student life, tips tools & advice

7 Great Biology Research Topics

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 21, 2022

Biology research covers the study of the origin, development, evolution, anatomy and physiology of all living organisms and their environment. This includes plants, animals, human beings, and the environment. If this is a field you’re interested in, you’ll find a vast array of biology research topics that you can choose from. The biggest challenge? Identifying …

questions & answers, student life

How Many Credits are Needed to Graduate College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 16, 2025

Key Takeaways: Students generally need to take 120 credits to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree. The 120 credits consist of general education classes, major-required courses, and electives, which includes any classes for a minor. Students should aim to take at least 30 credits a semester to graduate within four years. Associate’s degrees often only …

student life

5 Must-Listen-to Podcasts for Students

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 21, 2022

College is a time for growth, change, and finding yourself. Every single student struggles in diverse ways with different things. Enter, podcasts! There are a bazillion podcasts out there. Not only are podcasts great for entertainment value, but they can also be helpful in addressing and offering perspective with the different struggles we all deal with.  Whether …

questions & answers

Do College Rankings Matter?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

How many articles have you seen that list out the top 5, 10, 50 colleges in the United States? There are a lot of opinions out there about what makes a college “the best,” but you might not want to sleep on rankings. Here’s why they’re actually important and what goes into making them. Do …

college comparisons, questions & answers

Searching for Online Colleges

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

Do you want to stay home and attend school online? It’s entirely possible! Plenty of colleges now offer classes online – and some are entirely over the internet, too. Here are some tips on what you should look for in an online college and some of the best virtual schools available to students. Should You …

student life

A Day In the Life: What a Typical College Schedule Looks Like

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 30, 2024

Did sitting through seven hours of high school classes every day feel like a marathon you didn’t sign up for? Don’t worry—college is a whole new game. While college does bring more responsibility (think deadlines and study sessions), it also gives you way more freedom to plan your day and customize your class schedules. Let’s …

student life

Transfers: Your Guide to Transferring Colleges

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

Have you entered your first year of college and discovered that this particular college, although you fell in love with it on paper, is just not for you? Or maybe you’re in your junior year and you’re frustrated with your major’s program? Well this guide to transferring colleges is for you. Finding out the school …

student life

What to Know About Staying at College During Summer

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on April 22, 2024

As the spring semester wraps up, you may be thinking about what your summer is going to look like if you’re staying on campus. College students stay at college during summer for various reasons, whether that be taking summer classes, doing an internship on campus, or not wanting to go home for the entire summer …

student life

10 Ways To Show Teacher Appreciation

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 16, 2025

Key Takeaways Teacher Appreciation Week falls on the first week of May, giving students and families an opportunity to show teachers how much they’ve meant to them. There are creative ways to tell your teacher “Thank you” without spending a dime: write them a letter, have the class sign a card, create a wall of …

tips tools & advice

Choosing Your College: Making the Emotional vs. Rational Decision

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 21, 2022

Getting accepted into college is a great feeling for every student. But weighing the emotional vs rational decision can be a bit intimidating. Emotional and rational factors are both important to consider when choosing your college. Rational decisions are based on the facts. Emotional decisions are based on feelings.  If you choose your college solely …