By Steph Moore
For everything from finding out about financial aid to making social connections to sharpening your gaming skills, here are some great sites that’ll help you make the most out of your browser!
Best socializing: Facebook
More networking sites: MySpace, Bebo, Tagged, TagWorld, Dodgeball
Best photo sharing: Flickr
More photo and video sites: YouTube, Picasa, Sharpcast, Phanfare, CNET’s Webshots College Live, Revver, JumpCut
Best money management: FinAid
More finance sites: CNN Money.com, Consumer Reports: credit card catches, FastWeb scholarship search, EdWise financial planning guide, National Student Loan Data System, U.S. Department of Education for students, CardRatings.com, Federal Trade Commission: credit
Best music service: Audio Lunchbox
More music sites: La la CD trading, eMusic, Rhapsody, , and CNET’s Download.com music and MP3.com
Best for a laugh: CollegeHumor
More humor sites: The Onion, McSweeney’s, eBaum’s World, Break.com, KillSomeTime, SubBrilliant News
Best sports: CSTV.com
More sports sites: ESPN College, NCAA, WhatIfSports.com, Yahoo Sports
Best for virtue: Idealist.org
More volunteering sites: Peace Corps, Break Away (volunteer during school breaks), AmeriCorps, Geekcorps, WorldTeach, AIESEC International exchange, Global Service Corps, Teach for America
Best gaming: AddictingGames
More game sites: GameFly rentals, Orisinal, CNET Download.com games, Mousebreaker, Teagames, HomeStar Runner
Best online apps: Google
More online apps: Yahoo, Windows Live, Zoho, EasyBib bibliography composer, BillMonk budgeting, Emurse resume writing
Best for [legal and with only virtual money!] Poker: PokerStars
More legal-for-fun sites: CNET Download.com poker games, Absolute Poker: Win Your Tuition, College Poker Championships, PartyPoker, Bodog, National Council on Problem Gambling