The problem of a slow Internet connection can be caused by a multitude of problems, ranging from a weak connection from your ISP to your firewall blocking your high speed. However, there’s also a hidden problem which many people are unaware of, that can cause your Internet to run extremely slowly.

One of the biggest causes of a slow Internet connection is actually your computer itself… and more importantly, a part of it called the ‘registry’. The registry is a database which stores settings and options for Windows, giving Windows the ability to ‘remember’ various different settings that you might have on your PC. However, the registry database is prone to becoming damaged and corrupted, making your system struggle to process the files it needs.

The registry database stores Internet settings, such as which ‘ports’ to use and how fast your connection is. What happens on most PCs is that when these settings are opened by your computer, it gets confused and saves them in the wrong way. This causes these settings to become damaged and corrupted, leading your computer to be unable to read them correctly, distorting parts of your PC. And if the settings that are corrupted alter the speed of your Internet connection, then you’ll see your web pages take longer to load and your entire net slow down.

The problem of corrupt registry settings is a big issue for Windows, as it means that your computer cannot process the Internet sites you want to visit quickly, slowing them down. This problem is actually one of the most common causes of slow connection speeds, and fortunately, you can speed them up by performing a ‘registry scan’. Scanning the registry is where you use a registry cleaner tool to look through every registry file and remove any of the damaged or corrupted ones that are in there.

When you use one of these tools to scan your PC, you’ll be able to fix the most errors and problems that are inside it, allowing your computer & Internet to run much quicker again. To do this, you need to download one of these tools, install it and then let it scan through the registry database. It will then remove any of the damaged or corrupt files that are in there, speeding up your Internet speed.

Me:  “What are you looking for in an applicant?”

Chair:  “Well, we want someone with leadership experience in higher education who is experiencing the itch to go back to school.”

Me:  “The itch?”

Chair:  “Yes, the itch.  We don’t want someone that’s applying just because they feel it’s the next step.  This is a time-intensive program, and we expect you to complete your dissertation in 3.5 – 5 years.  In order to do that, you need to be chomping at the bit to get back to school.”

That phone call was in November.  I knew I wanted to do research on social media and student engagement, and I had a lot of time on my hands now that I was no longer in class.  I started my admissions essay in December, and then let it sit on the back burner.  I was amazed when I picked it up again yesterday and found myself enjoying writing.  I even took the time to look up 6th edition APA changes and didn’t cringe.  Even more than research and reading, I enjoy writing.  I suppose that will come in handy if I need to write a dissertation in a few years.

The application isn’t even in the mail yet, and I don’t know if I’ll get in.  What I know is the process has rejuvenated me professionally.  I guess I’m one of those perpetual learners who isn’t content to sit and twiddle her thumbs after finishing school.  I need to keep looking for challenges through work or school to stay motivated.  One thing’s for sure, if everything pans out I won’t be short on challenges for the next few years.

Have you thought about taking the next step in your education, either through a degree program, training institute, or other form of learning?  What entices you to do so, or what has hindered you?

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I have to thank this community for a great response to my previous post about the “funk” in student affairs this time of year. Between both comments on the blog and emails/Tweets I received, I know more than ever that this topic is even more relevant than I had thought.

So, if the student affairs world is getting you down these days…how do you know if it’s time to go? During these uncertain times it’s hard to know if a job search is right for you as well as whether it’s a good time to leave a secure environment. While you are racking your brain about how to deal with any loyalty you may feel to your current institution, we’re here to talk about you and not them.

Let’s start thinking about what might be going through your head if it’s time to leave your current job. How about some of these:

• If you would rather get a root canal than attend yet another residence hall move-in weekend…
• If you find it hard to control the urge to tell the dean what you really think of him during your orientation meetings…
• If you have done the math to compare potential income in a retail job per hour with the income you are making now…
• If you hear the phrases like “we’ve always done it that way” and “we tried that and it didn’t work” coming out of your mouth more than once in a blue moon….

