Postify

Guest Post: You Know You Are in College When

jaredbanz — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:38:00 -0400

Do you ever have those moments when you step back, look at what you were doing, and think, “Wow, only a college student would do this”? If so, then you are in good company. Upon returning home for my first break my freshman year (and actually interacting with non-students) I realized how odd college students really are. So, I began recording some of the more interesting and amusing aspects of being in college. Perhaps you can relate.

You know you’re a college student when…

The word “free” makes you salivate. No matter what the free item is.
Every time the professor turns around is an opportunity take a short nap.
When everything you talk about relates to a class.
When the first thing people ask you is, “How are your classes?”
You will attend almost any meeting, club, seminar, debate, lecture, class, workshop and/or sporting event… as long as there’s free food or extra credit!
When you can only remember what day it is based on what classes you go to. (This means that you never know what day it is on break.)
When the sound of your alarm makes you shudder.
When you keep a few blank flashcards on you at all times.
When taking a 5-minute break could mean the difference between an ‘A’ and a ‘B.’
When you have no idea what is going on in the rest of the world, but you are always up on the latest developments “who’s-dating-who” on campus.
When you live on granola bars, coffee, and the snack machine.
If something doesn’t count for extra credit, you aren’t going to do it.
When the words “Gray’s Anatomy” actually makes you think of the encyclopedia, not the TV show.
When you actually have to check the temperature and dress appropriately.
When Saturdays become an exciting opportunity to catch up on (or procrastinate about) homework.
When you find yourself saying things like, “I don’t have time to have any more friends.”
When your excuse for not attending any social engagements is always, “I have a lot of homework.”
When you start making up your own mnemonic devices.
When you covet another student’s “cooler” office supplies.
When you know exactly how little sleep you can get and still stumble through the day.
When the amount of clean underwear you have dictates your laundry schedule.
When culturing mold in your room is socially acceptable…after all, who wants to wash dishes?

Lynley Turkelson is a sophomore Psychology student at Cedarville University. She enjoys studying the human body, particularly the brain, and hopes to eventually work with severely disabled children. In her spare time, she enjoys blogging on The Northern Belle, writing poetry, and reading thought-provoking books.

9 Tips for Posting Killer Ads

jaredbanz — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:10:00 -0400

We are excited for you to start using Postify. Whether you are looking to get some cash for your old Psychology textbook or you want to get rid of that old digital camera you never use, selling and exchanging your things has never been easier. As you look you begin using Postify, we have put together some tips to maximize your user experience and hopefully help you to earn a little more cha-ching.

Catchy Titles - Would you click an ad entitled “used cell phone” or “Dazzling HTC EVO”?
Use Pictures! - Higher quality pics help build credibility… just ask this guy :)
Be Descriptive - Include important details and be honest.
Post in the correct categories and add tags.
Be Cautious of Scams - Consider accepting cash only.
Sell in Multiples of $20’s for Larger Items - This makes it easier for buyers to withdraw money from ATM’s.
Spelling / Grammar - typos ain’t kool
Be Social - We built Twitter and Facebook into Postify for a reason. :)
Be Safe - Exchange goods during the day in public places

Now what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already signed up, it only takes about 30 seconds. Get started now!

Photo

jaredbanz — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:51:49 -0400

"Bolt-ing" at WSU

Ice cream social at Wright State

Cedarville University Volunteers

These sunglasses are definitely a hit!

Postify - August Review

jaredbanz — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:22:00 -0400

August has been a tremendously busy but exciting month for Postify as we launched our website and opened at two primary schools, Cedarville University and Wright State University. Here are a few highlights from our busy month.

Interviews / Press: Tanner Perrien, one of our founders was interviewed here by the Dayton Daily News. We also have an article pending with The Guardian, a student newspaper for Wright State, and we have been featured on several blogs.

Online Visitors: Our online traffic numbers have jumped tremendously over the past few weeks as we have thousands of visits from students from Cedarville, WSU and other schools. More importantly, we’ve had students start to embrace and actively use the site, like this guy.

