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College students should outline. There, I said it. I know this isn’t a popular idea, believe me. The problem is that elementary and secondary teachers, bless their souls, have ruined this useful tool by forcing beginning writers to adhere to a formal outline structure that stifles creativity and ultimately negates the benefits of outlining.
Outlines are really just a way to organize our thoughts before we start trying to communicate on paper. It’s a way to get all of our ideas about a topic out of our head and onto paper. It’s a way to organize our thoughts so that we can maneuver them into a meaningful message to our reader. They are something that no one except the writer needs to “approve”…if it works for you, it is “correct.”
Outlines are not meant to be an exact blueprint for your essay. Outlines, like essays, should be living documents that change as your ideas on the topic develop and morph. This development and metamorphosis should not be seen as “failure,” but as a mature way of understanding how writing works. Writing isn’t a linear process, so then, how can outlining be? If the formal outline makes you cringe, consider using one or more of these ideas to formulate a style of outlining that will work for you.
Mind-mapping
Mind-mapping is no longer for 4^th-graders! Mind-mapping is a legit way to allow your creativity to flow while putting order to it all so that you can coherently communicate your ideas.I think more students would benefit from using this type of an organizational tool. It helps you see relationships between ideas/points/facts. It also helps you visualize which points are major and which are minor ones. In fact, there are now several free mind-mapping sites available to anyone with Internet access.
Informal Outlining
Who says you have to use Roman numerals to create a meaningful outline? Not me! I can do it on a napkin at my local café or on a Word doc using bullet points. This style of outlining includes writing sentences or phrases that encapsulate each point you wish to make about the topic and then listing supporting points under each. From there you can move the points around until you organize the essay in the way that will be most beneficial to your reader.
Zero Drafting
Sometimes you have so many seemingly-random ideas in your head revolving around your writing topic that you can’t even begin to put it all in any type of an order. That is when the zero draft can help! This type of draft, just like any outlining/prewriting, is for your eyes only. It’s not even a 1^st draft and no one else will ever know it existed, so there is no pressure. It can be imagined as rumination regurgitation. Everything you have thought about on the topic is just written down in no particular order. Then it is all there for you to go through later to decide what points are related to other ones and how they flow together. Color-coding is helpful in turning the zero draft into organized chaos.
Color-coding
You shouldn’t confuse this with the handouts you colored in kindergarten! Color-coding is a genuine way of organizing your thoughts into different categories so that you can create a plan for communicating your ideas. Use highlighters, colored pencils, crayons, gel pens, whatever. Allow your left and right brains to work together by incorporating this strategy in your outlining efforts.

Jacqueline Myers has been guiding college students through the murky waters of writing and research for many years. And she can be your personal English instructor if you visit her on her blog Nitty-Gritty English: The complete site for tips, tricks and techniques for the UN-enthusiastic English student. Jacqueline is a proud member of the AEGC writing staff.

I teach basic Freshman English at the college level, and every semester I have at least one student who complains, asking why he or she should have to take two semesters of English if it’s not his or her major. My answer is always the same – English isn’t the only major that requires you to write.

Even if you’re majoring in Mathematics, Engineering or the Sciences, you will still be required to write papers at some point – for conferences, exams, experiment proposals, job proposals, etc. Learning the proper way to write a term paper will go a long ways toward helping you sound competent in other writings. And while each type of writing and the different majors have their own specifics, there are some basic tips that can be used for almost any paper:

• Tip #1 – START EARLY! Yes, I realize that’s in all caps and yes, do please take it as me yelling at you. I’ve heard it all before – “I work best under pressure,” or “I have it all planned in my head, so writing it won’t be a problem.” Do you know the kind of papers I get from that? They’re not A-papers. Sometimes, they’re doing good to be C-papers. Start working on papers early. Spend time developing your argument and making sure it fits within the parameters of the assignment. Read any material or assignment sheets the professor has given you about the assignment to make sure you’ve planned for all the requirements – sources, citation style, length, topic, etc.

• T ip #2 – Outlines and Drafts – do them. You don’t have to do the traditional outline with Roman numerals and little letters, nor do you have to write a draft in correct order, but I advise you to get into the habit of doing some form of written pre-planning and draft work. Write the body of the essay first and then worry about the introduction and conclusion. Write the conclusion (what you want people to take away from the essay) and then work on the body to be sure you get there. Work on it in any order you want, but give yourself time to have a draft ready before the final version is due so that you can edit it.

• Tip #3 – Thesis – you should have one. This is the place where you identify your argument, the stance you’re taking in the paper. The basic five-paragraph essay we’re all taught in high school tells us that the thesis should be a single sentence at the end of the introduction paragraph. That’s not necessarily true once you get to college. You’re writing about more complex topics, so it stands to reason your thesis will be more complex. It may take more than one paragraph to introduce the topic. You may need more than one sentence to identify and outline your argument. A good way to start forming a thesis is to take the main question or topic assignment of the essay and reword it into a sentence. This way, you’re guaranteed that the essay will at least be addressing the assignment. Once you have this basic thesis in place, you can work to make it more specific or sophisticated to match the direction of your essay.

• Tip #4 – Introduction, Body, Conclusion, the Whole Shebang – One of the most common mistakes Freshmen writers make is to look at the minimum required limit, reach it and then stop. One of the reasons we require minimum lengths, either in words or pages, is because professors have learned that just saying “write until you’ve answered the assignment” will almost always get us at least one student who, either out of arrogance or obnoxiousness, will write a paragraph and feel they have handled the assignment. But just because you’ve reached the bottom of the fourth page (a free tip, if the assignment says at least 4pgs, that doesn’t mean three full pages and a paragraph on page 4 – go to the bottom of the page), as required, does not mean you’re done. You need to introduce the topic, discuss it, and then include a conclusion. You need to fully deal with the assignment. The introduction is the first few paragraphs where you outline and introduce the topic. The body is where you handle the discussion – examples, research, opinions, arguments. The conclusion isn’t a two line paragraph that you wrote when you realized you were at the base limit. It’s where you wrap up the argument. If you leave out any of these, your essay will feel as if it’s missing something.
  

• Tip #5 – Edit/Proofread. Most colleges will have some form of Writing Center or tutoring available for free to enrolled students. Usually, these will be manned by graduate students from the English department – make use of them. Take a draft of your work (or even go see them to help you get started with brainstorming or an outline) and let them look at it with you. Even if you don’t want to go see a tutor (or perhaps can’t because they’re not available), make an effort to proofread on your own. Give the essay to someone you trust to read and see if they get the point you’re trying to make. When we read our own work, we automatically fill in gaps or holes in the logic because we know what we’re trying to say or we know they’ll be addressed later – an outsider won’t have that knowledge and will only be able to tell you what they read, not what you intended to be on the page. Look for basic grammar errors – the little red or green squiggly lines in a word processing program help you identify those. Read the essay out loud – it’s easier to fix grammatical errors when we read silently, but when we read out loud, we’ll stumble over errors. Obvious grammatical or spelling errors (or even format errors such as spacing and margins) automatically set your essay off on a bad note. It tells your professor that you don’t care enough about the assignment to take care of the little things. If that’s the case, why should your professor care enough about the assignment to take the time to grade it?

The author, Ms. Laura Holder, currently teaches at a medium-sized state university, where she is a candidate for a PhD in English.

Ah, spring is in the air! And you know what that means…it’s time to start thinking about getting a summer job to pay for next year’s college tuition. But summer is also a great time to build your skills and your resume in your chosen field of study. If you would like to do more than stash cash by taking on a summer job that will make you more marketable when you graduate, one of these options may be perfect for you.
Work for the government Regardless of your political affiliations, local, state and federal governments are always on the lookout for up-and-comers to groom. If you are interested in learning more about how government agencies really work or if you think you may want to work for a government entity after obtaining your degree, you may want to take this opportunity. Don’t want to wear a suit, but be out in nature instead? Don’t overlook the available summer jobs at the National Park Services.
Be a freelance writer Communication skills are greatly coveted by every company and in every industry. If you enjoy writing, freelance writing is a great way to build skills, make money and demonstrate your abilities to future employers, even if your major has nothing to do with writing; you don’t have to be an English major to do this job. There are many trustworthy online sites that you can search to locate real writing jobs on any topic imaginable. Another bonus is that this is a job that you can continue during the school year, since you get to control when and how often you work.
Sell your stuff If you are able to put sentimentality aside, you may find that selling your stuff could pad your bank account and give you more free time this summer. Even if you don’t have vintage or collectable items sitting around collecting dust, you could spend some time shopping flea markets, garage sales and thrift stores, pick up items for cheap and then resell them online. If are a keen wheeler-dealer with an eye for what people are obsessed with this season, you may find this is the job for you. It shows future employers that you take initiative and think outside-the-box, plus you get the cash.You could also continue doing this job during the school year since you could work when you had the time.
Be an upstart More and more college students are becoming entrepreneurs, and it has never been easier to do. If you have a computer and the Internet, you have the makings to build a business that you can sustain during the school year. Many online businesses offer passive income possibilities that would be great for a busy college student. Online businesses are usually inexpensive to start and maintain, so even if you have a depleted bank balance at the end of the school year, you could still quite possibly become an entrepreneur by fall semester. Expect to work hard, but who knows where it could lead?
Try temp agencies There are many types of temp agencies out there, and depending on your skills, interests and career goals you may be able to make money and build your resume at the same time by working for one. Or, maybe your only summer goal is to make as much money as possible. Temp agencies can be a good alternative. You can make higher than minimum wage, especially if you don’t mind working with your hands. Another plus is that if you do good work, the agency will be happy to have you back over longer school breaks…you could have a built-in job ready for you whenever you are available.

