On the other hand it seems like in order to be branded as successful one must go to and graduate from college. After all it’s what we’ve been told since we were young: going to college equates to making lots of money! Whatever the case may be one thing’s for sure, with enough ambition almost anything is possible.

Which path is right for you? Are you a go getter that’s ready for a shot at financial independence now, or do you strive to further your education in hopes of obtaining a brighter future? Whatever the case may be, we’ve prepared a brief guide highlighting both sides of the argument.

Hopefully with this information you’ll be able to decide which course of action is right for you: attending college, or joining the workforce.

Viewpoint A: High school is not enough

Job security: Today’s dramatically changing job market maintains competitive entry-level requirements – options that may have been available to your parents no longer hold true for you. For instance, when the baby boomers flooded America’s job market, a high school diploma was enough to assure employers that job seekers could handle the basic tasks in their organizations. Once recruited, most large companies ensured that the baby boomers were provided with internal training and development programs. This meant that the generation which is now enjoying its well-deserved retirement usually worked for just one or two companies during their entire career.

Unfortunately the global job market doesn’t allow for such luxuries anymore – yes, stability in one company is a luxury! In fact, most workers entering their first job today are expected to change career paths at least seven times before they find their niche. This could be one reason why there is such a heavy emphasis on education – few companies can afford to invest heavily in employee development. Instead they expect job seekers to develop their own skills before they come aboard. The most obvious way to go about doing this: obtain a college degree.

Increased earning power: It is generally accepted that greater level of education you peruse, the more money you will make… and well the figures don’t lie. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, workers with a college degree make nearly $25,000 more per year than workers with only a high school education. When compounded, this figure amounts to more than $1 million more in lifetime earnings — how’s that for retirement?

So, how big a burden is the average loan for college graduates? Actually, pursuing degrees in high-paying professions helps you earn much more – at least threefold more than what you must pay back. For instance, if the average law student graduates with over $80,000 in debt, s/he can easily expect to earn an average of $100,000 once s/he graduates. Or take business-school grads. They may have to take loans to the tune of $40,000 and above, but upon graduation, they get jobs that pay at least $90,000 a year. (Graduate Management Admissions Council figures)

Viewpoint B: Attending college is a waste of time

A world of opportunity: Not everyone can afford to invest the amount of time and money required to becoming a full time student right after high school. For many people the lure of having a few extra dollars in their pockets and being offered a chance at financial independence is too much to tie them down for at least four more years of classes. Instead these people choose to live in the now and wish to have full time jobs that prepare them for real-world challenges. In fact many professionals start their careers in retail sales, customer service, and various other jobs that offer immediate training. As ironic as it sounds, some people are just too ambitious for college.

College degrees don’t cater to real-world challenges: Yes, a college degree program does refine your critical thinking skills; however, very few colleges and universities can actually prepare you for the majority of real-world challenges. In most colleges, the closest parallel to the working world you’ll be exposed to is being required to complete and submit your assignments on time. In short, most college experiences rarely match the demands of a regular full-time job.

Moreover, if the regulated method of teaching doesn’t suit you, you may find that though you didn’t do too well in high school, you are quite comfortable once you enter the workforce. These environments don’t have the tedium of the classroom, and can actually encourage you to succeed on your own terms. Just look around, you’ll find MBA graduates for sure, but the entrepreneurs – the guys who actually make it big – may not have those much coveted degrees. Many successful entrepreneurs and business leaders have achieved success with little more than a high school diploma.

The price of the degree may not be worth paying: Numerous degrees in low-paying fields are really not worth the effort and money we spend on them. Some of these degrees are actually quite useless as you can get the job you desire if you simply remain in the workforce. You really don’t need to spend all your time and money on a course that brings you no monetary benefits.

A job allows you to plan your future: Most youngsters are unaware of the career paths they wish to take, many of them use college as a self-seeking quest; some even have to stay until grad school before they figure out what they’re suppose to do. However, in this process these youngsters end up collecting a huge debt. Instead if they had worked for sometime before going to college, they could not only have built their education fund, they would also have a better idea of what they want to do.

While we cant advise you on an individual basis to determine what’s right for you, hopefully we’ve given you some insight into making the decision that will maximize your earning power and give you a lifestyle you’re comfortable with.

1. Bankruptcy issues

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act was made in 2005 to include private student loans as one of the 10 debts that can’t be forgiven. Federal bankruptcy laws now make it very difficult for borrowers to discharge student loans.

How this law affects you:

• Student loan borrowers who fall behind are now subject to garnished wages, income tax seizure, even withholding of professional certifications in addition to the standard damage to credit records and other collection activities. A Supreme Court decision even allows the government to withhold Social Security money to collect on old student loans.