On-Campus Visits: We had several on-campus visits to Cedarville and WSU. During these visits we talked with students, handed out sunglasses and coasters and had some fun as can be seen in this picture.

$50 Gift Card Giveaway: We also had a promotion at Cedarville University. Students who posted five or more ads on Postify were eligible for a $50 gift card to Amazon. We had great participation and Bethany (@BethanyGraces) was the lucky winner. Congratulations Bethany!!

August was an excellent kick-off for Postify, and we are excited to keep the momentum going in September. If you haven’t already, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay updated and learn more about our upcoming prizes and giveaways!!

Fun Friday Giveaway

jaredbanz — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:57:00 -0400

Postify recently announce in this Cedarville University ad that we were giving away a $50 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner on Friday, August 31st.

We are thrilled to give away this prize and here are the important details in order to be eligible for this Fun Friday Giveaway.

The winner must be a current Cedarville University Student.
The winner must post at least five items on Postify’s classifieds for Cedarville by Friday 8/31/2012.

That’s all! This is a very easy way for one lucky student to get 50 bucks. If you haven’t already posted your items, post them now while there is still time!!

Other Important Details (just in case you were wondering): :-P

We will email the winner on Friday (8/31) to announce that they won the gift card before posting the winner publicly on Facebook and Twitter.
After emailing them, we will post the winner on Facebook and Twitter. (Facebook and Twitter are in no way sponsoring, endorsing or affiliated with this promotion).
We will follow up by either mailing or sending a digital $50 Amazon gift card to our winner.

Postify Sneak Peak

jaredbanz — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 17:27:00 -0400

We haven’t had an update for a while, but that does not mean the Postify team has not been working hard. Our programming beasts (Adam and Tanner) and master designer (Cam) have been working hard on the new site, blowing away deadlines. While it’s not available to the public yet, we already have a functioning site. If you are reading this blog, you just may get a sneak peak. :)

Let me tell you about some of the features on this site that will make your life as a college student much easier, while also allowing you to save and make a lot of money. Pretty soon you’ll be wondering how you made it without Postify. (You can thank us later.)

Beautiful Design - I think we as a culture have just accepted classifieds sites as websites that look like they were made in 1993, but function well. We easily criticize other functional websites that aren’t aesthetically pleasing, but we turn a blind eye when it comes to classifieds. The team at Postify wants to change that, and our new site that officially launches August 1st offers a clean, modern look, while maintaining the intuitiveness and functionality that is required for a great user experience. We here at Postify like to say that we are “putting the class back into classifieds.”

Social - The new site integrates major social networks and allows you to share your ads on Facebook or Twitter once they’re posted. I know that I’d rather buy, trade or rent things from friends as opposed to strangers, so social sharing will help you do just that.

Textbook Feature - Everyone knows that college textbooks are one of the most purchased items in college. Why not sell, rent or exchange your old textbooks with other students? The new site will allow you to just type in the ISBN number for your textbooks that you’d like to sell, and all of the important information automatically populates. The picture of the book even pops up, making your life much easier. You will also be able to add comments to describe the book’s condition.

Lists - Chances are you have lists of books, movies or furniture you would like to buy. Maybe you see something on Postify that you like, but you aren’t sure if you should buy it. Our list feature allows you to create lists for these items so you can keep tabs on them.

Free! - Did I mention that this will all be free? You will get to do all of this and more for free. I wish I was in college again, just so that I could use this!

That’s a brief summary of just a few of the features for the upcoming launch. Trust us, there is a whole lot more, but we can’t share all of our secrets with you quite yet. ;)

Postify will be launching at Wright State University on August 1st. If you would like to say hello to us or keep up to date with the latest news, make sure you check us out on the social media links below. Also, if you are still reading, click here to see some screenshots of the new site! Thanks for reading and feel free to share us with your college friends!

