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By Nancy Mucciarone for The Real College Guide

After living in a cramped dorm room, coming home to your own bedroom can be a relief. But what happens if you open your bedroom door…to find that your old space is nothing like you left it?

When Syracuse University rising senior Aleecia Kaloustian got home from college, she found her room had become an art studio: “I walked in, and it was covered with drop cloths with my mom’s easels set up all over … I didn’t know where to sleep or put my stuff!” Getting home from college and finding you no longer have a bedroom is a stressful way to start your break, but there are ways to cope:

1. Don’t go into freak-out mode.
Panicking will only make things worse, so relax and assess the situation. “Keep in mind, the initial reaction getting home from college is not going to be the way things feel all summer,” says Marjorie Savage, Parent Program Director at the University of Minnesota and author of You’re on Your Own (But I’m Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years.

“When you first get home, you might be surprised at changes that contrast with how you remembered family life. This disappointment is complicated by the fact that you’ve just gone through finals, packing and leaving your college friends. Try to separate the leaving-school emotions from emotions about being back home.”

Once you’ve gotten over the initial shock, talk to your parents — calmly.
While Kaloustian was upset that her room was no longer hers, after she expressed her feelings to her mom, the situation was fixed: “She felt bad, so she moved everything quickly and doesn’t paint in my room anymore.”

2. Stake out another space.
Says Savage: “I typically tell parents, ‘Don’t change your student’s room until they get their first apartment.’ They still need permanent space in their lives, especially if they’re home for the entire summer. Having said that, I was one of those parents who sent her kids to college and then moved across the state — to a house too small to accommodate bedrooms for all — but I did help them find their own space. One took over a spare room; the other carved out a private space in the basement.”

Grace Brennan, rising junior at Syracuse, came home during freshman year to find her house in disarray as her parents were in the process of moving. Her sister had taken some things out of her room, and her mom had invaded her space: “Even though I still had my own room, it didn’t feel like my room anymore. All my pictures and decorative stuff were gone, and my sister took my full-sized bed so I had a twin. And my mom used my computer and desk all the time, so it wasn’t my own space.”

During spring break this year, the family moved to a new home, where Brennan has to share a room with her sister. “Feeling like there wasn’t a place I could go and be comfortable and not worry about being bothered by a younger sister or brother or mom was annoying,” she says. “But there is a loft area that is sort of part of my sister’s room. I just made that my own room.”

3. Get outta the house!
“Find things to do outside your room or outside the house,” advises Savage. “Don’t simply sit in front of your computer surfing the Net or playing video games.”

Brennan hangs out in her backyard during the summer: “I spend a lot of time on my deck or lawn relaxing and don’t need to be in my room. Going home feels more like a vacation now as opposed to going to school feeling like time away. Realizing that made it easier for me to accept that my room isn’t really mine anymore.”

4. Take it like an adult.
“Everyone in the family has made changes based on the student being gone,” explains Savage. “Students need to understand that just as they have changed since leaving for college, the rest of the family has changed as well. The student’s return, while generally a pleasant homecoming experience, actually juts into the parents’ and siblings’ comfort zones too.

“It’s a good bet that the younger sister who suddenly has a roommate is feeling cramped, and the parent who happily escaped into that art studio is probably feeling some loss of an important space. The returning student doesn’t have to feel guilty about those reactions, but it’s important to know it’s not ‘all about me.’ Your family did not intentionally set up the household in a new way to cause you discomfort. They’ve made adjustments based on changes that came naturally with your transition to college. Understanding that can be the basis for a calm discussion about how to meet the needs of all family members.”

By David Replogle for The Real College Guide

You can have great credentials and a picture-perfect resume, but you only get one chance to make a good first impression on a potential employer — and that usually happens when you sit down for the job interview. Here’s how to shine.

Practice Answering Job Interview Questions
Your school’s career center can be the ultimate resource for your job search. You can brush up on career advice, get your resume in order … and prep for the job interview. The career center at the College of William & Mary offers a mock interview process in which students “rehearse” with professionals. Says Mary Schiller, the center’s director: “It’s a great way to practice for the day of the real interview.”

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University recently implemented Interview Stream, an electronic program in which students webcam themselves answering any of thousands of job interview questions on tap. “It’s a great system because students see how they look answering the questions and listen to their responses afterward,” says a rep from Virginia Tech’s career services office. Students can later request an appointment with a career advisor, who critiques the interview.

Know Thyself Once You Get to the Job Interview
While it’s impossible to predict what questions might get thrown your way, be prepared to talk about yourself. “Students need to know their aptitudes, values and work style,” says Schiller. “Being able to communicate strengths as well as what can be improved upon is key, as are long- and short-term goals.”

Dean Gualco, human resources consultant and author of The Good Manager: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century Manager, says, “Finding the right person is more art than science, but there are attributes to look out for when hiring.” Gualco suggests college students and recent grads “MILK” the interview process, an acronym he uses to describe the following traits hiring managers look for in today’s workforce:

• Manageable “It’s important that you’re able to work well with others.”
• Inspired “The applicant should find the job interesting and challenging.”
• Likeable “Nice guys don’t always finish last.”
• Knowledgeable “You’ve got the degree, but there might be other components about the job you need to know — so, show that you’re willing to learn.”