Volunteer Think you may want to work in a particular field, but aren’t sure? Before you declare your major or get too far into your studies, take the opportunity of time off in the summer to volunteer in the industry. For example, if you are considering nursing or medical school, find a local hospital where you can volunteer in a capacity that allows you to really see the inner workings of hospital life. You may not make money at it, but how much money could it potentially save you if you find out that you aren’t suited for the field?

Management Sciences for Health-MSH saves lives and improves health, especially among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Our mission is to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

Job Title: Technical Advisor-Knowledge Management and Learning-KML

Location
Abuja

Job Field
Medical, Health, Safety

Overall Responsibilities
The Technical Advisor-Knowledge Management and Learning-KML position leads the implementation of a comprehensive technical communication and knowledge management KM strategy in collaboration with the project leadership, country office and field based teams.He or she will support efforts to increase the visibility of the USAID funded ProACT project implemented by MSH and will work closely with the Program Assistant-Training to lead the documentation and dissemination of ProACT project innovations and results.

Specific Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and support the implementation of a comprehensive knowledge management and technical innovation strategy in partnership with country and field office teams.
• Institute a system for identifying and articulating emerging technical innovations and best practices within the ProACT project
• Oversee and contribute to the development of knowledge products including best practices, abstracts, technical publications or reports, learning briefs, nuggets, case studies, and success stories..
• Provide overall quality control and technical assistance for writing, editing, and packaging of knowledge products as well as ensure compliance with project branding guidelines and USAID requirements
• Manage and support project related knowledge sharing efforts including technical fairs, presentations, events, online discussion forums such as HIV TEN, and communities of practice CoP
• Support the development of an end-of-project dissemination plan and manage the implementation of this plan to highlight and detail project learning and results
• Provide support to technical advisors and field based teams to distill, package and disseminate program highlights and learnings and make them available to MSH, USAID, state and national audiences
• Support the development, review and finalization of quarterly and annual reports, documentation related to close-out and other donor deliverables as requested
• Foster knowledge sharing and learning among country and field office teams through the hosting of brown bag events at country and field offices.
• Provide oversight and supervise consultants hired to provide technical support or editorial services as maybe necessary.
• Supervision: Works independently with authority from the Deputy Project Director, within strategy and policy guidelines.
• Decision Making: Makes decisions with regards to work responsibilities and is accountable for them.
• Responsibility over data or information: Has access to information within project, and is responsible for documenting technical communication and innovation initiatives.

• M.B.B.S with a master's degree in Public Health with at least 2 years’ experience working in USG funded HIV programs.
• Strong writing, editing, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated technical communication skills and the ability to work as part of ateam with highly skilled technical staff.
• Understanding of and experience applying technical communications and knowledge management and communication concepts, tools, and approaches
• Comprehensive understanding of international development issues, HIV implementation and community-based health care initiatives, including program design, implementation and evaluation is desirable.
• Experience working with USAID and other international development organizations, particularly in the context of KM and communications program is desirable.
• Applied knowledge & skills: demonstrated experience with abstract writing and presentation at international/regional conferences and demonstrated evidence of publications in peer reviewed journals
• Outstanding interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving skills and ability to work across diverse and multi-cultural teams

• Learning and knowledge sharing: open to new ideas; shares own knowledge; applies knowledge in daily work; builds partnerships for learning and knowledge sharing
• Communications: Ability to communicate with all levels of management and staff. establishing straightforward, productive relationships; showing great drive and commitment to the organization’s mission; inspires others: Maintaining high standards of personal integrity;
• Teamwork: Collaborates with others in own unit and across units; acknowledges others' contributions; works effectively with individuals across units; willing to seek help as needed. Promoting collaboration and facilitating teamwork across projects and organization wide.

Essay questions are the story problems of exams…very few people like them, but there is no
way to avoid them. Many professors add essay questions to exams that include a mixture of types of questions, while midterm and final exams often come with a Blue Book to be filled by students with profound thoughts. But even if you are one of the many who detests essay exams, these tips will help you successfully complete them with confidence.

Take a good look

Before you start, look at each of the sections of the exam. Many professors will tell students ahead of time what types of questions to expect, but skimming through to get an idea of the number of each type and the topics covered can alleviate stress and help you better plan your time.

Gauge your time
Once you have looked at the whole exam you will have a better idea of how much time you will have to devote to each section or prompt. Many students don’t do well on essay exams because they run out of time to complete each question. By estimating how long you have to work on each individual essay question, you will be better able to keep track of time and finish each one.

NOTE: Take a watch with you to sit on the desk so that you can see the time. Even if your classroom has a clock, having a watch right in front of you will remind you to budget your time. Don’t use your cell phone for this. The examiner might see you messing with your phone and think you are cheating.

Jot down notes
When you read an essay prompt, write down a few quick key words and phrases that will help you remember points that you want to mention. When another question on the exam jolts your memory about something else you could include in one of your essay answers, take the time to add those ideas to your notes too. This will ensure that you don’t forget an important point.

Re-read the directions
By this time in your educational career, you may think you have seen it all, and therefore, don’t need to read the instructions. Wrong answer! Before you begin writing, read and then reread the directions so that you give the instructor exactly what they are asking for. By carefully reading the directions you are less likely to misinterpret a question. For example, you want to avoid comparing when you really should contrast. You may also be pleasantly surprised to find that you only need to choose one of the prompts listed instead of answering all of them.

Be specific
Since professors create essay questions to make sure that students understand the course material well enough to explain the concepts in their own words, they are looking for specifics in these types of answers. Providing examples, illustrations and details from the reading and lectures will show the instructor that you were engaged in the class.

Jacqueline Myers has been guiding college students through the murky waters of writing and research for many years. And she can be your personal English instructor if you visit her on her blog Nitty-Gritty English: The complete site for tips, tricks and techniques for the UN-enthusiastic English student. Jacqueline is a proud member of the AEGC writing staff.

With information constantly at our fingertips with the invention of the World Wide Web, students entering college often have misperceptions about what constitutes plagiarism. Along with the Internet, things like social media and file sharing confuses the is

sue also. Generation Y has grown up sharing everything that they can grab off of a website or someone’s profile.

I’m not saying that the Internet is evil, because I couldn’t do what I do for a living without it. But, it has confused an already disliked part of research in the academic arena. Now, I’m not talking about intentional plagiarism here. We all know that there are tons of sites where research papers on any topic can be purchased or even downloaded for free. If you go out and buy a paper, you know you are doing something wrong. What I’m talking about is accidental plagiarism. And that’s what I am here to clarify so that you don’t get off on the wrong foot on the path to a college degree.
This list is not meant to be exclusive, so it is absolutely necessary to review your university’s definition of plagiarism and their code of conduct for academic honesty, as well as each individual course’s syllabus for the prof’s plagiarism policies. But the information here does come from years of teaching college English courses where semester after semester I receive papers that are plagiarize “accidently.”
Document graphics
It’s common to see all kinds of “shared” pictures, memes, images and graphics on social site and personal websites nowadays, and students often don’t realize that even though no words might be included along with the graphic, these are still someone’s creative or intellectual property. Because of that, when you use graphs or other images in college papers or projects, those too need to be correctly documented to give credit to the individuals or company that created the work.
Avoid Cyber-Plagiarism
Because the Internet is such a common form of research, students are often confused about what they can legally do with material they find from an online source. Students tend to see online source material as free and public information that they do not need to document. But copying and pasting material from an online source without correctly documenting it is cyber-plagiarism.
Remember that the definition of plagiarism is to “borrow” words, ideas or creative material that someone else created without giving credit to that person/entity. So make sure to always site the online sources where you find information you use…just like you would for material from a hardcopy source, such as a book or scholarly journal.
Cite paraphrasing and summaries
This is often an overlooked necessity. Students think that if they change the words in the borrowed material then they no longer have to give credit to the author. But the ideas still belong to the person who created them or dreamed them up. So even if you paraphrase or summarize information from a source, you still must document it the same way as you would a direct quotation (without the quotation marks).
Use the documentation style required
It may seem obvious, but it is common for professors to get submissions from students who ignore the style required for that class. Just because you may be accustomed to using APA, doesn’t mean you get to choose to always use it. All disciplines use different styles. If you are a chemistry major who takes a history class for an elective, guess what? You aren’t going to use the same documentation style as the one you are familiar with. If you need help finding a quality source to guide you through this new style, talk to your professor.
Document both in-text and on the bibliography page
Sometimes in high school, students are made only to include citations either in-text or on a bibliography page. This makes life easier for teachers and students, but sends the wrong message in the long run. Unless otherwise stated by your professor, all material must be documented both in-text and on a bibliography page. The way these two types of documentation are formatted and the exact information required might change, but including both is standard no matter what documentation style is required for the class.
Understand “common knowledge”
Today’s typical college student has grown up using the Internet, and so they often believe that all of this “free” information that is flying around through cyberspace is considered “common knowledge.” But that isn’t the case. Just because it is freely given doesn’t make it common knowledge. Common knowledge is usually defined as well-known information and facts widely available in a variety of standard reference books.Common knowledge can be confusing, especially if you aren’t terribly familiar with the material in the disciple you are studying. If you are unsure if information you want to use in your paper is considered common knowledge or not, ask your professor or do what comes next on the list.
Final Thoughts Every semester I get a student who wants to quibble about whether a particular source must be sited or if it is common knowledge, etc. You know the type…there is one in every class. My thought is that in the time they waste arguing their point with me (who ultimately has the final say) they could have already created their citation entries needed for that source! So, here is my final recommendation to avoid unintentional plagiarism:
Cite it—
Even if you aren’t sure you need to. Seriously, how long is it going to take to build the correct citations for a source? Now consider how long you have spent researching and writing this paper. Do you really want to risk failing the paper or the entire class (depending on your university’s policy) because you didn’t want to cite something you thought was probably common knowledge? I can guarantee that you won’t lose points for adding in an extra citation when it really wasn’t necessary, but you will if you needed a citation and you didn’t include one!

