It’s a Good Idea!

Students who attend FAU quickly discover that college isn’t all fun and games; success in the classroom requires dedication. At the same time, there are many other opportunities to get involved and enjoy these four years including football games, Greek life, and outdoor activities. A student needs to be able to balance all of this, which can prove daunting to many; however, tutoring is a great option to provide a little extra help. Tutoring isn’t just for classes a student may be struggling in; peer groups are beneficial to students who enjoy studying together or working through problems together.

But Just In Case, Get a Tutor

If your student mentions that they are having difficulty, there are many places they can turn including speaking with their professor and/or teacher assistant. There are also peer study groups. FAU offers many options for students to help them succeed in their classes. The Center for Learning and Student Success or CLASS is a great place to start if your student finds that they are struggling in a class. CLASS offers information on various programs found around campus including SI instruction, tutoring, and E-tutoring. SI instruction is a supplementary instruction program run by peer tutors. These sessions are available weekly for classes that are historically difficult for students to pass. For example, science courses tend to have large and well attended SI sessions. The availability and schedule for the SI session are available online at the beginning of each semester. For a more one-on-one experience, students can seek out a tutor. FAU has private tutoring or small group sessions. The tutors are peers who have received a grade of an A or higher when they completed the course. Tutoring appointments are booked online and usually is held in the math or writing learning center on the second floor of the breezeway. To find available appointments, use this online booking portal.

FAU also offers walk-in tutoring in the General South building. They have tutors in every subject. All a student needs to do is sit down at a table, sign into the database using their student ID and a tutor will walk up to you when they are available. They also have tutors there for a specific class (they have signs on the table) where you can meet one-on-one or do a group session depending on availability. HaveUHeard t recommends that appointments are preferred especially for the math and writing sections as around finals, they get busy and there is no guaranty of getting help if you walk in. You should go in during the morning to beat the lines and try to get personal attention? Also, there are many tutoring sessions that happen in the dorms. Students can ask their RMs or ask the desk staff about when certain sessions are.

FAU also has tutoring programs available to students who take online courses. E-tutoring makes it easy for distance learners to get help. E-tutoring is often done over Skype. Finally, the most immersive form of extra help available is in FAU learning communities.  FAU learning communities are available to first-year students only. The groups are comprised of 20-25 people that all have the same major, these groups allow for students to make friends and form study groups easily.

Textbook rental and purchase company Chegg offers Chegg Study is a great tool for help with homework. Learn from step-by-step solutions for 2,500+ textbooks in Math, Science, Engineering, Business, and more. Also, students can get answers in a pinch from experts and subject enthusiasts for your courses, 24/7, and stay ahead in their classes with Chegg Study for $14.95/month or $99.95/year.

Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services that started in 2010 and got its name from the original price of jobs being $5 per task. This is a great place for students to list services they offer (or parents) or even find inexpensive tutors.

EasyBib by Chegg – With EasyBib Plus, students can use the plagiarism checker to find missing citations, and fix them before submitting their paper. Also, easily catch writing style and grammar errors with easy-to-understand explanations on how to improve their writing for next time. No matter what citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago etc.), EasyBib Plus will help create the right bibliography. Right now, students get a 3-day free trial of the product

And, students also speak highly of the Knack App, a peer-to-peer tutoring approach that allows students to find peers through the app that have done well in particular courses and schedule on their time. They offer package pricing but it equates to approximately $25/hour. They do offer discounts for higher hour packages including a semester pack and a yearly pack. Of course, even with great tutoring, it always helps to have a great place to study.

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Shhhhh, Here Is a Great Study Spot!

Finding a good place to study is essential for freshman students. College classes are very different than high school; studying is a must and it’s important to find a quiet, comfortable place. Fortunately, there are plenty of study spots on and off-campus.

