One of the most important things you learn as an adult is how to create and set a budget. Most people learn while they’re attending college and need to start keeping an eye on their monthly/yearly costs are after factoring loans and financial aid. Everyone first thinks of paying for tuition, classes and textbooks, but there are other parts of starting college that gets factored into the total cost. We listed purchases you should expect to make once you step on campus.

Housing

Whether you’re living in an apartment, on campus or commuting to school, you’ll need to look at the cost of living.

If you’re in an apartment, you’ll need to invest more in your living situation. With roommates, you’ll be able to cut down on costs but will still need to invest in other things like cleaning products, furniture, utilities and of course, rent.

In the case that you’ve chosen to go to with student housing/dormitories, you will have to pay a semesterly or quarterly fee for living on campus. This cost may be covered by financial aid, but you’ll want to consider the extras that go along with living away from home. You’ll also need to provide your own sheets, towels and hygiene products. And in some cases, people invest in their own mini-fridges. 

If you’re living at home with your family, you’re not alone. In the United States, one in three millennials lives at home. The costs that need to be considered is transportation to and from school. Whether you’re driving or taking public transportation, the cost may be cheaper than living on campus, but passes, mileage and parking costs can add up.

Supplies

Textbooks are by no means cheap, costing college students an average of $1200 a year. But what you also have to keep in mind that there are the other supplies and resources you need in order to study and succeed. You’ll need to have a reliable laptop, a scientific calculator and invest in a good portable charger. For certain programs, like nursing or allied health professions, you may have to buy stethoscopes and scrubs.

Snacks

You need healthy snacks to keep energized and focused during classes, especially for those dreaded 8:00 a.m. classes. If you live on campus or on a nearby apartment, the costs add up between buying groceries, going to the school cafeteria and ordering out. Even if you’re commuting from home, you still need to eat between classes! Your best bet is to pack your own snacks to avoid overpriced treats from nearby convenience stores.

Fun

You’re in school to study, but your college education is more than writing essays and taking tests. It’s also about the experiences you have and the connections you make with your peers. If you live in the library or in your room, you’re bound to get burnt out or go stir crazy. The way to prevent this is to put aside some money to go out during the weekend and have some fun. Order some pizza with friends, go camping for the weekend or see a movie. Even the most empty towns and cities have something for you to do. Make sure to take of yourself so that you can keep motivated and energized for the week ahead.

Want to learn more tips on how to cut costs and save money for college? Check out our Paying for College articles here.

The post Did You Budget This into Your Overall College Cost? appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

A career in the health care field doesn’t have to stop after you land the job associated with your degree. Once you gain experience and develop yourself professionally, finding the path that’s best for you can be easy. One person who can confirm this way of thinking is Dr. Xermã Palmares. Dr. Palmares practiced as a doctor and cardiovascular surgeon for over a decade. He later received his Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) and eventually trained as a life coach. Now, Dr. Palmares is working towards the next chapter in his professional life: becoming a naturopathic physician. 

ExploreHealthCareers.org (EHC): What sparked your interest in naturopathic medicine? Was there a moment where it clicked or was it something you’ve been considering for a long time?

Xermã Palmares (XP): I started looking into naturopathic medicine while I was dealing with a personal and professional crisis. I wanted to add more to the health care profession and provide better service to my patients, however, due to many structural and personal limitations, I couldn’t do that. I felt stuck.

I reflected on the parts of my career that were important to me, and I realized that I was most happy when I was working with people and improving their health. Outside of work, I began to help organizations, train people and deliver public speeches to bring awareness about specific health topics. I also found myself helping others to overcome personal obstacles and achieve in their personal and professional lives. Because of that, I decided to become a life coach.

In the process of getting trained in life coaching, I was researching other health care fields and saw an advertisement from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC). From this search, I found a new career direction that would add value to the health care field and my patients’ lives.