2. Increased Rates

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 hit the federal student loan program hard with $12 million in cuts. Higher interest rates for student loans kicked in on July 1, 2006. Interest rates for new loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 also grew as a result of earlier legislative action in 2002 and 2006.

How this law affects you:

• First and foremost, you’ll pay more interest for the same amount of money. As a result, you may choose to refinance your loan and stretch out your repayment period. The ensuing fall in attractiveness of federal loans means that you may want to step up your efforts in a search for grants and scholarships, which will help you avoid or reduce your debts considerably.

3. Relief Act

To combat the fallout from the aforementioned Deficit Reduction Act, the US House of Representatives recently voted to reduce interest rates for student borrowers. The College Student Relief Act of 2007 was passed with a massive majority in favor of the bill. This new law will apply to the 5.5 million Stafford loans given to students whose families earn between $26,000 and $68,000 per year. The bill establishes gradual reductions in the interest rate over a five-year period, bringing the rate down from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent.

How this law affects you:

• With attractive rates for qualifying families, Stafford loans will be harder to come by. If you qualify, you’ll reap the rewards of an average savings of $2,300 in interest payments on a 15-year loan. If you don’t qualify, you’ll still suffer under the interest rate hike of the Deficit Reduction Act.

4. A Federal-State Partnership Program

The Taxpayer Relief Act enacted into law in 1997 created education IRAs. This allows taxpayers to save $500 per year tax-free for the higher education expenses of a named beneficiary under 18 years of age. In 2001, these IRAs were renamed Coverdell. With Education Savings Accounts, the annual tax-free contribution limit was raised to $2,000. The provisions passed in 2001 are set to expire in 2011.

How this law affects you:

• This law allows your family to accumulate tax-free savings which can go into your future education, providing an incentive to save as much as you can. It will help you reduce the total amount of loan you need to take, which will clearly have a reductive effect on your loan debt.

5. New Rules

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) and the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act changed some of the terms of Federal Consolidation Loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Thanks to these acts, your loan has been subject to some changes. For instance, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act effectively ends the single-holder rule for student loans.

How this law affects you:

• Now, borrowers who have student loans with just one Federal Family Education Loans Program (FFELP) lending company can choose to consolidate those loans with another FFELP lender.

1. Notebook computer: Small, sleek, powerful laptops are quickly edging out their space-consuming desktop counterparts and becoming an essential part of every student’s toolkit. Instead of working on a computer at home, a computer in the library and a computer in the lab, you can have the same system no matter where you are. Your documents, music, calendars, and reminders are all on one machine, accessible at the touch of a button. Apple’s MacBook is a surefire favorite, while Toshiba’s Satellite line and Dell’s Inspiron series are affordable. Sony’s VAIO and IBM’s ThinkPad products also good for those willing to spend a little more.

2. PDA: Personal digital assistants are increasingly being seen as all-in-one devices, a smaller and more compact alternative to notebook computers. Often, they can connect to the Internet, allow you to work on documents and spreadsheets, transfer files using Bluetooth technology and more, all in the palm of your hand. If you prefer to keep your phone and PDA separate, the Dell Axim is a great choice. Alternatively, you can chose from the PalmOne series of PDAs from Palm. For those who want the features of a cell phone bundled in, T-Mobile’s Sidekick and Palm’s Treo Smartphone are two good options. Samsung and O2 also offer a range of high-end mobile digital all-purpose devices. 

3. Recorder: A good recorder is a must for students who have trouble taking down notes or remembering lectures. This device also comes in handy when you’re unable to attend class: just have a friend record what’s going on, and it’s like you’ve attended the lecture in person. There are various models available, starting from those with micro cassettes like Sony’s M570V recorder to those with built in memory like the ones from Olympus. Some even connect to your computer’s USB port so you can transfer files and clear internal memory.

4. MP3 player: Portable music players are very hot on college campuses these days. They’re used to stream podcasts, watch videos of lectures, play back MP3 files, listen to audio lessons on the go, or to just chill out with some cool music downloaded from iTunes or the Internet. If you’re not interested in the iPod, consider alternatives like Creative’s Zen Vision and Samsung’s YP-Z5.

5. Scientific calculator: Students enrolled in college courses like advanced mathematics and science may find that they require a lot of algebraic, trigonometric and calculus calculations. They can add computing power to their arsenal by choosing a good scientific calculator. A few good options are the advanced graphing calculator from Texas Instruments and HP’s 33s model.

