick Douglass. [MIT]

British and Irish Literature

Study Irish writers like James Joyce, as well as iconic English authors like Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf.

29. An Adventure with Words: James Joyce’s Ulysses: Uncover the techniques Joyce uses to create his own narrative in Ulysses. [Columbia]
30. Literary Studies: The Legacy of England: Find out why British literature is still so influential. [MIT]
31. Eighteenth-Century Literature: Versions of the Self in 18th-Century Britain: Read works that pay homage to the era’s idea that man cannot control his destiny. [MIT]
32. Major English Novels: Reading Romantic Fiction: The major English novels studied in this course include Sense and Sensibility, The Last Man and Great Expectations. [MIT]
33. Victorian Literature and Culture: Victorian literature includes important works by Dickens, Oscar Wilde, George Eliot, Robert Browning, and others. [MIT]
34. Milton’s Paradise Lost: Discover Milton’s infamous work here. [University of Cambridge]
35. Literary Interpretation: Virginia Woolf’s Shakespeare: Discover how Virginia Woolf used Shakespeare in her own writing. [MIT]
36. Major English Novels: Novels studied in this course include Moll Flanders, Tess of the d’Ubervilles, and Mrs. Dalloway. [MIT]
37. Special Topics in Milton’s "Paradise Lost": Take another look at "Paradise Lost" here. [MIT]
38. Major Authors: Oscar Wilde and the ’90s: This course profiles the works of Oscar Wilde. [MIT]
39. Tolkien at Oxford: This author profile of J.R.R. Tolkien involves his time at Oxford. [Oxford]
40. On Beauty: Discussion: Listen to a discussion about Zadie Smith’s On Beauty. [Stanford]
41. Arthurian Literature and Celtic Colonization: Study Medieval British history and societal themes by working with pieces from Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chretien de Troyes, and others. [MIT]

Women Writers

Discover how women writers have influenced fiction trends around the world.

42. Medieval Literature: Medieval Women Writers: Study works by Joan of Arc, Heloise of Paris, Margery Kempe and others. [MIT]
43. American Authors: American Women Authors: Read American women authors from the 17th century to the present, like Helen Keller, Edith Wharton and more. [MIT]
44. International Women’s Voices: Study contemporary works of literature by women authors from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and North America. [MIT]

Regional and International Literature

Check out this list for literature from France, the Caribbean, South Asia, Japan and beyond.

45. World Literatures: Travel Writing: Study Columbus’s Diario as a way of understanding travel writing, journaling and exploration. [MIT]
46. Prizewinners: Take a look at prizewinning authors from the Caribbean and Ireland. [MIT]
47. After Columbus: Read writings from the New World, Caribbean, South America, and Europe after Columbus opened up the Americas. [MIT]
48. Foundations of Western Culture II: Renaissance to Modernity: Read works by Immanuel Kant, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Balzac and other important writers from the Renaissance to modernity. [MIT]
49. Major European Novels: Study major works by European authors as a way of analyzing European history and to track the changing style of European writing. Readings include Don Quixote and Madame Bovary. [MIT]
50. Introduction to European and Latin American Fiction: Learn about avant-garde fiction in Europe and Latin America in the 20th century. [MIT]
51. Passage to India: Introduction to Modern Indian Culture and Society: Learn about the transformation Indian culture is undergoing, and the literature that has been influenced by it. [MIT]
52. Introduction to Contemporary Hispanic Literature: Examine short stories, novels, poems and movies by Zoe Valdes, Manuel Rivas, Frederico Garcia Lorca, and others. [MIT]
53. Topics in South Asian Literature and Culture: This course examines topics like identity, politics, gender, castes, globalization and social change in writing from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and more. [MIT]
54. Traditional Chinese Literature: Poetry, Fiction and Drama: This course was designed to introduce literature students to the themes, styles and symbolism in major Chinese works. [MIT]
55. Japanese Literature: Here you will examine the literature and film from the samurai, classical, wartime and post wartime eras in Japan. [MIT]

Literary Theory, Narrative and Practice

No literature program is complete without a class or two about literary theory.

