With the cost of attending college rising more each year, students across the country are looking for ways to save money without compromising academic excellence. Many are finding cheap solutions in the growing trend of textbook rentals. With a cost savings of roughly 50 percent, students can receive the necessary books for their courses while also saving money.

College bookstores and national chains alike are responding to the growing demand for textbook rentals. Barnes & Noble College Booksellers launched its textbook rental program in Jan. 2010. This pilot program was met with such resounding success that the company recently announced it has already included all of their 637 campus bookstores in the rental program. Also, according to the National Association of College Stores, nearly half of their 3,000 member stores will offer book rental options for students, a number up 500 percent from the previous fall. But place-based bookstores aren’t the only ones cashing in on this money saving trend. Online textbook rentals are cropping us as well, which only makes the process easier for students. Sites like bookrenter.com allow students to search their online database of over 3 million titles, choose the right book and have it shipped to their doorstep the next day. This process is cheaper and easier than going to a physical campus bookstore only to spend twice the amount of money for the same books.

To simplify the process further, some websites and bookstore are offering textbooks available for rent digitally. Students simply have to download that provider’s respective software program, or digital book reader, and pay for the rental per semester. These programs allow students to highlight, make notes, and tag important sections of the e-books. While they’re currently only viewable in traditional computers or laptops, some companies, like Amazon, are working to create rentable e-books that are compatible with mobile devices and e-readers. Another option available to students is open-source textbooks, which have been uploaded online to use for free by all internet users. This trend is popularized by a movement to provide quality education and materials to all students interested in learning, regardless of their ability to pay.

Each of these factors, combined with the society’s growing dependence on technology, might further eliminate the need to have hardcopy, paper books at all. Only time will tell if books become obsolete, or if students still prefer to physically view their books and turn their pages themselves.

Whether you’re in undergrad or graduate school, choosing a topic for and writing a thesis can be a process that makes you break out into a cold sweat. You’re not alone– many students struggle with getting started on writing a thesis and feel the pressure to come up with a great idea for a research topic. While there is no surefire way to come up with a brilliant and career-making topic, there are some things that you can do to get the ball rolling on the process and ensure that you’re not left trying to pull something together the night before your deadlines.

First, get in touch with your academic adviser, or whomever is guiding you through the thesis process. They can help you make an intelligent decision based on your interests and your strengths as a student and ensure you won’t be without at least a few good ideas for starting your thesis. Additionally, they will likely be able to point you in the direction of materials that you can use for inspiration, topics you might not have been aware even existed or indicate ways you can expand on research you’ve already done.

One of the most important factors in choosing a thesis topic is making sure that it’s something that you truly love learning about and have a real interest in. Otherwise, it’s going to be an uphill battle to complete any project you start. When you love your topic, you’ll be more willing to put in extra hours in front of your keyboard and in the library.

While it can be great to be inspired by existing research projects, the idea of a thesis is for you to pursue your own unique lines of inquiry. This means that when you’re trying to come up with a topic that it’s important to make sure that it fits into a different niche of your area of expertise and examines ideas that haven’t already been investigated by someone else. It might be harder than you think, so a do a little research to make sure you’re laying the groundwork for a unique thesis.

Finally, pick something that it will actually be possible for you to manage. If you’re trying to tackle an issue that would better be addressed in several rather than one long paper, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. Make sure your thesis topic is specific enough to limit the amount of information you will have to bring in and the amount of pages it will take to cover the topic with a great deal of competency.

There is no way to completely remove the stress that comes along with choosing a topic for your thesis and actually having to write it, but you can make the process more streamlined, more intelligent and ultimately better for your academic career with a little research, advice and thought in advance.

First generation students are those students that will be first members of their families to attend an institute of higher education. While a great distinction, being the first to college can also be very daunting. Many first generation students don’t know where to begin in their college planning, as they can’t rely on the advice or knowledge of their parents and siblings. To help make the transition into college smoother, below is a list of helpful preparation tips for first generation students.

Making the necessary plans and decision about which school to attend, where, and when, is the most important step in the process. But first generation students don’t have to make these decisions alone. High school guidance counselors can be a prospective college student’s best friend. They are trained and eager to help student choose the right colleges and majors, as well as guide them through complex applications and financial aid paperwork. These counselors can gauge a student’s strengths and weaknesses, and help them determine the school that best fits their needs. Also, first generation students should look for outreach programs sponsored by community centers, local colleges and nonprofits. These programs can teach students how to apply for college, find scholarships, and prepare for the rigors of campus life. Another helpful tip is to make sure one’s parents are involved. Even though a first generation student’s parents did not attend college, including them in the decision making process can bond a family unit together. Next, it is vitally important for first generation students to stay on schedule and to be aware of all important deadlines. Making a calendar of upcoming deadlines and requirements can help students avoid costly mistakes. Things to consider include SAT exam dates, application deadlines, financial aid requirements, class registration dates, new student orientation times, and campus move in dates.