6. Flash drive: These small devices have virtually rendered CDs obsolete because of their extreme portability and convenience. They’re a must-have if you need to transfer files from one system to another. They really come in handy if you don’t have your own laptop: carry around your presentation for class or transfer files easily from the library to your home computer. Storage sizes start at 16 MB and go up to 4 GB. Prices vary according to the brand. SanDisk, Kingston, Memorex and USB Drive are some of the more popular names in the business. If you store sensitive information on your device, the password-enabled USB drive from Thanko can help you keep files private.

7. Digital dictionary: Handy to carry around in your tote bag, these nifty gadgets effectively replace heavy paper dictionaries. They can come bundled with MP3 players or PDAs, offering definitions as well as translations from English to various foreign languages. Digital dictionaries are extremely useful when you’re working on term papers or foreign language assignments.

8. Alarm clock: Do you have trouble waking up on time to attend your morning classes? Check out these cool wakeup machines to find one that suits your style. After all, it’s important to be punctual to class on a regular basis.

9. Mini refrigerator: Perfect for not only storing drinks, but also for keeping healthy, homemade meals and snacks in your dorm room. After all, you can’t always depend on cafeteria food. Prices start from just below $100 and move higher as the size becomes larger. The top-selling models include those from ThermoKool, BebeSounds, and Vector, but your best bet for under $100 would be GE’s GMR02BK model.

10. Smoothie makers/blenders: Are you in such a rush to get to class every morning that you tend to skip breakfast? Or worse, grab an unhealthy, fat-loaded snack on the way to your lecture? Stop right there and buy yourself a good smoothie maker. A mix of fruits and yogurt is just what you need to kick-start your morning the healthy way. Try out any of the various models from Kenwood, Back to Basics, Hamilton Beach, Juiceman and Villaware.

11. Vacuum cleaner: Don’t let your dorm room turn into a pig sty. Invest in a good vacuum, preferably one that does the cleaning for you. The iRobot Roomba cleans your room at the press of a button, gathering up dust from almost all floor textures and medium pile carpet, then returns to its base unit when it’s done.

12. Microwave oven: Keeping a microwave in your dorm room allows you to eat more versatile food than what’s being offered at the cafeteria. Go out and get one with an built in toaster to save space and money. Check out models from Sanyo, Sears, LG Electronics and Samsung.

13. All-in-one printer/copier/scanner/fax machine: With one of these machines, you won’t have to leave your room for any printing, scanning, copying or faxing needs. These machines also come in handy when you need printouts outside of normal working hours, like late at night or early morning before your class. They retail for under $200 from HP, Canon, Epson and Lexmark. 

14. Video game consoles: Take time off from your grueling schedule and unwind with the latest in gaming consoles. Sony’s PSP and Nintendo’s DS Lite are two hot handheld favorites with the gaming crowd. The Sony PSP doubles as a TV or DVD player, while the Nintendo DS allows you to play games online.

15. Boom-box: An iPod is ok if you want to go solo, but when playing music for a crowd, it’s best you turn to Cisco’s Linksys Wireless Music System. This boom-box allows you to play songs on your PC through its speakers using a built in wi-fi connection and also plays radio stations from the Internet. It’s also a great way to relax and unwind as you work on assignments and papers for the following day’s classes.

16. Voice Recognition Software: Voice recognition software provides an easy way to get your notes and lessons typed. All you have to do is voice your words out loud. For those who don’t want to type or are tired of hand-written notes, try the voice recognition software Naturally Speaking 8.0 from Dragon.

17. Digital pen: Are you too tired to transfer your hand-written notes to your computer? Just invest in digital software from Logitech and get the job done in a hurry. The set, which includes a digital pen, digital paper and related software, allows you to jot notes that are directly transformed into word or spreadsheet documents on your computer. The best part is that you can catalog your notes into search-friendly files for easy retrieval at a later date. The cost may be an inhibiting factor for some, however: the digital paper does not come cheap, especially if you take a lot of notes in class.

18. Web camera: If you’re homesick, you’ll want to keep in touch with friends and family. Make frequent calls and chats home more personal by using a webcam. Windows users can do well with offerings from Logitech, while Mac owners can grab the Apple iSight.

19. Portable bike: Biking is the most cost-effective way to get around campus. Your bike can be an ultra-convenient accessory, especially if you can fold it and carry it around wherever you go. Sinclair’s A-Bike, weighing in at just 12 pounds, is the perfect solution for your transportation needs. It is extremely portable and can be folded or unfolded in around 10 seconds. 

