Happy Schools Blog

I’m offering this webinar for the first time – Fall 2013 Pre-departure Orientation.

• Step 1 – Register for the Webinar
• Step 2 – Submit your question in the comments section below
• Step 3 – Check Your Email. Confirm your registration.

Webinar Details

• Date – April 27, 2013
• Time – 9 AM to 10 AM EST ( 6:30 PM India Time)

Agenda

• Overview about F1 Visa Process (10 Minutes)
• Selecting the Right University (10 Minutes)
• Travel Preparations (10 Minutes)
• Q&A Section ( 30 Minutes)

Click Here to Register 

Then Submit your questions in the comments sections below.

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Hello All – I’m in the process of selecting a web designer to create custom design for Happy Schools Blog.

Can you suggest what new features you like to see in the blog?

Suggestion from Akshay

Btw how much liberty do you have to add new features in this website since its owned by WordPress? i had an idea of bookmarking my favourite articles so that i can see them collectively whenever required. i think some features are must like bookmarking the favorite article, liking it (right in this site, not on fb), search articlebase using a keyword, and creating a group within this site for instance “Vtech fall 2013 admits” etc etc. what do u think ? do u have such plans in the near future?

Head right over the comments section and post your suggestions.

Looking at the email replies and facebook posting, I did piss people off with the email I sent out yesterday.

Here was the first reply from a reader

Dear Raghu,

To begin with, let me thank you for how helpful your blog has been in my efforts to find a Ph.D position. The reason why I have not been actively following your posts is because I have been accepted into several universities and as such, am busy finishing my ongoing projects before I leave.

Now, I am not aware of what redundant ‘intellect’ you refer to in your mail but, I can assure you that my intellectual pursuits go way beyond reading your blogs. As for who you want as a part of your group and why is entirely upto you. However, there is something you are unlikely to have heard of, so allow me to enlighten you.

It is called POLITENESS.

Another Reply

Not surprised to see such an arrogant and rude email from you. Lately language of some of your posts do indicate your “arrogance”. Seems the appreciation and success has gone to your head.Sorry for writing such words but then you may like to know where you are heading to.

You could have been more polite in asking for  non subscription if you have an issue.It would have been appreciated much more.You do not provide any ‘intellectual entertainment’ but provide content which helps people.Not able to understand what were you expecting me to do.Write an appreciation for each post or say that you are doing a great job? Your email suggests you are moving up in the ladder of ‘egoism’.

You can remove the name if you want- I will NOT miss it for sure.There are many such blogs who are more professional and can be accessed anytime with dignity.

My dear friend ‘arrogance’ never ‘pays’. Knowing you I am sure you will try to find fault in every word but that’s you.

Now, you are wondering what was in the email.

Following is the email that was mailed out to a subset of total subscribers.

Subject: At least 1,000 of you should unsubscribe

Let’s not waste each other’s time.

If you haven’t taken action from my emails and you’ve been reading for over 3 months, the unsubscribe link is at the bottom of this email. I want those people off my email list.

Sometimes, people take the high-level material, feel good for a couple days…and then NEVER DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

Why would I do this? What kind of business person ASKS his readers to leave?

I do — because I’d rather have a core group of people who are invested in taking action than a large group of people who use these emails as intellectual entertainment.

If you are like, I want to unsubscribe from email, but still stay connected? Then Follow HSB in Facebook.

To unsubscribe, click on the link at bottom of this email.

Contents of the email an extract from email I received from Ramit Sethi (New York Times Best Selling Author).

I wonder what would be the reaction, if I were to include more details from Ramit or have a personality similar to Ramit.

But, why such an email?

I’m speaking based on pure data, analytics and cost involved to maintain email list. I’m using Aweber for my email marketing. It’s not free and it’s not cheap. You can check their site for pricing. They don’t  even list the pricing if number of subscribers are greater than 25,000.

My data shows less than 10% of the people actually open and read the email.  Trust me, I have been sending email almost every day for last 4 years. When you get updates from the blog via RSS Feed, Twitter, Facebook Fan Page, visiting the blog directly, etc why waste each others time?