During the first year of college, many first generation students can become overwhelmed and feel isolated from their families. It is important for them to become involved on campus, make friends and earn good grades. Many schools offer programs for new and first generation students to help them ease into campus living. They might offer study groups, social networking, and mentoring programs. Most importantly, first generation students should not be afraid to ask for help and support from classmates, friends and family members. While the idea of attending college might be daunting for them at first, hard work and dedication can help them achieve their academic goals.

Stereotype dictates that brilliant, decorated, well-educated writers take to alcohol with as much – if not more – impassioned enthusiasm as they do their literary craft. While psychology and, of course, history both note a correlation between substance abuse and intelligence, the popular image of an author hacking away at a typewriter (or computer, depending on the era) with one hand while using the other to swipe swigs from a half-empty bottle of booze does not always ring true. Of course, this list has absolutely nothing at all to do with these exceptions! As the veritable Bible for what established members of the literary canon – Hemingway & Bailey’s Bartending Guide to Great American Writers by Mark Bailey and Edward Hemingway – points out, not only do these ladies and gentlemen love themselves a drink…they oftentimes grow to develop their own alcoholic signature as well. Pour a glass of a beloved brew, faithful ferment, or a mirthful mix (but be responsible!) and settle in to read about what drinks the literati gravitate towards.

1. Ernest Hemingway – Mojito

While Ernest Hemingway wrote of numerous adult beverages – A Moveable Feast occasionally reads as if the iconic author took up residence in Paris solely for the quality wine. However, the highly refreshing mojito actually earned its place as his signature cocktail during his tenure in Havana, Cuba. A regular at the La Bodeguita del Medio, tourists now convene at the small bar to soak up the history and the cool mint, lime, and rum concoctions that the celebrated scribe so enjoyed. Hemingway also grew into connoisseurship of daiquiris as well.

2. Raymond Chandler – Gimlet

Iconic noir detective (and inspiration for “The Dude” in the Coen Brothers classic The Big Lebowski) Philip Marlowe downed gimlet after gimlet with a contemporary in The Long Goodbye. His creator, Raymond Chandler, even outlined the perfect recipe in the novel – which eventually led to the cocktail’s surge in popularity. Inclusion paralleled Chandler’s fondness for gimlets, which he developed while traversing London. Though he also favored martinis and stingers, the writer and his beloved literary creation eventually became more associated with gimlets in the minds of the reading populace.

3. Hunter S. Thompson – Chivas Regal

Though probably better associated with “two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a saltshaker half-full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers” (among other substances), Hunter S. Thompson’s favored drinks bounced between Chivas Regal and Wild Turkey on the rocks. Anecdote after anecdote abounds regarding his love of the former, however, and many articles make special note of its presence during conversations. Biographer E. Jean Carroll made particular note of his daily routine, where the gonzo journalist began downing Chivas Regal at 3:05 in the morning and continuously indulged at different intervals throughout the day.

4. William Faulkner – Mint Julep

As one of the quintessential Southern Gothic (not to mention American in general), it comes as little surprise that William Faulkner partook regularly of the mint julep. He also famously kept a bottle of whiskey on hand whenever sitting down at the typewriter to hammer out novels and screenplays as well. Like many creative types, Faulkner frequently skirted the line between heavy drinker and full-bore alcoholic. Benders became the norm after a while, and many times the Nobel Prize winner considered himself incapable of creativity without the assistance of intoxicating beverages.

5. Jack Kerouac – Margarita

Given his fondness for Mexican culture, it is understandable that margaritas became the drink of choice for beat generation poster boy Jack Kerouac. A story from New York City’s White Horse Tavern claims that the bathrooms once sported a message of “Kerouac, go home” above the urinals as an attempt to encourage him to sway him away from the tequila-based concoctions and into bed for some much-needed rest. Such a story remains, of course, entirely anecdotal. Regardless of the veracity regarding the graffiti, however, Kerouac was indeed a patron and still enjoyed throwing back a margarita. Or two, or three, or four…

6. Dorothy Parker – Whiskey Sour

Dorothy Parker enjoyed many a cocktail during her life – and her terse, humorous “I like to have a martini” (alternately, “I wish I could drink like a lady” poem continues to elicit laughter even today. Mixed drinks of all shapes and sizes factor prominently in many of her writings, almost always referenced in a lighthearted and occasionally self-deprecating manner. However, the famously sly, sardonic wit allegedly adored the sweet tang of a whiskey sour above all other alcoholic pleasures. Martinis, of course, also ranked high enough up there to warrant dispute amongst fans and biographers.