20. Backup solution: If you lose your phone, chances are you’re not going to be able to remember most of the phone numbers you’ve got stored on it. Don’t be left without a way to get in touch with your friends, find help with coursework or get together for a weekend party. Get a solution that allows you to create a backup of the stuff you store on your phone. One option is Advanced Wireless Solutions’ Backup Pal. Just plug it into your mobile and download all of your contacts, numbers and email addresses at the press of a button.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED):

Students under the umbrella of Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), William D. Ford Direct Loan Program (DL) (Stafford Student loans) and the Federal Perkins Loans are eligible to have their loans forgiven by the U.S. Department of Education. If you’ve borrowed a Stafford loan, the various positions that allow you to clear your debts are:

1. Teaching in elementary schools that cater to the needs of children from low-income families ($5,000 in five years).
2. Providing child care in facilities that serve low-income communities for five years (20 to 30 percent).

If you fall under the Perkins loan, the jobs available are:

3. Teaching full time in elementary schools for low income students for five years (15 percent each in the first two years, 20 each in the next two and 30 in the fifth).
4. Teaching full time in secondary schools for low income students for five years (15 percent each in the first two years, 20 each in the next two and 30 in the fifth).
5. Taking on the responsibilities of a full-time Head Start staff (15 percent each year).
6. Teaching special education full-time (15 percent a year).
7. Providing early intervention services for the disabled (15 percent each year).
8. Serving in the Armed Forces in hostile areas allows you to clear 50 percent of your debt in four years (12 ½ percent each year).
9. Serving in AmeriCorps, you will receive $7,400 in stipends for a year and $4,725 that you can use towards loan repayment.
10. Volunteering in Vista allows you to clear 70 percent of your debt in four years (15 percent each in the first two and 20 each in the last two).
11. Volunteering for the Peace Corps alllows forgiveness of 70 percent of your loans in four years (15 percent each in the first two and 20 each in the last two).
12. Working as full-time law enforcement officers for five years (15 percent each in the first two years, 20 in the next two and 30 in the fifth). 
13. Working as full-time as corrections officers for five years (15 percent each in the first two years, 20 in the next two and 30 in the fifth). 
14. Teaching full time in areas where there is a shortage of qualified teachers for five years (15 percent each in the first two years, 20 in the next two and 30 in the fifth). 

Federal Agencies:

There are a number of federal agencies that offer student loan repayment programs. From the military to healthcare, check out these jobs that let you serve the greater good while earning back money for your student loans.

15. Working as a civilian in federal agencies for at least three years (Up to $60,000, up to $10,000 per year).

Under The Army College Repayment Program, you are entitled to debt forgiveness by:

16. Enlisting for full-time active duty in the Army for three or more years (Up to $65,000).
17. Joining the Army National Guard for six years (Up to $20,000).
18. Signing up for the Army Reserve for six years (Up to $20,000).

You can avail debt forgiveness through The College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) for Auxiliary Loan Assistance for Students (ALAS), Stafford Student Loans, Parents Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Consolidated Loan Program, Federally Insured Student Loans (FISL), Perkins Loans and Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) by:

19. Enlisting for active duty in the Air Force for four years (Up to $10,000 for non-prior service persons).
20. Signing up with the Navy Reserves for six years (Up to $10,000 for non-prior service persons).
21. Joining the Air National Guard for designated shortage Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) enlisted jobs Reserve for six years (Up to $20,000).

Under the National Institutes of Health’s intramural and extramural loan repayment programs, you can have your debt forgiven by:

22. Working as a clinical researcher for two years ($35,000 per year of qualified educational debt and an additional 39 percent of the repayments to cover Federal taxes).
23. Signing up as a contraception and infertility researcher for two years ($35,000 per year of qualified educational debt and an additional 39 percent of the repayments to cover federal taxes).
24. Working as a Health Disparities researcher for two years ($35,000 per year of qualified educational debt and an additional 39 percent of the repayments to cover Federal taxes).
25. Working as a pediatric researcher for two years ($35,000 per year of qualified educational debt and an additional 39 percent of the repayments to cover Federal taxes).
26. Working as an AIDS researcher for two years ($35,000 per year of qualified educational debt and an additional 39 percent of the repayments to cover Federal taxes).
27. Working as a general researcher for three years ($35,000 per year of qualified educational debt and an additional 39 percent of the repayments to cover Federal taxes).
28. Working as a permanent employee or as a Title 42 employee serving on indefinite appointments at NIH.
29. Serving on term or excepted appointments at NIH with a minimum of three years of appointment left.
30. Serving on excepted appointments that may become term or career-oriented.
31. Working as a temporary employee under 5 C.F.R. 315.704 and serving appointments that may become term or permanent.
32. If you’re with the National Health Service Corps, you can have your loans repaid quicker by working as primary health providers in areas identified by the Department of Health and Human Services as facing a shortage of health professionals for two years (Up to $50,000).
33. Under the Nurse Reinvestment Act, you can have your loans forgiven by working as a nursing faculty for a certain period of time.
34. Under the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program, you can have your loans repaid by practicing as a registered nurse in areas that do not have adequate medical facilities as well as remote or economically backward areas.
35. If you’re with the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Law (Boalt Hall), you can repay your loans by working at government jobs or public service jobs that use your law degree and pay salaries equal to or less than $58,000 annually over a period of 10 years (Up to $100,000).

