December 2007 Newsletter

Finals are almost here, as are the end-of-year holidays. We have something to help with both!

The end is in sight,
Professor Cram

Custom-made Cramlets Just For You!
Lorna, a UK student taking Spanish, created some vocabulary lists in her Notebook. We took those lists and made her flashcard Cramlets to help her study. (Check out her flashcards under LORNA, and our custom Cramlets under SPANISH.) Want your own Cramlets to help you study for finals? Create your own Notebook entries and we'll jump right on it!

New Student Communities
Get help with your finals and your holiday parties with the latest College-Cram communities like Study Hall and Cooking and Recipes. Join in the dialog and make this your best year ever!

What are other students talking about?
Read what other students are blogging about in Top five we are going to hell movies, the problems with government's approach to taxes, and Iran, Iraq, and 30 years of conflict. Comment on these or start your own blog today!

Connexions Resources

Connexions (cnx.org) is a repository of learning modules and collections that has gotten some good press of late. It is popular with instructors and students alike, very much like my favorite social learning site.

Check out these great college study resources for your enjoyment.

Holiday Dessert Recipe

Everybody needs a great holiday dessert recipe, and I found some great recipes for your enjoyment this holiday season.

More MERLOT resources

Ran across this site a while back, it has a bunch of learning resources of all kinds. If you're studying financial ratios, here are two collections that should help:

Study debt management ratios
Study asset management ratios

These collections have lots of help including tutorials on each of the ratios (days sales outstanding ratio, fixed assets turnover ratio, inventory turnover ratio, total asset turnover ratio, debt ratio, debt to equity ratio, EBITDA coverage ratio, equity multiplier ratio, and TIE ratio) study sheets for getting ready at exam time.

Enjoy!

MERLOT: A cool site for resources

Ran across this site a while back, it has a bunch of learning resources of all kinds. If you're studying depreciation, here is a collection that should help:

Study depreciation

It has lots of help including a depreciation overview, bottomless worksheets for practice, formula solvers to learn the different depreciation methods (straight line, declining balance, double declining balance, units of production, and sum of the years' digits), and a study sheet for getting ready at exam time.

Enjoy!

President Schwarzenegger?

In the Simpson's Movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger is President of the United States. This would seem to indicate that cartoon civics joins cartoon physics as being outside of reality, since he was born in Thal, Austria and (according to Section I, Article II of the US Constitution) is ineligible to hold that office.

Much talk has circulated over the years regarding a Constitutional Amendment that would eliminate the requirement that Presidential candidates be "natural born citizens," but that process could take so long that Arnold could be dead and buried before it comes to pass.

I have an alternate idea that could make him eligible to be President Schwarzenegger right now...

Social Learning Takes to the Internet

Fort Worth, Texas (August 30, 2007) – Now, College-Cram.com introduces its own social learning... Scores of social networking sites help students connect for social and entertainment value, but College-Cram.com realizes that students also need to do well in school. That's why their student tutorial website has incorporated social learning into its framework.

"You can create and share notes, connect with other students in study groups, and learn while sitting in your dorm or coffee shop? I wish we had this when I was in school!" is the most often heard reaction to the site's new approach. According to one student's comment wall post, "[College-Cram] now has awesome advantages and thanks for having this site, it makes going to school easier!"

So what is a social learning website? According to Brian Shannon, CEO of College-Cram.com: "Social learning focuses on the learning that occurs within a social context. It considers that people learn from one another, not just in a vacuum. College-Cram, which has for years offered study resources for students around the world, now boasts a full-featured social networking core that brings social learning to our students."

"Facebook, Myspace, and other social networks appeal to students, but they are not educational. We haven't seen another site like College-Cram that is educational AND was built specifically for students," says VP of Operations Rudy Lopes. "Add to that our extensive Cramlet library and you have a winning combination ripe for success."

The College-Cram.com library has grown since 2004 to serve thousands of students worldwide. It includes over 800 Cramlets™, tutorials, quizzes, and study sheets that help students get better grades in less time. Students (and instructors) can also share their own presentations, outlines, and notes in their "notebook" and form study groups without geographic boundaries.

Social networking sites have become staples in the student experience. College-Cram can help ensure that learning will remain a staple as well. After all, remaining in school is a key part of the student experience, isn't it?

College-Cram.com is a free online social learning resource with communities organized by subject area. College courses usually cover 100 or more concepts, but each Cramlet™ from College-Cram.com covers just one concept and can be completed in less than five minutes. Get better grades in less time at College-Cram.com.

Web 2.0 Backpack for Students

Great article in ReadWriteWeb about Web 2.0 sites that help students. College-Cram got a mention as one of the best for studying.