Jacqueline Myers has been guiding college students through the murky waters of writing and research for many years. And she can be your personal English instructor if you visit her on her blog Nitty-Gritty English: The complete site for tips, tricks and techniques for the UN-enthusiastic English student. Jacqueline is a proud member of the AEGC writing staff.

International Medical Corps (IMC) is a global humanitarian non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and medical relief programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary,
non-political, non-sectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in undeserved communities worldwide, IMC started operations in USA with a focus on building the capacity of local health system and communities and ensure the provision of quality, accessible health and nutrition care for children under five years.
We are recruiting to fill the following vacant positions below:

Job Tittle; Procurement Assistant

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; NCE OND BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 1 year

Location; Borno

Job Field; Procurement / Store-Keeping

Summary
The candidate will be based in Maiduguri and will provide all necessary Logistics and Procurement assistance to project by supporting the Logistics Officer in the delivery of Logistics and Operations objectives of lMC in USA.

Background and Experience

• HND, OND, NCE in Business Administration or related field
• 1 -3 years' work experience
• Preferably NGO experience
• Fluency in English and Hausa
• Willingness to work in hardship area
• Team Player and ability to work with people of multicultural and diverse interests

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Location; Borno

Job Field; Finance / Accounting / Audit

Summary
The Cashier is to assist the Finance and Admin Officer and Finance Admin Director in ensuring that financial records comply with donor regulations and IMC policies and procedures by accurately processing and reviewing journal entries and vouchers, proper management and control are maintained for all cash transactions and providing support to achieve all Finance Department and audit requirements.

Background and Experience

• B.Sc/HND in Accounting or related fields
• Demonstrated capacity and willingness to learn and further an accounting career.
• Subscribe to high moral code of ethic.
• Fluency in English and Hausa.
• Willingness to work in hardship areas.
• Team player and ability to work with people of multicultural and diverse interests.

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 2 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Administration / Secretarial Finance / Accounting / Audit

Summary
Finance and Admin Officer provides day-to-day financial and administrative support on one or more pmgramslgranis, including the processing transactions, adhere to donor regulations and IMC policies and procedures, reporting, and assisting in financial analysis. Finance and Admin Officer reports directly to Finance arid Admin Director

Background and Experience

• Minimum 2 years of relevant financial and admin experience in a non-profit organizations
• Extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems.
• Experience in working with a large national staff team
• Must be able to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal technical support from within the organization
• Knowledge of varied donor financial regulations is advantage.
• Experience in managing procurement and logistical procedures and policies
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills
• Can function effectively in a loosely structured work environment and to set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with numerous simultaneous requirements
• ICAN or any other related professional Certificate.
• Ability to speak in clear English and Hausa language is an additional advantage

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 2 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Logistics

Summary
The Logistics Officer will be responsible to, and accountable for assisting with the delivery of all logistics related activities in accordance with International Medical Corps Logistics policies and procedures.

Background and Experience

• Evidence of practical experience in logistics within the field of supply chain management (basic procurement, clearance of cargo, transport, warehousing, asset management, etc.)
• 2-3 years' experience in humanitarian emergency logistics experience with an International organization V Provide some record of experience of donor specific procedures, where possible.
• Certification in Humanitarian Logistics, B.A in Business Admin, Supply Chain Management or any other relevant field.
• Show some experience of the provision of support to supervisors for the management of budgets and the ability to provide input to timely, complete and accurate reporting.
• It is desirable to show some training skills to build national staff capacity, in the areas of supply chain management.
• Problem-solving skills, with an analytical approach.
• Ability to integrate and work well within multie-thnic and multicultural teams.
• Ability to work in harsh conditions,often in remote areas.
• Negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills.
• Valid driving license.
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel (minimum requirement)
• Ability to speak English and Hausa

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 5 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Logistics

Summary
The Logistics Manager will be responsible for the management and delivery of all Logistics related activities, in accordance with International Medical Corps Logistics policies and procedures.
Fundamental to this role is the ability to manage and motivate assigned logistics team and engage with other mission or response staff, external contractors and organizations therefore you are required to have the skills to communicate dearly verbally and in writing, plan for and deliver quality presentations and training, and produce timely written reports.

Background and Experience

• 5 years practical experience in logistics within the field of supply chain management (procurement, tendering, contracting, clearance, transport, warehousing, asset management, etc.)
• Evidence of management of logistics systems.
• 3-4 field deployments; 2 to 3 humanitarian emergency deployments and 3 to 4 international deployments; minimum 6 weeks in length desirable but not mandatory.
• 3-4 years logistics humanitarian emergency logistics management with an International organization ( INGO, UN agency, etc... )
• Ability to plan for, and conduct training in all areas of logistics for national and international staff (suitable to staff knowledge level).
• Some record of experience with donor specific procedures.
• Certification in Humanitarian Logistics, Masters in Business Admin or any related field
• Experience of the provision of support to the management of budgets and the ability to provide input to the timely, complete and accurate reports.
• The commitment and some demonstrated training skills to build national staff capacity, in the areas of supply chain management.
• Good organizational and problem-solving skills, with an analytical approach
• Good interpersonal, management and leadership skills Evidence of ability to work in a participatory manner with staff to assess needs, implement and monitor activities
• Ability to integrate and work well within multie-thnic and multicultural teams
• Ability to work in harsh conditions, often in remote areas.
• Negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills
• Valid driving license
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel (minimum requirement)
• Ability to speak fluently Hausa and knowledge of any other local language is strong advantage.
• Must be able to travel.
• Must be able to work in hardship environments.

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; OND BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 1 year

Location; Borno

Job Field; Engineering / Technical

Summary
Under the supervision of the Wash officer, he/she will primarily be responsible for supervision of rehabilitation and construction of Water and Sanitation works in the field.
He/she manages the day-to-day water and sanitation activities, in collaboration with hygiene promotion assistants working in a signed location in Maiduguri.

Background and Experience

• Diploma in Civil Engineering with a minimum of 2 years experience
• Degree with 1 year relevant work experience
• Must be well knowledgeable in Water and Sanitation implementation
• Must be fluent in English and Hausa language
• Experience and skills in supervising contractual work is an added advantage.

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; OND BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 1 year

Location; Borno

Job Field; Medical / Health / Safety

Summary
Under the supervision of the hygiene promotion officer, he/she will primarily be responsible for Hygiene Promotion activities in the community.
He(she manages the day-today Hygiene Promotion activities, with a group of hygiene promotion volunteers working in a signed location in Maiduguri.

Background and Experience

• Diploma in Public Health with 2 years experience
• Degree in Public health with 1 year experience
• Candidate should be experienced and conversant in Hygiene promotion at field
• Fluent in Hausa and English Language.
• Experience & skills in community mobilization is an added advantage

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; Secondary School (SSCE)

Experience; 2 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Medical / Health / Safety

Summary
Under the supervision of Team Leader, the Hygiene Promotion Officer will be responsible to plan, implement and participate in hygiene campaigns, to participate in the implementation of house to house Hygiene promotion, and to prepare written material for the field, elaborate clear and adapted messages for beneficiaries in the assigned area of responsibility.

Background and Experience

• Strong communication skills, used to speaking in public and work with people from different backgrounds.
• Experience in hygiene promotion, work with local communities, children and vulnerable people.
• Experience in community mobilization and participation
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office), Fluent English language (written, reading and writing), knowledge of Hausa will be a strong advantage
• 2 to 3 years of experience working with an NGO.

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 3 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Engineering / Technical

Summary
The WASH Officer will be responsible for designing, planning and providing Technical guidance in the implementation of the WASH activities in Maidugun, Borno State.
He/She will closely work with partners, lDPs and all stakeholders to ensure efficient delivery of safe WASH services in the assigned area.