56. Introduction to Fiction: Learn about different narrative styles and the meaning of texts in different cultures. [MIT]
57. Forms of Western Narrative: This course studies narratives from Homer to Poe to Marx. [MIT]
58. Popular Narrative: Masterminds: Here you’ll study the style and symbolism of deceiving readers and audiences through characters. [MIT]
59. Reading Fiction: Study how the language of short stories and novels vary. [MIT]
60. Introduction to Literary Theory: Study literary theory as it is applied to twentieth century works. [MIT]
61. Chance: Chance is a quantitative literacy course with videos and audio support. [Dartmouth]
62. Theory and Practice of Non-linear and Interactive Narrative: Compare traditional narratives found in novels and films against multimedia, non-linear narratives. [MIT]
63. Media in Cultural Contexts: Popular Readerships: Find out the issues and judgments that define low-brow and high-brow literature and media. [MIT]
64. Forms of Western Narrative: Consider how the Western narrative form has changed since Homer. [MIT]
65. Literary Interpretation: Literature and Photography: This course examines literary criticism. [MIT]
66. The Film Experience: Discover how stories are told in film and literature by taking this course. [MIT]

Modern and Contemporary Literature

Learn about modern and contemporary writers who have ushered in a new era of literature, like Kafka, Conrad, Nabokov, and others.

67. Learning form the Past: Drama, Science, Performance: Here you will gain an understanding of how the modern artistic and scientific world evolved through works by Shakespeare, Moliere, Rembrandt and Newton. [MIT]
68. 20th Century Fiction: Discover the changes in identity, theme, sexual experience and virtue in works by Woolf, Faulkner, Nabokov, Kafka and Kipling. [MIT]
69. Contemporary Literature: In this course, you’ll read contemporary Irish literature. [MIT]
70. Contemporary Literature: Literature, Development and Human Rights: Read novels, stories and news reports contributing to the discussion about human rights and economic development. [MIT]
71. Contemporary Literature: British Novels Now: Discover how British novels have been reinvented for the twentieth century. [MIT]
72. Foundations of Western Culture II: Modernism: This course follows the evolution of western literature and thought from the 17th century to the early 20th century. [MIT]

Poetry and Drama

For courses about poetry and drama, including Shakespeare, turn to this list.

73. Introduction to Drama: Study drama as a form of storytelling and as a challenge to social norms. [MIT]
74. Literary Interpretation: Beyond the Limits of the Lyric: Discover the moral, political and cultural implications of poetry when you study pieces by Whitman, Williams, Plath and more. [MIT]
75. Major Poets: Study English lyric poetry in this course. [MIT]
76. The Shakespearean Sonnet and the Modern Voice: This e-seminar studies Shakespeare’s sonnets. [Columbia]
77. Shakespeare: This Shakespeare class tries to uncover what makes Shakespeare so great. [MIT]
78. Tragedy: Discover how tragedy from drama influences the tragic style in literature as well. [MIT]
79. Romantic Poetry: Study the British Romantic poets Blake, Shelley, Byron, Coleridge, Wordsworth and Keats. [MIT]
80. Modern Drama: Study Beckett, Stoppard and Shaw in this modern drama class. [MIT]
81. Interpreting Poetry: Learn about different trends and techniques for interpreting poetry. [MIT]
82. Studies in Poetry: "What’s the use of Beauty?": Why do poets so often write about beauty? Explore why in this course. [MIT]
83. Studies in Poetry: Renaissance Men and Women Writing About Love: Study English love sonnets by Shakespeare, Sidney, Spencer, and Mary Wroth in conjunction with works by Thomas Wyatt and others. [MIT]
84. Modern Poetry: This course covers new imagery, ideas about identity and nationalism, and more from poems in the 20th century. [MIT]
85. Playwright Huzir Sulaiman Listen to playwright Huzir Sulaiman discuss the techniques of writing about social change. [Yale]
86. Remixing Shakespeare: Learn about the trends and techniques involved with modernizing Shakespeare. [MIT]
87. Studies in Drama: Stoppard and Churchill: Study topics like interpretation and literary history when you examine the works of Caryl Churchill and Tom Stoppard. [MIT]
88. Studies in Poetry: 20th Century Irish Poetry: The Shadow of W.B. Yeats: Consider the significance and influence of W.B. Yeats here. [MIT]

Miscellaneous

Here you’ll find even more free courses to round out your literature education, including classes about reading and writing fiction.

