The summer peace and quiet is over again.  Move in day at USC always reminds me of a seven year locust swarm - you know it's coming, you try to prepare for it and you still forget and go to Target the same day all the locusts do.  I was pretty lucky this year - once or twice in the past I have forgotten what day it was and tried to go down Greene on the worst Saturday of the year.  Learn from my mistakes and don't do that. 

So obviously a ridiculous number of people downtown (who mysteriously get younger every year - what's up with that?) have already made their college decision.  As the great circle of life continues to turn, this time of year also provides a lot of information to high school students who have not yet decided.  Let me show you some of the great resources we have here in Periodicals to help you out!

The big college guide issues are always in high demand.  Fourteen South Carolina schools made the Forbes list of America's Best Colleges this year.  (What's on top of the Forbes list?  United States Military Academy, aka West Point.)  You can read all about it in the current August 24th issue of Forbes.

Did you know that U.S. News and World Report is no longer a regular print magazine?  They still publish their special issues, however, and we still get them at the library.  The September issue has the America's Best Colleges list, which is actually several lists divided by institution type.  These comprehensive lists include thirty-one South Carolina schools! 

(Where's my alma mater, you might ask?  I went to Agnes Scott College, which is 141 on the Forbes list and fifty-nine among liberal arts colleges in U.S. News.  The year I started there we were number one on the Princeton Review list for "Dorms Like Palaces."  I suppose it's true, as most beautiful, old European palaces don't have air conditioning either.)

We have a lot more than just college rankings here in Periodicals, though!  We offer several magazines to help young people make good decisions about education and careers.  Come down and take a look at Career World, Campus Life's Christian College Guide and College Spotlight.

But wait!  There's more!  We also have tons of online resources that are available on library computers or on your computer at home if you have your library card.  Mouse on over to Research Tools and take a look at the Careers, Education and Jobs category.  I'll tell you about just a few of them, but trust me - you are seriously missing out if you don't take a look at these.  They're amazing resources!

Career Cruising is a database full of assessment tools, career profiles and resume guides - it's useful for anybody looking for a job. 

The College Blue Book is identical to the most recent print edition - browse 2 and 4 year schools, scholarship sources and more!

Learning Express is a fantastic database with test prep materials and practice exams for just about every test you can imagine, from the ASVAB to the SAT to the cosmetology licensing exam.  Don't spend money at the bookstore - use your library card from the comfort of your own home!

Whether you're a high schooler looking at colleges and careers, a nontraditional student exploring educational goals or a job seeker of any age, we've got a lot of materials for you in Periodicals!