Background and Experience

• Strong technical back ground in assessing the water supply systems.
• Technical knowledge on water quality control and management
• Experience in dealing with local contractors, Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel and power point),
• Excellent report writing, communication and analytical skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
• Technical design skills using AutCAD or ArchCAD, and WaterCAD or any other hydraulic modeling software
• 3 years' experience in Water, Hygiene and Sanitation with an NGO

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 2 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Administration / Secretarial NGO/Non-Profit

Summary
In close collaboration with the GBV Program Manager and GBV Program Officer, the GBV Deputy Program Officer will lead the design and delivery of targeted trainings for IMC staff; local partners and community members based on assessment of gaps and needs within the teams.
The GBV Deputy Program Officer will also lead the assessment and development of targeted capacity building plans for a community-based organization (CBO). partner in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He/She would be working closely with GBV Focal Point/Team Leader, Community Mobilizers, community Outreach Workers, GBV Program Manager and reporting to the Program Officer

Background and Experience

• Bachelor of Arts or Science in Social Science, Social Work, Business, Public Health. Gender Studies, or other related field
• 2-3 years professional experience in social services sector; experience working with international non- government organizations in sectors focusing on gender, women's empowerment, and/or violence prevention
• Minimum 1-2 years program management level experience and/or professional experience
• Strong understanding of gender, human rights, and issues surrounding violence against women and girls
• Demonstrated experience in developing and facilitating trainings and workshops tailored for individuals from a variety of professional and educational backgrounds; understanding of appropriate evaluation approaches, metrics, and tools to determine the effectiveness of the training in meeting target objectives essential
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, and email
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated experience in resources/needs assessment design and facilitation, and/or development coaching for middle management and field level staff are strongly preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of project management and monitoring and evaluation tools; experience building capacity of local organization in technical and organizational development areas strongly preferred
• Experience in working in partnership with or as part of a network of local organizations, preferably women's rights organizations

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 3 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Administration / Secretarial NGO/Non-Profit

Summary
Under the technical supervision of the GBV Program Manager and day to day supervision of the Maiduguri team leader, the GBV program Officer will lead on direct GBV program implementation in close coordination with the local implementing partner and community volunteers.
The program Officer will directly liaise with the support services in Maiduguri (Finance/logistics) to ensure GBV program supplies are delivered in a timely manner to meet beneficiary needs.
The program officer will also line- manage the deputy program Officer, also based in Maiduguri.
The Program Officer is also expected to lead on coordination with relevant key actors in Maiduguri including INGO, ministry of health, and other community based organizations involved in GBV/human rights work within his/her area of responsibility.

Background and Experience

• Bachelor of Arts or Science in Social Science, Social Work, Business, Public Health, Gender Studies, or other related field
• 3-5 years professional experience in social services sector experience working with international non- government organizations in sectors focusing on gender, women's empowerment, and/or violence prevention
• Minimum 1-2 years program management level experience and/or professional experience
• Demonstrated experience in partnerships coordination and management of local sub granted organizations
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building for local organizations
• Strong understanding of gender, human rights, and issues surrounding violence against women arid girls
• Demonstrated experience in developing and facilitating trainings and workshops tailored for individuals from a variety of professional and educational backgrounds; understanding of appropriate evaluation approaches, metrics, and tools to determine the effectiveness of the training in meeting target objectives essential
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, and email
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND MBA/MSc/MA

Experience; 2 years

Location; Borno

Job Field; Administration / Secretarial NGO/Non-Profit

Summary
The GBV Program Manager will lead the recruitment and training of a new GBV staff Provide technical support to GBV staff and lead close coordination with a community- based organization (CBO) partner to ensure program quality and the achievement of program targets.
The Manager reports to the Emergency Program Coordinator works closely with GBV Technical advisor CBO Partner and supervises the Deputy Program Officer and the Program Officer.

Background and Experience
Bachelor of Arts and M.Sc in Social Science, Public Health, Human Rights or other related field
2-3 years professional management experience in community-based Protection or GBV programming, preferably in an emergency context
At least one year of experience supervising a large team providing direct services and/or working at the community level.
Clear understanding of gender, human rights, and issues surrounding violence against women and girls.
Demonstrated experience facilitating trainings and workshops on Gender/GBV issues
Familiarity with M&E system design and implementation.
Experience writing reports for donors, governments, and the general public.
Excellent drafting and oral communication skills in English.
Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting.
Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
Fluency in English and Hausa.
Excellent computer skills including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Familiarity with program design, including log frames, budgeting and grants/report-writing.
Successful advocacy experience and strong presentation skills.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications and CV's with 3 referees that include current or former employers to: asalawe@internationalmedicalcorps.org copy to: pc-USA@internationalmedicalcorps.org
Or
A hard copy address to:
Admin/Human Resources Officer
International Medical Corps,
Plot 3 Tsafe Road,
Off Sama Road,
Sokoto State,
USA.
State position clearly in the subject field as applications without appropriate subject will be disqualified. Also, applications received after the above stated closing date will not be considered.
Note: This Position is Subject to Funding. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

An emerging indigenous software development and mobile telecommunications company with head office in Lagos is requesting for applications for the following vacancies in her Uyo office.

Job Title: Web Developers and Application Programmers
Location Akwa Ibom
Job Field ICT, Computer
Requirements
The developers will be responsible for design, development and implementation of digital applications spanning web and mobile channels for clients. The ideal candidates must have skills and experience to develop web & mobile applications using cutting edge technologies. Combined with managing client expectations, the candidates should be able to work on multiple projects at the same time and ensure projects are completed on time. In addition, the ideal candidates should possess the ability to
Independently develop logic, write codes, test, debug, document and install software in accordance with industry best practices and specific internal procedures and standards
Skilled in breaking down features into requirements, giving time estimates, and writing test procedures
Adapt quickly and positively to a constantly changing business environment with tight timelines
Balance many projects and priorities in a high-pressure, fast paced environment
Work with business partners to continually develop, evolve and improve web and mobile applications
Be self-motivated, independent, proactive and an effective team player
Take on new responsibilities with high energy and eager attitude
Develop good quality web and mobile applications
Implement complex applications working within a team
Pay attention to detail to ensure all tasks and the applications have no loose ends
Provide accurate updates to management of the development status
Must not be more than 30 years.

Essential Skills
Vast knowledge in PHP and Java
Strong interface design skills using HTML5, CSS3,
Familiar with Phone Gap
Experience with Javascript
Experience on web service integration with Restful API-JSON, XML
Good understanding of OO programming and design patterns
Experience building web and native apps
Experience using social media APIs
Excellent debugging and optimization skills

Aim
Keeping abreast of the latest XHTML/CSS/WAI standards and Web 2.0 developments on the front-end side of things and the latest design and typographical trends
To learn from the team how to take on a project from a conception through wire-framing and technical specifications then onto design and build and beyond, on-time and on budget.

Education
OND, HND, B.Sc. in Computer Science or other related discipline
3+ years web development experience
2+ years of PHP experience
2+ years experience with e-commerce websites
Experience writing custom web application and software required

Method of Application
All candidates that are interested in this job shoul submit their cv to this email address; recruitments2015@tedikomwireless.com

Established in 1978, NES Global Talent provides a complete range of contract and permanent talent solutions to the oil and gas, power, infrastructure, construction, life sciences, manufacturing and transportation sectors
worldwide. With more than 40 offices in 28 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. Offering
far more than a traditional recruitment service, we fully support our contractors while they are on assignment with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.

Job Tittle; Contract Administrator

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; BA/BSc/HND

Experience; 3 years

Job Field; Engineering / Technical Real Estate

Job Description
Our client is a major player in the Oil and gas downstream sector and is looking for a suitable candidate to fill the position of a Contract Administrator.

Job Summary
Responsible for the management and administration of construction & property-related activities, re: below responsibilities.
Management of Properties and capital investment plan of Marketing Support. Participates and provides leadership on strategic network optimization and planning activities. Directs all property management functions, including property purchases, new leases, lease renewals and other property and facility related actions including divestment, abandonment, and government-related takings and easements. Directs all retail related construction for major and minor projects and ensures high quality, timely performance and smooth turn-over of facilities to operational group. Manages retail and commercial network maintenance in compliance with client's requirements, in a safe, competitive, and cost effective manner.

Responsibilities
Maintenance - Reliability Enters Purchase Orders (PO's) and Service Order's (SO's) including ordering materials, writing service orders, and handling invoice inquiries Processes invoices against orders, checking payment against current contracts

Capital Stewardship
Administer Capital Projects and Property, Plant & Equipment (PP&E) matters in SAP Project Setup, Maintenance, & Closure for capital improvement and network replacement projects Obtains appropriate details (i.e., budget codes, project codes, capital details, etc.) in alignment with the Marketing Support guidelines for Capital and Project Management:Project setup and budget creation Enters Purchase Orders (PO's) and Service Order's (SO's) including ordering materials, writing service orders, and handling invoice inquiries Processes invoices against orders, checking payment against current contracts Prepares and monitors asset write-offs and transfers Monitors assets under construction (AUC's) and seeking closure as appropriate Monitoring of suspense account balances and transferring to projects as appropriate Capitalizing new assets to ensure compliance with book and tax guidelines.
Project closure Health, Safety & Environment Manages all HSE initiatives and ensures compliance. Ensures that Safe Work Practices are understood and implemented, by both internal and external maintenance providers, as appropriate. Provides assistance to disseminate HSE awareness and ensures compliance of HSE policy. Coordinates with other business units as appropriate, on risk assessment, closure, and management change of sites. Implement site remedy and closure in accordance to HSE policy.