89. The Future of English: David Crystal’s e-seminar considers how globalization affects the English language in literature and communication. [Columbia]
90. Reading Fiction: Dysfunctional Families: Study dysfunctional family relationships in works like Jazz and To the Lighthouse. [MIT]
91. Writing About Literature: Learn tips for writing responses to and analyzing literature in this course. [MIT]
92. Bestsellers: Detective Fiction: Study the elements that made works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allen Poe and Agatha Christie so successful. [MIT]
93. Comedy: Study comedy styles from Moliere, Chaplin, Wilde, Cervantes and others. [MIT]
94. The Literature of Crisis: This course examines how characters in Plato, Shakespeare, Virgil and Voltaire embrace crisis. [Stanford]
95. The Craft of Science Fiction: This short course tracks the process of writing a science fiction piece. [MIT]
96. The End of Nature: This literature and philosophy class examines the Western interpretation of nature and its relationship to mankind. [MIT]
97. The Nature of Creativity: This art theory, psychology and philosophy course considers the nature of creativity. [MIT]
98. Writing Workshop: This creative writing workshop will help you become a better writer and literature student [MIT]
99. The Creative Spark: Discover how creativity is influenced here. [MIT]
100. Writing and the Environment: Follow this course to learn about popular science and environmentalist writers. [MIT]

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Some people know what they want to major in before they even graduate high school, while others get to their sophomore year in college and still aren’t ready to commit. The thought of investing countless hours and immeasurable effort into a major can cause you to feel a lot of pressure to pick the right one. Depending on what school you go to major choices may be broad or limited, but no matter what your options are it is important to carefully consider each one. If you are starting to feel the heat don’t worry too much, just remember when it comes to looking for the right major you want to find one that reflects your personality as well as your passions.

You want to look for your personality in your major. A person’s personality is comprised of a set of distinctive traits that determine their behavioral and emotional characteristics. Your personality influences many things in your life, such as what interests you, what kind of people you are drawn to, how you think about things, and what you are good at. It also influences what you would most enjoy learning about and excel academically in, so it makes sense that you would want to make sure that your major fits it. During your major exploration take some time to really examine yourself and figure out your strengths and weaknesses, personal preferences, and likes and dislikes. Think about how all of these things would not only relate to a major, but a career. Are you good with people, love a challenge, and enjoy promoting things? A major in public relations may be a good personal fit for you. If you are good with numbers, enjoy analytical thinking, and love solving problems, you may do well as an accounting major.

You want to look for your passions in your major. With all of the time and money that you will be spending on earning a degree, you need to make sure that you care about it. Take the time to think about what things you do that make you the happiest, you lose track of time doing, or that you just can’t do enough of. One of the most challenging things about getting an education is having the determination to see it through. One way to make sure that you don’t give up is to find a sense of purpose in what you are studying. Purpose equals passion, and the more passionate you are about your major the more likely you will be to find joy and success in it.

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Online MBA programs have quickly become the most popular program within the online college community, as MBAs have become applicable in nearly every aspect of the career world. The Masters of Business Administration is one advanced degree which allows students the flexibility to apply it to nearly every industry.  Since the economy took a downturn last year, students began considering the possibility of returning to school in order to secure their chances of keeping their current job.  MBAs are one degree that is very attractive to employers which online colleges have taken note of. 