Wimberly Library: FAU’s library is open 7 days a week, however, the hours vary. The library is open later during the final exams. The noise levels vary on each floor (the higher the floor, the lower the volume level). Students can rent computers, chargers, and headphones on the first floor. Students who are studying with two to four people can also rent a private study room, free of charge, for 3 hours at a time. The library also has a Dunkin’ Donuts on the first floor. If your student isn’t a fan of the library (mine wasn’t), there are plenty of other places across campus where they can study.

• All Night Study: Located off the breezeway, just around the corner from the library, FAU’s all-night study. This haven for night owls is home to several computers and study areas.
• Dorm Study Lounge: Most of the dorms all have study lounges on every floor.
• Food Court: Some students like to study in the food court but it is a little noisy so you definitely will want to bring headphones
• Student Union: on the first floor of the student union, there are plenty of tables and chairs to work at, but it can get noisy. The second floor is home to several couches and chairs with desks. Upstairs can be a quiet place to get some work done.
• College for Design & Social Inquiry Courtyard: Outside of the College for Design & Social Inquiry building are several courtyards, all with tables and chairs. In between the College for Design & Social Inquiry building and the breezeway is an area home to several large trees with tables underneath. This is a quiet area for students who like to study outside.
• College of Education: On the second floor, your student will find desk-like setups along the hallways. They have a cubicle-like feel that will give your students enough space to spread out within their own space.
• Engineering East: Engineering East has a hidden gem of a study spot. On the fifth floor, there is an outdoor patio space with a garden. Here students who enjoy studying outside can grab a table and get to work.
• College of Nursing: The College of Nursing has a garden area filled with flowering trees. This garden has several rocking chairs, usually filled with studying students.
• Business Building: The College of Business classrooms are a favorite among my daughter and her friends. These classrooms are typically open late and most have large tables and room to spread out. If your student times it right, they can grab a cup of coffee or a snack from the small outtakes stand in the lobby before studying.
• Many students rent hammocks from campus recreation and set them up across campus.

Off-Campus

• Starbucks: There are five Starbucks located within a 3 miles radius of FAU, however the one-off of Executive Center Drive is the best for studying. The back half of the Starbucks has many large tables, making it a go-to for students. Free wifi.
• The Seed: Trendy coffee and snack shop off of Palmetto Park Rd
• Panera Bread: Many students study at the Panera Bread close to campus, about 2 miles from FAU on Federal Highway. Panera has a full menu all day and features free wifi and outlets to charge laptops
• Barnes & Noble: Glades Road in the University Commons. Tables and chairs at the store and a coffee shop inside with tables. Outside of Barnes and Noble, there are also several tables, chairs, and benches.

Should they need some tutoring assistance, make sure they read our recommended tutor resources. Chegg Study is also a great tool for help with homework. Learn from step-by-step solutions for 2,500+ textbooks in Math, Science, Engineering, Business, and more. Also, get answers in a pinch from experts and subject enthusiasts for your courses, 24/7. Students can stay ahead in their classes with Chegg Study for $14.95/month or $99.95/year.

EasyBib by Chegg – With EasyBib Plus, students can use the plagiarism checker to find missing citations, and fix them before submitting their paper. Also, easily catch writing style and grammar errors with easy-to-understand explanations on how to improve their writing for next time. No matter what citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago etc.), EasyBib Plus will help create the right bibliography. Right now, students get a 3-day free trial of the product

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Technology has changed the way students take tests. My daughter was able to extend one of her holiday breaks by scheduling her exam at home. FAU actually uses two different online test-taking services to prevent online class students from cheating on their online exams; Honorlock and Lockdown.

The company Honorlock was actually created by FAU students who felt it was unfair for students to take the class online and cheat. Honorlock is based out of Boca Raton. The way Honorlock works is by monitoring your computer screen/computer actions and recording a video of yourself throughout the test. To begin the test you have to take a picture of yourself, your student ID, and do a 360 scan of the room you are taking your test in. Once you do this, the exam will start. You are screen sharing with Honorlock for the entire length of the test to prevent students from looking up answers on their computers.