+Written by Jared Banz

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Here are a few sneak peaks at the new site. We launch at Wright...

jaredbanz — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 17:22:00 -0400

Postify Drop-down Navigation

Postify Listings

Sample Postify Ad

Here are a few sneak peaks at the new site. We launch at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio on August 1st!!

Save Money by Exchanging Textbooks

jvanderwal — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:40:55 -0400

Unless you are a brand new college Freshman, you likely have many old college textbooks just lying around and collecting dust. You have several options for what to do with these textbooks.

Hoard them - If you would like to make an appearance on the show “Hoarders,” then by all means keep all your textbooks! They also make for great box-stuffers at home, perfect for putting in your parents’ attic for the next 20 years until they’re all moth-eaten and irrelevant.

Burn them - Oftentimes, textbooks and study notes bring back bad memories of long nights cramming, coupled with poor grades and unreasonable professors. Maybe you have a Chemistry notebook that is filled with blood, sweat, tears, midnight-oil and RED INK that came from a heartless professor who felt more like telling you what you did wrong than how you could correct it… but I digress.

OR you could go the smart route:

Exchange them - Is one of your friends taking a class next year that you’ve already taken? Do they still need the book for that class that is sitting under your bed? Maybe they also have a book for an upcoming Psychology class that you are scheduled to take. Why not save money and trade books? Things don’t always work out this way with your immediate friends, but on a campus the size of Wright State, it’s likely that there are hundreds of other students who would love to save some cash and exchange books with you. Instead of buying it new from the bookstore, you decide to get on Postify and propose an exchange.

Sell them - Why not help the class below you? Instead of selling your book back to the bookstore for a fraction of what they’re going to resell it for, sell it to that freshman for more than you would get otherwise. They’ll be happy to buy it for less than at the bookstore, and maybe you could include your notes for a little extra money.

In conclusion, burning and hoarding your books is not the recommended way of dealing with your textbooks. Instead, consider using Postify to exchange, buy or sell your textbooks. You can thank us later when you have more date money.

Guest Post | Practical College Tips

jaredbanz — Sat, 26 May 2012 23:08:00 -0400

After finishing a year of college, I’ve experienced great successes, as well as some terrible mistakes. People always give new students tips on what is right and wrong for a college student, yet so few of us follow through. My first mistake was not getting enough sleep, which is vital to receiving a great education, and ultimately it affected some of my grades in the end. Without sleep, it is much more difficult to retain information and the motivation to study. For example,I had a friend in the honors program who maintained a 4.0 all year, and not once did he grant his body less than eight hours of rest. Being well rested, he was able to have the energy to exercise and eat three meals a day, both of which I failed to do as well. It isn’t that I, or any of my similar friends, wanted to deprive ourselves of a healthy lifestyle, but simply lack of effort in factoring health into time management. Studying and sleeping are two of the most important aspects of college life, both of which it seems there is never enough time for. There is also so much pressure on freshmen college students to join clubs, make friends, and get spectacular grades, making it difficult to maintain a healthy balance of sleep and exercise.

Another huge issue that I had in college, as did my roommate, was in the area of spending. Since I attended a school close to Providence during my first year, my friends and I always wanted to go into the city and do new things. The problem with that is the fact that eating multiple meals in the city is not quite as financially-friendly as eating on the designated meal plan. While it may seem tempting to go out and do tons of new things with the credit or debit card that many students are using for the first time, it is important to remember that eventually the funds will be depleted or the balance will have to be paid off. To avoid this problem with food, I suggest always sticking to the meal plan if it is an option. Your bank account and parents will thank you.