Other law schools also offer similar, if not as generous, incentives for loan repayment. You can avail these benefits by earning $50,000 or less per year by working:

36. As a public defender
37. In non-profit firms
38. As a prosecutor
39. Full time for legal aid or legal services organizations
40. For the Judge Advocate General Corps
41. For an academic, law-related, non-legal organization that serves the public.

State Programs:

Different states have their own loan repayment programs that allow teachers and medical professionals to repay loans through their services. Some examples of these programs are:

42. California’s Assumption Program of Loans for Education allows up to $11,000 of your debt to be forgiven if you teach a designated subject four years in a shortage area.
43. Teaching Mathematics, Science or Special Education will allow you to cancel an additional $1,000 every year.
44. Teaching the above three subjects in the lowest performing schools lets you off the debt hook by another $1,000 each year.
45. Teachers in Mississippi who have their Alternate Route Teaching license and teach in shortage areas are eligible for the Teacher Loan Repayment program.
46. The American Federation of Teachers has loan forgiveness options for teachers in various states.

Other Programs:

47. The Office of Statewide Health and Planning, California, the Nicholas J. Pisacano MD Memorial Foundation Inc., the Indian Health Services and the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Foundation have various loan repayment programs for medical and health professionals.
48. The American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association allow debt forgiveness for occupational and physical therapists.
49. The Michael Murphy Loan allows forgiveness for students who study subjects like law enforcement, law, probation, parole and penology that allow them to work one-fifth of a year as a State Trooper or related law enforcement official in Alaska.
50. The Baker University’s College of Arts and Sciences allows loan forgiveness for students who complete a bachelor’s degree at the college.

There’s no crystal ball, but it helps to look to the future…

1. Think about your life after college from the day you set foot on campus.
2. Learn marketable skills to get ahead in the job market. Pick up a few things about computers, take an accounting class, or learn something about scientific research.
3. Join a course that builds your leadership and team-building skills.
4. Hone your communication skills beyond “Wassup.”
5. Learn the art of short-order persuasion. The real world throws up opportunities while on elevator rides you only have a few minutes to convert possibilities to sure things.
6. Take on an internship position in your chosen career during your summer vacation.
7. Take a few summer courses. They help you graduate faster and reduce your tuition expenses.
8. Make a clear decision on whether you want to go to graduate school or find a job after graduation.
9. Set up an alternative plan (job/post-grad studies) as a backup measure if your original falls through.
10. Attend career fairs and visit your college career office regularly.
11. Take a crash course in microeconomics. No matter which field of work you choose, you have to know the business of making and managing money.
12. Enroll in a professional association of your chosen field of work.
13. Develop a network of associates and contacts in your preferred career.
14. Create a perfect resume.
15. Learn how to write a good cover letter.
16. Perfect your signature.
17. Develop your people and interpersonal skills.
18. Work out all of the ways in which you can search for a job once you graduate.
19. Read the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
20. Browse career websites.
21. Learn to get your point across in five minutes
22. Brush up on your interview skills.