7. Oscar Wilde – Absinthe

Beloved Irish wordsmith Oscar Wilde counted iced champagne amongst his favorite intoxicating indulgences, but when it comes to alcohol his name remains forever entwined with the green fairy herself. He grew to love the potent beverage while living abroad in Paris, eventually penning a famously hallucinogenic account of its effects. Most people, however, accept that Wilde took more than a few liberties when it came to absinthe’s true properties – chalking up the exaggeration as intended purely for delirious entertainment value.

8. Carson McCullers – Sonnie Boy

There appears to be some dispute between whether or not Carson McCullers referred to her comforting blend of hot tea and sherry a “sonnie boy,” a “sonny boy,” or a “sunny boy.” But regardless, she almost always worked with a cup of it at her side while firing off novels and short stories. McCullers also nurtured a love of Long Island iced tea as well, but the sonnie boy holds more of an impact over her life story. Preferring to imbibe in secret, she would claim that the steaming mugs on her desk contained only the hot tea half of the equation.

9. Charles Bukowski – Boilermaker

Poet laureate of potables, Charles Bukowski wrote frequently of the role booze played in the lives of the down-and-out of America with brutal, blunt honesty. As with many hard-drinking writers, he downed many cocktails of cocktails during his life – enough to make it difficult to truly nail down which held the honor of his absolute favorite. Boilermakers, comprised of a whiskey shot accompanied by a beer (usually lager) and downed in the drinkers’ preferred style, appear to rank up there.

10. F. Scott Fitzgerald – Gin Rickey

Ernest Hemingway and other contemporaries famously taunted F. Scott Fitzgerald for his surprisingly low alcohol tolerance – but that never stopped The Great Gatsby scribe from hitting the Owl Bar and other establishments for a few rounds of gin rickeys. A very fitting choice, many claim, as the drinks enjoyed their peak in the 1920s through the 1930s when Fitzgerald thrived creatively and grew to become the era’s undeniable literary figurehead. More than anyone, he captured the empty materialism and lackadaisical attitude towards life that characterized the Roaring Twenties.

11. Tennessee Williams – Ramos Fizz

Iconic Southern playwright Tennessee Williams favored the creamy, eggy Ramos Fizz enough to immortalize it in many of his works. One of the signature drinks of New Orleans, his fans toast the shaken beverage – which contains the aforementioned egg and cream, plus lime juice, sugar, gin, and a small spray of orange flower water and soda – in his honor even today. Many residents also recommend it as an excellent, boozy way of ushering in the annual Mardi Gras festivities.

12. Dylan Thomas – Whiskey

Unfortunately, Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s favored beverage, straight whiskey, eventually proved his undoing in 1953. After 18 shots in a row, he passed away after a night at the very same White Horse Tavern that Jack Kerouac and other literary and creative giants frequented. A room dedicated to his writing prowess memorializes the extremely tragic event, though he died later that fateful evening in his room at the Chelsea Hotel. Today, his name is unfortunately as synonymous with whiskey and substance abuse as with innovative modernist poetry.

13. Anne Sexton – Martini

Anne Sexton and her fellow writer Sylvia Plath met in a poetry class, and the pair would skip off to the Ritz-Carlton afterwards for a few rounds of apparently dry martinis. They welcomed other students and patrons into their fold as well, one of whom later became Sexton’s illicit lover behind her husband’s back. She apparently loved throwing caution to the wind by illegally parking in the hotel’s loading zone before pumping her system full of booze.

14. Eugene O’Neill – Gibson

Nobel laureate playwright Eugene O’Neill grappled against personal and filial demons his entire life, slipping in and out of heavy drinking periods (apparently involving gibsons) following the alcohol-related death of his beloved brother Jamie. Unlike many writers on this list, O’Neill never felt as if alcohol actually stimulated his writing in any way – quite the opposite, really, as it almost entirely halted his ability to get much of anything produced. He dipped in and out of sobriety and psychotherapy, drawing from these conflicts during lucid periods to pen some of theatre’s most emotionally evocative and highly respectable dramatic works.

15. Raymond Carver – Bloody Mary

Associated more with bored housewives from the upper crust enjoying elegant brunches than brooding, intense writers emphasizing the plight of blue-collar workers and households, the bloody Mary nevertheless held the title of Raymond Carver’s favorite alcoholic beverage. Like his father before him, the eloquent chronicler of the down-and-dirty corners of society struggled against violent alcoholism. His close friendship with contemporary John Cheever only facilitated the issue further – though a 1977 stint in Alcoholics Anonymous helped him kick the destructive habit altogether.