Change Leadership
Maintains SAP IT and physical filing systems for contracts and related files- in line with Company standards and guidelines - to facilitate easy access for contract generation, review, and update.Updates key variables in IT database to allow for effective management reporting and accurate payment/receipt in line with agreements, including contract terms, start, end dates, contacts, property-related information, etc.Conducts file audits as required to establish MON Plc tenure position. Updates tenure listings whenever new agreements are entered into or existing agreements are changed.Provide leadership to contractors and other service providers to ensure all understand and fulfill their roles and responsibilities in discharging their duties. Determine where competency and capacity gaps exisit and report accordinglly for It to be addressed.

Business Planning & Management Reporting
Collaborates with other team members in preparation of reports, gathering and analysis of data from SAP to ensure Marketing Support activities meet with policies and appropriate budgetary controls. Provides coaching and mentoring of outside resources as business requirement dictate.Assists in the development of capital and expense budgets, generating actual from SAP, compiling inputs from respective Specialists, reporting compiled results.Using SAP and other tools, generates management reports for:Capital and Maintenance spend and forecast, by Specialist, Project, type of project / expense, area, etc., using SAP and other reporting tools.Contract status, by Vendor, Facility, Specialist Tenure listings on retail properties Capital & Expense Forecasting.

Compliance & General Administration
Ensures all SAP activities are in compliance with corporate and accounting policies and internal controls. Local subject matter expert for accounting policies, such as expense versus capital, recognized versus non-recognized retirements, etc. Serves as liaison on all asset and project inquiries and resolutions. Serves as liaison to Accounts Payable to resolve all PO/SO inquiries.As required and identified by the Marketing Support Manager, handles the administration (IT and otherwise) of any Marketing Support-related key documentation and reporting.Answers basic inquiries regarding status of individual project expenditures and runs monthly reports. Participates in special projects as necessary, including internal and external audit inquiries

Knowledge Sharing
Feeds into the Maintenance, Construction, and Property Analyst on the effectiveness of processes and tools, with required needs for improvement

Job Requirements
First Degree/ HND in any of Engineering, Estate Management, Business Management, Architecture and Quantity Surveying

Knowledge, skills and competencies
Good working knowledge of general maintenance and repairs in retail outlets.

Experience
Minimum of 3 years in a similar role

Personal Attributes
Organized, good time management skills and of high integrity

Physical & Other Requirements
Traveling from one location to another

Method of Application
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should click here to apply online.

You never thought the semester would the end! But now that it is, you’re not sure you’re ready.

Final exam time is stressful whether you’re prepared are not. Often, stress is our worst enemy, but by making some smart, conscious choices, you will be on your way to a less stressful final’s week and a report card that won’t make you (or your parents) cringe.

Make a plan/schedule your time Being prepared for each of your finals is going to take time. And as final’s week approaches, every minute counts. Dust off your planner or open one of the many, free online scheduling tools available and make a plan. Just getting it all laid out on paper can really reduce your stress level. This can help you to see that you really do have enough time to get everything done. And even though you have to be flexible, if you follow your plan you will be more in control of your time and of your final grades.
Prioritize the work load Not all finals are created equal. There’s no doubt that you have a class or two that’s going to take more study time. This could be because the subject matter is just more difficult for you or it could be that you slacked off in the past and now have to buckle down to make the grade. Make conscience choices about what classes you’re going to need more study time for. This may be a tough decision, but making sure that you plan more study time for the classes that are going to be the toughest can lower your stress and help you be more successful with all of your finals.
Start small, start now We’ve all heard of the quintessential college student who waits until the last minute and then crams for his finals. How successful are these types of students? The best way to attack studying for finals is by doing a little bit each day, for each class. Try reading through your notes after class each day, making notes and highlighting to ensure that you stay engaged with the material. Go through the sections of the textbook that you will be tested on and read the headings, bolded words and highlighted sections, starting a couple of weeks before your finals. This repetition may seem boring, but you are actually studying when you do this, so you won’t have to stress out later as you cram.
Be Honest with Yourself We all have our own natural rhythm and working with that, instead of against it, is one of the ways to study smart, not hard. If you’re easily distracted, avoid going to busy coffee shops to study. On the other hand, if you need some background noise, the local coffee shop might actually be a helpful place to go. Often students claim that they studied all day for an exam and still didn’t pass it. But if they are honest with themselves, most of the time they didn’t choose a good time or place in which to study, or they allowed themselves to be distracted by social media, text, etc. So be honest with yourself. If you’re a morning person, get up a little earlier and study in the mornings. If you’re at your most alert in the evenings, study them. Turn off your cell phone and log out of all social media so that you aren’t tempted to use them to avoid studying. Remember, just because your book and notes are open, doesn’t mean you are actively studying!
Jacqueline Myers is a long-time college English instructor who provides expert tips, tricks and techniques for successful college writing and research at Nitty-Gritty English. Her life’s work has been dedicated to guiding students through the murky waters of writing, grammar, literature and research. Jacqueline is also a freelance writer/editor/researcher and is a proud contributor to AEGC.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja is seeking to employ suitable and qualified candidates for the position of:
Job Title: Program Assistant
Location
Abuja
Job Field
Administration, Secretarial
Job Detail
The incumbent serves as a
Program Assistant for the International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Affairs Section. She/he works along with INL colleagues to fulfill the goals in accordance with the signed letters of agreement LOAs with the USA government. The job holder will provide management assistant to project under INL LOAs, specifically plan, manage and report on projects assigned. The incumbent is responsible for providing logistical facilitation for INL training programs, managing E2 accounts and administrative duties as assigned.

Requirement

• University degree or its equivalent in Statistics, Philosophy, Journalism, Business Administration or Management is required.
• Minimum of 4 years progressively responsible work experience in Planning and logistic coordinating position, managing logistics, coordinating travel plans for a large group of people, maintain a database and experience in accounting and administrative duties is required.
• Level IV fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing in English Language is required. Level III Good working knowledge Speaking/Reading/Writing in one major USA Local Language is required. Language proficiency will be tested.
• Comprehensive knowledge of procedures for programs, travel arrangement and administrative duties is required.
• Knowledge of USA law Enforcement community such as differing and overlapping jurisdiction for enforcement, key officials, USA culture, management structures and law enforcement is required.
• Advance knowledge of personal computer applications including Word, Excel, Access and Outlook is required.

• Application for US Federal Employment (DS-174); or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as a DS-174; plus,
• Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
• Any other documentation e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic e-mail submissions to one entry, e-mail not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures.
• E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Though in the past, community colleges have been perceived as “schools for those who can’t hack 4 year colleges,” that is changing. Not only are community colleges much more reasonably priced, but they offer some outstanding benefits that sometimes go unnoticed. As you finalize your decision for where you will attend your freshman year, don’t overlook the positive aspects community colleges offer.

Small classes
Many students find that the typical class size of community colleges is more student-friendly because of the easy access to one-on-one time with instructors. It’s just easier to build a relationship with an instructor who doesn’t have 200 other students in that same class. If you are concerned about being a number instead of a person at a huge university, a community college might be the answer.

Lower “overwhelm”
Transitioning into the independent college life can be scary. Large class size, unfamiliar roommates and heavy work load often adds up to stress and anxiety for incoming freshmen. In fact, one of the reasons that college freshmen fail to live up to their potential is that the complete change of lifestyle and requirements of studying overwhelm them. Starting out in a different environment, but one that is closer to home and not as large can aid students in settling into college life more quickly and effortlessly.

Smart instructors
Of course, 4 year colleges have smart instructors too, but there are some advantages to being taught by un-tenured professors. Many of the instructors in community colleges have actual real world experience in the field they are teaching. Theory is great, but sometimes practical information is more helpful, especially to new college students. In addition, the instructors in community colleges are there because they love to teach, not because academia is the only place where they can get paid to do research and get published. Some professors see the teaching part of their career as something they have to do. Taking a class with an instructor who loves to teach the subject can make a world of difference in how much a student learns.

Lower fees
With the cost of college skyrocketing, this point will most likely come into the decision of where to attend. Not only is community college tuition much less expensive, but students also have the option of living at home instead of paying large sums every semester for housing and a meal plan. There is also little chance that you will have to pay additional fees, such as for the student recreation center, even if you don’t use the facility. Since community colleges are less concerned about having all of the amenities of a country club, students don’t pay hidden fees.

Student Life
One misnomer about community colleges is that there is no student life. No sports, no clubs, no interaction. But many community colleges have changed all of that. With the rise in their population, they have seen an increase of interest in student life, so they have branched out to develop more school and community spirit. Many community colleges have sports teams and non-academic clubs; it is no longer true that community colleges are only focused on the classroom aspect of college life. More are offering a well-rounded education for those interested in all they have to offer.

Jacqueline Myers has been guiding college students through the murky waters of writing and research for many years. And she can be your personal English instructor if you visit her on her blog Nitty-Gritty English: The complete site for tips, tricks and techniques for the UN-enthusiastic English student. Jacqueline is a proud member of the AEGC writing staff.