Here are a couple more tips for new students:

Rest. Get a solid eight hours of sleep every night. Although it may seem impossible to manage friends, studying, eating, and basic hygiene, giving your body a break should not be the victim of your schedule. Sleep well and try to exercise on a regular basis.
Studying. The rule of thumb is to study three hours outside of class for every credit hour spent in class. For example, a student taking a 3-credit course should spend 9 hours per week studying for the class. Even if there is no homework due, dedicate this time to review. Spending this much time per course will help you to retain the material and avoid burning out from cramming the day before exams.
Dorm Life. Your roommate does not have to be your friend, but that doesn’t mean being disrespectful is acceptable. Set boundaries and agreements on day one to avoid future conflicts, posting the rules of the room on the wall. As long as roommates respect each other’s needs, there is rarely a problem.
Parties. College is meant to be fun, so know how to party if you’re going to do it. The worst thing that you can do at a party is drink too much. Remember that you do not have to drink a lot at any party, though if you do plan on it, your best bet would be to alternate between alcohol and another substance. It takes three hours for your body to digest one drink, so overworking your liver to prevent hangovers and potentially dangerous situations.
Finances. Avoid spending money if you don’t have to; colleges offer meal plans for a reason, so take advantage of them! Most college students do not work during the academic year, and are generally better off not doing so. Keep track of what you spend and set a weekly budget so that you don’t run out of money on your debit card or max out your student credit card.

*This was a guest blog post. If you are a college student and would like to become a contributor to Postify’s blog, please email social@hellopostify.com.

Entertainment Options for Dayton Students, Part 2

jvanderwal — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:18:02 -0400

Still looking for something fun to do on the weekends, but not sure what’s off campus? This is the second post in our series on things to do in the greater Dayton area.

National Museum of the Air Force

Boasting more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles on display, the National Museum of the Air Force is a favorite for tourists, visiting Dayton. Admission is free unless you decide to visit a show at their IMAX theatre. (Check your local college classifieds for any available IMAX tickets.) Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is right around the corner too, so keep your eyes open for planes taking off and landing.

Dayton Art Institute

Chances are, one of your general education classes will require you to visit the Dayton Art Institute in downtown Dayton. The Institute was founded in 1919 and has exhibits covering the past 5,000 years. In addition to historical art displays, the Institute also features special events that can be focused on everything from urban art to simply a movie night. Admission is free for students, but make sure it’s open when you plan on going; Mondays and Tuesdays are usually closed.

Oregon District

If you’re looking for a chill place to go visit with friends, or for a laid-back date, the Oregon District is the place to go. You can choose to merely walk around and see historic homes, or you can visit the Oregon Arts District for an “eclectic brew of artistic, educational, and cultural options.” There are also a lot of great local pubs and restaurants offering tasty food options and special craft beers. The Oregon District is a fun place to hang on the weekends and generally attracts a younger, hip crowd.
These are just a couple of the many entertainment options around the Dayton area. If you are new to the area, have fun exploring and trying new things. Also, be sure to check our first post in this series to get more fun and cheap entertainment ideas.

Design Sneak Peak! Sign up is ready!

cameronreynoldsflatt — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:28:36 -0400

Design Sneak Peak!

Postify Update!

cameronreynoldsflatt — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:21:00 -0400

We are about 3 months into the creation of Postify and things are moving like crazy! Our amazing progress has been made possible by our stellar team working hard to prepare Postify for its upcoming launch on August 1st.

Here are a few highlights over the past few months:

Our URL is official :) hellopostify.com
Postify is ready to say hello! Our facebook, twitter, G+, and blog are all up and running!
Legal work is finished (Thanks to Patrick Richard for all the legal assistance!)
Creating some buzz! Check out our latest post on Top Finance Blog!

Don’t worry, this party is just getting started. We have a lot of cool features planned for Postify… here is a little taste of what is to come in the future…

Clean & simple design
It’s time to pull classifieds out of 1995 and into the year 2012. We have streamlined the classifieds experience to make it easier for you to buy and sell items online!

Mobile App
These days everything you need in life fits in your pocket (well your smartphone to be exact). We want you to have access to Postify wherever you are in the world through iPhone and Andriod apps!

Textbooks!
You will use a book or two in college (as well as some Sparknotes) Buying, selling, and renting books is super easy on Postify. Just enter the textbooks ISBN and you are done. Really will take care of all the heavy lifting.

