Graduate Announcements Guide

College graduation announcements can seem so simple -- but also be so complicated. And, of course, while you're trying to figure out the ins-and-outs of college graduation announcements, you still have to focus on finishing your classes and planning for life after college. Use this guide to help you through the planning, organizing, and sending of graduation announcements.

The Logistics

Coordinating the logistics behind announcements can be a serious pain in the brain. With a little help, however, it can also be taken care of with a few quick steps.

• The Why: 8 Reasons to Send Graduation Announcements
• The Who: To Whom Should I Send My Graduation Anouncements?
• The Where and How: Where to Get Graduation Announcements
• The When: When to Mail Your Graduation Announcements

The What: The Announcements Themselves

Wording announcements can seem so easy ... until you actually sit down and try to write them. Check out the samples below for a variety of styles you can use -- or change a bit -- to create your own, personalized graduation announcement.

Announcements with Formal, Traditional Language

• Formal Announcement Sample #1
• Formal Announcement Sample #2
• Formal Announcement Sample #3

Announcements with Casual, Informal Language

• Casual Announcement Sample #1
• Casual Announcement Sample #2
• Casual Announcement Sample #3

Announcements Mentioning Friends and/or Family

• Friends/Family Announcement Sample #1
• Friends/Family Announcement Sample #2
• Friends/Family Announcement Sample #3

Announcements with a Religious Theme

• Religious Announcement Sample #1
• Religious Announcement Sample #2
• Religious Announcement Sample #3
• Religious Quotations for Graduation Announcements or Speeches

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Spring Break Guide

Spring Break can be one of the highlights of your spring semester -- if not your entire college experience. But with so many options, how's a college student to pick how to spend his or her time?

In this guide, you'll find information no matter what your situation. Not sure where to even start? Already have ideas but aren't sure how to pay for your plans? Have a general idea of what you want to do but need to finalize the specifics? Find all you need to know in the guide below.

I Don't Even Know Where to Start

Not sure where to start, but know you want to do something? Look over these 10 suggestions to get a general idea of what you think you'll want to do -- and then head back here to fine-tune your plans.

• Spring Break 101: Ten Spring Break Ideas for College Students

I Need to Get Off Campus -- ASAP

Need to get away? Not sure where to go? Check out these ideas of good locales for college Spring Break excursions.

• International Spring Break Location Ideas
• Domestic Spring Break Location Ideas
• 5 College Spring Break Road Trip Ideas
• Spring Break Packing List If You're Headed Somewhere Warm

I'd Like to Focus on Having Fun and Doing Good

Want to treat yourself to an enjoyable Spring Break while helping others in the process? Think about volunteering during your time off from class.

• Volunteer During Spring Break Without Having to Travel Far
• Alternative Spring Break Volunteering Ideas

I Need to Focus on My Academics

Need to focus on your academics? Thinking about pursuing graduate school? Spring Break can be a great time to get ahead on both.

• Managing Your Homework During a College Break
• Grad. School 101: Thinking About Going to Graduate School?
• Learn About and Prepare for Graduate School Admissions Tests

I Just Need to Relax!

Interested in doing ... well, nothing over your Spring Break? Letting yourself rest, relax and rewind just may be the best way to spend your Spring Break.

• 5 Ways Under $5 to Relax While in College
• How to Relax and Unwind During College Breaks
• How to Reduce College Stress

No Matter What I Do, I Need to Save Money

Just because Spring Break is coming up doesn't mean your budget is ready. Making your hard-earned dollars stretch a little further during your break just may make a good idea into a great experience.

• How to Save Money for a College Spring Break
• Last-Minute Student Travel Resources
• Spring Break: Drive or Fly?
• How to Find Student Travel Discounts

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Valentine's Day Guide

Valentine's Day and college can make a fantastic -- or awkward -- mix. Make the most of your situation by enjoying yourself, enjoying the day, and -- if applicable -- enjoying the time with a significant other. Conversely, of course, you can find information on making the most of being single. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a celebration only for those already coupled up!

If You're Single

Being single on Valentine's Day doesn't have to mean being awkward or having a funky night. There are multiple ways to ensure you still have a great Valentine's Day -- without a significant other.

• 5 Things to Do Off Campus If You're Single on Valentine's Day
• 5 Things to Do On Campus If You're Single on Valentine's Day

If You Have a Crush on Someone

Have a crush on someone? Not sure what to do about it? Valentine's Day can be the perfect catalyst for moving toward something more.

• 5 Ways to Tell If That College Crush Likes You Back
• 5 Ways to Let Your College Crush Know You Like Them

If You Have a Date

Have a date for Valentine's? Thought that was the difficult part ... until you tried to plan something? Check out these easy (and affordable) date ideas to help make sure your night is all you want it to be.

• 5 Inexpensive College Date Ideas
• 10 Great Gift Ideas for Your College Boyfriend/Girlfriend
• 7 Unique Valentine's Day Gift Ideas
• 5 Places to Go for a College Romantic Getaway
• 10 Tips for Dating Safely in College

If You're in a Long-Distance Relationship

Being in a long-distance relationship can be hard enough without things like Valentine's Day reminding you of the distance between you and your significant other. Learn more about how to make the distance a little easier.

• How to Handle Long-Distance Relationships in College
• 5 Romantic Gestures for a College Long-Distance Relationship

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Time Management Guide for Students

Time management for students can be one of the most important -- and difficult -- skills to learn during your college years. With so much going on, having strong time management can sometimes seem impossible. Fortunately, however, there are things you can do to help make sure your time management as a student leaves you feeling organized and in control instead of exhausted and behind.

Planning Ahead

You can't plan your time well if you don't know what you're planning for. Although it can be a pain in the brain, spending a little time now can help save a ton of time in the future.

• How to Plan for a Major Research Paper
• How to Plan for a Major Group Project
• How to Prevent Procrastination in the First Place
• 8 Steps for Strong Time Management in College

Avoiding Problems in Advance

Of course, sometimes along the way, life just happens. So how can you make sure you avoid unnecessary time traps that can turn from a minor inconvenience to a major problem?

• Top 10 Time Wasters in College
• How to Make More Time in Your Schedule
• Just What Is "Good Time Management" Anyway?

Executing

You've planned ahead. You know what to look out for along the way. You're ready to start this semester/project/paper/you-name-it and stay on top of your time, all of the time. What's the best way to execute your rock-star plans?

• Good Time Management Systems -- and How to Use Them
• 5 Critical Time Management Skills for College Students
• Using the TIMED System for College Time Management

Finding Motivation Along the Way

Frustratingly, good time management takes, well, time. So what can you do if you find yourself needing a little motivation along the way?

• 8 Benefits of Good Time Management
• 5 Disadvantages of Bad Time Management
• Time Management Quotations

Time's Up?! What to Do If Time Runs Out

Sometimes, not matter how much you plan or how great your intentions are, things just don't work out. So what can you do to fix -- and learn from -- your time management mistakes?

• How to Ask for an Extension
• How to Make a Paper Longer
• How to Break the Habit of Procrastination

Just like everything else you're learning during your time in school, great time management skills take time to learn -- and that includes letting yourself learn from your mistakes. Strong time management is important enough, however, that continually striving to improve is worth the effort each and every time.

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