I had always known about acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition, orthomolecular medicine and phytotherapy; however, I hadn’t considered being a professional in those fields. When I read about the naturopathic schools and their programs, I became interested in becoming a naturopathic physician. It aggregates many therapeutic modalities, focuses on prevention, and approaches the person as a whole.

EHC: Has your MBA helped you to succeed in your current studies? How?

XP: When I worked as a medical director for two terms in two different hospitals, my MBA provided me with the tools I needed to improve my leadership and organizational skills. I believe that this degree helped me with my overall leadership skills.

EHC: What advice would you give to those considering a major career change?

XP: As Dr. Viktor E. Frankl said, “Every human being has the freedom to change at any instant.” Therefore, all of us can achieve fulfillment as we contribute to the wellness and the development of the people around us.

Are you interested in learning more about Dr. Palmares? Check out his LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and website.

The post The Road to Naturopathic Medicine appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

Participating in a Health Care Careers Enrichment Program is an excellent way to learn what it’s like to work in that field.  It gives you invaluable experience and personal contacts—plus it can increase your chances of being accepted into the health professions program of your dreams.

Programs that enhance your academic record

Pre-health enrichment programs can provide an opportunity to strengthen skills necessary to perform well in health professions school. For example, the Student Medical Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a free, six-week national program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Dental Education Association. The goal of SMDEP is to increase the number of highly qualified applicants to medical and dental school. SMDEP is only open to freshman and sophomore undergraduate students.

“It is critical to find a program that emphasizes academic enrichment,” says David Brunson, DDS, Associate Director, Center for Equity and Diversity at the American Dental Education Association, and Co-Deputy Director of the SMDEP program. “I have seen a number of admissions committees focus on how a student performs in a known rigorous summer experience and will consider that experience valuable when they become a health professions student.

Opportunities to conduct hands-on research

Research experience can set you apart when applying to college or health professions schools. There are two types of summer research programs: basic science and clinical research. Both research methodologies employ rigorous standards to ensure results are accurate, meaningful and reliable. Basic science research helps uncover new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent illness. Once a treatment undergoes testing in the basic science laboratory, it is tested on human subjects in clinical research.

During a summer research program, you may spend six to nine weeks in a basic science laboratory assisting scientists with the discovery of a new drug or treatment, or assist a physician in a clinical research trial. Look for research programs that offer the opportunity to create a poster presentation as this presentation may lead to future opportunities to publish or present your findings at a national scientific meeting. The National Institutes of Health offers a Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research for high school, undergraduate, graduate school and professional school students.

A program focus that aligns with your core interests

If you have a specific interest – in cancer prevention, for example, or prenatal care – a pre-enrichment program can help deepen your passion and knowledge. Understanding health policy implications and their impact on the quality and access of health care encourages students to become actively involved in creating solutions to problems in the health care industry.

For example, each year, the Schweitzer Fellowship Program selects students from the nation’s top health and human service schools to design a year-long service project with a demonstrable impact on an unmet health need in a community. Partnering with community-based organizations, the fellows bring the project from idea to implementation and impact.

An academic and professional challenge

Remember, a pre-health enrichment program is not just a way to spend your summer. This is your opportunity to improve academically and learn about career opportunities. You’ll also make excellent contacts that can provide valuable references.

If you make a good impression, the associate dean or director (who often sit on the admissions committee for a particular institution) can advocate for you if you choose to apply to that institution. Some admissions committees guarantee an interview to students who participated in a rigorous enrichment program.

The post Choosing a Pre-Health Enrichment Program appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

It’s time to start applying to school, but how many applications should you be preparing? While 6 to 8 is the average number of schools that students end up applying to, experts agree that there is no magic number. The number of college applications that you submit will depend on your specific needs.

So how do you figure out the magic number for you? Take your list of schools of interest and rank them. Consider the opportunities available to you at each institution, how much each program will cost you and how likely you are to get into the school — also known as a school’s acceptance rate — to break your list into three categories:

Reach Schools

These are the schools that you really want to attend but you’re not confident you’ll be offered admission. They’re “reach schools” because they may require just that: a little reach. Perhaps you are a bit short of a test requirement or aren’t as strong in some of the areas their application stresses. Two or three of these type of schools should be on your list as these dream schools can keep you motivated throughout the sometimes stressful application process.