I have to maintain the list and pay for it. You have to spend few seconds to delete the emails or archive it.

If you haven’t opened an email in last 3 months or taken any action after reading the email, why stay in the list?

Probably I should have said what “Action” means in the email. If you are reading, but not commenting in the blog is perfectly fine. Those folks who never opened an email is last 3 months or never visited the site?

So, I decided to sent an email by being upfront.

For folks who had one-one-one with me know about me.  I will be upfront with you about my advice. I make suggestions based on facts.

I don’t like to add cream and butter  to the way I say things. I’m upfront with my answers and that’s how I write my posts.

One of the above  reply said about recent articles being arrogant and not being polite.

You see my posts as arrogant, but I see the posts as reality and facts.  If you think its arrogant and not written to your liking, then there is nothing I can do about that.

Here are few replies in contrast

Dear Sir,  I am really sorry. I really want to do this. I will start reading those i have in my folder from today only. I am really sorry. I need it. Thank you for the mail.

I love reading your blog and it has been of great help to me.Your blog is always been a great source of inspiration for me.
Thanks for everything. I am currently doing my post graduation from National University of Singapore and I will not deny the the pivotal role played by HSB in this.

I am unsubscribing from HSB as I won’t be able to take actions on your emails due to busy academic schedule. Thanks once again …

In your dreams, Raghu, I am not unsubscribing. )) -

What made you think am inactive, I still visit blog every week and what forced you to think that am idle i.e. no action has been taken ??

If I am not interested in HSB, why would I clutter my inbox with your emails? I will unsubscribe on my own and you need not tell me to do that.

For some my posts seem to be arrogant, but for others its not.

People are different and I can’t write to satisfy everyone’s views and needs. I can write based on my thinking and views.

Hope this clears up things for you.

I am an MS student doing computer science in a repute university at USA.

The paper pack boos are too costly and even the used ones are also costing much due to the high shipment cost. Can you tell me the repute e-books sites where I can have access all my study based e-books at a lesser cost.

Also suggest me if there any forum who can share their books on read n return basis.

I am writing this as I am afraid as many sites are seeking my credit card no: where I should not get cheated by fraudulent sites. Thanks if any one help me on this.

Textbooks – Rent, Share or Buy

Cots of your education includes  not just the tuition fees ans living expenses. It includes the cost of buying text books as well.

This is what happens to students who typically come from places where books are sold for cheap or can be photocopied for fraction of cost of the book.

How do you think a book will cost you to complete Graduate School?

My guess would be $500 (max).

Why is that you are willing to invest $50,000 in Tuition fees and living expenses, but not $500 for books?

Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish.

This is what I suggest, if you can’t afford to buy the book.

As you said, even used books costs are high, why don’t you sell the book after using it?

I recently sold a book for $80 that was sitting on my book shelf ,  which was like $16  few years back.

You could probably sell your books for almost the same purchase price.

Also, when you buy a product online, expect to pay shipping cost. If the book is shipped within USA, I don’t think you will pay more than $10 for Ground shipping.

There are several websites for buying or renting college text books. But, I have never looked past Amazon to buy college text books online.

I trust Amazon with my credit card details and they make it so easy to buy books or any products.

Students get Amazon Prime for free. Typically amazon Prime costs $75 per year. With amazon Prime you get free shipping.

Please, don’t try to skimp on Textbooks because its $50 and you are used to buying the same book for couple of dollars back in your country.

Lets Meet in Bangalore on Nov 8th 7 PM

• Date – Nov 8, 2012 (Register Now)
• Time – 7 PM to 9 PM
• Where – International Knowledge Center ( 4/2 Millers Road, Opp: Vikram Hospital, Bangalore 560052)

Event is Sponsored and Hosted at International Knowledge Center.  I will be attending this meetup.

How to Register for the Meetup?

Registration is Free and takes less than 1 minute.

• Register Here for the Meetup in Bangalore

You can bring your parents and friends. You will have plenty of time to ask questions at the meetup.

If you have  questions about the meetup, post them here or on the meetup page.

