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101 College Blogs to Put You in the College Mood

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

alamodestuff

WordPress, Blogger, TypePad…there’s all sorts of blogging platforms – and higher education is using them!  College blogs are a fun way to learn about college life.  Straight from the colleges themselves, (though not necessarily a reflection of that school’s opinions) you’ll discover fun campus superstitions, big events and celebrations, exciting classes, or even new majors.

Follow along with the life of a college student or read what college admissions has to say.  Some may be more descriptive than others, but they all possess value: a peek at the inner workings of colleges and universities.  It’s a great way to stay on top of college life – and aid you in your college decision-making process!

Did we miss your favorite college blog? Oops! As always, feel free to add it to the comments section below.  While you’re at it – don’t forget to get My College Guide Blog updates free via RSS or Email.

1. Amarillo College 34. Harrington College of Design 68. Rasmussen College
2. Amherst College 35. Hartwick College 69. Rhode Island School of Design
3. Appalachian State University 36. Haverford College 70. Roger Williams University
4. Arcadia University 37. Hudson Valley Community College 71. Saint Anselm College
5. Ball State University 38. Illinois State University 72. Saint Joseph’s College
6. Baruch College 39. Indiana Tech 73. Saint Michael’s College
7. Bates College 40. Indiana University Bloomington 74. Smith College
8. Belhaven University 41. Ithaca College 75. Southern New Hampshire University
9. Berkeley College 42. Johns Hopkins University 76. St. Mary’s College of Maryland
10. Bethany College 43. Kansas State University 77. Suffolk University
11. Boston College 44. Kent State University 78. Swarthmore College
12. Bowie State University 45. Keystone College 79. Trine University
13. Bowling Green State University 46. Lake Superior College 80. Union University
14. Bryn Mawr College 47. Lawrence University 81. Unity College
15. Butler University 48. Linfield College 82. University of California Davis
16. Carnegie Mellon 49. Louisiana College 83. University of Central Florida
17. Catawba College 50. Michigan State University 84. University of Delaware
18. Clover Park Technical College 51.Middlebury College 85. University of Idaho
19. Coker College 52. Milwaukee School of Engineering 86. University of Indianapolis
20. Colby College 53. Montana State University 87. University of Missouri
21. Colorado College 54. Montclair State University 88. University of San Francisco
22. Colorado State University 55. Mountain State University 89. University of Tennessee Knoxville
23. Cornell University 56. Mount Holyoke College 90. University of Virginia
24. Edmonds Community College 57. Newman University 91. Utah State University
25. Elmira College 58. North Carolina State University 92. Vassar College
26. Evergreen State College 59. North Central College 93. Virginia Tech
27. Ferris State University 60. Northwestern University – Fiedler Hillel 94. Washington College
28. Florida State University 61. Northwood University 95. Washington State University
29. Fort Valley State University 62. Oklahoma State University 96. Wellesley College
30. Goucher College 63. Oregon State University 97. Wentworth Institute of Technology
31. Gustavus Adolphus College 64. Pierce College 98. Wilson College
32. Hampshire College 65. Portland State University 99. Wisconsin Lutheran College
33. Hanover College 66. Providence College 100. Wichita State University
67. Randolph College 101. Wofford College

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Classes, College Life, Fun Stuff, Housing, Preparing for College, Social Media, Technology | 7 Comments »

7 Tips for Finding the Best Professors at College

Monday, January 18th, 2010

In the classroomWhether or not you’ve decided on a school, one factor is sure to play a big part in your decision: the professors. Sure, they’ve got all the necessary letters after their names, but are they interesting, entertaining, and open to new ideas? No matter what the subject is, the quality of your professor will make or break the class—so you’d better make sure that you’ll be able to find teachers who you can respect and learn from. Here are some ways to discover whose classroom you want to sit in.

Check out ratemyprofessor.com. This site has anonymous student reviews for thousands of college professors across America, rated according to a variety of factors. If there are just a few ratings, take them with a grain of salt, and don’t take the occasional negative rating too seriously—many students who get poor grades will take it out on the professor in their review. But if you see a number of common traits between many reviews, you’ll probably have a good idea of whether or not a particular professor fits your learning style.