Probable Schools

You know the schools that you’re confident you can get into because you meet the admission requirements? The ones that you would be happy attending if you were offered admission? These are your “probable schools.” They may not be your top choice, but you can picture yourself doing well as you study on their campuses. You should have two to four of these on your list.

Safe Schools

Then there are the schools you know, hands down, that you will be accepted to — these “safe schools” should round out your list. Most students apply to one safety school, but having two on your list is reasonable. Consider an academic safety school and a financially safe school, one you know you can afford.

Once you’re accepted to several of your schools of interest, your next step will be determining which school is the best choice for you. Good luck!

The post The College Application Magic Number — Does It Exist? appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

While grants, scholarships and loans are great choices for financing your health care education, there is another option you may want to consider, especially if you are interested in a career in primary care.

Service commitment programs are designed to provide borrowers with financial support in exchange for a service commitment.

While not for everyone, service commitment programs provide a viable option to help pay for a health sciences education.

In addition, they satisfy the need to serve, which many young people today desire to do. For example:

• Enlisting in the military
• Working in a community health clinic funded by the state
• Doing research at the National Institutes of Health
• Serving as a primary care professional in a health professional shortage area through the National Health Service Corps

These programs are sometimes referred to collectively as “LRAPs,” which stands for loan repayment assistance programs. Don’t confuse loan forgiveness with loan repayment assistance tied to service. Loan forgiveness means that the federal government forgives a portion of your debt after certain conditions are met. With loan repayment assistance, an organization provides money to help you pay off your student loans. The organization is not forgiving anything, as it did not make you the loan.

Choose Your Approach: Up-Front vs. Back-End

In general, there are two approaches to securing help through service commitment programs:

• The up-front approach: Make a commitment before you enroll or while you are in school and receive financial support while you are enrolled. This approach results in direct scholarship support, may include a living stipend and can help either eliminate the need to borrow to pay for school or greatly reduce the amount of student loan debt you incur during school.

• The back-end approach: Hold off on your commitment but borrow responsibly during school, then apply for loan repayment help when you graduate. While this approach does not reduce the amount of student loan debt you have, it helps you retire the debt much faster than you would be able to without these additional resources.

Is Service Commitment Right for You?

There are at least two other important items to think about when considering help through service commitment programs:

• First, be sure you know the eligibility requirements before you spend valuable time applying. For example, if you are going into dentistry and you do not plan to work as a general dentist (considered as a primary care field), it might not be wise to apply for funding through the National Health Service Corps. Participants must be entering primary care fields in order to receive support.
• Next, ask yourself how the service commitment may impact your short- and long-term goals, financial and otherwise. For example, your goal of starting or buying into a private practice might receive a financial boost because you reduced your debt through a service commitment program. However, that goal may also be delayed as you work through your service commitment, especially if you commit to more than the minimal term associated with the program.

As students approach graduation, those with minimal debt or service-commitment support can relax or feel confident that they can effectively manage their student loan debt.

Thanks to Paul Garrard is the ADEA Senior Adviser for Student Financial Services, for serving as a source for this article.

The post The Secret to an Affordable Health Professions Education? appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

Professional social workers prevent crises and counsel on how to cope with the stresses of everyday life. They have a deep understanding of human development and behavior. Carl Castro is the Director of the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families at the University of Southern California. He is also a member of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). He gave us some insight into the specialization of social work for military members, veterans and their families.

ExploreHealthCareers.org (EHC): Can you tell me more about the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families?
Carl Castro (CC): It’s an academic center where our student veterans may affiliate, and it allows us to provide support while monitoring the support of our veterans. Social workers who aren’t veterans are also allowed to be a part of the Center, as long as they’re pursuing their certificate in military social work. The Center also lets social workers know about job opportunities that come up that are related to military ventures.