16. Anthony Burgess – Hangman’s Blood

Rather than indulging in the ultraviolence, writer and prolific polymath Anthony Burgess blew off steam with a brew known by the eerie moniker of “hangman’s blood.” Though not credited with its creation – the first mention of the cocktail came in 1929 from Richard Hughes’s novel A High Wind in Jamaica – many attribute the finalized, definitive recipe to Burgess himself. Blending doubles of gin, brandy, port, rum, and whiskey, a bottle of stout, and a topping of champagne, how the drink’s name originally popped into existence leaves very little to the imagination.

17. William S. Burroughs – Vodka and Coke

William S. Burroughs’s life mixed Hunter S. Thompson’s affinity for all manner of intoxicants with Jack Kerouac’s beat sensibilities, wanderlust, and love of Mexico. Several different interviews make mention of an ever-present glass of equal parts vodka and coke, which he apparently clung to even after the ability to write any more abandoned his fail, ravaged body left him to whittle away the last remaining stretch of his lifespan in the company of his friends and cats.

18. Sherwood Anderson – Old Fashioned

William Faulker and Ernest Hemingway, among others, looked up to Sherwood Anderson as a literary role model – perhaps incidentally, perhaps not, they also took up his fondness for spirits as well. He apparently enjoyed an old fashioned or two as his personal poison, though his exact preference remains unknown – after all, there seem to be almost as many interpretations of the beverage as there are people who wish to drink them. Anderson passed after swallowing a toothpick at a cocktail party that eventually caused a fatal infection in his stomach.

19. James Gould Cozzens – Black and Tan/Half-and-Half

According to the definitive tome on writers and their favorite alcoholic beverages, Hemingway & Bailey’s Bartending Guide to Great American Writers, Pulitzer Prize winner and notorious denier of publicity James Gould Cozzens particularly adored black and tans. Alternately known as the half-and-half, this drink involves equal parts lager and stout to create an attractive (and delicious!) concoction juxtaposing light and dark tones. The drink name comes from the nickname Irish citizens bestowed on British soldiers who occupied their nation following World War I sporting black and tan uniforms.

20. James Jones – Singapore Sling

When frequenting P.J. Clarke’s in New York City, James Jones was known to throw back a Singapore sling after nurturing a taste for them during a tour of duty in the South Pacific. Fruity and fun, he also enjoyed these sweet cocktails with fellow writers and Bacchanalian revelers James Baldwin and William Styron (both of whom exist as viable contenders for inclusion on this list) on many a Parisian night. Many of these benders would extend well into the next morning – even the afternoon!

Please keep in mind that not all brilliant people drink excessively, nor does drinking excessively indicate that said imbiber stands as particularly brilliant, either. Political correctness and disclaimers aside, though, many a highly intelligent, influential writer has indulged his or her preference for at least one (if not more) alcoholic beverage to the point it becomes almost a personal trademark. History and psychology both support this phenomenon, as depression and intelligence sometimes directly correlate with substance abuse. More examples beyond these exist, of course, but that is up to the reader to go explore.

College is a major investment, and like all investments you’ll make, you want to make sure that you’re going to get the best value for your money. Of course, not all colleges are equal, and not all will offer the same value to students and families. Here are a few important factors to look at when evaluating the quality of your potential college.

Academic quality is important. Research the SAT and ACT scores of those accepted to the school. Look into admission retention rates, graduation rates, and the ratio of students to faculty. Considering these and other factors will allow you assess the quality of education offered by a particular school.

Find out the true cost. Calculate the total expenses that you’d incur in state of out of state. These include fees, tuition, books, housing, and meal plans. You should also research the cost of living index in the town or city where the college is located, as this can make the prices of many items different than home. Factor in financial aid as well. If you’ve received a scholarship or grant offer from a particular college, definitely keep that in mind.

Consider your preference for academic programs. You may find that there are several schools that offer an incredible value in terms of academic quality for the cost involved, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a great value for you in particular. Ensure that you take a look at schools that can provide you with not only a great value, but the educational program that you’d really like to follow. There’s no sense in getting a good deal on school if it’s not what you want to get out of it.

Go to a state school or community college. Without even doing the research, chances are that you’ll find a value winner in your local community college or state school. These schools get help from the government and tend to offer a more wide variety and number of scholarships and grants. Although their academic quality may not be as high as a private or Ivy League school, for the most part you’ll find that these colleges can offer a good education for the price.

These are just a few of the factors you should keep in mind when choosing the best college for you. Take your time, do your research, and put effort into picking out a school that best fits your needs.

There are over 200,000 learning disabled students that attend college each year. Some of the students are prepared for the academic and social rigors of higher education and some are not. Those that do not seek or receive the proper assistance in the classroom are much more likely to become frustrated, fail classes, and eventually drop out of college all together. But these students don’t have to accept that fate. Today, many nonprofits and colleges across the country provide preparation programs for high school graduates that are planning to attend college and need additional assistance. These programs can include life coaching, teaching proper study habits, college planning, and other support services.