Watchlist
There are like a bajillion things you need for college! Say goodbye to the old pen and paper and hello to our simple watchlist. Easily save and track all the items you need!

I’ll check back in soon to give you some more details on what we’re working on!

529 Plans - What are they?

jaredbanz — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:08:00 -0400

According to a recent study done by The College Board as quoted on Savingforcollege.com, The average 4-year price at private colleges for students enrolling in 2010 was an astounding $119,400. Even more amazing is that this is expected to jump to as high as $340,800 for Freshmen enrolling in 2028 (assuming an approximate increase of 6 percent). These astronomical figures are alarming for parents who hope to help their kids with a college education.

Thankfully, proactive parents and grandparents have viable opportunities to help lessen the education costs for their child or grandchild by setting up a 529 plan.

What is a 529 Plan?

A 529 plan is a type of savings account that is operated by states to help families put money aside for future educational costs. Normally there are two types of accounts available, the prepay option and the investment option.

The prepay option allows family members to buy tuition credits to be used in a future date. This option is like forever stamps. You buy them at a certain rate, but can use them later, even when stamp costs have gone much higher. If going the prepaid route, make sure you read all of the stipulations, as they may have strict criteria for schools and states where they can be redeemed.

The investment option is another viable solution to high tuition costs. This type of account allows you to invest money in a mutual fund tax-deferred account, provided that it is used for eligible education costs. While you still need to pay income taxes on the original investment dollars, this method is definitely a savvy way for family members to save for college.

Now What?

If you are a parent considering college savings, make sure you talk to your financial advisor to see if there are any creative solutions that may be more tailored to your situation. Other options like Coverdell Education Savings Accounts should also be explored. Always remember, putting money aside early and often is one of the most important investments that you will ever make for your child’s future.

Wright State University Job Options

jaredbanz — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:57:00 -0400

If you are a WSU student, chances are, you are probably looking for employment of some kind to help pay for school while also building valuable experience for your career. The problem is that it can be different to locate quality jobs while still in school.

Thankfully, you have us to help you out as you seek employment opportunities in the Dayton and Columbus areas. Here are a few good places to look as you search for jobs.

Wright State University – What better place to look for jobs than WSU’s human resources site? Whether it’s an open Web Developer position or Research Apprentice opening, find hundreds of quality job openings associated with Wright State!

Postify – Okay, you knew this was coming, but it is an excellent resource. We also can’t not tell you about it. Postify will be going live on August 1st, which means that when you come back for fall semester, you will be able to use it to find local jobs. The more people that use Postify, the more job opportunities there will be. Make sure you don’t miss out!

LinkedIn Jobs – I personally think that LinkedIn is an undervalued tool by many job hunters. Search for fresh job openings in a given geographic area. Unlike large job websites like Monster.com, LinkedIn is a much more personable and offers wonderful networking opportunities. If you haven’t joined LinkedIn yet, check it out now.

Indeed.com – Indeed is a major site devoted to turning applicants into employees. It has a very comprehensive listing of jobs, usually aggregated from a number of job boards. Their listings are required to be current, and if you haven’t used Indeed.com its highly recommend it.

These are just a few of the many places where you can look for an internship or job. Remember, when it comes to finding a job, preparation, hard-work and persistence are key. Now go out there and check out these sites for yourself… Happy hunting!

Entertainment Options for Wright State Students, Part 1

jvanderwal — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:27:35 -0400

Are you a new college student to Dayton looking for something fun to do without spending a fortune? Oftentimes, finding good date ideas or friend ideas, can be a challenge. However, as any well-connected student in Dayton will tell you that there is no shortage of fun things to do in the area. From great local eateries to incredible concerts, Dayton offers some fine entertainment options. The trick however for freshmen at neighboring schools like Wright State University, is finding some of these hidden gems that are often off the beaten path. This post will be the first of a series of blog posts that will highlight some of the entertainment options for local students.