Lockdown Browser is a similar type of program to Honorlock. Lockdown Browser also videotapes you taking the test and they monitor your screen. Lockdown Browser launches its own internet for you so you can take your test in a secure location. The Lockdown Browser prevents you from looking at other websites and from cheating using the device you are taking it on.

With Honorlock, you do not need to schedule as it is on-demand proctoring. Since it is 100% browser-based, there is no software to download.; however, you do have to make sure the Honorlock extension is installed. And, it only works with certain operating systems and internet speeds so students will want to make sure their computer meets the minimum requirements. For a list of dos and don’ts using Honorlock.

Lockdown does require students to install the software. It does not work on standard browsers including IE, Firefox, or Safari. For installation, demos, and tutorials on how it works. When the service works, it’s fine. I had a situation where the program randomly quit and shut me out.  I had to log back in and continue taking the test. It was extremely stressful because I did not want them to think I was cheating when the program quitting was not my fault. The best advice is to contact Honorlock immediately when you log back in and tell them what happened. In my case, they were able to see that it was indeed the program’s fault and not mine. All of the teachers write in the syllabus that if we are experiencing issues with Honorlock, we contact Honorlock and not our teacher, because apparently there is nothing they can do. You have to go through the program so that if you really did nothing wrong, they will make sure to notify your professor that it was a mistake on their end. Honorlock does offer technical support before, during, and after the proctored text via phone or live chat.

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Next Steps… Grad School Exams

Time flies when you’re having fun! It wasn’t until college that I realized how true this statement is. While it may feel like you just finished studying for the ACT/SAT, graduation will be looming and many students will be preparing for graduate school exams of some sort.

Getting familiar with the vast amount of degrees and programs out there would be the first step. Florida Atlantic University offers over 75 different graduate programs to choose from. If you are considering graduate school at FAU, be sure to check out FAU’s Annual Graduate College Open House. There are also several Graduate College Information Sessions held throughout the year. More information on information sessions can be found here. Consider visiting other colleges as well. This will give you the opportunity to meet professors and ask questions about the program. Start talking to an advisor early to be sure you have all the correct prerequisites, shadowing, or research hours you will need.

Whether you are preparing for Medical or Law School or a specific graduate program, researching the continuation of your education may feel overwhelming. Finding the right concentration for you is important. Consider all of your options, including the location of schools, degrees offered, length of time to complete the degree, funding/cost, prerequisite classes, exams and other requirements needed for entrance, and so on. Most graduate schools require test scores with the application, as well as an essay or personal statement. We highly recommend Essential Essays for editing assistance to be sure you submit your best work.

FAU offers students test preparation courses for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and GK. The courses are held in person or online. FAU Students and Alumni are eligible for discounted Rates on prep courses. For information and pricing, click here or visit the Test Preparation center in Student Support Services Room 208D.

The FAU Career Center is a great resource to help prepare students for interviews and personal statement reviews. Students can make an appointment or simply walk in from 9 am to 4:00 pm.

Taking a course is optional and you may not need to spend hundreds of dollars to do so. Taking a practice test a few months before the actual exam to see where to start studying will help gear how much studying you’ll need to do. By this point in college, you should have a good idea as to how you learn best. Perhaps online studying is not the best choice for you; therefore a local class or private tutor may be a better idea.

Some of the popular test prep programs are Kaplan, Magoosh, BenchPrep, The Princeton Review, Next Step Test Prep, Khan Academy, and Manhattan Test Prep. Many are offered as online classes that allow students to study at their convenience. Some also offer private tutoring in person or online, as well as regular local classes. Some students who are majoring in finance or business will also take the Level 1 CFA exam. The Princeton Review now offers a test-prep course for only $299. Students who enroll will qualify for their money-back guarantee. Many accounting major students take the CPA exam while in school. Some of the more popular CPA review courses include Surgent, Becker, and Wiley.