Read more

Acing your next job interview

Experience, skills, and a killer resume are great to have, but if you can't get past the job interview you won't land the job. Some of us are naturally great at the interview process, but many of us need to do some preparation in order to do well.

When you're called in for an interview, remember to think in their terms. They have a position that needs filling, and they think you might be the one to fill it. They're bringing you in to confirm or deny that belief. On the other hand, you need to make sure the job is something you want. So, it's a chance for both parties to find out about each other, and everything you do and say should help you both make the decision that is best for all.

Read more about Seven Keys to Acing a Job Interview in this article.

June 2007 Newsletter

The summer is starting, and with it a bit more of the wide world creeps into our lives. As promised last month, we have some pointers on writing a killer resume. We also have a couple more polls relating to the upcoming presidential elections.

Bon chance,

Professor Cram

Seven Keys to Writing a Better Resume

Job hunting can be a stressful time, but a powerful resume can make your hunt quite a bit easier. Typically, a hiring manager will read your resume for a few seconds, so you don't have long to impress them. A good resume can be the difference between being called for an interview and not being called at all.

Here are some keys to transforming your resume into an effective job hunting tool:
Read more

Important Issue in the Presidential Race

The presidential debates have raised many issues, both real and manufactured, that will help define the candidacy of those who hope to capture the White House in 2008, and it is our duty to make sure they stay focused on what's important to us. So what are the defining issues of this race?
Most Important Issue!
Least Important Issue!

Friends of Professor Cram: TECHFortWorth.org

The TECH Fort Worth business incubator and technology incubator has been of tremendous assistance in our efforts to provide learning materials to college students.

For small business owners looking for a business incubator to help them take the next step, or entrepreneurs thinking about starting their own business, TECH Fort Worth technology incubator can help.

New update on presidential poll

Apparently the Ron Paul supporters are out in force, giving Dr. Paul a share of the lead along with Mayor Giuliani.

It will be interesting to see if Fred Thomson's decision will impact the rankings.

Vote here for your choice of Democrats and the Republicans.

College-Cram.com April 2007 Newsletter

I was all set to write some pithy commentary about this year's US Income Tax Day being a reminder that responsibility is upon us, and then I heard about Virginia Tech. It's odd how life has a way of putting things in sudden and sharp perspective...

Actually, I guess the message hasn't changed. Responsibility is upon us -- not just financial, but social and moral as well. We need to be aware of other people's feelings, true, but we also need to be aware of our own surroundings. It's a responsibility to ourselves as well as those around us that will prepare us best for whatever life throws in our direction.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, and those others affected by this senseless act -- students, teachers, and community alike.

Carpe diem,
Professor Cram

Depreciation in Accounting

Depreciation is a key topic for any accounting or business student to master. Let us walk you through the concepts with this tutorial.
Read more

Equation of a Straight Line

The Linear equation, or equation of a straight line, is a concept that has kicked the butt of algebra students for years. Let us set you straight with this tutorial.
Read more

Adult Swim

OK, things can't all be seriousness and responsibility. How about voting for your best and worst Adult Swim show?
Best Adult Swim show

Worst Adult Swim show

Taxes on Buyers and Sellers

Governments use taxes as an imposed financial charge or levy upon an individual or legal entity to raise revenue for public-purposes. So what the heck does that mean?
Read more

Soa-Cah-Toa

Trigonometry students need to memorize many angle function formulas for their finals. This tutorial will help you remember!
Read more

Interest Rates

Interest rates are way too confusing, whether it's the Rule of 78 or figuring out your Average Daily Balance.

Let www.College-Cram.com help you understand how this stuff works. Your finances will thank you!

P.S. As an added bonus, check out this tutorial on Balancing Your Checkbook.

Cash Discounts, Trade Discounts, and Allowances

Discounts and Allowances are reductions to the selling price of goods or services. They can be applied anywhere in the distribution channel between the manufacturer, middlemen (such as distributors, wholesalers, or retailers), and retail customer. Typically, they are used to promote sales, reduce inventory, and reward or encourage behaviors that benefit the issuer of the discount or allowance.

Read about cash discounts, trade discounts, partial payment discounts, quantity discounts, and trade allowances in this Discounts and Allowances tutorial.

March 2007 College-Cram Newsletter

Spring break, NCAA tourney time, grapefruit league action... This is the time of the year when we all could use a good mental recharge. The semester's far from over, though, so unfortunately we now have to get back to work.

Still, we have a few quickie diversions for you to help you ease back into things.

I got mine, I hope you got yours too,
Professor Cram

NCAA Tournament Picks

The brackets are filled out, and the games are undeway. So who do you think will take the men's finals?
Vote here!