The different types of online MBA programs that are offered additionally appeal to a wide variety of students.  Students obtaining an MBA degree com from all different backgrounds, including students who have never before been out in the business world, the regular two-year MBA, and those students who are executives in their current position but need an MBA to continue their work, an Executive MBA program.  Additionally, there are accelerated MBA programs and part-time programs, both of which cater to students who have different schedules and are in different phases of their career-life.  One type of MBA program which has additionally grown in prominence has been a dual degree program that allows students to gain both an MBA and a JD or MS.  Therefore, students can work on their MBA through online courses while attending classes for another graduate degree.

Online MBA programs have additionally become a major aspect of every other type of MBA program, and exist as more of an umbrella over the other programs.  Online MBA programs allow students the flexibility to decide when they want to attend class and the ability to remain at work or at home, rather than commuting to a school which may take time away from family life or work life.  Online MBA programs are additionally intended to allow students to get ahead in their degrees, which explains why they have grown so much in popularity.  The economy has also offered online schools a new type of student who had never before considered the possibility of returning to school.  This return to school has thereby increased competition within many business, further encouraging business professionals to gain this valuable degree in order to hold onto their job. 

Online MBAs are much the same as other MBA programs which major universities offer, still requiring GRE or GMAT scores for acceptance into the program. Therefore, acceptance of online MBAs within the business world has become much more widespread due to the increase in popularity.  This trend will only be expected to increase as business degrees become more valuable in this type of economy. 

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Scholarships are valuable resources that far too often go unutilized. When it comes to paying for higher education they can be the difference between having to take out loans or getting a free ride. Scholarships are given out for as many reasons that you can think of, and from academic to athletic the application pool is a competitive one. The majority of scholarships are merit-based, having to do with academic, artistic, or athletic abilities, and eligibility depends on grades, test scores, talents, and hobbies. If you need some financial help with school, there are several ways that you can increase your scholarship chances.

You can increase your chances of getting a scholarship by having a high GPA. Since many scholarships are merit-based, applicants are often required to have a certain GPA before they can apply. It is likely that the higher your GPA is, the more scholarships you will be eligible for. Having a high GPA can also help increase your chances of getting one, as it will help you stand out among the other applicants.

You can increase your chances of getting a scholarship by being good at something. If academics really aren’t your thing don’t be discouraged, you might be able to get a talent-based scholarship. These types of scholarships can be institutional and come directly from your university. Typically they are given to students that excel in areas that are beneficial to the school, such as athletics or fine arts. Talent-based scholarships can also be awarded by private businesses or organizations, who want to support students majoring in a certain area. If you grew up developing some sort of talent or hobby, or even are currently pursuing one, chances are you a good candidate for these types of scholarships.

You can increase your chances of getting a scholarship by applying for one. It may sounds like a no brainer, but of all the various types of scholarships given out each year many of them go unclaimed. The reason they often go unclaimed is because no qualified students applied for them. If you think that you don’t stand a chance because there is always someone out there more qualified than you, remember that person might not have applied. Even if you are not the most impressive student or artist, you still have just as good of a chance as anyone and your unique set of abilities may just be what they are looking for.

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Whether you are in business school or are a self-learner trying to gather the most information you can about business, blogs are an excellent way to stay on top of the latest news, information, and trends. These blogs come from such influential voices as business school professors, successful entrepreneurs, and other authorities on a wide range of topics relevant to your business education. Whether you want to learn about marketing, business in a global community, finance, economics, management, leadership, or sustainable business practices, you will find information among these blogs.

Marketing

Advertising, Internet marketing, personal branding, and responsible marketing are some of the topics covered in these blogs.