Here a few additional pointers:
GRE- Get the ‘GRE Word of the Day’ app to help vocabulary. Sign up for the Question of the Day from Kaplan. It’s free!
MCAT- Next Step Test Prep offers live webinars to answer questions that may come up as you study.
LSAT- Testmasters’ LSAT prep class is offered right on the FSU campus.

Prepare a timeline or checklist for each school you apply to. It may include GPA, test scores, letters of recommendation (LOR), personal essays, resume, interview, etc. Standardized tests are only one part of the application process. In addition, it may not be too soon to begin to look into scholarships or how you will finance your continuing education.

Finally, it has become common for some students to take a year off before starting grad school. College is stressful and there is a lot of pressure to start Grad school immediately. Perhaps the year can be spent gaining experience that will add to your application or having more time to prepare for exams. Remember, this shouldn’t be a race; it should be a marathon. Give some serious thought to taking a gap year.

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College grading systems can be especially confusing when coming straight from high school. The biggest difference between the public school and college grading scale is the plus/minus addition to the traditional As and Bs.

At FAU, the plus/minus grading scale adds weight to the letter grade. For example, the difference between an A- and an A is 0.33 points (see FAU grading scale). In order to get an A and not an A-, you need to achieve a grade of 93 or higher. An A- is within the range of a 90 to a 92.5. Most teachers will be nice enough to round your 92.5 or above to a 93, which would give you the complete A. Many students complain about this system and the way it works considering an A- is a 3.7 to your GPA, while an A is a full 4.0.

Many students, including myself, feel that the A- is not an achievement, but rather a punishment, as we came so close to getting an A and now our GPA’s are not going to go up as much as they could have with a 4.0. One of the main problems is that a 3.7 added to your GPA versus a 4.0 creates a big difference in the averages. Many feel that since we were above a 90, that in itself deserves a solid A. I believe the A- is discouraging to students because there is not a big incentive, versus the way a 4.0 incentivize students to keep working hard.

Though the popular saying is “C’s get degrees”, the type of C received will determine if a student receives the degree of their choice. To see your specific degree program requirements, see the FAU website. When it comes to graduating with honors, getting an A or A- may mean the difference between graduating Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude. FAU recognizes superior academic performance by granting baccalaureate degrees of distinction to undergraduates who have earned at least 45 credits at FAU as follows:

• Cum Laude for an FAU average of 3.50
• Magna Cum Laude for an FAU average of 3.70
• Summa Cum Laude for an FAU average of 3.90

The +/- system can have a lot of negative impacts on your GPA, especially if you are looking to go to grad school. To calculate your GPA, check out FAU’s GPA Calculator.

Sabrina Kaplan, FAU Intern, HaveUHeard

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We know you really care, you care a lot about your student and want them to be happy. Whether it is for a birthday, a little something to ease the stress of midterms or finals, a pick me up when they are feeling sick, holiday treats, or congratulations on a job well done; there are many options that will surely bring a smile to your student’s face. Sometimes it is nice to go with the local shops; most all deliver. Then again, there are some excellent national choices too. We have given you plenty to choose from– all of which our kids, interns, or we like. All you have to do now is decide what to send. There is variety there too. For instance; if you are looking for sweets (and who isn’t?) for a birthday, pick me up, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, religious holidays, or just because…

If I couldn’t celebrate with them, at least they knew I was thinking of them. And, don’t forget the decorations… we love this Birthday in a Bag filled with confetti, card, balloons, candles, and a party horn. Where to start? A great parting care package gift that you can leave in their room or send as a package is this package of Open When College Pack envelopes. We suggest filling them with either a message, picture, or gift cards purchased in advance but we love the messages. When you take your first big test when you’re sick when you’re tired of dorm food, and more.The perfect way to express that you care.