EHC: What inspired you to enter the field of social work?
CC: I love social work because it provides a holistic view of the individual, which is an approach I find very appealing. The model is made up of the biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors embedded in everything we do in social work.

EHC: You also obtained the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army. How did your military experience help in your social work career and your role in directing the Center?
CC: Being in the military, you get exposed to a wide variety of challenges and problems, from the clinical level to the service level and even policy and programs. I’ve brought that experience to curriculum development; and of course, as a researcher, I have doctoral students getting their Ph.D.s in social work, and I bring that experience with doing research in the military (with veterans) to the various research problems we try to address.

EHC: According to the Center’s website, your expertise centers around those in the military who are transitioning back to civilian life. I feel like this topic has received more recognition in the past decade. Can you confirm this change? What do you think caused it?
CC: It’s a huge problem, and there’s still tremendous interest in helping veterans reintegrate back into civilian society. I think where the focus has been lost is at the federal level. It’s because the major military conflicts have wound down, though it’s still an issue. These conflicts have been going on for so long — over a decade now — so people start losing their energy and start focusing on something new. It’s still a big issue, and local communities know it’s still important and are giving it that focus. We need to remind leaders at the state and federal levels that this isn’t going away.

EHC: What advice do you have for students interested in going into a social work career?
CC: For anyone going into social work, it’s a great profession. You have to care about people; if you don’t, you’re in the wrong profession. What we do in social work is really about saving lives and preventing unnecessary suffering. If that’s something that gets you excited, it ought to be a profession you consider.

EHC: What about those interested in working with veterans and their families?
CC: Working with military veterans and their families offers a unique challenge of immersing yourself in a different culture and applying the principles of social work to that population. In that sense, it’s very rewarding, and the profession has a lot of job opportunities related to the VA (Veterans Affairs), the department of defense and taking care of veterans — and they’re well-paying, too. The reason to get into military social work is that the work will be plentiful and you’ll be compensated for it.

Interested in applying to a social work program? Apply through SocialWorkCAS today!

The post Spotlight on Veteran Affairs Social Workers appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

Just because your bachelor’s degree wasn’t in biomedical sciences doesn’t mean you can’t eventually work in the health care field. Dr. Jaquel Patterson ND, MBA, is a licensed naturopathic physician and is the current president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). Not only is she an ND, but Dr. Patterson holds a degree in applied economics and management, with a focus on the food industry, as well as an MBA in health care management. She took some time and spoke to ExploreHealthCareers.org to discuss her professional journey.

ExploreHealthCareers.org (EHC): How long had you been in the business profession before you decided to go into naturopathic medicine? What was your position?
Jaquel Patterson (JP): Let me start from the beginning. I went to Cornell University for undergrad, and I went in as a plant science major, as I had always been interested in alternative medicine as a kid. I was in a feeder program to go straight to medical school after college without having to take the MCAT. But when I went into the program, I was discouraged from pursuing alternative medicine as there wasn’t a clear path carved through the conventional medicine route.

I decided to switch my major to applied economics with a focus in the food industry. I think I was trying to stick to my passion for health through food management.

When I graduated, I worked for a third-party brokerage company. My tasks focused on the marketing and analytics including organic and natural food lines. While I was working in this field, I learned about naturopathic medicine and realized it was exactly what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know it was a career option.
I then went back to school, took all of the pre-medical requirements and applied to get into the University of Bridgeport.

While I was in naturopathic school, I did a lot of volunteer work for community health. I was the health chair for the NAACP chapter in Bridgeport and was involved in the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.

When I graduated, I was recruited at Lobby Day in New York and worked in a community health center in the Bronx. I did a lot of work in quality improvement, childhood obesity and hypertension. While working there, I learned I had administrative skills, and I moved up the professional ladder. My track wasn’t initially to enter into the business realm, but because I was already minded that way, through my undergraduate education and work experience, I started to apply my skills in the health care administration field.

