Hilary Sheinbaum, 12/14/12

Freelance Writer

Perhaps the unpleasant memory of making a meaty meal had faded from my mind, or maybe I missed having more options on my menu. Either way, it was a personal decision to give up meat and an entirely new one when I reintroduced it to my diet.

Brett Foster, 12/14/12

Author, 'The Garbage Eater: Poems' and 'Fall Run Road'

As excitement builds for the opening of Peter Jackson's new film "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," it just may be that DuPage County, Ill., and the city of Wheaton in particular, will briefly become the center of the universe, or at least the sleepy capital of Middle Earth.

Sofiya Ballin, 12/14/12

Journalism student, Temple University

As I stare at the kid across from me drooling on his MacBook, I'm beginning to realize that we're crossing over. I know for me, finals have gotten me so wired and uptight that I don't know if I'll ever unwind again. I've become what I thought I wouldn't.

Jacqueline Murphy, 12/14/12

Director of Admission, Saint Michael's College

This is the time of the year when highly selective institutions of higher education start releasing results of their Early Decision Admission applications, often to a certain media frenzy.

Mark Frydenberg, 12/14/12

Senior Lecturer of Computer Information Systems, Bentley University

What's the flap about the flip? Studies say it's an effective way to engage students in learning. But in order for the flip not to flop, we need to step back. It is not a "one size fits all" model.

Heidi Grant Halvorson, Ph.D., 12/14/12

Motivational psychologist and author, 'Succeed' and "Nine Things Successful People Do Differently"

You know you shouldn't do it. You know that if you keep calling and leaving messages he's going to think you are needy, or pathetic, or just plain crazy. You know that if you keep asking her if she's seen her ex-boyfriend, she's going to think you are insecure, or jealous, or even controlling.

Helen Drinan, 12/14/12

President, Simmons College

Fathers occupy a unique and important role in building self-esteem and confidence in their daughters. They are the first male role models for our girls, and can play a powerful role in how their daughters develop and succeed in the world.

Marcia Y. Cantarella, Ph.D, 12/14/12

President, Cantarella Consulting in New York City

The college catalog is the really important book that college students rarely read. Yet it is both bible and contract for students.

S. Daniel Carter, 12/14/12

Director 32 National Campus Safety Index, VTV Family Outreach Foundation

Campus tragedies in recent years have led to improvements in the resources, and training campus police, security and other emergency responders are afforded, but we owe them -- and the investment we make in education -- more.

Colm Mulcahy, 12/14/12

Associate Professor of Mathematics, Spelman College

In front of you is a pot of coffee and a jug of cream. You transfer one teaspoon of cream from the jug to the pot, then one teaspoon of liquid from the pot back to the jug. Which is greater: the amount of coffee in the jug or the amount of cream in the pot?

Patricia Lesko, 12/13/12

Lives, works and blogs in Michigan.

While it's possible to argue that Obamacare is an unfunded mandate, it's not possible to overlook the fact that administrative bloat is sinking higher education.

Steven Strogatz, 12/13/12

Jacob Gould Schurman professor of applied mathematics, Cornell University

Here's a gift to everybody out there, students and teachers and especially parents, who might still be befuddled about some of the more puzzling things that came up in math class. This is why the teacher said what she said.

Monisha Kapila, 12/13/12

Founder and CEO of ProInspire

If you are one of the millions of people who want to do work that is mission driven, you may be interested in a job in the "social sector." As you start searching for jobs, you should make sure you are looking in the right places.

Peter Cardon, 12/13/12

Professor, USC Marshall

Social networking skills are no longer simply the domain of marketing. Rather, these skills are important for business professionals in all disciplines -- finance, accounting, human resources, supply chain management, operations, and others.

Uloop, 12/13/12

Online Marketplace for College Life

Sadia Khatri exuberates talent in many facets of her life. Nevertheless, she stands in the shadows of her camera with a simple goal: to capture another person's beauty.

Anna Richardson, 12/14/12

Freelance Journalist

Hundreds of children have been recruited as soldiers or directly injured by the conflict in Mali, but many thousands more will indirectly suffer the effects of war and displacement.

Alan Carniol, 12/13/12

Founder, Interview Success Formula

The job interview might be the only thing left between you and the position of your dreams. Even when you're the most qualified candidate with references galore, a poor interview performance can leave a lousy impression on a potential employer.