Locally we recommend

Note: GF or V indicates gluten-free and vegan are available.

• Candy’s Cake Pops – Makes cake pops for various Holidays and occasions as well as custom cake pops. They deliver.
• J&D Cakes – Offers 10% off to FAU students. It is a specialty bakeshop that makes custom cakes (Birthday cakes as well as other novelty cakes) Also offers a range of baked goods.
• Jodi’s Cupcakes & More – Bakery near FAU that delivers cupcakes and cakes. Does various holiday-themed ones as well such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Halloween, etc.
• Just Baked will deliver warm, homemade cookies or brownies (one dozen cookies for 11.99) You can even customize what type of toppings goes into each cookie. Who wouldn’t appreciate a dozen brownies or cookies on their birthday?
• You can also have a cake, cookies, or cupcakes delivered by Publix through Instacart or Shipt. Read our blog on delivery companies here to see what else you can have sent because you care.
• Two Fat Cookies – You can order online, they deliver cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. It is a family-run bakery. They will even do custom cakes as long as they are booked 4-6 weeks in advance.

National and delicious options include

• Bake Me A Wish. If you’re looking for a full catalog of desserts to choose from, this is where you should start! Bake Me a Wish has cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, cookies, and more – all for a reasonable price! Plus, you can personalize your selection with any message you wish (see what we did there)? GF
• Baked by Melissa – If you’ve ever been to New York, you know the name Baked by Melissa. These are tiny cupcakes that come in assorted flavors including cookie dough, red velvet, brownie, and more! You can get a box of 25 or up to 100 and send it directly to your student for any occasion! These are available for purchase through their website or on Amazon. Trust us, these are always a hit and they taste delicious! GF, V
• Debbie’s Doodle’s Cookie Company – They ship from South Florida right to your student and offer delicious, homemade chocolate-chip and brown sugar butter cookies. They come delivered in dry ice and then a birthday box with a card. From the presentation to the cake itself, it was seamless and delicious.
• Milk Bar Store – Don’t be fooled by the company name – Milk Bar offers some of the best cakes we’ve ever tasted! Think a Funfetti boxed cake that your student likely baked from time to time, but SO much better! They also have cookies, truffles, and pies – and anything you choose is going to have you eating the whole thing, it’s THAT good!
• The Dirty Cookie – Have you seen the famous cookie shots? If not, think of a cookie, but shaped in the form of a shot glass. You can fill it with milk, coffee, ice cream, or alcohol (21+), and you can pick a cookie shot in several different flavors! Is there a better way to celebrate your birthday, the end of an exam, or just making it through another week of quarantine? The answer is, OF COURSE NOT! Use code HUH15 for 15% off your purchase and enjoy it!
• Wicked Good Cupcakes – GF Our personal favorite is the Wicked Good Cupcakes Birthday Box. I sent these to my daughter last year and she loved them. Just make sure you get enough for their roommates. If we’re going by the name, you know these are going to be wicked good! These desserts come in a festive box filled with cupcakes in a small jar, plus birthday décor and candles if they’re celebrating a birthday. You can pick different sized boxes based on your budget. Plus, these last for at least 10 days without being refrigerated or your student can freeze them for up to 6 months (even though we know they’ll be devoured as soon as they open the box).

Still sweet…

• Edible Arrangements If you are thinking something more along the lines of fresh fruit (and because, who doesn’t like sweets said, no one ever), then Edible Arrangements is the way to go. From their traditional fruit bouquets to their fruit platters, the best gifts are Edible.® They even have strawberries dipped in cake batter and rolled in mini sequin sprinkles, miniature cakes made with fresh pineapple and dipped in white chocolate or you can create your own box.