EHC: What sparked your interest in naturopathic medicine? Was there a moment that it clicked or was it a career you’d been considering for a long time?

JP: The initial spark happened when I was a kid since my dad had always been into alternative medicine. Also, I’m half black and half Chinese, so on the Chinese side of my family, there were herbal treatments used.
Also, when I was 15 years old, my mom got sick, and we couldn’t figure out a diagnosis for many months. She was later diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. I felt that a comprehensive approach wasn’t applied and initiating factors like stress, lifestyle, diet and other approaches to care addressed. Naturopathic medicine looks at the individual holistically which is what attracted me to the philosophy.

EHC: What does it mean when you say that naturopathic medicine helps patients “get back to self”?
JP:There gets to be a point in medicine where you start prescribing so many medications and supplements, instead of thinking about why the medical issue is happening and when it began. With so many of my patients, they had a significant life experience two to three years before their health started deteriorating and so what I want to do is help them start listening to their bodies. The term “back to self” means helping patients thrive in their health and as themselves. It’s helping them get back to who they are and putting their health back into balance.

EHC: Has the degree factored into your position as president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)?
JP: I’ve always had a passion for up-leveling and promoting the profession. I came upon the profession in an unorthodox way, and I felt like there needed to be more information about who we are and what we do.  I joined the board because I wanted to support licensing and lobbying so people could use naturopathic physicians as healthcare providers.

EHC: What advice would you give to those considering a major career change from a non-health care career to a health care career?
JP: The people who are the most successful in this career are those who have a passion for medicine; it should get you excited. You should want people to be empowered in their health since you’re the one coaching them. Another big thing as a provider is having humility and not making it about your ego.

For more on how to become an ND check out the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges www.aanmc.org.

To learn more about naturopathic medicine, check out AANP on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Career Changer: MBA to ND appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

April is Oral Health Month, a good time of year to take stock of your oral care routine and understand how proper oral health can have an impact on your overall well-being. This April, consider the preventive steps you can take to make sure your mouth and the rest of your body are healthy throughout […]

The post April Is Oral Health Month appeared first on 123Dentist.

Developing an in-depth understanding of complex scientific principles can take an enormous amount of time and effort. Tackling a difficult text can be daunting, even for the most intelligent student. So daunting, in fact, you may be tempted to put off your assigned reading until the last possible moment. Don’t do it! Late nights and caffeine add up to an incomplete understanding of the concepts you need to know. Instead, use these tips to confidently undertake your science reading assignment.

Do the Assigned Reading Before Class Discussion

This will enable you to ask the teacher/professor to clarify anything you may have found unclear in the text. S/he also can explain any differences between the way a topic is covered in the text and the way the material is presented in the lecture.

Before reading the assigned text, read:

• The summary at the beginning of the chapter
• The questions and problems at the end of the chapter

This will give you clues about what the author wants you to gain from the reading.

Read for Understanding

Science textbooks follow an outline format—pay attention to the way the material is laid out on the page: the larger the heading, the broader the topic; the smaller the heading, the more specific the topic.

Scrutinize Each Paragraph

As you ferret out the facts, you need to keep in mind how they can be integrated with the material from your class. It is also helpful to notice what kind of study support the book itself provides: detailed indexes, glossaries, appendices, website links, etc. Pay close attention to details, formulas, charts, graphs and inter-related concepts.

Read Each Chapter More than Once

It may take you several readings to fully grasp and absorb the material. Don’t start taking notes until your second reading—and when you do, follow the same format that the author used, using the chapter’s basic structure as a guide.

Then turn the headings and sub-headings into questions and see if you can answer them through either the class notes or your own knowledge of the topic. If you can’t, go back and review that section of the chapter.

Don’t Skip Sample Problems

Sample problems emphasize important concepts in the chapter. Make sure you can solve each problem without referring to the text. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What principle(s) is the problem demonstrating?
• What part of the problem suggests that this principle is involved?
• Why was a particular formula used in this chapter, as opposed to other formulas?
• Why was each calculation performed?