A learning disability, also called a learning disorder, can be a neurological condition that hinders one’s ability to learn in a traditional manner. This disability is generally caused by the brain’s inability to receive and process information correctly. Common disorders include dyslexia, a difficulty processing language, reading, spelling or speaking; dyscalculia, a difficulty with math, understanding time or using money; dysgraphia, a difficulty with writing, spelling and organizing thoughts; and dyspraxia, a difficulty with fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, balance and manual dexterity. While these conditions can’t be cured, there are ways that students can work around them in order to be academically successful. That is the ultimate goal of college preparation courses for learning disabled students.

One of the most important aspects of these programs is teaching students to ask for assistance from their college counselors, professors, and other administrators. Most universities offer students the opportunity to take additional time during tests, request special seating in the classroom, or receive extra tutoring from teachers’ assistants. In fact, the number of programs like these available for students in the United States has increased tenfold from 2001, and now number around 250. For those students that suffer from learning disabilities and are interested in receiving additional assistance in college, there are several steps to be taken first. All learning disabled students are required to submit proof of the disorder to their respective college in the form of an official exam administered by a private or school psychologist. This material should be no more than three years old, or it is considered invalid. But despite the many obstacles or challenges facing college bound students with learning disabilities, there are also a great many programs and strategies available to help them achieve academic success.

Lots of people enroll in college, but not everyone actually ends up earning a degree. The good news is that over the past 30 years, the proportion of adults who have completed a four-year college degree has almost doubled, according to the College Board 2007 study “Education Pays: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society.” The study found there were many different factors that were associated with students who actually completed their education and earned a degree.

For students enrolled in four-year colleges and universities, higher degree completion rates were associated with factors like higher test scores, family incomes, and parent education levels. Among students who enrolled in college in 1995, 80 percent of those who scored in the highest SAT quartile, 76 percent of those who scored in the third quartile, and 60 percents of those who scored in the lowest two quartiles, completed a bachelor’s degree by 2001. Parent education levels were found to be influential, with 76 percent of students who had at least one parent with a college degree completing their education compared to 62 percent of students who did not. Income levels also affected degree completion with 78 percent of students with family income levels over $70,000, 71 percent of students with family income levels ranging from $40,000 to 69,999, and 62 percent of students with family income levels below $40,000, completing a degree by 2001.

Among low-income college students whose parents did not attend college, 71 percent of those who scored over 1100 on the SAT and 63 percent of those who scored between 950 and 1100 completed a bachelor’s degree by 2001. Only 55 percent of those with lower SAT scores managed to complete their education by 2001. High SAT scores and income levels were also found to be indicative of degree completion regardless of parent education. Even though their parents did not attend college, the study found that middle-income college students with the highest SAT scores were more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree than low-income students with a college educated parent.

College students who were the most likely to complete their degrees had high SAT scores, college-educated parents, and higher incomes. Among those students who scored within the highest quartile of the SAT, 86 percent of those coming from families who had incomes of $70,000 or higher completed their bachelor’s degree by 2001. Eighty-three percent of students coming from middle-income families finished school by 2001 and 75 percent of those from low-income families did.

Getting married, know someone who is, or are just dreaming about your own day? There’s a lot to consider. Announcements, invitations, guest lists, seating, menus, travel, attire, and more are enough to make any future bride and groom call for help.

Before you spend thousands and call an actual wedding planner, consider a virtual one. An online planner and tools can do much to keep papers and magazines from piling up, not to mention your sanity from waning. In addition, you don’t have to pay a cent to read the top 50 wedding planner blogs. They can help every wedding from the extravagant, to the practical, to the eco-friendly.

Top Ten Wedding Planner Blogs by a Professional

These women and men have made wedding planning their professional lives and share their expert opinions with you via blog.