Kings Island - “The Largest Amusement & Waterpark in the Midwest”

Located just 50 minutes from Dayton, Ohio, Kings Island is a very popular destination for everyone from families to college students. Tickets aren’t the cheapest, but there are plenty of opportunities at discount tickets. What is great is that a ticket for the amusement park also covers the water park, so you can ride roller coasters and then water slides.

Fifth Third Field - Go Dayton Dragons!

Built in the heart of Dayton, Fifth Third Field is home to the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team. Tickets are very affordable for college students and provide several hours of entertainment.

Nutter Center - At Wright State University!

Known to every Wright State student, the Nutter Center hardly needs a spot on this blog. Concerts, graduations, you name it, it happens here. Ticket prices will vary; be sure to check if there are any local listings on the Wright State University Classifieds. Also, look here for the schedule of events.

Second Street Market - Indoor Farmer’s Market

The second street market is a big hit for locals. This year round farmer’s market has local fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers, local vendors, live music, coffee, ethnic foods and wonderful breakfasts. It is a sure winner for a date idea or even just a fun place to go to on a Saturday morning with your friends and peers.

These are a few of the many opportunities that help make Dayton a great place to live or visit. In the coming weeks, we will be adding more attractions, first date ideas and favorite local restaurants. Stay tuned and follow us on Twitter!

Creative College Job Ideas

jaredbanz — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:58:24 -0400

We all know that the majority of college students do not have a lot of money. With tuition costs rising well over $30,000 / yr. for many schools, it’s no wonder most college students are flat out broke. To make matters worse, finding a decent income in college can be challenging. I remember 6 years ago when I was a freshman, I made $5.50 / hour washing dishes and doing our athletic teams’ laundry. These jobs are hardly the ideal solution and can become very discouraging.

Thankfully, you do have better options! When I was in school, it took me about 2 years to realize the many options available to make a little extra cash. Oftentimes with some creativity and persistence, you can develop your skills, make money and follow your passions - Not a bad combo!

Guest Writing / Blogging - Are you a person who enjoys to write? More and more companies are looking for writers who have proper grammar and punctuation. Opportunities include writing press releases, blogs, articles, how to’s, manuals, web content and much more. The nice thing about these types of jobs is that you can usually write in the comfort of your pajamas with a cup coffee whenever and wherever you want to. If you would like to enhance your resume and be a contributor to Postify’s blog, please email us at social@hellopostify.com.

Graphic Designer - Are you creative person who is good with graphic design and PhotoShop? If so, you can likely use services like Elance or Odesk to help you jumpstart your career while still taking classes. Once again, you can work in the convenience of your dorm room while also gaining excellent resume building experience.

IT / Computer Support - Are you a tech nerd? Do you enjoy fixing things? If so, there are endless opportunities of people and companies who are in desperate need of tech support. Believe it or not, but many smart people know very little about computers, creating a large demand for people like you when computer issues arise. Take initiative, get a website up and start your own business today!

These are just a few of the many opportunities available to students. The advancement of technology has greatly opened up the number possibilities for those who are willing to take advantage of it. Also, do not forget check out Postify for more job openings. Whether you are looking for writing gigs or landscaping jobs, find them all here!

Second Guessing Your College Decision? You’re Not Alone..

jvanderwal — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:42:06 -0400

Have you ever second guess your college choice, thinking it may not have been the smartest decision you made in life? Maybe that skyrocketing debt has you confused on whether college was the wisest decision. For a lot of recent college grads this nagging question is always in the back of their minds. The Associated Press came out with some sobering numbers the other day that 53% of recent grads are unemployed or jobless. After all the times your parents told you that getting a degree was your guarantee to a great job and happy life after graduation, the numbers are coming back with a much different story.

Before reading into this depressing statistic, don’t necessarily doubt your choice of getting an education, as 47% of recent grads that have good jobs in line with what they studied.

What this means is that you have to look at what makes you hireable once you have a degree. Employers will look more favorably upon graduates from schools they recognize, so either get into a well-known school or apply for a job near where you graduated from. If you’re still choosing between what school to attend, here is a list of 20 colleges not worth their tuition.