Let’s talk. All kidding aside, if you find it hard to maintain a level of professionalism and positive energy during a typical work week on a consistent basis it might be time for some conversation. I have known people who have spun so far into a low opinion of themselves and their work place that it has been hard to get a grip on reality. The question to wonder is whether this “funk” is temporary or whether it’s more than that?

One thing that I’m always trying to warn friends to be conscious of is the typical cycles of stress in student affairs. The ebbs and flows of our jobs typically have a way of wearing on us just as quickly as they will pick us back up. The thing to watch out for is if you never get picked up.

Pay attention to how you are feeling the next time a student comes in with great news about an accomplishment or when a progress step finally comes from a group you have been advising. Are you excited about these great moments? Or, is the first instinct more of “that’s nice” and a move on to returning emails and phone calls just to stay on top of your list.

I had a former staff member who left student affairs to become a meeting planner at a company. She said that the biggest difference was that the “highs” were not as high by any means… but the “lows” were nowhere near as low.

Are you too wrapped up in the lows so that you are missing the highs? These great moments are what makes everything worth it… are you letting them pass you by?

We’ll talk next time about some more positive things like “when it’s time to stay.” For now, I’d love to hear from those who have made successful transitions out of jobs “when the time was right” and those who may have regretted waiting.

Any words of encouragement for those thinking of taking the plunge?

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This Wednesday, Dec 16th, from 3:00-4:15pm EST, we’re partnering with Swift Kick and Red Rover to host our third webinar in an ongoing effort to provide value to the community on relevant topics.WEBINAR OVERVIEW

Title: Leveraging Social Media for Student Engagement

Date: Wednesday, Dec 16th 2009

Time: 3-4:15pm EST

Abstract: Most research concludes that, at least, 90% of college students have an active online social networking account. That means, to fully engage this generation, Student Affairs needs to understand and utilize the new world of MyTwubeBook. This webinar will cover the most popular online tools and provide you with enough knowledge to effectively implement a strategy to increase student engagement at your institution.

For more information, or to sign up, visit > http://sa-webinar.eventbrite.com

As a member of The Student Affairs Blog community, sign up by tomorrow (Dec 15th) at 2pm EST, and receive a 25% discount off the price with code “Early-25″

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Top Contributers
@velosnaps
@beekayroot
@branners
@debrasanborn
@Grategatsby
@tomkrieglstein
@JamieDresher
@lvanlysal
@seancook
@ChrisMacDen

Questions Discussed

• What are the emerging discipline problems new to #reslife in the past 2-4 years? (click here to join the discussion)
• Do ur schools have “discipline service” work, do u send them to student activities for the work? (click here to join the discussion)
• How do you deal with student leaders, esp ones who hold a title, who get in trouble on campus? (click here to join the discussion)
• One of my biggest issues this year is vandalism, and we don’t know who does it. Help? (click here to join the discussion)
• How do you make your job in #reslife not feel like you are their parent? (click here to join the discussion)
• Do you and/or how do you monitor online behavior in #reslife for discipline issues? (click here to join the discussion)

Here’s to another successful #sachat! See you all next week.

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There are days when I wonder why I’m still sticking around in this field. There, I said it. I know this is a “shiny, happy student affairs community” but I have to be honest in saying that every now and then there are points where I raise the important “is it worth it” question.

I know you’re expecting me to write about my wonderful students next…and that’s probably the right direction to take this in. The students here at my campus are truly special and never cease to amaze me with their resilience, their humility, and their willingness to seize every opportunity possible. BUT, that’s not where I’m headed at the moment even though they do make this job really worthwhile.

“Is it worth it?” I hope that all of you have taken the time to ask this question about your life’s pursuits at one point or another. If you’re someone who never challenges yourself to consider whether even the best job on earth is right for you…then it might be time to give it some thought. It keeps you honest and keeps you motivated to pursue the quest for excellence.

I don’t know what’s up on your campuses, but things at mine are a little lacking in the holiday spirit. People are tired, stressed, and frustrated. Some of you are even out there wondering if you have the resolve to keep “fighting the good fight” for yet another semester…so it’s time to chat.