1. Wedded Bits : Get expert bridal advice, planning tips, and trend coverage from the experts at “Brides Magazine.” You can even local coverage in popular cities and states in the United States. Be sure not to miss the promotions for top deals and contests.
2. Ritzy Bee Blog : Maria is a creative wedding planner based in Washington, D.C. Posts are purely on things that she loves and does not accept payment for endorsement. She recently showed how a simple thing such as wheat can bring a wedding to life.
3. Wedding Ideas : Meredith and Anya are part of The Knot and literally have had hundreds of wedding ideas come across their desks. In this blog, they sort through them all to bring the best to you. A recent entry examined an amazing wedding cake made out of Rice Krispie treats.
4. Cocktails & Details : Terrica brings you “The Wedding Planners’ Fabulous Blog.” A feature of her blog is Papier Tuesday, along with wedding advice and even sugar. A recent entry gave the recipe for some impressive wedding cocktails.
5. The Bride’s Cafe : Janie helps you plan a wedding that is sophisticated and romantic with an edge. Topics include everything from the crème de la crème to DIY projects. She recently had A Little Party Dress Contest where her readers picked the winner.
6. Bridal Bubbly : This five woman wedding planning team has won awards for their work. Visit their blog to see what they are planning for their current clients. If you live in the D.C. area, you can get more information on what they can do via their website.
7. The Bride’s Guide : Darcy Miller and the editors of “Martha Stewart Weddings” bring you a complete guide to planning a wedding. Categories include everything from bridesmaids to travel. Many posts involve real life wedding ideas and how to replicate them in your own.
8. Wedding Style Guide : This magazine provides design and decoration inspiration for your wedding, along with this blog. If you like what you read, you can use their resources such as shopping online, submissions, and downloads. A recent entry took a look at a holiday wedding.
9. One Lovely Day : Margaret Wong is the founder of Project Wedding and maintains this blog. Categories include everything from announcements to “Things We Heart.” A recent entry took a look at a traveler’s table setting, as well as a DIY guide to it.
10. Wedding Wire : Part of Bridal Buds and Wedding Aces, this blog is full of wedding planning ideas. A recent post took a look at the rarely seen Halloween wedding. It is also an excellent place to find contests and giveaways for engaged couples.

Top Wedding Planner Blogs From A Specific Area

These wedding planning blogs have a specific region in mind.

11. What Junebug Loves : Christy is a fanatic about planning weddings and serves the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Seattle areas. Resources include planning your wedding and real weddings. The latest entry took a look at bridal shower themes, how-to’s, and recipes.
12. Little White Book : Courtney is an event planner working in Richmond, VA and has a love of all things Southern. A useful visit for those planning not just a wedding, but related events such as a reception dinner or bridal shower. A recent post discussed the difference between escort and place cards.
13. Brooklyn Bride : Vané Broussard is an interior designer by day and a bridal blogger by night, where she features the best in local vendors. The regularly updated blogs has tips on photography, calligraphy, invitations, fashion, and gifts, along with coverage of bridal shows, shop reviews, and everything in between. Recent posts reviewed wedding photography shoots.
14. India Wedding Planner : Looking to plan a wedding overseas or just need some fresh ideas? Then visit here for tons of ideas on the ceremony, etiquette, and even travel to India. There are also ideas for gifts and decorations.
15. Weddings Unveiled : This blog is a dual effort from a wedding planner and fashion photographer. They aim to showcase the South’s modern sophisticate with a fresh, edgy take on the classic style. There is also a magazine by the same name.

Top Wedding Planner Specialty Blogs

These blogs focus on one specific aspect of the wedding plan.

16. Sweet Designs : Amy Atlas is an event planning provider that creates loads of different wedding cakes. She also specializes in high end dessert tables. Visit for a ton of dessert ideas, or to ask a question.
17. Style Me Pretty : Get tons of styling ideas for your wedding. These include dress, table settings, and more. You can also have a look at their little black book for recommended vendors.
18. Kate Headley : Kate is a fine art wedding photographer based in Washington, D.C. Visit her blog to take a look at some of her amazing work. She also provides tips for making the most of your own wedding photos.
19. Laura Bateman : She is a freelancing professional make up artist who primarily uses Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. In her blog, you can see the makeup of brides she has done, as well as get recommendations. Blog entries focus on weddings she has worked on.
20. Cake Wrecks : Stop here to see what happens when professional cakes go horribly and hilariously wrong. Jen is a cake lover who just finished a Cake Wreck world tour. Check out the wedding and many other cakes that didn’t turn out right to see what to avoid or laugh at.

Top Wedding Planner Blogs For Brides On A Budget

Don’t ruin your wedding day by dreading the bill with the help of these wedding planner blogs.

21. DIY Bride : Not just for home improvement, the do-it-yourself mentality is also useful for wedding planning. This blog gets top spots for its Projects + Tutorials section. If that isn’t enough, you can also get useful downloads or submit your own wedding. Recent entries show you how to work a Letterpress and a review of Wedding Lens.
22. A $10,000 Wedding : T.T. began this blog with a simple love of weddings and even though she married, she still surfs the web for the best in wedding details and features them here. There are 685 posts and counting to show you the simple, yet elegant side of weddings. Get tips on dresses, DIY, reception ideas, and more.
23. The Broke-Ass Bride : Dana is your B.A. bride and her blog contains similar language to the title. She is also your source for smart and sassy weddings, along with the lifestyle afterwards. A recent entry showed how ten small changes can add up to big savings.
24. I Do It Yourself : Visit this blog for more DIY tutorials and how-to’s for want to be wedding planners. They also have resources for freebies, inspirations, and even deals. The latest entry showed a wedding font you can download for free.
25. Offbeat Bride : Go off the beaten path and save some money with this wedding planning blog. Ariel is from Seattle and an author of a book of the same name. In addition to regular posts, she also has a gallery of offbeat weddings.
26. The Unbride : This blog was created to inspire and empower the creative, confident bride to plan the wedding of her dreams. Resources include unique ideas, unusual finds, and unconventional wisdom. Her latest entry examined the “kiss picture.”
27. Craft My Bride : Lisa is a graduate student who is planning her own summer wedding. Follow her as she attempts to save money with only her trusty hot glue gun and DIY frame of mind. Recent posts are on big savings on flowers.
28. A Practical Wedding : Meg is your guide to creativity and thrift while maintaining your sanity as a wedding planner. Popular categories include budget, fashion, and even LGBT weddings. One of the latest posts re-featured one of her favorite weddings.

