4 Helpful Tips to Help you Socialise in College

School days are always fun; you are thrown together with a bunch off classmates you have for years and have fixed social activities, classes and much more that make making and maintaining friendships much easier. Students often leave the nest to pursue higher studies like mass communication courses in mumbai and other cities around the world, suddenly finding themselves in completely new environments and surrounded by a totally new set of people.

If you are social enough or an extroverted to begin with, finding new friends and making contacts becomes much easier. But for those are more shy, fitting in and making the most of the college experience becomes a slightly tougher experience causing a lot of anxiety and stress, not to mention more serious problems like depression. 

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the college experience a little more and broaden your social experiences -

• Firstly, remember that many students like yourself are finding themselves in the same boat and feeling a little out of place, timid and even uncomfortable. Some just manage to hide it much better. Don't feel weird or afraid when approaching your fellow classmates and take the lead to start a little casual or polite conversation. Even simple questions about themselves or a discussion about a class you are about to take or have just taken can help open a floodgate of conversation and help you make new acquaintances.

• Another great way to meet new people is to find social groups in your institution. Colleges often have a plethora of student groups ranging from those based around sports and recreational activities, extra curricular groups, social work and volunteering groups, dramatics, and much more. In larger schools students also often form international communities to help them meet more people from their home countries and organise fun social and cultural events. Find out what kinds exist in your college or around it and join a couple that interest you. You might just meet like minded people and it always feels great to be part of a community and be part of many different activities.

• Make a study group – Not only does research say that studying with others help you fare better in your own work and do better in exams, it can also serve as a good way to mingle more with your classmates. Initially a common goal to do better academically and help each other will bind a bunch of students together and then can develop into a more social relationship  if you happen to hit it off.

• Accept more invites  - Invited to a dorm mates party down the hall or a party in the next hostel or having a college social do? Sometimes all it takes is the first step of accepting invites and getting over your shyness and going. You will learn to meet new people in a more close setting and since everyone is out to have a good time, the atmosphere is more relaxed and festive. Off course always remember to make sure your safety is top priority. If you don't know anyone at all and there is going to be alcohol on the premises or you have a feeling that things aren't right, trust your instincts and leave. Make sure you have a way to get home after a late night affair and don't accept drinks from strangers when you can't see where they have been poured from.

College can be a super fun experience and one that teaches you far more than just the course you have gone to study. Remember to make the most of it!

A Basic Overview about a Post Graduate Diploma in Management

When students today are looking for post graduate courses of study to add value to their career prospects, one of the most popular options has to be an MBA or a Master's in Business Administration. Management colleges abound and they offer students a whole host of courses ranging from finance to mass communication and marketing. Another such option that people often think about in lieu of an MBA is a Post Graduate Diploma in Management or a PGDM.

PGDM which is also known as a professional management program or course, is often given the short end of the stick since people assume that the word 'diploma' in the name won't carry as much weight as a degree. However contrary to popular belief, this course is also one that lasts for 2 years and carries immense weight when it comes to your career, when they are recognised by the AICTE or the All India Council for Technical Education. Institutes that are recognised by this body will offer comprehensive post graduate diploma in management programs. 

Post graduate diplomas in management are an alternative to an MBA, since they are usually offered by institutes or schools that are aren't affiliated with a particular university. This does not mean they are less than stellar; in fact you will find premier management colleges all across the country that have PGDM course offerings. Usually colleges that offer MBA courses are part of a university and have to follow a set curriculum, rules and guidelines as prescribed by that university. Whereas those that aren't have the autonomy to set their own curriculum and design a course that is more flexible, as long as it comes within the boundaries drawn by the AICTE. 

A post graduate diploma in management is often times also more career specific and is often targetted more toward a specified sphere of interest, as opposed an MBA which gives students a more broad approach toward the field. A PGDM can also be a more industry oriented course of study since the colleges offering this diploma have the freedom and flexibility to set their own curriculum and update and refresh it as and when the industry norms change. One good thing about this course is that if you complete one from a reputable and recognised school you will be able to pursue a doctorate if you wish to study further, since it is recognised in most places as a certificate equal to a Master's. 

You will find a variety of post graduate diploma in management courses today. However if you want the most bang for your buck and to compete on a sure footing when it comes to a job hunt or furthering your career prospects, it is essential to find a reputable B school that is well known in the industry. Make sure you research both the institute and the curriculum thoroughly when it comes to deciding between a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and an MBA, and find out what works best for your goals and aspirations.

A Few Ways to Cope while Studying in a Foreign Country

Studying abroad is no longer an uncommon phenomenon today. Students the world over pack their bags and set off to exotic new destinations to learn more about the country, have new experiences and experience varied kinds of education. Whether it is an exchange program or a degree at a university abroad, the number of students has grown tremendously the last few years and apart from the already established ivy leagues there are new educational centers being developed in various countries. In fact places in India, China and South America are becoming increasingly popular study choices, apart from European and North American universities.

It doesn't matter if you are planning to go for an MBA in Mumbai or a course in Moscow, apart from the financial and other planning there are a few other things to consider to. Setting off to a foreign country, albeit exciting, comes with its own set of issues. Homesickness, the inability to adjust and a feeling of being in an alien land get the better of many hopefuls who have come here to spread their wings. Read on for a few ways to help you cope with problems that often affect students abroad -

Learn about the place you are going to – Culture shock is often a part and parcel of moving to a foreign place to study whether you are going from a small town to a big city or moving to a country very unlike your own. Before you set off or better yet in the planning stages make sure you read up on the new place. Find out about the customs, the cultural norms, the people, the good and the bad so you have a better idea of what to expect. This will also build a sense of adventure and create more excitement.

