Many California college students just graduated and are now in the pursuit of a job that utilizes the degree they worked so hard to earn. Spending time to earn an associates, bachelors, or masters degree is all for the payoff of a better job that you enjoy. Ideally you want something close to a dream job, but if you do not hustle to land that job, then someone might beat you to it. The current job market is improving, but still very competitive as many qualified job candidates fight it out to land each job. Often times, college graduates in California will be up for a job against people with many years experience, so job searchers need to stay on the hunt non-stop until they secure a job. Until you land a job, your new job is working 40hrs a week trying to research, apply, and interview for jobs.

The first step in the job hunt is to make a plan so that you do not waste time, so get a spreadsheet together and figure out where to attack and apply for a job. List companies you want to contact and their contact information. Also find all of the job websites in your area, including craigslist.org, monster.com, and eBay classifieds. When searching, make sure you focus properly on what you want in terms of a job, if you search too broad then you will not get great results. Repeat the process each day, and check the same sites so you get into a groove and do not loose time with new techniques. When you get ready to apply, make sure you have variations in your resume and a cover letter. This will allow you to be prepared to apply for a wide variety of jobs in your niche. The last thing to consider is quantity versus quality, take time and apply to the best jobs first that you really want to land. This is much better than randomly applying to 100 jobs, many of which you might not even want.

Succeeding in college is a big commitment, as it will take many years for you to complete your degree, depending on if you are working towards an associates, bachelors, or masters degree. Focusing on the end goal of graduation is very important, but there are many things you can do along the way which will help you succeed. There are many facets of college and the classes you will take, all of which must be given proper attention throughout your years in school. While there are a number of ways to succeed in college, the best approach is to find a combination of techniques which work best for you. Below you will find a handful of ideas to help you succeed in college in California.

1. Take Action – The bottom line is you have to make it happen, and cannot be a procrastinotor. Choose your major early on and set goals frequently to keep achieving toward your graduation. If you do not start on this path early, it may prevent you from graduating on time so you can get the job you desire.
2. Be Prepared for Classes and Take Notes – This means you need to start with the syallabus and make sure you understand everything that is required of you for the class. On top of that, you need to make sure you stay on schedule with your assignments and reading, so that you are prepared for each class. Make sure you get to class on time and focus the entire time so that you do not miss any critical information. Do your best to take notes of relevant information, but you can also try and add a recorder of some type to your note taking, as this will capture all of the class. Lastly it is good to make a friend in class, just in case something happens and you need to miss a class.
3. Good Study Habits – Make sure you study in a nice and quiet place, and stay in the rhythm of studying so you stay on track for the term. Also have the right tools with you, like pencils, pens, calculator, and a highlighter. Also take periodic breaks when studying to give your brain a rest and mix up the long study session.
4. Tests – You will have lots of tests throughout college so get into the habit of studying ahead of time, and not waiting until the last minute the night before the test. Also remember to get proper sleep that night, as it will help you arrive early to class so you can focus on the test. Make sure you take your time and read the instructions, as a simple mistake can mess up the whole test. Answer all questions, and review the entire test before you hand it in to be graded.
5. Utilize College Resources – Libraries, tutors, and doctors are just a few of the resources you can use at college to help you succeed. No matter what you need help with at college, there is usually a free resource on campus to help you out or point you in the right direction.
6. Papers – Along with tests, papers will be your other best friend in college and very common in almost any class. So it is best to start on papers early so that you do not get behind, as you can often have more than one paper due on the same day. Before you get started, layout your research and get an outline going to make it easy to write.  However you should make sure all research is accurate, as everything you read on the Internet is not always true.

Staying healthy in college can be tough, as life is busy and many students end up eating any fast food they can get their hands on. In addition to eating poorly, many college students just do not focus on being healthy as they have so many other competing priorities occupying their schedule, for which they’re not accustomed. College in California can mean a lot of sitting, as you sit in class and sit to study, which takes up a lot of your time. Therefore it is easier for people to get out of shape, as they do not get much movement and exercise. There are so many unhealthy things to do in college in California that it is good to know the healthy things to do. Below is a list of 5 tips to help you stay healthy while attending a California college.

1. Eat Well - This means you need to eat enough sensible health food each day to keep your body fueled to study and succeed in college. Breakfast and water are key as they will give you a great start to the day and the ability to stay hydrated throughout. Find smart food choices, and avoid junk food. If you do not stay focused, you are likely to gain the freshman fifteen when you start college. This is the rumor (although often true) that you will gain fifteen pounds during your freshman year of college from all of the bad eating and drinking.
2. Avoid Binge Drinking – College is supposed to be fun and educational, so there is nothing wrong with drinking a little. However drinking too much can aid to gaining weight, and also impair your ability to learn in class if you’re hungover.
3. Buy a Bicycle or Use The One You Have – Many California college campuses are so large that you need to walk or bicycle to get around. Take that one step further and bicycle more often to stay healthy. You can ride for fun or around the city to do your errands. It is a great way to stay active and get some sun outside.
4. Regular Doctor Visits – Many students begin college in California and stop going to the doctor since they do not live with their parents anymore. Attend the doctor as scheduled, or visit the campus doctor to ensure that your health is well.
5. Learn to Relax and Reduce Stress – The best advice to stay healthy is too relax and not stress about college. If you are stressed, then you need to find things outside of drinking and eating to relax. Do your best to get good grades, but do not stress if you get one B instead of your normal straight A’s.

Life as a California college student can be hectic, as you have to attend a lot of classes, study, spend time with friends, and possibly work a job. Therefore you have to be efficient with your time and make sure you devote enough attention to school work so you can graduate. Studying in college is much different than high school as the classes and tests are more intense, so students need to produce more effort to learn all of the new information. Overall you still want to have a good balance, so that you have time to enjoy college life while getting good grades. Below are some helpful study tips that should allow you to be more effective.