Try to make associations between the system or process described in the problem and the scientific principles that are being applied. In time, you will begin to see the same principles recurring.

Work with the Formulae

They are an important component of the problem-solving process. They are concise, mathematical statements that describe and make sense of some system or process in the real world. If you have only a superficial understanding of the meaning of a given formula, you will use it inappropriately. To gain a thorough understanding of this relationship, ask yourself:

• What system or process in the world does the formula describe?
• What does it say about the system or process?
• What can it be used to find?

Think of ways to apply a given formula to your own experience. After you have calculated an answer, make sure that your answer has addressed the problem’s underlying question.

Check your Work

Don’t just check for mistakes. Also be sure that you understand the principles, concepts and formulas that are explained in the reading.

Extra Credit

Many students avoid reading science journals, because they are put off by the terminology, tables, graphs and diagrams. Don’t let that deter you! A good journal article can make a complex scientific topic come alive.These journals often have valuable information that can help you better understand your coursework. They also can be a great resource when you’re trying to make a decision about your health career.

Dr. Stefan Bosworth, author of several MCAT preparation books, as well as books and articles on learning skills for the sciences, and Lolita Wood-Hill, Director of Pre-Health Advisement at Yeshiva University, contributed to this article.

The post 7 Tips for Studying Science appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

Spring Has Sprung! It’s getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and the scent of cherry blossoms and freshly cut grass fill the air. As we start to shed our winter blues along with our winter coats, we realize – spring is here! And with spring comes the Easter long weekend. Not sure what to […]

The post Family Friendly Fun This Easter Long Weekend appeared first on 123Dentist.

If you’re thinking about going into the social work field, then you should know accredited BSW programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience. Want to know what to expect? We met with Katherine Perone, associate professor and director of field education at Western Illinois University. She also is a member of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and PRN (Pro Re Nata) at a hospital. She shares what the benefits are for finding the right placement.

EHC: You worked as a social worker for over ten years. What inspired you to get into the field?
KP: I actually had no desire to be a social worker. Originally, my goal was to become a high school guidance counselor. For a while, I was working as a switchboard operator at a hospital, although I wanted a career where I could make use of my bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in secondary education. When a social service associate position became open at the hospital, I thought it would be really interesting, so I applied for it and was hired for that position. It was a perfect fit for me.

EHC: Why did you eventually move to higher education?
KP: I’ve always loved education and teaching. When I was a social worker in a medical setting, I was still educating patients on certain resources. So you’re always doing education, in my opinion. When I went to get my master’s later in life and was back on the college campus, I found that I enjoyed being part of the campus community. I decided to see how I liked teaching at the college level and was lucky enough to become an adjunct teacher. I enjoyed it and enjoyed teaching college students and so that’s what brought me to higher ed.

EHC: What makes the field education component so important for a social work degree, and can you describe the variety of placements students have access to?
KP: Field education is taking what you’ve learned in the classroom and applying it to the practice arena. Classes prepare you for working with clients by teaching you how to engage the client, how to ask different questions, and how to apply those lessons. Then, when you’re in an agency setting and completing your practicum, you apply what you’ve learned to the field.

There are also a variety of places you can work, and there are different organizations and agencies you can work with. It’s important to try working with different organizations and agencies. The networking and the experience help you to figure out where you’ll ultimately go in your career.

EHC: Could you describe some of the placements students have access to?
KP: Because our students are getting their bachelor’s degrees, they have access to agencies that promote general social work practice. They have opportunities to practice looking at the individuals, looking at groups or families, and looking at community organizations.

EHC: What advice or tips do you have for students interested in pursuing a social work career?
KP: Be open to exploring all different avenues of social work. Be self-reflective so you can understand what your own biases are so you can help those you’re looking after.

Interested in learning more about social work education? Check out the Council of Social Work Education website.