Top Wedding Planner Blogs for Grooms

The forgotten half of the wedding, let him know he matters by taking a look at these wedding planner blogs.

29. Groom Groove : Stop here for an online roadmap for the groom’s trip down the aisle. The site has tips for everything from the engagement to the wedding. There are even resources for the Best Man and groomsmen.
30. Groom Stand : The authors of this blog also run a store of the same name just for grooms. Get a load of wedding planning tips just for him here. Recent entries are on the worst wedding facial hair and writing great vows.
31. Groombug : The makers of Junebug Weddings provide this site just for grooms. Categories include groom 101, fashion, and the big questions. Future grooms can even read the FAQ’s or send in their own wedding planning question.
32. The Engaged Guy : Follow Cicero on his journey from proposal to journey via his blog. Although it was finished in 2008, it is still a useful read for the future groom.

Top Green Wedding Planner Blogs

Learn how to go green and even save some green with these wedding planner blogs

33. Green Weddings : Get tips and resources for your white day in green here. Categories include invitations, favors, flowers, and more. The latest entry showed how to make a recycled wedding cake topper.
34. Everything Green Weddings and More : Wenona is a wedding planner and author of a book of the same name. Whether you are planning a green gala or just needs some tips, stop by. You’ll also find lots of advice about living green.
35. Earth Friendly Weddings : Jennifer enjoys showing brides how to make their weddings beautiful and unique, while keeping the environment in mind. She is also proprietor of a website of the same name. Popular categories include fashion and inspiration.
36. Blue Planet Wedding : Visit here for a green and ethical wedding planning blog. There hasn’t been a new post in a while but the 95 Ideas To Make Your Wedding More Environmentally Friendly entry is worth a visit alone. The last entry was on how to turn your wedding into a charity fundraiser.

Top Wedding Planner Communities

If you need help in wedding planning from someone who has been there or is on their way, visit these communities for help for everything before, during, and after the wedding.

37. Brides Community : Get wedding advice from brides like you with this community. There are many forums to choose from including Waiting for the Ring and Fashion Focus. You can also create your own wedding album or view those of others.
38. Brideshare : This is a social networking site designed to help brides save money by sharing wedding-related resources and goods. Decor, apparel, rentals, and even vendors can be shared, swapped, or sold through their connections. Join the group to see what you can share or have shared with your wedding.
39. Wedding Circles : Stop here for tons of resources and help on wedding planning including articles and reviews. Featured content includes celebrity wedding dresses and flowers for your hairstyle. There is also a classified area where you can buy or sell loads of wedding merchandise.
40. Bridal Insider : This online community is ideal for those living in San Diego to get help planning their weddings. There is a vendor directory, discussion area, and even an Ask The Expert section. You don’t have to live in the area to appreciate the useful tips.
41. The Nest : If you are or are about to become newlyweds, this is the community for you. There are dozens of boards to choose from including everything from the honeymoon to celebrating your first year. You can also read or start a blog and even get a countdown ticker to your first anniversary.

Top Wedding Planner Sites

Go beyond wedding planner blogs and check out these sites that are the next best thing to actually hiring a planner of your own.