Do Your Homework Before the Job Interview
Know the organization too, advises Schiller: “Gather as much information as you can. Evaluate specific details of the job, what the company does, the market, potential co-workers — research everything. If you have access to someone within the company, ask questions.”

Rick Silipigni, managing director at Qorvis, a D.C.-based communications firm, echoes Schiller’s sentiments: “There’s nothing that impresses me more during a job interview than a candidate who knows the company inside and out. It’s the perfect way to make an excellent first impression with what could be your future boss.”

Be Prepared to Take a Test During the Job Interview
Yeah, we know you’re sick of exams. But Schiller points out that several companies use standard behavioral tests to quiz candidates with questions along the lines of “Can you describe a time in which you made a difficult decision?” or “What have you done to develop your leadership skills?”

Instead of freezing up if you get hit with a test, see this as an opportunity to show the employer that your skill set is even broader. It’s usually inappropriate to include your extensive background in baby-sitting on your resume, for example, but a test question could allow you to outline how you’re able to successfully take charge and problem-solve. “Being able to zero in on specific experiences will help you out a lot,” says Silipigni.

Don’t Blow the Job Interview With Common Mistakes
Now that we’ve walked you through the do’s, here’s what you do NOT want to do when going for a job interview:

• DON’T dress inappropriately. “It’s always better to overdress than underdress,” says Silipigni. “Show the person in charge of hiring that you take the job opportunity seriously.” No flip-flops! No jeans! No hats! Pretend you’re going to traffic court.
• DON’T bring a buddy. You want to demonstrate that you’re independent and mature. If you feel you need a friend for support, have the person wait for you outside (and out of sight) while you’re interviewing.
• DON’T act all wishy-washy. “Keep in mind firm handshakes, eye contact and being friendly to everyone you meet from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave,” says Schiller.
• DON’T answer your cell. Turn it off during the interview and even while you’re in the waiting area. Repeatedly checking your phone shows that you lack focus and are easily distracted.
• DON’T forget to follow up. “Be very gracious for the interviewer’s time, being sure to follow up with a thank you,” says Schiller. Send a handwritten note by snail mail, or email a typed letter — do not text.

By David Replogle for The Real College Guide

Check out our “Talk It Up” videos!

Ah, the dreaded life of an intern: making copies, fetching coffee … and getting nothing in return? Scratch that! There are tons of cool opportunities out there for college kids, and if you’re looking to land something for spring or summer, the time to start looking is now. But do you really need an internship?

According to Job Outlook 2010, a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, more than 75 percent of employers say they prefer employee candidates who’ve interned. So, yeah, it’s a HUGE score for your future resume. Here’s our step-by-step guide to nabbing an on-the-job spot at the bottom of the feeding pool. (Hey, you’ve gotta start somewhere.)

1. Track Down Some Resources

• Start with your school’s career office. Molly Wright, a career counselor at the University of Virginia’s University Career Services, says there’s a lot to take advantage of while still an undergrad: “We have tons of resources at our disposal — not just counselors, but books, Web sites, scheduled interviews and career placement services.”
• Personal connections are also a plus when it comes to landing an internship. Talk to your parents about relatives and friends who might have jobs you’re interested in and ask other students if they know of any good opportunities.

2. Consider Your Options

• What exactly do you want to do? Take into account your major but also what you’re most interested in exploring. This is your shot at spreading your wings and seeing what’s out there. Often, companies aren’t too concerned with your concentration — they’re looking for past experience and a well-rounded resume. So, yes, it’s possible to pull off a stint in photojournalism even while majoring in chemistry.
• To be paid or not to be paid? Some internships do pay a small stipend, but the fact is, most are unpaid. However, keep in mind the very valuable work experience you’ll gain. Many unpaid internships do offer college credit in exchange. And some provide room and board (remember Running in Heels on the Style Network?) This is something to consider if you’re applying for a position out of state or abroad.
• Figure out a timeline. How long of an internship can you commit to? Will you need to take a semester off? Are you willing to give up your summer? Some internships fall under very specific dates, so plan ahead and adjust your schedule accordingly.

3. Pull It Together

• Compile a list of internships that interest you. You’ll want to apply for several — don’t assume you’ll get the first one that dazzles you, because competition can be fierce. “I suggest students apply for 10 internships per semester,” says Lauren Berger, founder of Intern Queen Inc. “Summer is the most popular internship season — double up on applications.”
• Stay on top of the application process. You’ll have a lot to manage once the ball gets rolling: due dates, submitting materials and potential interviews. Almost every internship application will require an updated resume. (Your school’s career services office can help you with this and job interviewing skills.) Other requirements might include a cover letter, writing samples and letters of recommendation. Our best advice: Beat the deadline for submissions.

4. Be Sure to Follow up

• Send a thank-you letter after every interview. (Get the interviewer’s business card so you’ll have appropriate contact info.) You can email your letter or send it by snail mail within two business days of your meeting. Do not call or text!
• Keep an open mind. If you don’t score your first (or second or third) choice, whatever opportunity you do land will benefit you in the long run. “My summer internships were all great experiences,” says James Madison University senior Hilary Rupert, a communications major pursuing a career in public relations or customer service. “They’ve all prepared me well for what I’m getting myself in for in the future. You learn skills and meet people that just having a college education won’t allow you to do.”

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