Look for online video courses. Many colleges offer free videotaped lectures on YouTube and other video servers. See if a professor you’re interested in has a class online, and find out what you’re in for. Many great resources for video lectures are available here.

Check out the professor’s course website or blog. Many professors have publicly available online syllabi for their courses, which will give you a good idea of their focus, teaching style, and sense of humor (yes, some really do have one). Even better, a number of college professors have online blogs dedicated to both their professional and personal interests—start following your favorites and leave comments on posts that appeal to you. If you end up at that school, it could be an opportunity to forge a bond in advance.

Find past or current students in your prospective major, and ask for their recommendations. Facebook is a great way to find students at a particular college, or you could simply ask the school to put you in touch with a few students or alums to find out more about the courses. The students may not want to bad-mouth any of their professors to a stranger, but they’re likely to recommend certain instructors above others, which will give you a good idea of which courses are worth taking.

Read their work. Most college professors have published a wide range of books, studies, and academic reports. The reading may sometimes be a bit dry, but if you want to get a true sense of your instructor’s intellect, pick one up and dig in. Many scholarly reports are available online through Google’s Scholars search; if you can’t find the one you want, ask your local library for help.

Sit in on some classes. The easiest way to get a sense of which professors you’ll most enjoy is to try out their classes firsthand. Whether you make a campus visit as a prospective student or after you’ve been accepted, you’ll probably have the opportunity to sit in on some of the larger classes. If you’re hoping to check out one course in particular, contact the school’s admissions office in advance to plan your visit so that you’ll make sure to be there at the right time.

Trial and error. When you begin college, you typically have a full week to exchange classes if you decide that a particular course isn’t for you—so if you’ve ended up with a lemon, don’t wait too long to trade it in, or the class you’d rather take is likely to be filled up.

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The Most Employable Majors: 5 Concentrations That Will Land You a Job Straight Out of College

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

jobIt’s true that technically, you don’t need to choose a major until your third year of college. But there are a lot of advantages to selecting your concentration before you even set foot on campus, while you’re still in high school. Choosing early gives you the chance to take relevant AP courses and SAT subject tests that will let you test out of lower-level prerequisites, saving thousands of dollars on course tuition. You can also take the opportunity to find relevant internships early in the game, which will make you look more attractive to employers when you’re ready to find a full-time job.

So, if you’re considering choosing a major now, you’ll want to think about what you’re good at and what you’re interested in—but especially in these difficult times, you’ll also want to think about what will make you employable. If you want a degree that will help you land a job straight out of college, consider one of these concentrations.

Biomedical Engineering. This challenging, but fascinating major combines the study of engineering and the human body to help students understand how science can help humanity. Biomedical engineers are responsible for working on innovative projects like creating prosthetic limbs and creating cancer warning systems. The career field is growing rapidly, with an estimated 11,600 jobs to be added within the next eight years, and the median salary is $ 77,400. If you’re a math and science whiz, this could be the perfect major to get you started in an exciting and high-paying career.

Education. It’s true that teachers don’t make a fortune, but getting every summer off is one of the greatest benefits around. Getting a degree in elementary education and a teaching credential means that you’re unlikely to ever be out of a job—schools are always in need of great new teachers. Check out the requirements in your state, or the state you plan to move to, to find out what’s involved in becoming a teacher, and what sort of wages you can hope to earn—in some areas, such as New York City, long-time teachers can earn in excess of $100,000 a year.

Information Technology. If you’re a computer whiz, a degree in information technology will help you get the paper credentials you need to move into the high-paying and fast-paced tech world. The industry is gaining prominence rapidly: according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 155,000 new jobs in the network systems and data communications field will be created by 2018. Play your cards right, and you may end up at a Silicon Valley start-up straight out of college.