1. Limit distractions – The best way to accomplish this is to find a quiet place to study like the library, because it does not have things like TV, music, video games, and friends to distract you. If possible turn off your cell phone for a bit, no texting either as it will prevent you from the task at hand. Just sit down and focus, stay on one task and work on that project so that you can soak up all of the information you need.
2. Reward yourself – Graduating from college is a long term goal, which many people celebrate as it is such a big accomplishment. If you are just starting college, you have a long way to go so you should give yourself little rewards along the way to keep up the motivation. An example might be blocking out 6 hours on Saturday to study, then you can go out with your friends for the night.
3. Use study aids - Flashcards, slides, rewriting notes, and trying some mnemonic techniques, are just some examples of study aids. Anything you can use to aid in studying is a great way to improve your retention of the subject matter. Try different approaches and figure out which works best for you. Some students prefer to get a classmate to partner with so they can quiz each other about the subject.
4. Sleep – This is important to do daily for a certain amount of hours, but also important to do before tests. Do not go out late and party before a test, then only get 3 hours sleep. Your brain needs sleep to properly store and remember all of the details from your studying. If you deprive your brain of sleep, then it will be tougher to focus when studying or taking tests.
5. Scheduling – Just as you would make a budget with money, you should make a budget with time. Block out time for studying, work, classes, and friends. Make sure everything has a slot so that you can get all of the things accomplished you need to each week.

Summer 2010 is quickly approaching, and California college students are hunting for a great internship to help them further their education. Internships are a great way to get experience in an industry in which you have an interest, it is also a great way to network and make connections to help you in your job search after you graduate. The economic recession is a good and bad thing for college students in California, as there are more companies looking for interns, but it is also a very competitive market for any job, even an internship.  There are many people who previously had full time jobs, now willing to take an internship just to keep themselves in the job market. Luckily many internships are limited to college students only, but companies in California have students applying from across the country. This makes it even more difficult for a California college student to land the dream internship that they want this summer.

California has a massive college system, which results in thousands of student looking for internships in the state this year. If you are a college student looking for a summer internship and have not started your search, then you should start today! Many companies line up interns for the summer starting in February, so now is still a great time to start your hunt for a summer internship. Below are a few tips that will help you in your quest to get a great internship for the 2010 summer.

Apply, Apply, Apply

You need to make sure and apply for as many internships as possible which interest you, so that you increase your chances on securing a position. Also make sure and provide a resume, even if you have limited job experience, as you still want to showcase your skills.

Follow Up On All Interviews

If you are lucky enough to get an interview for an internship then you need to make sure and follow up. Get the names and if possible emails of everyone you interview with and send them a personal thank you note so that you stay top of mind. You can either email or send a letter via snail mail. It really depends on the type of internship you are trying to land.

Match Your Internship to your Future Career

If you already know what type of job you want to have after you graduate, then you should intern in that industry to set yourself apart from other job candidates you will compete against in the future. If you’re still unsure about your career path, then an internship is a great way to get real world experience to see if the career is for you.

College can be hard to pay for in these tough economic times.  Because of this, the California College News Team got together and created this list of 9 ways to save money while in college:

1. Buy Your Textbooks Online

Textbooks can be very expensive and the cost adds up when you have to buy them multiple times each school year. Buying textbooks from your local college bookstore will almost always cost you more than buying your textbooks online. The great thing about shopping for them online is that you can browse the costs at a variety of online sites to make sure you get the best deal.

2. Borrow Movies From Your Local Public Library

Going out to the movies is not cheap, neither are cable television or Netflix. Luckily many public libraries offer a great selection of DVD’s you can borrow. The selection may not be the newest movies, but you still get entertainment for free. While you might be able to download movies online for free, it is not legal and it is better to watch them in a way that is still free, but also legal.

3. Cook at Home and Avoid Eating Out

Many colleges students quickly figure out how expensive it can be to eat out all the time and pick up Starbucks everyday. That is why more and more students are choosing to cook at home to save money. You could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year if you stop eating out and buying coffee.

4. Buy Generic Products When Possible

There are many products that you need to buy often at the supermarket and it is not necessary to get a name brand. If possible try and buy generic store brand products on certain household items which will help you save on your shopping bills.

5. Take Advantage of Student Discounts

Many know that senior citizens get discounts when shopping or dining, but most do not know that students can get almost as many discounts. Apple offers student discounts as do many computer software companies, so that students can afford to have the tools they need to succeed in college. There are also a variety of websites you can browse which lists all of the great places students can get discounts online or at local stores.

6. Take as Many Credits as Possible Each Term

The bottom line is that the quicker you finish college, the sooner you will be able to get a job that will allow you to earn a great salary. Taking extra credits to graduate early will help save you money in the long run as you will spend less time commuting and focusing on school.

7. Avoid Impulse Shopping

Taking time to plan out what you really need and not impulsively buying things will really help you save money. Keeping a budget is a good way to monitor those impulse purchases made each month, so that you can prevent yourself from making those purchases next month.

8. Enroll in Online Classes if Possible

Driving to campus everyday will cost you time commuting, money for gas, as well as wear and tear on your vehicle. Even if you take the bus you still have to spend some time and money getting to and from school. If you have a chance to take online classes, then you will save a lot of time and money, while still earning credits towards your degree.

9. Utilize a Reusable Water Bottles

It seems almost everyone is using a reusable water bottle today, but if you are not, then you should consider buying one as it will help save you money over the long run. Avoiding spending money on bottled water is good for your budget and helps the environment.