Presidential Candidates

Apparently, the primary season started early this year. So who do you think will make the best Republican and Democratic presidential candidates for 2008?
Vote Democratic here!
Vote Republican here!

About the US Federal Government

I can understand non-US citizens 'not getting' the government structure in the US. Some of us living with it don't get it. This overview should shed some light on the intent, organization, and checks and balances of the US Federal Government.
Read more

Don't Just Listen To Us!

Students all over the world are sounding off on Professor Cram...
Read more

Ask Professor Cram: T-Accounts

Dear Professor Cram:
HI, i have a test..TOMORROW MORNING.. and need big time help on Accounting using 'T' Accounts... is there any way you could help me out and explain to me the basics...?
Brittany, Saskatchewan

Thanks for the question, Brittany. 'T' accounts are a representation of the ledgers for each account in the chart of accounts, with debits on the left and credits on the right. Usually when you are working assignments with 'T' accounts, you are at the posting from the journal to the ledgers step in the accounting cycle.
Read more

Accounting Cycle

The Accounting Cycle is a series of steps which are repeated every reporting period. The process starts with making accounting entries for each transaction and goes through closing the books.

Visit College-Cram.com to read more about the Accounting Cycle, including tutorials on these concepts:

• Balancing an Unbalanced Trial Balance
  
• Preparing a Trial Balance
• General Ledger Accounting
• Financial Statements – Overview
• Debits and Credits
• Chart of Accounts
• Adjusting Entries in Accounting
• Accounting Cycle Overview
  
• My Accounting Cycle: Flash Cards
• Accounting Cycle Quiz

These tutorials should help you master basic accounting, and help you succeed in school or your job.

Presidential choices for college students

Here is your opportunity to stand up and be counted. Just pick your favorite candidate from the Democrats and the Republicans.

See what other college students are thinking too!

And justice for all,
Professor Cram

New College-Cram.com newsletter is out

Valentine's Day is a time of love... So who really loves their schoolwork? Who loves to do homework, or take tests, or sweat through term papers and class presentations? I'm guessing far fewer of us than our instructors would like to believe.

Still, I'd be willing to bet that many of us really do love to learn, probably more than you might think. These are the folks that stay after class, ask question upon question, and throw off the grading curves. To them, I offer congratulations on a noble quest for knowledge.

For everyone else, we're here for you.

Once more in the name of love,
Professor Cram

Best Ways to Cheat in College

As both a student and professor, I have seen the variety of ways students have tried to cheat their way through college. Which ones work the best, and which aren't worth your time? Let's take a look below...
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What Was Your Most Expensive Textbook?

We all know that college textbooks are way too expensive, and that college textbook publishers are to blame. So which publisher is the worst offender? Let's find out...
Read more

The Accounting Cycle

Every accounting student, whether they are an accounting major or not, struggles with the basics of debits, credits, and the whole accounting process. This tutorial lays out the series of steps that make up the accounting cycle, and for a number of you will mean the difference between passing and failing accounting.
Read more

Ask Professor Cram: Debits and Credits

Dear Professor Cram:
I'm having trouble with journal entries. I keep getting confused by whether the debits and credits are increasing or decreasing the accounts. Why is this so confusing?
John W., NY
Thank you for your interest in College-Cram.com and thanks for your question. Your question about debits and credits is not unusual. A lot of people are confused by these terms. What you need to remember is the accounting secret:
Read more

Ask Professor Cram: Markup to a Retailer

Dear Professor Cram:
Could you tell me what the standard markup for an apparel manufacturer to a retailer is and the formula used? Thanks!
Karen B, Hotmail
Thank you for your interest in College-Cram.com and thanks for your question. You may want to check out our Smartacus Study Sheet on markup and markdown to review our two Cramlets that cover markup (one calculating markup from price, the other from cost).
Read more

Friends of Professor Cram: AdSpecialtyItem.com

Ad Specialty Item for the 21st Century

Remember when we were kids, and mom would get those hokey refrigerator magnets from local businesses like the insurance agent or real estate broker? Those businesses used those magnets for one simple reason -- the magnet sat on the refrigerator which sat right next to the kitchen phone, so a business could be sure their message would be visible whenever you made a phone call.

Guess what? Everybody has a cell phone now, and they aren't using it anywhere near the refrigerator. So how can businesses get their message out to consumers whenever they reach for their phones? With egrips® appliqués, that's how!

Here in the 21st century, egrips® appliqués are the most effective ad specialty item a business can own. Period. How often do you reach for your cell phone? That's how often your message can reach your customers. How often do you see someone else talking on their cell phone? That's how often your logo get reach the people around them. I can't believe there are still business people out there who don't know about this ad specialty item!

Find out more about making egrips appliqués your own ad specialty item.