Finance. If you’re good with numbers, a degree in finance could serve you well in the job market. You’ll have the option of going on to get your CPA license to become an accountant, or you can go into any number of financial careers, such as a financial examiner, a financial consultant, an insurance underwriter, or a money manager. Even though Wall Street may not be the hot spot it once was, there are still plenty of great jobs in the financial industry to be found.

Athletic Training. If you’re a sports nut, but won’t be recruited into the NFL anytime soon, a B.A. in athletic training is a great way to set yourself up for a physically oriented job, where you’ll be able to help people prevent or repair physical injuries. Athletic trainers may work in schools, hospitals, or with sports teams, and are highly in demand—athletic trainer employment is expected to rise by 38 percent from 2008 to 2018. If you love being on your feet all day, this could be the perfect major for you.

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Getting Started at College: Tips for Settling in at the Beginning

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Andrew Stawarz/Andrew Stawarz

If you’ve already received an acceptance letter from your early-decision school, congratulations! Your time worrying about getting into school is finally done—but what do you need to know when you actually arrive at college? Here are a few tips that will help make the transition from home to the frosh dorms simple and painless.

Connect with other future students in advance. These days, it’s easy to connect with your future classmates before you even set foot on campus. Just search Facebook for groups, fan pages, and people connected to your future school—more than likely, you’ll find a group dedicated to admitted students in your class. If not, start your own, and others will soon discover you. If anyone in the group lives nearby, see about getting together for lunch. It will be great to have a familiar face on the first day of school.

Buy or rent your textbooks before you arrive. During the first few days of school, you can spend hours in line waiting to purchase your textbooks, which are often sold at heavily inflated prices. Skip the lines and the high prices by getting a list of coursebooks in advance from your school, and purchasing copies online from Amazon.com or renting copies from Chegg.com or Bookrenter.com.

Once you get your course schedule, find all of your classrooms in advance. There’s nothing more embarrassing than walking in during the middle of a lecture on the first day. Make sure it doesn’t happen to you by taking a walk around the campus and locating all of your classrooms, using a campus map to get your bearings.

Take part in Welcome Week activities. Your school will probably offer a few days packed with games and activities designed to help you meet fellow students and get used to the school. Though some of the activities may not exactly fit your interests, it’s important to get involved—this is a great opportunity to find new friends before you even start classes.

Find out about clubs, intramural sports teams, and the Greek scene. During the first few days of school, most colleges’ various activity groups will set up information booths, where representatives can talk to freshmen about what’s involved in joining or participating in a club. Scout out the groups that appeal to you, and come prepared with questions. If you’re thinking about getting involved in the campus Greek scene, this is also a great time to work out which fraternity or sorority seems like the best fit, and find out about their welcome mixers.

Get your student ID card and rent a fridge as early as possible. Your student ID card is your key to all sorts of campus activities, from meals to gym use, so be sure to get your photo taken for your school ID as early as possible, to avoid long lines. Also, unless you’ve purchased your own mini-fridge, you’ll want to rent one from the school—so be sure to register for one before they’re all gone.

Talk to your academic advisor and your R.A. During the first week of school, it can be helpful to schedule one-on-one meetings with both your academic advisor (who helps you with managing your course load and other academic matters) and your resident advisor (an older student who can help you navigate the rest of college life). If you have particular concerns about either academic or social issues at college, these people are trained to provide you with the support you need.

Send your parents home. Though it can be tempting to keep your parents around for moral support as long as possible, once they’ve helped you with anything you need parental assistance for (unpacking your luggage, dealing with the financial aid office, etc.), let them head back home. It may feel a little scary to be on your own, but you’ll get used to it soon—and just remember, all the other freshmen are in the exact same situation. You’re sure to find a friend or two among them.

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Posted in College Classes, College Life, Housing | 2 Comments »

Get a Green Degree: 6 of the Most Eco-Friendly Colleges in America

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
College of the Atlantic. Photo by udall.