Online college courses have the great benefit of giving students greater flexibility in achieving a higher learning degree. Many of the internet class rooms have a weekly schedule with expected deadlines for discussion posts, student responses, and research and writing assignment. While these times are an expectation of enrolling in the course, students are able to submit work early or right up to the time deadline in an effort to accommodate other scheduling responsibilities. One of the highly beneficial aspects of this set up is the fact that these expectations remain consistent over the length of studies.
Essentially, online college students will know within the first week of classes when all assignments are due for the remainder of the program. Study time, writing time, and research time can all be figured out in advance, and this often makes it much simpler to remain working or meet with family and household demands. Although this should guarantee a path to success, students will also need to self evaluate when establishing good academic habits.
Expecting The Unexpected
Time management is a key aspect when considering internet universities. Even the best planning can become disrupted through emergencies, technological glitches, and other unforeseen events. Scheduling in manner that has all life events planned down to the minute can actually be counterproductive to this mode of learning. A more practical approach can often include goal setting.
When students set goals for their course progression, they are considering not just the physical time that is involved in a task, but also reinforcing the experiences of making career and life milestones. It allows for adjustments along the way, but also cements the concept of moving forwards. It also asks that the potential graduate self-evaluate at intervals and this increases focus and drive.

Self-motivation is another key factor in attending online college. While there are academic expectations and deadlines, individuals are not in the same type of atmosphere where an instructor is continually reminding about due dates and upcoming assignments. This will not only allow students to work at their own pace, but will also require that they are cognizant of all classroom events, including maintenance. It may include the need to prioritize tasks, including downtime. Driven individuals will frequently make the most of this academic setting, but everyone can succeed with a little bit of forethought.

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package including: medical and dental plans; paid vacation, holidays
and sick leave; personal accident insurance; 403(b) retirement plan; life and disability insurance; travel insurance;
education assistance plan and more.
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Job Tittle; Sr. Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; MBA/MSc/MA PhD/Fellowship

Experience; 7 years

Location; Abuja

Job Field; Administration / Secretarial NGO/Non-Profit

Overview:
Sr. Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor needed to lead monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities for a new USAID-funded project in USA which will contribute to state-level reduction in under-five child and maternal mortality, and to increased capacity of health systems (public and private) to sustainably support access to primary health care. Advisor will design, implement and supervise project M&E activities, frameworks, plans and indicators to capture project performance results and provide effective, accurate and timely monitoring, evaluation and reporting of all project activities. Advisor will also be responsible for documenting and disseminating program successes and challenges to USAID, as well as designing and conducting operations research. This position is contingent upon an award from USAID.

Responsibilities:
Oversee the development and implementation of the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) to capture project performance and results, including routine service delivery data reporting, baseline and endline assessments if needed, and all monitoring for process and outcome evaluations
Work with Technical Advisors to ensure that program activities are implemented and directed to meeting desired goal and objectives
Lead results reporting to USAID by providing written documentation on M&E activities and indicator results for progress and annual reports, as appropriate.
Provide leadership and direction on M&E to ensure the project’s technical and financial integrity to achieve project goals and corresponding objectives and targets
Ensure high-quality implementation, consistent with USA’s national health guidelines, protocols, information and reporting systems
Conduct targeted evaluations and operations research, including design, data collection, management and analysis
Develop and oversee data flow pattern for the project, to ensure timely data collection and reporting
Lead efforts to monitor and evaluate project interventions, document results and provide feedback to stakeholders to guide decision-making
Lead efforts to utilize training monitoring systems to track and monitor trainers and participants at training events to facilitate follow-up and recordkeeping. Utilize the training data collected to inform strategic decision-making and project planning
Ensure quality of data through data verification procedures, including routine data quality audits
Cultivate strategic M&E relationships and alliances with other USAID projects and represent M&E activities in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations
Ensure relevant data is entered into J-RISE, Jhpiego’s organization-wide performance management system designed to capture, analyze, and disseminate project data
Plan and implement M&E related capacity-building activities for relevant stakeholders in order to improve state-wide M&E related practices
Promote and support the dissemination of project information among the project team
Ensure that resources for project implementation are available
Work with project and financial staff to prepare and track progress of project and activity budgets
Supervise a team of M&E professionals
Coordinate all M&E capacity-building activities with project staff, implementing partners and facility staff

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public health, demography, statistics, social sciences or related field
• 7 years senior iM&E experience in the international health sector
• Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, operations research, health management information systems, reporting, data quality assessments, data analysis and presentation
• Demonstrated expertise working in a leadership capacity with international donors, senior government officials and policymakers
• Demonstrated strong management, coordination, teamwork and planning skills with proven ability to function effectively with multiple host-country counterparts in both the public and NGO sectors
• M&E experience in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health
• Familiarity with USA’s health management information system and other national M&E systems including the use of DHIS2
• Experience and understanding of USAID frameworks and eporting systems
• Excellent writing and communications skills, including demonstrated technical writing skills for publication
• Ability to work effectively with diverse international teams
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform
• Strong technical skills, including ability to process and analyze data using one or more statistical software packages, including at least one of the following: SPSS, Epi-Info, Stata, MS Access
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Excellent facilitation, oral and written communications skills
• Ability to travel up to 30 % nationally and internationally
• USA nationals strongly encouraged to apply

Job Type; Full Time

Qualification; MBA/MSc/MA PhD/Fellowship

Experience; 10 years

Location; Abuja

Job Field; Administration / Secretarial Finance / Accounting / Audit

Overview:
Finance and Administration Manager will be responsible for providing the financial and administrative management for a new USAID-funded project in USA which will contribute to state-level reduction in under-five child and maternal mortality, and to increased capacity of health systems (public and private) to sustainably support access to primary health care. This includes oversight of all financial and contractual aspects of the project and work closely with project staff to ensure accurate financial, contractual and administrative reporting of the project. The Director will ensure that the financial reports are compatible with standard accounting practices and follow Jhpiego and USAID rules and regulations. Manager will also be responsible for ensuring cost consciousness, efficient spending and for implementing and maintaining an on-site financial accounting and bookkeeping system required to assure the integrity and effective performance of project financial operations

Responsibilities:

• Oversee all financial planning, budgeting and reporting for the project
• Provide guidance to Chief of Party regarding the financial requirements of the project and office operations
• Prepare accurate budgets, track expenses, ensure that required financial controls and cost-performance monitoring mechanisms are in place and adhered to, prevent over or under expenditure of budgets, ensure proper safeguards of funds and ensure compliance with established USG and headquarters’ financial, accounting and administrative procedures
• Review, reconcile and monitor all project accounts, including major program operating accounts and petty cash operations involving cash advances
• Determine updated monthly project accruals and projections to support forecasting accuracy and program completion, as required
• Provide guidance, monitoring and support to project team, including procurement for goods and services, logistical support for local and international travel for staff and consultants, financial oversight of local sub-grantees (as needed) and maintenance of office inventory
• Provide guidance and support for contracts development and management
• Provide financial capacity-building for local grantees
• Maintain and administer project financial accounting system
• Prepare the monthly financial report by using adapted finance software (Quick Books)
• Use various software applications such as spreadsheets, relational databases, statistical packages, and graphic packages to assemble, manipulate, and format data and/or reports
• Implement and oversee a detailed financial reporting and reimbursement process in accordance with Jhpiego's established financial system
• Make in-country budget adjustments and other cost improvement measures, as required
• Direct and oversee the monitoring and annual auditing of cost-share requirements, tracking and reporting
• Work collaboratively with the project team and headquarters staff to ensure proper project and financial reporting, spending and compliance with project terms and conditions
• Provide financial reports, including pipeline analysis, quarterly project reports, or as requested by the donor
• Ensure that USAID resources are appropriately directed to program priorities and are in line with program work plans
• Contribute to program team in developing work plans and annual budgets for program activities and local office costs
• Manage all sub-grants to local grantees ensuring awardees’ compliance and reporting
• Ensure that Jhpiego personal files for project staff have all the relevant records including employment agreement and job description
• Work loosely with auditors during audit of the program
• Serve as a resource person for non-finance staff on USAID, JHU and Jhpiego rules and policy
• Provide financial oversight to finance officers
• Ensure that proper human resources administration procedures are in place for project staff, including tracking of leave, sick days, absence and other human resources actions
• Ensure compliance by all assigned staff to the JHU and Jhpiego timekeeping requirements, as well as, the staff’s timely approval of timesheets

• Advanced degree in finance, accounting, business or relevant field
• 10 years' financial and cost management experinee in international development program operations, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa
• 5 years' senior-level finance and administrative experience for international health programs with annual budget over $5 million
• Knowledge of USG cooperative agreements and grant/contract management regulations
• In depth knowledge of USG cost principles, including USAID regulations, GAAP accounting rules and grants contract management
• Knowledge of global operations and ability to determine and assign priorities with respect to field office support requirements and issues
• Experience must include financial analysis and reporting, cash flow analysis, budget development and forecasting
• In-country field experience, including supporting implementation of national/provincial/district-level programs
• Ability to develop and implement new procedures and work processes to more effectively support the coordinated implementation of global programs and offices
• Strong time management skills and ability to work in an unstructured environment
• Results-oriented but with the ability to understand the need for flexible processes
• Strong knowledge of federal cost principles, administrative requirements, and other applicable rules and regulations regarding implementation of federal awards
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and MS Office (Word, Excel, Access and Power Point)
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally up to 30% of time

HO assumes as the primary mission to promote citizens participation in politics as the best way to ensure democracy to become something real, that's to say, participatory.
We think society came before State; politics is essencially vocation to the service; and rulers have the duty to listen to the governed.