They will think this is sweet too…

• Drizly – For students who are 21+ then parents can order any type of alcohol, mixer, and even energy drinks

Flowers and Plants

Maybe flowers (or a cool plant) are something your Birthday Owl would prefer. Even better, combine balloons with flowers! Many florists – like most of these – deliver balloons as well. Locally we like:

• Boca Raton Florist – 301 S Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Closes at 5 pm. 561-395-1943.  Recommended for its floral arrangements and the convenience of being so close to campus
• Exceptional Flowers & Gifts – 2800 N Federal Hwy Ste 600-700, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Closes at 5:30 pm. 561-353-4720. Also can do balloons and decorations
• Petals of Boca – Offers same-day delivery which is convenient – It is a local flower shop. They offer many different types of flowers and have a large selection. They also do flower arrangements for occasions as well.
• Publix has a floral department AND they will deliver. You can order flowers and balloons delivered by Instacart or Shipt.

Nationally, here are some of our tried and true Care Favorites

• Bouqs – These beautiful flowers come from eco-friendly farms that use sustainable growing practices, which means longer lasting flowers and no middlemen. You can buy individually or start a subscription.

Balloons are always fun. Many florists will attach balloons to an arrangement or send a bouquet of balloons separately. Locally you can get them from…

• Go Far Balloons
• Party City

Nationally these places send great balloons too:

• GiftBlooms.com

Yes, Soup For You!

Soup can be nice when they’re feeling under the weather. Locally, you can get soup sent from:

• TooJays – Located on Glades Road right near FAU – has many soup options such as chicken noodle soup, Matzo ball soup, and French onion soup. Utilizes Delivery Dudes which makes it easy to have food delivered.
• Panera – Offers delivery, close to FAU. Has soup options as well such as chicken noodle soup, broccoli cheddar soup, baked potato soup, etc.
• PF Changs – Located right across from FAU in the University plaza. Offers various soups for pick up or delivery such as Wonton soup, Hot & Sour Soup, Etc.
• Mario’s Osteria – also located right across from FAU. Offers delivery through Delivery Dudes. They have soups such as chicken vegetable soup and soup of the day.

And then there are Whole Foods, Publix, and Panera too.

National Options

• GrandmasChickenSoup
• Spoonful of Comfort
• Challah Connection

If there is a favorite restaurant or grocery store that your student would be oh-so-happy to receive a special delivery from, you should check out our Deliveries blog. You’ll find some great local places and delivery options.

More Care Gift Ideas

We understand that there are other things that are nice to receive other than food and flowers. One of my daughter’s favorites was when I sent her the comfiest sweats she ever owned. (Yes, I too now have a set or two.)

• Have you ever slipped into a Lou & Gray sweatsuit? It’s perfect study-for-exams attire. Here are some other national companies that have some great options to bring a smile to your student’s face.
• Darden Restaurant e-gift card or a physical card – Olive Garden, Yard House, Cheddar’s, Bahama Breeze, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Red Lobster.
• Greetabl – this is great when you want to send something small, thoughtful, and personalized.
• Knackshops– They offer some great college care packages or you can make your own.
• Lovepop – don’t forget the card. They have some really fun cards for birthdays, Halloween, Get Well, Graduation, and Just Because. They even have sticker pops and gift tag pops.
• Mouth – great for care packages for birthdays, wellness in a box, get better, exams.
• Cameo – This is a really fun way to indulge your celebrity-obsessed friends. Arrange for a personalized message from their favorite celebrity, whether it’s an actor, athlete, musician, reality tv star, or creator. You can arrange for them to get a personalized message from their favorite person. Depending on the person, prices vary.
• Our Campus Market – choose from healthy to gourmet for birthdays, move-in, Trick or Treat, Just Because, and more. Kosher, gluten-free, and vegan packages available – You can even include a gift card to one of their favorite places.
• Perhaps they want to take some friends to dinner to celebrate, or just want a good meal. Darden gift cards can be sent as e-gift cards or physical gift cards. They have cards for Yard House, Olive Garden, Cheddar’s, Bahama Breeze, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Red Lobster.

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