1. Brand New Day. This blog from BusinessWeek takes a look at advertising, marketing, and media.
2. John Quelch Marketing KnowHow. This professor from Harvard Business School and leader in the business world discusses marketing.
3. Marketing Practice. This marketing professor blogs about marketing in Indian.
4. The Responsible Marketing Blog. The posts here take a hard look at marketing and whether corporations are being responsible in their manner of marketing.
5. Dr. Neil Hair. This professor writes about marketing and the Internet on his blog, including topics such as personal branding, social media, and marketing to the consumers.
6. eStrategy Internet Marketing Blog. David Erickson examines several aspects of Internet marketing on his blog.
7. Cyberstrat. Written in French, this blog by Professor Jean-Claude Morand features marketing with a focus on Internet and technology.
8. Ping!. Yuping Liu discusses how marketing, technology, and consumer psychology work together in her fascinating blog.
9. Social Media Marketing. Tom Chapman writes about best practices in the world of social media in his blog.
10. Marketing Profs Daily Fix. This collaborative blog of marketing professionals discusses topics that range from social media to consumerism.

Global Business

These blogs offer a sampling of business from Japan, India, and Latin America.

11. Yoko Ishikura’s Blog. This b-school professor in Japan writes about business in the global community. Her blog is available in both English and Japanese.
12. Made in India. Navi Radjou writes about global business and innovation on his blog.
13. B V Krishnamurthy Bangalore Calling. This distinguished professor from India discusses international business with an emphasis on India and the U.S.
14. Santiago Iniguez. The dean at the international IE Business School blogs about the school and business education in his blog. Posts are in both English and Spanish.

Human Resources

Understanding human resources is an important part of any business, so keep in the know with these blogs.

15. Perfect Labor Storm 2.0. Learn about the trends that affect employers and their business practices with this blog that focuses on a variety of topics.
16. Performance and Talent Management Blog. This blog focuses on how companies can make the most of their employees, with special attention paid to strategic HR techniques.
17. Work-Related Blogs and News. This lecturer at Heriot-Watt’s School of Management and Languages writes about issues surrounding business and the workplace. He also includes an impressive list of workplace blogs organized by profession.
18. Beyond HR. Striving to go further, this blog highlights typical HR issues and offers innovative solutions.
19. Slow Leadership. The idea behind this organization is that management should slow down and think through decisions rather than reacting to situations and their blog includes topics to help accomplish this mission.
20. HR Lawyers Blog. Writing about the legal issues surrounding HR, this blog offers news and advice for those interested in the legal side of business.
21. Strategic HR Lawyer. This blog from an HR lawyer provides news, information, and links to additional information that pertains to HR and the law.
22. Past Five. Get advice about workplace and career development with this blog that takes you beyond just the 9 to 5.
23. Gruntled Employees. Prevent your employees from becoming disgruntled with the posts on this blog that are focused on keeping a happy workforce.
24. Work Smarter. Find tips for productivity, personal management, and managing others on this blog written by Gina Trapani.

Economics

Economics are the focus of these blogs written by professors and other leading authorities.

25. Carpe Diem. Mark J. Perry, professor of economics and finance, writes on a variety of topics at his popular blog.
26. The Wages of Wins Journal. These three professors of economics look at the economics of sports in their blog.
27. Grasping Reality with Both Hands: The Semi-Daily Journal Economist Brad DeLong. This popular blog, written by economy professor J Bradford DeLong from U.C. Berkeley, features posts on economics, and often, its relationship to politics.
28. Division of Labour. This collaborative blog is focuses on US and global economics.
29. Organizations and Markets. Four professors from America and Europe collaborate on this blog which touches on various aspects of global economics.
30. CoreEconomics. Written by Joshua Gans and Mark Crosby, this blog looks at economics and strategy.
31. Economist’s View. Mark Thoma writes such topics as economic growth, financial markets, and more on his blog.
32. The Borjas Blog. Professor George Borjas specializes in labor economics and blogs about global issues surrounding immigration and labor.
33. The Transportationist. David Levinson and the Nexus Research Group on Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems write about urban traffic economics.

Finance

From the importance of understanding finance to investing trends, these blogs will help keep you informed about the world of finance.

34. Financial Literacy and Ignorance. Striving to educate, Annamaria Lusardi writes about personal finance and how much, and how little, people know about it.
35. ProfessorVC. This professor of entrepreneurial finance blogs about business and other interests.
36. Financial Intelligence. Karen Berman and Joe Knight strive to teach how financial success is measured and its impact on business. This blog is an extension of that goal.
37. Investing Insights. Investing trends and information for large and small investors alike appear on this blog.