The Udall Legacy Bus Tour: Views from the Road/Morris K. Udall Foundation

If you’re focused on living a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle, you need two find a college that fits with your ideals. That means more than just offering great programs in ecology and environmental science. It means more than being surrounded by natural beauty. Most of all, it’s about finding a school that practices what it preaches, by focusing on clean energy, recycling, local eating, and other eco-friendly initiatives. If you’re a treehugger looking for a green spot to set down roots, look no further than these great options.

College of the Atlantic. This tiny college in beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine is home to just a few hundred students, and boasts the stunning Acadia National Park as its backyard. The school is carbon-neutral, most buildings are made from recycled elements, and the campus’ food is all locally grown and organic. The school is most unique, however, in that it offers just one major: human ecology. Students are free to take courses in a variety of disciplines, like literature, arts, and sciences, but all classes include a message of sustainability and being aware of our impact on the planet.

Warren Wilson College. This small liberal arts school in North Carolina takes an innovative approach to the college experience, requiring each student to join a campus work crew and participate in outside community service in order to graduate. The school’s food and lumber come from its own gardens and forests, and vehicles run on biodiesel fuel. With an ongoing commitment to sustainability, Warren Wilson College is the perfect place for a student as interested in giving back to the world as learning from it.

Green Mountain College. Located in Poultney, Vermont, Green Mountain College requires all students to take a 37-credit Environmental Liberal Arts General Education Program, but the school’s commitment to the environment doesn’t end there. Students are also encouraged to take part in hands-on experiential learning seminars in the natural world, and to take part in the Food & Farm Project, where they can garden and farm to produce the food that the students and faculty eat. The school is also involved in developing ongoing sustainability projects, such as a biomass plant that will source about 20% of the school’s energy requirements.

Carleton College. Minnesota’s Carleton College has its very own wind turbine—the only college in the country to do so. The school is committed to local, organic food, and offers its students “single-stream” recycling, which means that they don’t need to separate the various elements to recycle them. Every February, the students participate in “Dorm Wars,” where they compete to see which building can reduce their energy usage the most, even if it meant outdoor camping in the middle of winter. The winning dorm reduced their energy usage by 22 percent, but the students all used the experience to focus on how they can remain energy-efficient all year round.

UC Santa Cruz. Along with top-notch programs in ecology, marine biology, and other eco-focused subjects, the beautiful UC Santa Cruz is committed to sustainability by fueling all of its energy needs through hydroelectric and wind sources. The school is surrounded by natural beauty, and the town has an eclectic mix of eco-focused independent shops, including an all-night vegan diner.

Oberlin College. Ohio’s Oberlin College, a small liberal arts school, has a strong focus on sustainability, and has developed campus-wide technology to help students, staff, and faculty live green. The college uses an online system to monitor water and energy usage in the dorms, which the students can use to control their carbon footprint, and the campus boasts a solar array and many LEED-certified educational buildings.

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Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Campus, College Classes, College Life | No Comments »

New Trend? University of South Florida Gives Athletes Free Laptops

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Great news for athletes currently attending the University of South Florida: free laptops!  Summarizing an article released by the University of South Florida, USF student athletes log in more than their fair share of hours on the road, missing out on the whole point of college: the classes!

University of South Florida

CWMc/Clyde McCain

The University of South Florida boasts more than 450 student athletes…that’s a lot of computers! But, thanks to funds raised by the Student Bulls Club (a fan club for USF sports), an NCAA Academic Enhancement Fund, and a grant from the Verizon Foundation, USF students can now plug into the wireless college experience no matter where they are.

The catch?  They don’t get to keep the Apple Macbook Pro notebook computers forever: athletes will sign the computers in and out on a semester to semester basis.

We’re curious to see if and how this concept could evolve in  colleges and universities — and how schools could potentially tweak the idea to suit their needs.  We promise to keep you informed.

If you were deciding between schools, would the possibility of obtaining a free laptop influence your decision on whether or not you would attend?