Job Title: USA Campaigner - Country Manager

Location
Abuja

Job Field
Administration, Secretarial, NGO, Non-Profit

Job Description
The USA Campaigner - Country Manager, will be our representative in USA. CitizenGO has not established a USA physical office space, so the ideal candidate will work remotely with the Campaigns Leadership team to assist with developing rapid-response campaigns to our audience in USA. Campaigns will be developed through online activism and occasionally reinforced with field work.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Activating and helping USA citizens to become active citizens.
• Helping like-minded organizations to reach their mission by using our state-of-the-art technology for winning campaigns, and thus acquiring new supporters for their cause.
• Under supervision of the Campaigns Leadership team, USA, managing -- online and offline -- campaigns to ensure outstanding performance and results.
• Identifying promising grassroots campaigns started by activists or organizations in English. You’ll help these campaigns win by providing strategic advice, conducting media outreach, and promoting them to cGO members.
• Designing and executing rapid-response social change advocacy campaigns in partnership with other stakeholders, partners and like-minded NGOs, with the potential for explosive growth and swift victories. This includes writing engaging campaign emails.
• Increasing the number of members of the cGO USAs email list.
• Establishing and maintaining deep partnerships with leading USA NGOs. You’ll be a trusted advisor and useful ally, helping large and small organizations run campaigns on cGO.
• Promoting and managing the distribution of the campaigns via emails with a call-to-action. Also, spreading the word about the campaigns via social networking.
• Representing cGO before the media and politicians as a spokesperson. Attending conferences and networking events and delivering small presentations related to cGO and the campaigns we organize and promote.
• Taking the streets, mobilizing people. Generating change. Organizing events, demonstrations, performances.
• Recruiting, training, and managing a team of online and offline volunteers, the field organizers and campaigners who support cGO campaigns and activities.
• Sharing the responsibility of managing communications with all cGO members by responding to email inquiries to cGO about campaigns, donations, and other related inquiries.
• Assisting in the developing a close relationship of our USA members and donors: asking them to sign new petitions, inform about your local activities... Being the focal-point regarding our USA donors.
• Collaborating with the fundraising team to develop fundraising campaigns designed to our USA
• audience.
• Proofreading English language campaigns, administrative documents, and other related materials.
• Collaborating with a global team of campaigners to help shape the direction of cGO both locally and internationally.
• Analyzing the cGO reputational risks in a diverse set of global markets and executing various initiatives to mitigate those risks.
• Strategizing with the cGO team about how to continue to expand our effectiveness, reach and impact.
• The Ideal Candidate Should Have The Following Core Competencies
• A deep understanding of cGO Foundation Vision, Mission, and Objectives, which includes having a strong commitment to defend these values.
• Commitment to our Mission of empowering citizens to win campaigns on the critical issues of our times. You believe citizens can stop injustice, can stop the culture of death and gender ideology-inspired totalitarianism and can change the world.
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills in English, able to craft compelling and persuasive written communications for a general audience.
• You should enjoy working in an online environment, using social media and collaborating using online tools.
• Strong leadership and persuasiveness skills. You’ll be able to inspire citizens to understand the possibilities of citizen-powered change to promote life, family and freedom.
• The ability to build and manage a small team of volunteers, bringing out the best in them.
• Impact-driven. You’ll work outside your comfort zone to do what it takes to win campaigns.
• A track record of good judgment. You’re able to make sound decisions in fast-moving situations.
• Strong rapport-building and relationship skills. You can effectively build and maintain partnerships and be a trusted ally among social change campaigners.
• Initiative and a can-do attitude across a variety of campaign issue areas.
• Able to identify and seize opportunities quickly. Campaigning is very moment-driven, so you’ll be comfortable working in an agile and fast-paced environment.
• High-level strategic thinker, with a strong grasp of national and international politics and social power. You understand the political and corporate pressure points in the world and current life and family issues at play.
• Using your talent, you will influence the decisions of politicians and businessman, and put pressure on mass media to make citizen's opinion heard.
• cGO is an exceptionally fast-paced and collaborative work environment. Your co-workers are high-impact, low-ego, and have a deep respect for our members.
• Normally, Campaigners - Country Managers will have relevant experience in advocacy, media or government – but if you make up for lack of experience with passion and a willingness to learn quickly, you should still apply.
• You will be a recognized social change leader with a proven track record of scaling and managing teams, and the ability to inspire other leaders to achieve world-class outcomes.
• -5 years of relevant experience is preferred (but not required), a strong management and leadership background and a demonstrable passion for cGO’s Mission and Vision is essential. Regardless of experience, we are looking for a passionate, hard-working and organized self-starter who wants to be part of a fast-moving and ambitious organization working for social change.
• You may come from a variety of different backgrounds, but experience in the nonprofit, advocacy, social enterprise and tech sectors are strongly desired.
• Successful candidates are also likely to have some or all of the following competences: a deep understanding of social change, campaign strategy, power mapping and advocacy, policy analysis, communications, network-building, online campaigning, organizational development, remote and cross-cultural management, and business strategy.
• To be based in Abuja is not mandatory. The role will involve some (light) travel.

TO APPLY FOR THIS JOB ONLINE, CLICK HERE

Fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias in the academic and professional world. We’re afraid of forgetting our words, of being stuck in that awful “um…uh…er…” cycle, of looking silly, of sounding stupid. There is no place where this fear is more prominent, it seems, than speech and communication classes. After all, we know just how cutting and cruel our classmates can be.

But giving a speech in class doesn’t have to be a horrible experience. As with most academic pursuits, if you prepare ahead of time, you can greatly lessen the stress involved in giving a speech. Here are five steps you can take to ease the strain of giving a speech in class.

1. Topic Selection: One of the first things to do when preparing a speech is to figure out your topic. Sometimes, the topic will be given to you (such as “Argue for or against school uniforms” or “Explain why going to year-round school terms would be a good or bad decision), but other times, especially as you get into college level courses, the topics are left to the student’s choice. Whether the topic is given or you get to choose, be sure that you go with the side you most believe in or the topic that best interests you. Don’t select the topic of your speech because you think it’ll be the most popular with your professor or the other students. If you don’t feel passionately or believe in what you’re speaking about, your speech has a greater potential for becoming dull, uninteresting or lost amid a sea of circular logic. The more you like a topic, the more you’ll have to say about it.
   
2. Audience & Purpose: Once you’ve selected a topic, you need to figure out who you’re speaking to and why. Just saying that it’s for class, that you’re speaking to the professor, is not your best option because then you don’t really have a focus. The audience and purpose for your speech will affect the types of argument you use and your vocabulary. For example, if you’re making a speech about needing stronger gun control laws and decide the audience is a National Rifleman’s Association convention, your vocabulary and strategy are going to need to be much stronger and more convincing than if you were addressing, say, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
   
3. Creating the Speech : Rare and few are the people who can make impact-ful speeches extemporaneously, so take the time to plan your speech. Depending on your comfort level, this can be anything from writing down a basic outline of points you know you want to touch on to writing out key sentences you like the sound of and want to say to having almost the whole speech written down. Regardless of how much or how little you write down, do it ahead of time (preferably earlier than the morning of the class in which you will be speaking). This will allow you to be sure your speech is organized, that all your main arguments are handled, that it has a beginning, middle, end and a solid message, and you will have time to practice the speech before delivering it.
   
4. Practice, practice, practice: Go through your speech, several times, out loud. Get used to the sound of your own voice. Learn the flow of the words so you can know when to breathe so as not to break a sentence at an awkward moment. Find out how long your speech is. Most classes will have a minimum and a maximum time limit for speeches. Try to have your speech go a minute or so over the minimum limit so that, if on speech day adrenaline or nerves cause you to speak a little faster than you have in practice, your speech is still long enough for the class. Practicing will also help you be more familiar with the speech so that you don’t spend the whole time speaking looking down at your note cards or reading from a print-out.

   G ive your speech to a mirror – this may feel silly and uncomfortable, but it will allow you to become familiar with how you look while giving the speech. This can help you spot problem body behaviors, like fidgeting with a piece of jewelry or waving your hands about wildly as you talk, and change them before speech day. Plan specific moments of movement to emphasize points.
   At the very least, try to practice your speech at least three times (at least once in the mirror) before speech day.
   

5. Giving the Speech: If standing, plant your feet firmly on the floor and put your weight on one leg with the knee of the other bent. This will prevent you from locking your knees and possibly passing out. If seated, cross your ankles and tuck them under the chair and fold your hands on the desk/podium. This will help prevent you from unconsciously swinging or scuffing your feet out of nerves.
   Speak in a loud, clear voice – no mumbling or whispering, but don’t shout. Keep your head up and look at your audience, not the floor or the desk/podium in front of you. If making direct eye contact is uncomfortable, then look at the bridge of their noses or people’s foreheads. Looking at the audience keeps them engaged in your speech and makes you appear confident and sure of what you’re saying. Pick specific points across the classroom – a poster, a clock, a desk – and make sure you look in the general direction of those points at least twice each. This way your focus is moving throughout the speech and you don’t appear static.