Technology

Technology and business are the focus of these blogs.

38. Harga-Blog. Andrew Hargadon writes about technology innovation and management with an emphasis on sustainable technology.
39. Having IT Your Way. This blog from Susan Cramm offers technology business leadership and innovation information.
40. The Impact of Information Technology (IT) on Businesses and their Leaders. Written by Andrew McAfee, a professor at Harvard Business School, this blog takes a look at the business impacts of technology.
41. billso.com. Read about the intersection of technology and business in this blog by Bill Sodeman.
42. Technology and Organizations. Terri Griffith, from Santa Clara University, takes a look at technology and its impact on organizations in her blog.
43. Eric Goldman. This law professor writes about technology and marketing, including plenty of law suits shaping the future of this field.
44. Open IT Strategies. Joel West writes about IT and business with topics touching on marketing, strategy, economics, and more.
45. The Big Shift. This collaborative blog provides insight and experience from three leaders in the field of business and technology.
46. The Tech Beat. Follow established tech businesses and learn about new, promising ones–plus much more–in this blog.

Management

Learn how to be a powerful and successful manager with the information found within the blogs listed here.

47. Random Rantings. Freek Vermeulen, from London Business School, writes on corporate strategy and management.
48. Robert Salomon. This professor from Stern School of Business features posts specifically on strategy and economics, as well as other business topics.
49. Managerial Economics: a problem solving approach. This blog is co-written by two professors and posts include information to support their book, Managerial Economics, 2nd Edition.
50. Tom Davenport The Next Big Thing. A professor at Babson College, Tom Davenport blogs about management innovations and productivity.
51. John Sviokla The Near Futurist. Management, innovation, and technology feature highly in this blog by a professor from the Kellogg School of Management.
52. The Change Master. Named one of the 50 most powerful women in the world by The Times of London, Rosabeth Moss Kanter shares her ideas on business and management.
53. Management IQ. Raise your management intelligence by keeping up with the posts on this blog from BusinessWeek.
54. Getting Ahead. Get tons of tips and advice for managing others, managing yourself, and communicating effectively in the business world with Daisy Wademan Dowling’s blog.
55. Upstarts and Titans. Anthony Tjan provides a wealth of advice on topics ranging from managing during a recession to running shorter and more effective meetings.
56. Across the Ages. Read topics touching on almost any imaginable perspective when it comes to managing in a business with Tammy Erickson’s blog.
57. Make Your Case. Sharpen your critical thinking skills as a manager with the case studies here that ask you to problem solve tough situations.
58. Management Essentials. The advice found in this blog offers opportunities for growth no matter if you are a veteran manager or a newbie.

Leadership

Make sure you have the tools and knowledge you need to become a strong leader by following these blogs.

59. Bob Sutton: Work Matters. This writer and professor blogs about management and leadership here.
60. Letter from London. Gill Corkindale offers her insight and experience on leadership and management on her blog.
61. Stew Friedman Better Leader, Richer Life. Leadership and management are the main topics on this University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School professor’s blog.
62. Ed Batista. This leadership coach at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business writes about leadership and interpersonal skills.
63. Michael Watkins The Leading Edge. From IMD in Switzerland, this professor looks at leadership, especially at the beginning stages, here.
64. Professor Michael Roberto’s Blog. This professor from Bryant University focuses on leadership and strategic management in his blog.
65. Leadership at Work. Leadership consultant John Baldoni writes about ways leaders can build their presence and effectiveness in the workplace.
66. Inverted Wisdom. Management and leadership with a bit of technology are the topics among these blog posts by Vineet Nayar.
67. How We Work. Peter Bregman blogs about leadership, failure for success, changing corporate culture for the better, and more.
68. Redesigning Leadership. With a focus on creative leadership in business, John Maeda and Becky Bermont offer their experience and insight.
69. Frontline Leadership. Discover what business leaders can learn from the military with this blog that explores leadership in both camps.
70. Ask the Coach. An authority on leadership coaching, Marshall Goldsmith shares his advice on this blog.

Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Strategy

These blogs examine issues important to entrepreneurs as well as business people interested in innovation and strategy for growing successfully.

71. Rita McGrath Dynamic Strategies. This professor from Columbia Business School looks at innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on taking the risk out of both on her blog.
72. Innovation Insights. Scott Anthony blogs about innovation, strategy, and technology in his blog.
73. Experience Matters. Peter Merholz communicates his thoughts and experience with experience strategy on his blog.
74. Edge Economy. Umair Haque shares his thoughts on innovation and strategy for the new world of business here.
75. On Innovation. Headed by an entrepreneur and business professor with contributions from two business leaders, this blog focuses on problem-solving through innovation.
76. Free the Nonprofits. Dan Pallotta blogs about his specialty–innovation in the non-profit industry.
77. Top Shelf Reading Picks: Book and blog reviews for savvy entrepreneurs. Diane K. Danielson reviews books and blogs that may be of interest to entrepreneurs in her blog.
78. I Quit–Now What?. Leadership, HR, entrepreneurship, and innovation all make an appearance in this blog by Steven DeMaio.
79. Practically Radical. Bill Taylor examines the radical shifts occurring in business with the current economic downturn and what practical solutions may succeed.

Women in Business

Business has traditionally been seen as a man’s world. Not only is this no longer true, there are many phenomenal women making their mark on the business world. These blogs offers a sampling of issues surrounding women in business.

80. Winning the Talent War. Sylvia Ann Hewlett and her contributors write about women in business and the issues surrounding them.
81. News You Can Use: Observations from the editor’s desk. These news tidbits offer interesting trends and practices, frequently focusing on women in business.
82. Women’s Leadership. This blog from Babson takes a look at many topics relevant to women in leadership roles.
83. Lip-Sticking. The posts on this blog are written by women and examine women in business, marketing to women, and more.
84. Women on Business. The women writers here discuss a wide range of business topics–all with a woman’s perspective, but not all pertaining just to women.
85. After 55: At the top of our game. The posts here not only focus on women in business, but more specifically, older women in business.
86. Seriously Social: The busy businesswoman’s answer to social media. The fast-paced and ever-evolving world of social media is captured in this blog so you can stay on top of what’s happening without sacrificing too much of your time.
87. Woman at Work. Aliza Sherman blogs about issues important to women entrepreneurs such as hiring an assistant, balancing personal and professional life, and utilizing social media.

Green Business

Sustainability and going green aren’t just buzz words. These blogs illustrate how many are making a positive impact on the environment while maintaining and growing their businesses.

88. sustainable business design. Written by N.E. Landrum, this blog demonstrates how sustainable business makes good sense economically and socially.
89. Leading Green. This blog takes a look at ways to lead your business into a greener, sustainable, and successful business.
90. Green Advantage. Andrew Winston discusses ideas, trends, and practices supporting green business in his blog.
91. GreenBiz.com Blogs. Green marketing, solar incentives, and sustainable innovation are just a few of the topics covered on the blogs found here.
92. Green Inc.. This blog at the New York Times examines sustainable business practices around the world.

Miscellaneous

From tips for CEOs to ideas behind recent events in the business world to research from business schools, these blogs cover quite a range of topics.

93. Memo to the CEO. This blog from Harvard Business Review is temporarily focusing on strategies and techniques to help CEOs better manage during an economic downturn.
94. HBR Editors’ Blog. The editors from HBR offer their opinions, insight, and news from the world of business.
95. Words at Work. Communication in the business world is the focus of David Silverman’s blog.
96. The Monitor Talent Group Blog. An excellent place to keep up with the latest trends and possibilities for the future of business, this blog offers cutting edge insight.
97. Conversation Starter. Take a look at some of the ideas (good and bad) behind recent events and trends in the business world.
98. Public Offering: The Columbia Business School Blog. This blog covers a wide range of news and information that will be of interest to those in business school as well as those keeping up with the latest news in the business world.
99. Kellogg Insight. This blog features the results of the latest research from the professors at Kellogg School of Management.
100. BizDeans Talk. Posts here come from several deans of business schools and focus topics surrounding business school education.