Join student groups – If you are feeling at a loss once you move and are lonely and / or disillusioned with your new base, reach out to on and off campus student groups. This will help you mingle and get involved in more of what you went there for. Look for international student societies and groups and will not only help you meet people from your own home country but other international arrivals that may be facing the same sense of displacement as you do. This will also help if you find yourself facing negative cultural stereotyping and racial biases or discrimination. Never be afraid of reaching out and getting the support you need.

Accept that this is your temporary home – If you are having a bad experience all you can think of is heading home back to familiarity. But how about accepting the new country for all that is good or bad. Don't cling to the concept of back home instead explore what this new one has to offer. Immerse yourself in new experiences and try new things you possible wouldn't or couldn't back in your home country. Get involved in the community via charity organizations and volunteer work and immerse yourself in your new surroundings. When unpleasant days or experiences occur, as they likely will from time to time, try to chalk them out as learning experiences and move on. Don't let it color the entire experience for you.

Learn to be more open – A lot of displacement and irritation occurs when we expect things to be the way they are back at home. Accept that every society has its own set of cultural, ethical and moral norms that you will face. Keep an open mind about things you do, places you see and people you meet and enjoy the newness instead. 

The Pros and Cons of Part Time Post Graduate Studies

Once students are done with their basic college education and graduate proudly out of their institutions, career and education questions still loom pretty large. People today are often torn between carrying on and studying further to do a Master's degree or then jumping headlong into the job market for the career of their choice. A part time post graduate course can offer you a fine medium path and the popularity of post graduate courses like part time MBAs and other part time Master's programs is testament to this fact.

When considering whether to continue the life of academia and take on further education, every individual has their own reasons. For some it may be to advance their career, for some to get their foot in the door or a certain prestigious company, for some it may be to get better chances abroad and for others it could be to further themselves in their professional life or to get an education in a related or ancillary field. Before you take on the additional load of doing a Master's program it is essential to first assess what your goals for doing so are and how the degree you are looking at will help you reach those goals in the most ideal way possible. Only then can you figure out whether a full time or part time course makes more sense for you and your ambitions.

If you are leaning towards a part time study program, let us take a look at a few pros and cons of going down this path -

Pros -

There is more flexibility – One of the biggest boons of doing a part time course like a part time MBA is that you can further your career goals alongside. You can start working and make the headway you need to establish yourself in your chosen field, while giving yourself the added education and degree which further enhances your knowledge as well as plumps up your resume. There is also less chances of relocation and less time and money spent on commuting and other such issues. Gaining both an education and work experience is tough to beat.

It is less expensive – Part time degree courses are usually less expensive than their full time counterparts. This is an incentive for those on a tight budget and also you can be earning a pay packet while you are studying. Some employers also encourage their employees to take on part time studies and often finance the same.

Cons -

Your schedule can get demanding – Concentrating on both a job and an education can be very taxing  and tiring for some students. Both will demand equal importance and it can be difficult to strike a proper balance to give justice to both aspects of your life.

It may feel lacking – For some students, the point of doing a Master's or a post graduate program is to get the experience in its entirety. On campus projects, the extended interaction with like minded peers and more college organised events etc. will be a few things you may miss out on.

Before committing to any study program, always consider what you want from the experience. An educated decision is a must.

Hallmarks Good Management Colleges Possess

Doing a degree in management is one of the most popular academic options today. What draws students over and over again to a Master's in Business Administration or MBA programs? It is not just the prestige of this degree that makes it such a viable option option today; it is also the comprehensive education, the life lessons, the experience and the preparedness that comes with doing a really good program. Good management colleges today offer their students a well-rounded experience that is more than just a degree you take when you walk out the door!

You may have many reasons for doing an MBA or a management course. For some it is a degree to acquire as the first step towards their career, for others it could be a way to enhance their professional experience by getting an additional incentive or qualification that will push them higher up the rung of their professional ladder. You will find a varied number of management colleges offering full time and part time courses that cover a wide range of academic spheres catering to an ever increasing number of people looking to widen the net where their career prospects are concerned.

So just how do you choose? Not all business and management schools are created the same. A lot of it depends largely on the goals you have and the aim of actually doing an MBA from the same. Firstly, know that truly worthwhile reputed management colleges will have a reputation that precedes them. They are known for their fine and comprehensive courses that truly not only aim to give their students a piece of paper with a degree but an excellent education that will serve them well and serve the purpose. They are educational institutions that have been accredited and recognised by government bodies and being an alumni will actually mean something.

Secondly, an MBA or any professional Masters program is an attractive incentive to many students because it widens their scope for the jobs they want. One of the perks a reputable B school will come with is providing opportunities for their students as far as placements and internships are concerned. These are especially important when it comes to gaining the experience you need to land that dream job once your course is over. Management colleges are also an excellent place to start building a network not just of prestigious alumni that have already passed through but with like minded peers, driving forward ambition and strengthening connections.

Thirdly, it will always serve you well to study at a college that have experienced faculty, a wide variety of programs as well as additional training programs that aim to make you into a better professional. The aim is not just to be an MBA graduate but to be ready and armed with the knowledge and the skills to take on or further yourself in your chosen professional arena.

When looking for best management colleges it is always a good idea to first assess your goals for undertaking a course and then find the best one that fits the bill.