One final tip from my own personal experience – get it over with! If the professor gives you any choice, volunteer to go within the first three to five speakers. Putting it off and going later doesn't make you feel any better – it usually makes the nerves and dread even worse. Going later also gives you more opportunity to listen to others and pre-judge yourself against them. If you go within the first three or so, there’s less worry about comparing your speech to someone else’s. Instead of worrying about meeting someone else’s expectations of a speech, you’ll be setting the bar for those that come after and then, you can spend the rest of the class sitting back and not being nervous.

And that’s a definite plus.

Save the Children uses a holistic approach to help us achieve more for children, and to use our resources in an efficient and sustainable way. Save the Children comprises Save the Children International and 30 member organisations working to deliver change for children in 120 countries.

Job Title: State Operations Manager

Location
Bauchi

Job Field
Administration, Secretarial, NGO, Non-Profit

Job Detail
The incumbent will be responsible for the overall management of the field office. Key activities include the management of all support aspects, such as finance, administration, logistics and security; the management of support staff based in the field office, the management of security policy and representation of Save the Children.

Essential Qualifications

• 3 years substantial experience of managing field based operations for a humanitarian, relief agency in rural volatile locations.
• Ability to provide leadership and support to international and national staff working at a distance in remote locations.
• Experience in the management of finance, logistics and administration: Broad based knowledge of field logistics including, radio communications, vehicle management, and stock control.
• Very good understanding of budget and finance management.
• Ability to demonstrate substantial experience in security management.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including a good track record of report-writing and consistent communications with line manager and with people whom s/he manages
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills to think and plan strategically.
• Excellent spoken and written English
• French language proficiency including report writing.
• Ability to network and advocate for children’s rights to local government authorities and others UN, other INGOs.
• A working knowledge of the issues facing displaced people and host communities in regard to community integration and resettlement.
• An appreciation of a consultative, team approach to decision making and the ability to lead a team.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and use own initiative.
• Experience of working in challenging, insecure areas and willingness to work and live in a rural environment.
• Computer literate and knowledge of Word, Excel.
• Desirable
• Experience in institutional strengthening of government and/or local NGOs.
• Degree in development studies or sociology or any other development related studies.
• Knowledge and experience of Child Rights Programming approaches.
• An understanding of child protection issues and of the impact of violence and displacement upon children and communities. Knowledge of Hausa spoken

You may be one of the many college students who are working at least part-time during their winter break. Since most students have up to five weeks off between fall and spring semesters, many use this time to put bucks in the bank.
It’s easy to go a little nuts spending when you finally have a healthy bank balance again after living on Raman for the last few weeks. But you can make sure that your hard-earned cash and college fundslast for the whole upcoming semester if you plan ahead.
Don’t Impulse Shop
This is tough not to do, especially when every store is having pre and post-holiday sales! But impulse shopping gets many people, not just college students, in trouble. If possible, when you see an item you think you can’t live without, wait a week to see if you really still think it is important to own. You may be surprised at how many “got to have that” items you totally forget about within a week’s time.

Do Stash your Cash
Open a new savings account—one that is not connected to your checkingand that pays interest. It’s so easy now to transfer funds from savings to checking that even the most thrifty college student can find themselves totally broke by week 10. Consider getting a savings account set up through a different bank than the one you use for your checking or debt access. This makes transferring funds just difficult enough to make you stop and rethink a desired purchase.

Even though you probably won’t begin the new semester with thousands and thousands of dollars, every little bit helps. There are several trustworthy online banks that offer better interest rates on savings accounts than your average brick and mortar bank because of their low overhead. Let your cash work for you by investing some time into setting up a new higher-interest savings account.
Do Make a Budget
Yeah, I hear you. This is boring, right? But deciding on a budget before you get back to school is a big step towards your financial independence during the college semester. Determine how much money you can spend each week and still have your funds last the whole semester. If you overspend one week, just make sure to spend less the next. There are lots of great free apps out there that can help you keep track of your spending.

Do Take it with You
Sometimes it’s worth it to pay for convenient, but grabbing a coffee, water bottle and snack several times each day can easily send you running back to mom and dad for a loan before midterms. Consider investing in a small coffeemaker, reusable to-go cups and on-the-go snacks. It will only take a few minutes in the morning to prepare these things so that you don’t give into temptation later. Then, when your schedule is crammed with studying for midterms and finals, you will still have some extra cash stashed to pay for the convenience of grabbing food and drink on the go…the higher price you pay for accessibility will be worth it then.

Jacqueline Myers has been guiding college students through the murky waters of writing and research for many years. And she can be your personal English instructor if you visit her on her blog Nitty-Gritty English: The complete site for tips, tricks and techniques for the UN-enthusiastic English student. Jacqueline is a proud member of the AEGC writing staff.

Action Against Hunger-ACF-International works to save lives by combating hunger and diseases that threaten the lives of vulnerable communities, through nutrition, food security, water and sanitation, health and advocacy.

Job Title: Data Analyst

Location
Jigawa

Job Field
ICT, Computer

Job Summary
The Data Analyst under supervision and close working relationship with LGA supervisor will implement information management tools and assist in report writing (weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly Quantitative and Qualitative reports). Support PQA and MIS officers in the verification and validation of data/ analysis as well as coordinating the various stages of data generation and management at LGAs level. He/She is also responsible for data collection and organizing it in a useful manner. To find, collect, collet and organize primary data from different location and transmit the data in a systematic manner to the state office.

Key Objectives

• To Contribute to the definition and the implementation of ACF policies, positioning and strategies in the mission
• To Contribute to the identification, definition, formulation of WASH projects
• To support projects implementation, monitoring and reporting
• To Support in local ACF representation and coordination with other stakeholders within the intervention area.
• Contribute to evaluation internal and external of project’s effect/impact.
• Contribute pro-actively to HR management
• Contribute to the mission’s capitalization and to ACF communication.

• Bachelor degree and HND in Computer Science, Information Management, Statistics or Other relevant qualifications
• Professional, motivated, open, creative, mature, responsible, flexible and culturally sensitive
• Minimum two years’ experience working with donor funded programming
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office programming Access, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, and Word
• Knowledge and experience in using database specific software
• Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills
• Fluent in English
• Experience designing and leading capacity building and training for LGA team.
• Commitment to ACF mission, values and policy Fluency in English
• Fluent in Hausa
• Previous experience in M&E
• IT troubleshooting capabilities
• Previous experience with NGOs or INGOs

As we enter the new year, everyone is thinking about how they can live better…including college students. You don’t have to create a difficult,multi-tiered resolution to see the results of living healthier. With a bit of planning and determination, college students can start the springsemester off on the right foot, enjoying more energy and clearer focus when classes resume.
Eat Better
Everyone has heard of the dreaded Freshman 15, but if you did put on a few pounds last semester, you don’t need to just be resigned to living with them and maybe adding to them. Universities are wising up about supplying nutritional, healthy food options for students. Plan to belly up to the salad bar more often next semester and skip the fried food steam tables. Use that little fridge for storing pre-cut veggies and fruits instead of left-over Chinese and Hot Pockets. Planning ahead by keeping easy-to-grab healthy snacks around will make eating better much easier once the semester really gears up.
Sleep Better
Pulling all-nighters is not a badge of honor, like some college students believe. Studies show that being consistently sleep deprived affects your brain and body even more than having several beers. It slows reaction times and blurs your ability to make good choices. Make an action plan for next semester now. Pull out that planner and prepare it for the upcoming semester. Block out your class and work schedules and then section off times for studying so that it isn’t left to the last minute, meaning that you will have to live on just a few hours of sleep a night.
Exercise Better
When you think of exercise, you may think of hours spent in the student rec center sweating away. And, while accessing the gym that you already pay for in your college fees is a smart idea, you can easily build more exercise into your day doing things you already do. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and walk to that class across campus instead of taking the bus. Find other ways to add steps to your daily life. Once you do this and recognize how much better you feel with those endorphins flying around in your system, you may find yourself scheduling time to get to the student rec center more often too.
Drink Better
No, I don’t mean switching to micro-brews. I mean, drink more water. Many students have switched from soda to energy drinks, thinking they are healthier, and that they will make up for the lack of sleep they get. But nothing can replace the benefits of drinking more water. It keeps you hydrated, which helps you think and feel better, since hydration is required to keep all of the cells of your body work at their optimum. It provides you with quality energy and mental clarity—the exact opposite of what caffeine offers in the form of jittery, spastic energy with a big crash at the end of it. Invest in a reusable water bottle that you can carry with you everywhere this coming semester. Fill it up at water fountains so that you are never without that life-giving H2O. An added benefit: you will save bucks that can be better spent on more important things.
Decompress Better
So, maybe you bought into the belief last semester that college students party to decompress. But that doesn’t mean you have to continue on that track in the coming months. In fact, partying isn’t decompressing…it’s hiding from the stress that has built up. Make a plan for decompressing in a healthier way in the New Year. Attend yoga classes at the rec center, take walks to clear your head, make time for friends who care about more than just clubbing. Learn to meditate. Once you engage in a different, smarter form of relaxation, you will soon realize how last semester’s form of decompression actually added stress to your life.
Jacqueline Myers has been guiding college students through the murky waters of writing and research for many years. And she can be your personal English instructor if you visit her on her blog Nitty-Gritty English: The complete site for tips, tricks and techniques for the UN-enthusiastic English student. Jacqueline is a proud member of the AEGC writing staff.