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Crimes are not unheard of on college campuses. With so many people living on campus, going to school, and working on campuses, you can’t always assume that everyone has good intentions. And according to the Fall 2009 National College Health Assessment by the American College Health Association, the times and places college students feel safe can vary.

During the day, 83.4 percent of students reported that they felt very safe on their college campuses and of these students, 85.8 percent were male and 82.7 percent were female. The numbers change drastically when it comes to how safe students felt on their campuses at night. Only 31.6 percent of students reported that they felt very safe on their campus at nighttime, which means an overwhelming majority did not. Only 21.6 percent of females reported feeling very safe while 50.3 percent of males did. Still, students tend to feel safer on campus than they do off of campus. During the daytime, 51.1 percent of students reported feeling very safe in the community surrounding their school. That number also changed when it came to how safe they felt at night with only 17.5 percent of students reporting that they felt very safe.

When it comes to being on campus or in the community at night, students should never be alone. While many areas of a college campuses and community streets are well lit at night, there are even more areas that probably are not. Just because you are in a college town does not mean that everyone there is just like you, so avoid walking in unlit areas that make it hard for you to see someone who may be walking toward you. No matter what type of safety precautions you take, you can’t always avoid dangerous situations. In the study, 4.8 percent of students reported experiencing a physical assault within the last 12 months, and 8 percent reported experiencing a physical fight. While students should try to stay away from these situations at all costs, if they can’t, it is important that they also are able to defend themselves. Many colleges or community centers offer self-defense courses that teach people tips and techniques on how to defend themselves. These types of courses usually show people things they can do in certain situations, such as being choked from behind or thrown to the ground, to get away and increase their chances of survival. Even though self defense is not a guarantee that you will be able to fight off an attacker, it can help you be better prepared for a dangerous situation.

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Want to get your bachelor’s degree but are unable to devote four years to being a traditional on-campus college student? With today’s advanced technology, you don’t have to center your life around college anymore because through accelerated degree programs, you can center college around your life. For working adults or non-traditional students, this can be an easily accessible way to make earning your bachelor’s possible. Even though these types of programs may seem too good to be true, there are many accredited, as well as respected, accelerated bachelor’s degree programs out there.

Accelerated online degree programs generally have flexible schedules and condensed classes that can be completed faster than standard courses, therefore allowing students to earn their degrees quicker. These programs allow for students to have flexible schedules by picking their classes based on convenience rather than necessity. Instead of being spread out through a semester, classes can take as a little as a month to complete. Typically, students can be admitted into these programs year-round and classes are available to take at any time. Depending on personal pace, these programs can be completed within two years of beginning it.

The biggest difference between traditional bachelor’s degree programs and accelerated ones is who they center around. Degree programs at traditional universities have set schedules and are centered around the teacher, who decides course content, curriculum, and objectives. Accelerated online programs are centered around the student and allow them to set their schedules based on their individual learning pace. These learner-oriented programs allow course instructors and students to work together in deciding how to study and evaluate course material. Sometimes, students are able to receive credit for previous learning experiences or courses they have taken in the past. This, along with being able to set their own pace, allows them to earn their degree faster.

These types of degree programs are generally designed to meet the learning needs of adults or non-traditional students who may have other life responsibilities and not be able to devote as much time to a traditional college education. Often these people are already working as professionals and need to earn a degree in order to advance their careers. Many people who choose these types of programs have already earned some college credits and understand what it takes to successfully complete courses. It is important for anyone who is looking to enroll in an accelerated online bachelor’s degree program to understand that these programs are not easier than traditional ones and can present many challenges. To successfully earn a bachelor’s degree in this way, students must be responsible, independent, and determined.

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