Enrichment comes in small steps, at an affordable cost…

23. Pick up a skill that’s completely unrelated to your course of study.
24. Learn at least the basics of a foreign language.
25. Overcome a personal fear. If you’re scared of water, learn to swim; if you’re scared of heights, go bungee jumping.
26. Learn keyboard shortcuts to impress people watching you work.
27. Learn how to create a PowerPoint presentation that doesn’t take forever to complete.
28. Learn the names of all the 50 states in the United States of America.
29. Make it a point to read one good book every semester.
30. Take part in at least two extra curricular activities on campus.
31. Volunteer your services when they are helpful.
32. Learn how to have a formal telephone conversation.
33. Learn how to leave an effective voice mail message that gets your point across.
34. Practice and fine-tune the art of official correspondence.
35. Learn to write emails without using text message abbreviations.
36. Learn to accept blame for something that is not your fault with good grace.
37. Learn to choose which battles to fight and which to give up; it’s not worth fighting all of them.
38. Learn to be gracious in victory.
39. When victorious, allow the loser a way to exit the situation without losing face.
40. Learn to share credit with your team even if the effort was mostly yours.
41. Become wise enough to realize that older people may have knowledge that you do not. Seek their advice before you embark on what you may think is a brilliant idea.
42. Force yourself to do something you consider boring, at least for an hour a week. It will prepare you to stick to essential tasks that are sometimes thrust on you in the real world.
43. Visit your college library at least once a month.
44. Become a part of one or more student organization.
45. Spend a few minutes in silence every day.
46. Learn not to take rejection personally.
47. Get into the habit of writing thank you notes.
48. Learn to plan your days.
49. Stick to your plans.
50. Learn to figure out how to do things on your own. Use the Internet, your library, or any other resource at your disposal.
51. Don’t wait until the last minute to write a term paper.
52. Learn to write a concise and complete one-page document.
53. Work out regularly.
54. Fight with your best friend and make up as soon as possible.
55. Quit drinking/doing drugs.

What goes around comes around…

56. Teach someone something you know and they don’t, like how to play a guitar or format a computer.
57. Take a foreign exchange student under your wing.
58. Pay your own credit card bills instead of pushing them on mom and dad.
59. Make peace with a friend you’ve had a falling out with.

It’s a happier life ahead if you’re not in debt…

60. Work part-time to earn money for tuition or other expenses.
61. Avoid using a credit card for frivolous expenses
62. Spend a summer or spring break working at a job instead of partying.
63. Look for debt forgiveness programs that will allow you to work off your student loans while earning a comfortable living.

Totally goofy, fun things…

64. Summon up the courage to walk up to the object of your desire that you see on your way to class and say hello instead of assuming she/he is out of your league.
65. Give yourself a makeover; try a completely different look from the one you usually sport.
66. Write a journal or a weblog.
67. Go over every inch of your college campus.
68. Try cooking your own meals.
69. Go on a vacation with the bare minimum money.
70. Attend class in your pajamas one day.
71. Wake up in time to see the sunrise.
72. Attend class on time at least once.
73. Clean out your dorm room.
74. Visit a live theater.
75. Go to a theme park and enjoy yourself like a child. It’s a good way to blow off steam.
76. Go a whole day without using any electronic gadgets. Switch off your mobile phone, iPod and laptop and enjoy a day of peace and quiet.
77. Go for a walk by yourself.
78. Get drenched in the rain.
79. Try different cuisines.
80. Leave your credit card behind and go window shopping.
81. Change your regular weekend routine.
82. Show up unannounced at your parents’ house and watch the joy on their faces.
83. Remember your mother’s birthday.
84. Write at least one hand-written letter using pen and paper.
85. Stay awake throughout a lecture.
86. Restrain yourself from throwing a party when your parents are out of town.
87. Walk instead of using your car for a day a week.
88. Avoid eating junk food once a week.
89. Sing loudly at a karaoke bar, even if you can’t carry a tune to save your life.
90. Support a friend during a crisis.
91. Don’t use email to communicate with your roommate.
92. Delete your MySpace/Facebook profile.
93. Let your mom hug you in front of your friends.
94. Go into class without a smidgen of makeup.
95. Learn the names of all the people in your dorm.
96. Enter a hot-dog eating contest.
97. Eat an ice cream cone in every flavor.
98. Get a whole 8 hours of sleep in a night.
99. Stay awake an entire night.
100. Wear a wacky hat to class as a trial run for the day you graduate!

Dean presents Huge List of Restaurants that Give You Free Birthday Meals posted at Mr. Cheap Stuff Coupons. Broke college students can’t turn down a free meal.

Steve Faber presents - Help Paying Medical Bills posted at Debt Free. What can you do if you need help paying medical bills? Well, there are some places you can find help and some ways you may be able to reduce your medical bills. First of all, there are some things you should not do in this situation.

Edithyeung presents Edith Yeung.com Dream Think Act » Blog Archive » 7 Habits of Highly Effective Money Managers posted at Edith Yeung.Com: Dream. Think. Act.. Money can’t work hard for you unless you are in control of the money. Money is like a child. The child can be easily tamed if you spend time to teach and nurture them. Otherwise, they can easily take over your life.

Ted Reimers presents Benefits of Student Loan Consolidation posted at College Tips. If you have many student loans, you should consider Consolidating your Student Loans with the U.S. Dept. of Education.