My friend is coming to India this December. He has already committed of bringing 2+1 (his mobile). Now I need another one. So i need to know how many mobiles can he bring to India and what reasons can he give to customs at airport?

Cell Phone from USA

Makes sure the phone that you buys from USA works in India.

Number of phones one can carry from USA to India without getting in trouble with Indian Customs depends on your luck.

I know friends who carried 6 cell phones without any issues at Chennai.

Also, know folks who ran into problems with just 2 laptops in Mumbai.

No one can answer your questions. Its completely based on circumstance at the airport.

When we came to India 3 weeks back, we carried the following

• Three iPhone 4
• Two iPhone 5
• Two iPad
• One Flip
• One Canon T3i DSLR
• One Canon pocket size camera
• 2 Laptops (Macbook Air and Ultrabook)

We didn’t have any issues at Chennai Airport.

Have him bring the cell phones for you if you are really desperate. If he’s asked to pay import duty, then you may have to pay the duty fees to your friend.

By the way what cell phone do you plan to get from USA?

You are going to like this new feature for Happy Schools Blog – Happy Schools Blog’s Meetup Communities

Now, you will be able to create a local meetup group and plan a meetup.

I have created few cities for the Meetup.

If you don’t see your city, you can create a community.

How to Create a New Community

Go to this page – Happy Schools Blog’s Meetup Communities

See if  there is a meetup group for your city.

If  not, search for your City Name at the search box on Top Right corner.

New City Name (Pune) will be listed below.

Create New Meetup Community in Your City

Next Click on Start New Community.

Enter the Name of the City Manually  in the Popup Box.

Create New Community

That’s it you are Done and now you have new Happy Schools Blog Meetup in your city.

What Next?

Spread the word about HSB meetup to your friends.

For instance, Prospective Fall 2013 students can meet Spring 2013 students or Spring 2013 students can meet to discuss USA visa issues.

One among the group have to organize periodic meetups.

• Happy Schools Blog’s Meetup Communities

You can select a Mall or Coffee House for the Meetup.

Do you have any questions about creating meetup groups?

> Following post was shared by Debasish Mukherjee.

This article is written in response to the comment at A Mediocre Guy : I Work 17 Hours per Day To Reach My Goals

Holla Friends! Dev here again. “Practice Makes a Man(Women too) Perfect!!”

We do know this famous saying don’t we!

And its obvious: To practice you have to invest time!

Now what is ROTE learning?

Can we define it as : “A PRACTICE IN WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL SIMPLY FOLLOWS STEPS TO ACCOMPLISH A TASK, WHICH ARE PRE-DEFINED AND ALMOST NEVER QUESTIONS THEIR VALIDITY OR NEVER TRIES TO LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVES!”

Practice Makes you perfect – Photo Credit

But hey! if we talk of practicing WHAT actually we do?

For example -  you have an exercise on say Differential calculus at the end of your “Engineering Mathematics” Textbook (THE most feared paper I think) what do you do to solve it?

Don’t you use the procedures described in the text to find a solution?

Well, then we are FOLLOWING the definition of rote learning, aren’t we?

Seldom does a student question these procedures and (even) seldom do they look to solve them alternatively! Do we?

I NEVER did!

SO ARE THESE TWO THE SAME IN INDIAN LEARNING CONCEPT (I dont know of American students at BS level so would like to exclude them)?
But anyone would say no they are different.

Then what is the difference?

Now to explain this let me give you an example of a Pizza boy!

You call up and order a pizza and just give your address to the representative on the phone and sometimes you give a landmark!

But do you bother about how the poor pizza boy would find your address but you get the order by half an hour if I am not wrong

SO HOW DOES HE FIND YOUR ADDRESS?

>> Next Page

iPhone 5 is getting delivered for Millions of folks around the world today.

Someone inside FedEx Distribution facility took this picture of iPhone 5 packages getting sorted.

My iPhone 5 is delivered by UPS. I don’t think UPS distribution will look any different.

Look at 2 more photos shared in Happy Schools Blog Facebook Page about iPhone 5.