How they calculated the return on investment was determined by how much you would likely make if you only went to highschool, versus how much you could expect to make with a four-year degree from one of these schools. The results are pretty staggering. Fortunately Wright State University or any other schools in Dayton, Ohio aren’t on the list!

One thing to keep in mind is that many of the lowest schools may be graduating majors that aren’t necessarily in it for the money to begin with. For example Cedarville University is a Christian liberal arts college that graduates a lot of Youth Ministry majors, inner-city school teachers and social work majors. Therefore, keep this in mind when reading statistics like the one mentioned above and evaluating your college choice.

If you already go to one of these schools, help fight these astronomical education costs by buying and selling your used textbooks on Postify!

Save Money on Textbooks

jvanderwal — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:50:16 -0400

So you are back for another semester. Good for you! Except… now you have to buy a bunch of overpriced books for a class you probably do not want to take. Awesome.

What can you do? Fortunately, now there are some alternatives.

1. Buy from the bookstore. This is what your parents did. And their parents before them. And their parents before them.. I could go on, but you get the picture. By all means, go this route if you must, but just be aware how much money they’re making off you. After all, do you really want to pay $135 for that used Psychology book when you could buy it for $20 on site like Postify?

2. Rent it! This is the next-generation solution for high textbook costs. Imagine getting that nursing textbook for $40 for the semester instead of paying $200 at your university bookstore. A major advantage of renting is that you don’t have to worry about trying to sell your book at the end of the semester. This is also the recommended path for students who don’t plan on using their textbooks after taking a class.

Bonus Round: Sell or rent your own books! You aren’t the only student who is looking for books and trying to save money at the same time. You also likely have a bunch of books just laying around and collecting dust. What better way to to get cash, go green and help out another student by posting your books on Postify!

Why Every College Student Should be on LinkedIn

jvanderwal — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:11:00 -0400

While some people go to college to find a spouse, the majority of individuals attend places of higher learning to get trained for a future job in that area of study. Here’s the problem. Having a degree in and of itself is not usually good enough to get a job in this economy. You need to be proactively doing things to differentiate yourself from the other millions of people that are also looking for a job.

Getting a college internship is one excellent way to build your resume, but oftentimes you cannot get an internship if you haven’t networked well. Thankfully, LinkedIn makes it easier to connect with other professionals and spot good job / internship opportunities.

LinkedIn was launched less than ten years ago and has quickly grown to over 150 Million users in over 200 countries. In a sense, LinkedIn is the Facebook of working professionals. It’s used extensively by HR representatives for hiring purposes, making it essential that you not only have a LinkedIn account, but have also put some good effort into making it presentable – just like you would your resume.

Here are a few interesting stats from this slide deck about LinkedIn.

Launched May 2003.
Has over 1 million company pages.
Top users represent the fields of Technology, Finance, Manufacturing and the Medical field.
North America has about half of all 150 Million Users.

Regardless of what field of study you are in, it is a strategic move for you to start making connections on LinkedIn. If you have an interview, follow up and thank the hiring manager through LinkedIn. That will make a good impression and help you stand out among the candidates. If a guest speaker comes to your class and presents, connect with them via LinkedIn. Who knows? You might land a job with them after college.

Don’t be bashful or shy about connecting with people, but also don’t be rude. Be respectful when connecting with others, and increase your odds at getting a job after college!

Make money on Postify

jvanderwal — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:16:26 -0400

Tired of being another poor college student without enough money to even go see a movie? Try posting some of your old items on Postify!

We’ve made it easy for local college students to interact with each other by seeing items for sale on their own college campus. This makes it quick and easy to sell your used textbooks and old futon. Chances are, there’s a guy in the next dorm who really wants your old TV, so why keep it stuffed in storage?

Heck, do you take really good notes in class and still have them from last semester? Most people don’t. So post your notes for sale and help this semester’s students.

Post your used textbooks on Postify and make more money than just selling them back to the bookstore at the end of the semester.