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Beyond the Campus Tour: 7 Signs to Look for When You Visit a College

Friday, December 18th, 2009
Photo by Chaval Brasil

Chaval Brasil

As the time to choose a college approaches, you’ll probably want to visit as many schools as possible to get a feel for which one is the best fit for you. But sometimes, visiting a school is more of a distraction than an answer. After all, the tour guide is bound to show you the nicest dorm rooms (which you probably won’t have a chance of getting), but will she tell you which professors are the human equivalent to Nyquil?

To get the true scoop on college life, it’s important to get beyond the tour script and ask the tough questions. When you go, here’s what you’ll want to check out to see if the school’s worth applying to.

Sit in on a class. Don’t just take the tour guide’s word that the professors are fantastic—go sit in on a class in a field that you’re interested in, and find out for yourself! You’ll probably need to get the college admissions office’s approval to sit in on a course, but they should be able to help you find one that coincides with your visit, if your tour is during the regular school year. Check out ratemyprofessors.com to find out what regular students think of your lecturer.

Find out what students do for fun. Is most of the activity focused on-campus, or off? Is the Greek scene a big part of campus life? Does the whole campus go crazy for football, or do the students seem more artsy and independent? Depending on your interests, you’ll want to make sure that the school has what you need to thrive socially.

How’s the food? OK, maybe it’s not the most important thing, but you’ll be eating food from the college cafeteria every day for at least your first couple of years, so you’ll want to make sure it’s edible. Take a swing by the cafeteria for lunch to try it for yourself.

What sort of sports and outdoor activities can you take part in? If you love to run, take a look at the track. If swimming’s your thing, you’ll want to check out the pool facilities—and if you love mountain biking, then see how far you are from nearby trails, and how easy they are to get to. Some schools in beautiful areas, such as Colorado College, offer students the chance to take outdoors excursions every weekend. If you’d be interested, ask a student who’s attended one of the events about what it’s like.

How’s the library? You’ll probably be spending plenty of time there, especially during finals week. Is it well stocked? Is it quiet and comfortable enough to study in? Take a look at the students there—if they all seem incredibly stressed, it may not be the best place to spend four years of your life.

What’s off campus? At some schools, you’ll have enough to do that you’ll rarely want to leave campus—but when you do, what will you find? Is the college located in an interesting city with lots of cheap restaurants and nightlife options? Or are you an hour or more from any place worth seeing? While location isn’t everything, it can play a big part in your college experience, so it’s worth considering. (Check out our list of great college towns for some ideas of places to consider applying.)

How easy is it to get home? Obviously, this isn’t something to ask your campus tour guide—you’ll answer this question yourself when you make the trek there. If getting back and forth between home and the dorm seems like a huge hassle, it may not be the best place to set up shop for four years.

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, Housing | 4 Comments »

9 Ways to Save a Fortune on College Tuition and Expenses

Monday, December 14th, 2009

piggyThe idea of a college student being too poor to afford anything but Ramen noodles may be clichéd, but it exists for a reason—it’s true for many students. Between the cost of tuition, textbooks, a computer, dorm expenses, and every other essential part of the college life, most students find it hard to keep more than a few dollars in their wallets at any given time.

But by thinking smart and planning early, you can save thousands of dollars on college expenses. Here are just a few ideas to help lighten the burden of all those bills:

  1. Earn college credits in high school. If you still have a couple of years to go before starting college, you could save thousands in future tuition fees by taking advanced placement courses. If you do well enough on the AP exams, or if you ace your SATS, you’ll be able to bypass the lower-level general education requirements for related subjects. You can also take college-level classes at your local community college while still in high school—talk to your school counselor about your options.
  2. Instead of buying your textbooks, try renting them. While you can save some money by purchasing used copies of your textbooks from your campus bookstore, you can save way more by renting books through websites like Chegg and Bookrenter, where you can borrow a book that retails for $70 or more for less than $20 for a semester. Both sites also offer free return shipping when you’re finished with the semester.
  3. Download freeware for your computer. Commonly used computer software like MSOffice cost hundreds of dollars to purchase. Instead, download open-source software like OpenOffice, which is completely free to download.
  4. Start out at a community college. You can take the first two years of general education requirements at a local community college near your home before transferring to complete your major at your university of choice. You may not be as involved with campus life by taking this path, but the thousands of dollars you’ll save could make the decision worthwhile.
  5. Take summer classes at a community college. If you don’t want to wait to attend a traditional university, you can still save some cash by taking summer courses at a local community college, which costs less for each credit than a 4-year school. You also may be able to graduate early, saving thousands more on campus housing fees.
  6. Take an extra class each semester. Yes, you’ll be insanely busy, but it’s doable—and by taking a fast-track path with your education, you’ll spend less on rent, meals, and other living expenses.
  7. If you want to go to med school, enroll in a combined degree program. Medical school is even more expensive than college—but you can cut costs on both if you know what path you want to take before starting college. If you enroll in one of the 36 schools offering a BS/MD program, you’ll be able to complete the entire degree program in seven years, for significantly less than you’d pay going from college to a separate medical school.
  8. Live in a triple dorm. In your first year of college, you probably won’t have much choice about where you live. But if you don’t mind cramped quarters, some schools will allow you to turn a double room into a triple, saving thousands on your annual bill.
  9. Try out a student co-op. Later in your college career, you’ll probably look for a house or apartment off-campus to rent. A student co-op is the best bargain you’ll find: in exchange for doing household chores (typically 5 hours a week of cooking and cleaning for your fellow housemates), you’ll pay much less in rent than you would in a typical house.

What other tips have you used to help save money on college costs? Share them in the comments!

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Posted in AP Classes, Choosing a College, College Classes, College Life, Preparing for College, SAT Scores, Technology | 2 Comments »

5 Unique College Majors (and the Cool Jobs They Can Land You)

Monday, December 7th, 2009

800px-Golf_player_Hawaii_2002If you’re planning to attend college in the next couple of years, you’re probably still wondering about what to major in. There’s nothing wrong with that—you have two years at college before you need to make a final decision. A major in biology could set you up for further studies at medical school, and a pre-law degree will help you master the basics of tort and criminal law if you’d like to become an attorney one day, but if you’re not sure where your path will take you, why not consider some of the more unique majors available? Here are some fascinating college majors from American universities that you’ve probably never heard of—and the cool jobs they can lead to.

Viticulture. You may be too young to drink wine, but that doesn’t mean you’re too young to make it! Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, California, offers a hands-on Wine and Viticulture major, where students will learn all the basics about growing grapes and turning them into high-quality wine, using the school’s own 100-acre vineyard as a testing ground. Once you’ve finished the program, you’ll finally be old enough to try out your own wine—and will be prepared to launch your very own winery. Check out the program details here. http://cafes.calpoly.edu/departmentsAndMajors/majors/wineAndViticulture.asp

Professional Golf Management. If you’re a golf nut, but aren’t quite qualified to go pro, maybe you should consider running your own golf course. A degree in Professional Golf Management from Penn State University will teach you how to do just that, with courses in subjects like Turf Grass Management, Analysis of the Swing, and Golf Car Fleet Management. And perfecting your swing is part of the program: students must pass a golfing proficiency test out on the green before being awarded with a diploma and a membership to the PGA. Sounds like a good excuse to spend plenty of time out on the course (as scholarly research).

Food Science. Have you always loved both chemistry and cooking? A degree in Food Science from Cornell University provides a chance to combine these two passions, teaching you about engineering, microbiology, chemistry and other scientific fields as applied to everything that ends up on your plate. This is definitely not a lightweight major—you’ll need to take a series of courses in calculus, organic chemistry, and microbiology to even begin the program—but it’s a fascinating and rewarding field. If you think coming up with Ben and Jerry’s next flavor would be a dream job, this is your way in.