The Mad Money Analyst presents Systematic Investing Could Yield Greater Returns posted at The Mad Money Analyst. Investing isn’t a set it-and-forget it process. The first step in the process for you may be setting up an account and making the initial investment, but it certainly does not stop there.

FitBuff presents I Can’t Stand My Stand Up Desk! posted at FitBuff.com’s Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog. A story about my stand up desk, plus a very affordable way to set up a test workstation, so even students on a budget can try the benefits of a stand up desk.

That concludes the 10th edition of the Carnival of Student Finance. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted here on 22 July 2007. You can submit your posts here.

Tushar presents How much should your Monthly Mortgage Payment be ? posted at Life of a Resident Alien…. An article on Yahoo has this interesting piece of information about how much should you spend monthly on your mortgage.

Ted Reimers presents Cheapest Colleges posted at College Blog. Get a quality education at a good price with these best bargain colleges.

The Skilled Investor presents PIRATES OF THE CREDIT SEA - Part 6: Default under the Citibank credit card contract posted at THE SKILLED INVESTOR Blog. This article in this series discusses the seven conditions of default under the Citibank / AT&T Universal card agreement. It also expresses my opinions about contractual relationships in general and about the Citibank / AT&T Universal credit card contract in particular.

Tim Ramsey presents Reduce Credit Card Debt Quickly posted at My Debt Relief Blog. Stop Using Your Credit Card. This is a massive way you can start to reduce credit card debt quickly, it isn’t rocket science to realize that by continuing to use your credit card is going to plunge you deeper into debt than you already are.

Eric Stanley presents Saving Money - A Top Strategy For Saving Money posted at Personal Finance Blog Articles. Do you find it difficult to save the money you work hard to earn? If so, then this article aims to help you get on top of your funds and start investing in your future.

John presents The Almost Debt Free Approach to Student Loan Debt Reduction vs. Investing vs. Savings posted at Queercents. John finds himself grappling the age-old debate of what’s the better option: paying down the student loan or investing and saving. There’s so much back and forth on this issue… he explores the options here.

Matthew Paulson presents What To Do When You’re About to Graduate posted at Getting Green. Most students who are about to graduate high-school or college and head off into the real world do very little to prepare for what’s ahead. They take their classes, enjoy their time in school, and before they know it, it’s a few weeks before graduation, they haven’t found a job, or have any real idea what they’re going to do after the graduate.

Warren Wong presents Why You Should Start Saving Money Today posted at Personal Development for INTJs. Starting Saving Money Today! Why? It’s the difference between being broke and being a millionaire!

ChristianPF presents 9 Tips from Warren Buffett posted at ChristianPF.com. Nine tips about investing, business, and life from the world’s greatest investor.

That concludes the 9th edition of the Carnival of Student Finance. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted on 13 July, 2007. You can submit your posts here.

Ted Reimers presents Best Colleges posted at CampusGrotto College Blog. Here is a list of the 10 Best Colleges. Did your school make the list?

Allen Taylor presents Making Big Money By Looking At The Seasons Of Investment posted at Investing World Today. All forms of investment markets have “seasons” just like the very predictable weather patterns of spring, summer, fall and winter.

Tim Ramsey presents Student Debt Relief - How To Get Yourself Out Of Student Debt posted at My Debt Relief Blog. In this article you will find out how to get yourself out of student debt the smart way.

Eric Stanley presents Free Up 2,000 A Month - Easily posted at Personal Finance Blog Articles. Applying these examples, you can easily free up extra $2,000 per month.

Thomas Humes presents Millionaire Mind - Think Like A Millionaire posted at Wealth Building World. Millionaires, multi millionaires and billionaires have a unique way of looking at money. Learn about it and apply it to your own thinking.

Baz L presents Air Conditioning At 69 Degrees - Way To Save! posted at Day In The Life of Baz.

Tushar presents You are in financial trouble if… posted at Life of a Resident Alien….

Matthew Paulson presents College Students: Get More for Your Used Textbooks posted at Getting Green.

Rick MacGuidwin presents It’s Really All About Asset Allocation: Part 1 of 2 posted at Tips from Rick. Rick says, “One thing I learned at Merrill Lynch was a great system for retirement planning. The system is much like any Algebra course where you simply solve for the unknown.”

Scott presents 7 Surefire Ways to Save Serious Cash in College posted at College and Finance.

Warren Wong presents Why Not To Drive posted at Personal Development for INTJs.

Steve faber presents - Avoid Some of Those Nasty Extra Car Repair Fees posted at Debt Free. If you’ve had the misfortune to spend a ton of money on car repair lately, you may have actually looked closely at the invoice from your autocare provider to find out why the hell it was so large.