Do me a favor and ask yourself some questions…

• When I’m at my happiest, what am I experiencing? Does this job bring that out in me or are those happy moments reserved for outside of work alone?
• When I’m at my saddest, what is going on? Do I deal with these issues at work or are they mostly outside of work?

If work life is getting you down, I hope you’ll take some time to think about what makes you tick? In the name of balance, give some thought to your core values and how you can be sure your work life and personal life are both connected. It’s what will make you YOU.

If you’re coming home from work each night and you are miserable, are there common elements to what gets you down? What things need to be in place for you to be at your best? Is your current place of employment helping you do that?

If so, then here’s to you and I hope you are planning new ways to take 2010 by storm!

If not, then we’ll have some more blog posts to share together in the coming year about taking stock of how things are going. With the economy in the state it’s in… you may still be sticking around or you may have the chance to try something new. I’m hoping to write a few upcoming posts about ways to make the most of where you are. (I’ve been at my current job 11 years and I swear it was only supposed to be for 3!)

In the meantime, can anyone else out there offer advice to people wondering if it’s time to start a job search next semester? What factors need to be considered?

Hang in there SA friends… we’re almost done!

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Yesterday, I read an article online about the University of South Dakota getting rid of landline telephones in all of their residence halls. My colleague, and fellow SA Blogger Bryan Koval, says Penn State has also taken the same step as a cost-saving measure.

Just the other day, I read another article about Hofstra Unviersity dropping its 69-year-old football program as a cost-saving measure.

Colleges and universities are taking some very drastic measures to cope with the budget crisis in higher education. It seems like all of the talk recently in staff meetings at my institution – and I’m sure many other institutions – is about how the budget crisis in our state is impacting what we do.

How do you continue to provide high quality services and programs with less and less money and fewer resources? I don’t know that there is any simple answer to this, but it’s a question burdening many of us.

My institution has seen a decrease in state funding support of about 35 percent over the past 7-8 years. Recently, the institution has implemented furlough days for its employees, put a hiring freeze on most positions, put stringent limitations on travel-related expenses, and increased the cost of many of its essential services.

This is all no surprise to any of us reading this blog, I’m sure.

I write this today to engage the readers in a discussion about what your departments are doing to creatively and effectively battle any budget-related shortfalls your institutions might be encountering. What are your departments doing that many of us may have not considered yet?

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Full Transcript
View as webpage

Top Contributers
@edcabellon
@cindykane
@tomkrieglstein
@ARL275
@ItsSoHottInHere
@inigral
@beekayroot
@garyalanmiller
@reyjunco
@KBHgal

Questions Discussed

• Is it your personalty that makes you work “all the time” or the job? (click here to join the discussion)
  
• Due to the long and odd hours, does an SA job have burn out? Tend toward younger people? (click here to join the discussion)
  
• If age matters in SA, how do we balance age with experience? (click here to join the discussion)
  
• What specific strategies do you have to balance work, family, friends etc. (click here to join the discussion)
  
• How much flex in hours and days are you allowed from your higherups? (click here to join the discussion)

Here’s to another successful #sachat! See you all next week. Speaking of which, we’re testing a daytime #sachat starting next week, so keep your eyes tuned for more information.

Source: nope

Full Transcript
View as webpage

Top Contributers
@edcabellon
@cindykane
@tomkrieglstein
@ARL275
@ItsSoHottInHere
@inigral
@beekayroot
@garyalanmiller
@reyjunco
@KBHgal

Questions Discussed

• Is it your personalty that makes you work “all the time” or the job? (click here to join the discussion)
  
• Due to the long and odd hours, does an SA job have burn out? Tend toward younger people? (click here to join the discussion)
  
• If age matters in SA, how do we balance age with experience? (click here to join the discussion)
  
• What specific strategies do you have to balance work, family, friends etc. (click here to join the discussion)
  
• How much flex in hours and days are you allowed from your higherups? (click here to join the discussion)

Here’s to another successful #sachat! See you all next week. Speaking of which, we’re testing a daytime #sachat starting next week, so keep your eyes tuned for more information.

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