42. Brides.com : Stop here for a ton of tips just for brides about to plan a wedding. You can start off with planning and ideas all the way to the honeymoon. There are tons of tools including budget and to-do, along with a massive wedding web site. You can even do an online registry or win prizes.
43. The Knot : Preview dresses, cakes, vows, and even more all online with this site. They also have a ton of free tools including a checklist and budgeter. There is also content by wedding experts and an active community.
44. The Wedding Planner : Visit this site if you live in the U.K. and are planning a wedding. Tools include a checklist, guest list, menu, fayres, and more. They also have a community and list of trends for the upcoming year.
45. Wedplan : You don’t have to live in the Madison or Milwaukee area to take advantage of this wedding planning site, but it doesn’t hurt. They have helpful articles on all aspects of the wedding. There are also recommended vendors for everything from dress to photography.
46. InStyle Weddings : Get a ton of resources for your dream day here including star style, ideas, planning, dresses, and beauty. Photos, videos, and expert articles show you how. Be sure not to miss their $40,000 diamond jewelry giveaway.
47. Project Wedding : Start by clicking on My Wedding to begin using this site. Or you can use tools such as real wedding and vendor reviews. They even show you how to build your own wedding website.
48. Indiebride : This wedding planner site is specifically for the independent minded bride. Stop by for interviews with top wedding and even planners. You can also find essays, tips for etiquette, and kvetch.
49. Wedding Podcast Network : Visit here for a comprehensive collection of original wedding talk radio programming for couples planning their wedding. Shows feature conversations with newlyweds and wedding professionals sharing their firsthand experiences. There are also specialty sub-casts including Newlywed Cast and Meet the Masters.
50. Bridezilla : We’ve all known one, so learn how to avoid or spot one by checking out this site. It has the latest in brides gone wrong and even has a Hall of Fame. You can even send in your own stories.

Whether you just got engaged or are getting married tomorrow, you can still find useful tips in the above top 50 wedding planner blogs. With another wedding season just around the corner, you can also get tips for wedding parties, guests, and much more.

Left-brained individuals who enjoy making large calculations and analyzing data might want to take their focus off of math and start looking at money. As most companies are in the business of making money, they need people who can help them manage their finances and increase their profits. There are countless employment opportunities for those who are qualified to do just this, so number crunchers should start looking into the following money majors.

Finance is an ideal major for highly analytical individuals. Finance majors need to have strong qualitative skills, enjoy solving complex problems, and love taking risks. The field of finance concentrates on how financial decisions affect businesses and ways that financial planning can increase profits. Majors in this field learn how the success of a business is greatly influenced by factors like the economy, stock market, investments, and interest rates. Through basic courses in math, business, statistics, economics, and accounting, students learn how to create and manage budgets, control costs, and make wise investments. More advanced courses concern topics like corporation finance, financial markets, real estate, monetary theory, management of financial institutions, and cost and managerial accounting. Those who graduate with a degree in finance can pursue careers in corporate and public finance as well as in banking, insurance, real estate, money management, and personal financial planning. Finance majors are commonly employed at commercial banks and credit unions, brokerage firms, captive finance companies, and private businesses and foundations. They can have titles like financial analysts, bank managers, loan officers, real estate brokers, traders, and financial planners.

On the other hand, accounting is an ideal major for attentive and detail-oriented individuals. Accounting majors need to enjoy communicating with and advising others. The field of accounting concentrates on analyzing financial information for the purpose of making important business decisions. Majors in this field learn how to gather, record, analyze, interpret, and communicate information that concerns financial performance and risks. Through basic courses in math, statistics, economics, business, and computer applications, students learn about financial principles and purposes. More advanced courses focus on accounting and financial procedures like accounting information systems, auditing, cost accounting, and tax accounting. Those who graduate with a degree in accounting can pursue careers in the areas of management accounting, government accounting, public accounting, and internal auditing. Accounting majors are commonly employed at public accounting firms, government facilities, and private businesses. They can have titles like certified public accountants, private accountants, government auditors, compliance auditors, and tax specialists.

Your college advisor is around to offer you advice and counseling in your college career. Although you may only be aware of them because of a few required meetings or papers you have to fill out, you should know that they are a valuable resource for planning classes and your career. Here’s what your advisor has to offer.

Class selection. You may be used to planning classes on your own, but your advisor has probably been around for years and is familiar with the way the schedule of courses tends to go. Sit down with your advisor and look over your plan for graduation together. They should be able to help you map out which classes you should really try to get registered for each semester so that you can stay on track for graduation without delay, or even early.

Your advisor can help when you’re struggling in class. You should talk to your professors first if you’re having trouble, but if you’ve got problems that you just can’t shake, bring them to your advisor. They may be able to suggest options for improving your class performance. If you will not be able to recover in a particular class, talking to your advisor can improve your outcomes when dropping the class, allowing you to withdraw or retake the course instead of receiving a low grade that can impact your GPA.

Counseling. Problems outside of class can have an impact on students, and advisors can deal with that as well. If you’re in a crisis or just need some help, visit your advisor for counseling. They may be able of offer useful advice and resources that can improve your situation, or just lend an ear to let you vent and lift the weight of what’s bothering you.

Career planning. For most students, the ultimate goal of college is to build the foundation of a great career. Talk to your advisor about what you’d like to do in the future, and they will be able to help you select a major, extracurricular activities, and particularly helpful classes. Your advisor will also likely be able to connect you with resources like career-specific scholarships, alumni groups, and internships that can help you build your career.

These are just a few of the things that your college advisor can help you with. Stop by and make an appointment to sit down with your college advisor and talk about what they can do for you.