That concludes the 8th edition of the Carnival of Student Finance. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted here on 05 July, 2007. You can submit your posts here.

Gustav S presents American Social Security, our World Economic meltdown? posted at success-is-in-you.com. If you are looking for credit better be aware of this upcoming events.

Grey Swan presents Should Wealthy Children Attend Top Schools? | Grey Swan posted at Grey Swan. First in a series of Blogs about Student Financial decisions.

Steve Faber presents - Debt Consolidation – A Great Debt Solution, or Stupid Move? posted at Getting Debt Free. Debt consolidation is great because it allows you to use a secured loan, with subsequently lower interest rates, to pay off higher interest financial obligations.

David presents Success Advice for Recent Graduates posted at Worldwide Success. As many young people graduated from college and high school in the last few weeks and started their journeys in the “real world”, this is the perfect time to talk about what these young people should do in order to achieve success.

Bill presents You Suck, Girl posted at Ask Uncle Bill. Seems there is another study out there about wage inequality. Here are the ‘facts’–newly minted college graduates (females) earn about 80% of what a male graduate makes ‘right out of the gate.’

Trent presents Student Loans And The Philosophy Of Debt posted at The Simple Dollar. Low interest debt, like the student loan debt above, should be left alone and you should only avoid high interest debt (right now, anything over 7% or so); instead, you should be building up a big emergency fund and a fund to buy more expensive things (like cars) with cash. This plan offers breathing room and security, but does leave some debt in place.

Scott presents College Football and Basketball Tickets, a Great Investment posted at College and Finance. An investment strategy for students.

Ruby presents 25 Ways to Make Money Quickly and Easily (and Legally)! posted at Advice and Rants. How can you earn some extra money easily and quickly? You may be broke, debt, and desperate to make some money quickly, or you may be unable to work full-time (maybe because you’re a student like me?). Don’t worry, there are ways to make money quickly, easily, and without robbing a bank.

Ted Reimers presents College Admission Tips posted at College Blog. Follow these 15 steps when applying for college and increase your chances of getting in.

That concludes the 7th edition of the Carnival of Student Finance. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted here on 24 June, 2007. Submit your posts here.

Ted Reimers presents Best College Internships posted at CampusGrotto College Blog. An internship at one of these companies will be fun, knowledgeable and career building.

David presents One Million Dollars Generators posted at Worldwide Success. Any activity that generates $10 a day for 10 years will turn into $1 Million in another 30 years if the money is invested at a 10% rate of return.

English Major presents What I Wish I’d Known About Money When I Graduated posted at An English Major’s Money. English Major is thinking about the financial mistakes he made as he tried to set up his life, and the things that he learned from them.

Stingy Student presents Oh, the places you’ll go posted at Stingy Students. Despite the fact that you’re probably going to have to spend money (unless you luck out and manage to find a job where you go), there are many ways in which this can be accomplished in the stingy student manner.

Abdulrasool presents The Dark Sides of Debt Consolidation posted at Debt Consolidation. When paying off their debts, consumers have their minds on only 1 thing, and that is the monthly payments. Some debt consolidation companies will therefore lower your current monthly payments, which is nice, but they will also stretch your payback period.

Ted Reimers presents How to Get a Job after College posted at College Blog. Getting a job after just graduating from College can be difficult if you are not prepared. Follow these Ten Tips to help secure post college employment and get a start on a new career.

Erik presents Your Options For Paying Back Your Student Loans posted at Money Crashers. Loan consolidation puts all of your payments into one lump sum payment. You don’t need to keep track of 6 to 8 different payments you need to make every month.

The Skilled Investor presents PIRATES OF THE CREDIT SEA: Part 2: What are my rights? posted at THE SKILLED INVESTOR Blog. When you deal with a credit card company, however, things just seem not to be that easy after 60 days. Unless, you watch every billing statement like a hawk and contest any problems in writing within 60 days, which we did not do, your road to recovery could be more difficult, if the credit card company wants to make it harder.

Tushar presents Credit Score Breakup and ways to boost it posted at Life of a Resident Alien…. Avoid applying on your own for a lot of loans and credit cards, particularly in a short period. And avoid excessive card-hopping.

Tim Ramsey presents How to Obtain Low Card Interest with Bad Credit posted at My Debt Relief Blog. Many major credit card companies actually provide lower interest rates to cardholders that have bad credit and poor payment histories. They do this to help the cardholder prevent defaulting on the debt by filing for bankruptcy or going to collections.

That concludes the sixth edition of the Carnival of Student Finance. Keep submitting your posts to the future editions of this carnival. Thank you for your contribution.