The post Tips on Finding Your Best-Fit Social Work Internship appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

Should you try at-home teeth whitening products or visit your dentist to whiten your teeth? We compare your options for a whiter, brighter smile. As many as 86% of Canadians want whiter teeth, so this information should help you decide what’s best for you. What Are the Active Ingredients in Whitening Products? All whitening agents […]

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Dental procedures make many people feel uneasy. They worry not just about the procedure itself, but the potential for side effects. While most people recover without issue from their dental procedures, occasionally worrying sensations linger. Discover more about numb tongue and other problems some patients face after dental procedures. Numb Tongue Your tongue will usually […]

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When people have anxiety about pain or about the dentist in general, they often opt for what is sometimes called sleep dentistry. The different styles of dental sedation are what make sleep dentistry possible, although not all sedation dentistry involves actual sleep, but some do. Find out about the options, then talk with your dentist […]

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Mother’s Day usually means flower bouquets, heartfelt cards, family brunches, and long-distance phone calls. It is a day where we shower our mothers with love and honour to show them just how important they are to us. But did you know that Mother’s Day has a rich and somewhat unusual past? We have delved into days […]

The post Mother’s Day Through The Ages appeared first on 123Dentist.

Children can often be apprehensive about dental treatment, but keeping oral health in good condition is important, especially at a young age. In certain situations, your dentist might recommend using a type of sedation during your child’s treatment. This can be a worrying concept, but the right information will help to put your mind at […]

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Some may argue that Canada wouldn’t be the nation it is today without its transcontinental railway. Yet some people may not know about the history of this important railway. Learn more about how the railway in Canada was started, the different transcontinental railways that exist, and the history behind each railway. Primitive Railways Some of […]

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Whether you just can’t seem to get your children to follow a healthy brushing routine or you’re constantly running out of supplies, raising kids to have good oral habits can feel like an uphill battle. But, you can make life easier by developing and sticking to a dental schedule for your children and learning the […]

The post Top Parenting Hacks to Raising Kids With Good Oral Habits appeared first on 123Dentist.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely planning to continue your studies beyond the undergraduate level. Not only are you busy with your current schoolwork, but you spend much of your leftover time trying to plan the steps you should take to continue your education.

Being so busy, is it worth it for you to take the time to attend graduate school fairs? We checked with admissions professionals and most of them concur: Yes! But why?

Why You Should Attend Graduate School Fairs

Graduate school fairs are the best way to meet and talk with students from different schools in one place. You can get a feel from current students about their likes and dislikes, talk about class size, lab space, housing, things to do, etc. You can also ask about the current students’ experiences with internships, research or community service.

Not only will you meet students at the fair, but you’ll also have a chance to meet admissions officers and other personnel from a number of schools. As a bonus, the schools pay for the cross-country trip so you don’t have to!

If you attend a graduate school fair, you’ll come home with all kinds of information you can use to decide which school is right for you. You may also get answers to your questions on the spot or start a relationship with someone you can correspond with throughout your planning process—it’s the perfect networking opportunity!

Prepare Before the Fair

Before attending a fair, spend some time coming up with your hit list. Just like at a career fair, map which tables you’ll want to visit and prepare a few questions in advance to ask each representative who you’ll meet during the fair.

Be sure to present a professional appearance, as this is your first in-person impression. Dress professionally and appropriately for the event. Graciously accept any business cards and perhaps makes some notes on the back before proceeding to the next college—not only will your notes help you to remember what you learned, but it will also show the college representative that you’re engaged and authentically interested in their program.

What Should You Do After the Fair?

Allot yourself enough time to get all the information you need about the schools you are interested in. As soon as possible after the event, spend some time making notes and reviewing the information you received. Send a quick thank you email to each person you talked to, thanking them for their time. Just a few hours can put you ahead when deciding on a graduate school. When it comes to graduate school fairs, the benefits greatly outweigh the time spent.

A special thanks to Carolyn Booker, Ph.D., for her insight on this topic. Booker is the Senior Vice President for Educational Pathways at the American Dental Education Association.

The post Yes, You Should Attend Graduate School Fairs appeared first on ExploreHealthCareers.org.

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