Bagpipes. In tribute to founder Andrew Carnegie’s Scottish roots, Carnegie Mellon University offers America’s only bagpipes major, complete with its very own scholarship. The program focuses on both the history of bagpiping and the performance itself—though bagpipes students are given a separate building to practice their craft in, as the instrument is incredibly loud. The university has only graduated a handful of bagpipes scholars so far, but if you’re a fan of the infamous instrument, this might be just the trick for you to score a scholarship to a great school—and receive plenty of high-paid invitations to perform at weddings after graduation. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09127/968364-298.stm

Criminology. If you’re addicted to TV shows like America’s Most Wanted and Criminal Minds, a degree in criminology (available at many colleges, including the University of Southern Maine) might be the best way to get into the fascinating and high-paying field of criminal profiling. Criminology courses in an undergraduate program typically include a mix of psychology and sociology classes focusing on the American criminal justice system, as well as an internship with a police department or government agency. Though you’ll need to complete a master’s degree in criminology to become eligible for most jobs in the field, a B.A. in this fascinating field is your first step on the way to a high-level profiling career with a police department, the FBI, or even the CIA.

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Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Admissions, College Classes, College Life | 1 Comment »

6 Cool College Video Lectures Available Online for Free

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Woman with laptop.There’s nothing like the college experience: sharing a room the size of a shoebox, taking part in impromptu midnight study sessions, dining at an all-you-can-eat buffet every day, and so much more. While college tour guides are sure to sing the praises of the weekly BBQs and the retro-chic dorm rooms, they may not focus too much on the most important part of your time in college: the courses themselves. Sure, the professors may be quoted daily in the New York Times, but how do they stack up in the classroom?

These days, some schools have made it easy to judge for yourself, thanks to publicly available video lectures, which are free to anyone with an Internet connection. Whether you’re eager to see what the future holds, or you simply want to spend your free time learning from the best and brightest, here are some of the best video lectures available online.

Yale, “The Philosophy of Death.”

This philosophy course from Yale University ponders the issue: “I am going to die. But what am I to make of that fact?”  Professor Shelly Kagan, dressed in jeans and Chuck Taylors, guides his real and virtual students through the moral issues regarding death, suicide, euthanasia, and other mortal concepts with humor and insight. Watch it here.

Stanford, Entrepreneurship series.

Hoping to pull a Mark Zuckerberg by creating an Internet start-up and getting filthy rich by the time you’re 22? Go for it—but first, you might want to heed the advice of those who’ve been there and done that. Stanford recently held a series of lectures by Chris Larsen, CEO and co-founder of the peer-to-peer online lending site, Prosper.com, in which he shares the trials and tribulations of starting a company from scratch. Before you hire your first intern, learn more in the lectures here.

UCLA, “Science, Magic, and Religion.”

In this history course from UCLA, Professor Courtenay Raia provides a fascinating glimpse at social perception throughout history, exploring how scientific elements have been seen as magical by some cultures, and diving into the modern “mystic” culture. Any Harry Potter on the syllabus? You’ll have to go find out.

UC Berkeley, “Buddhist Psychology.”

Interested in Buddhism? Find out how meditation and mindfulness fit in with modern psychology in this fascinating course from UC Berkeley. Check it out—it will bring you good karma.

Caltech, “The Amazing World of Bubbles.”

You probably enjoyed blowing bubbles as a kid, but we bet you’ve never taken the time to analyze their scientific properties. In this unique lecture from Caltech Mechanical Engineering professor Chris Brennen, you’ll learn about how bubbles’ abilities to harness and radiate energy can be a force of either good or evil in the world of technology. View it here.

Harvard, “Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness.”

What is happiness, and how can we attain it in our daily lives? It’s a complicated question, and, while many self-help books and TV shows address it, very few reveal anything of substance. Instead of listening to them, try this enlightening and inspiring lecture from Harvard psychology professor Tal Ben-Shahar, whose Positive Psychology class is one of the university’s most popular. It’ll make you think and smile—a rare combination!

Oxford, “The Future of the Web.”

These days, the Internet informs our everyday lives to a huge extent, whether it’s researching an essay, sending emails to our friends, downloading music, or even video-conferencing with family on the other side of the world. The web has opened many doors for us already—but what does the future hold? There’s no one more prepared to answer that question than Sir Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the original World Wide Web. Find out what he has to say in this fascinating video.

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