In general, stick to items known over a period of years. Trying to remember the initial letters of a favorite song may be difficult if it changes on a weekly basis. Using a current license plate number is not a good idea, since anyone could make a note of the plate number and try it as a possible password. The names of children, a spouse, a pet, or a favorite sports team are also easily determined and could be used to attempt to break or crack the computer account. The following suggestions use combinations of letters and numbers. Using both upper case (capital) letters and lower case (small) letters will further improve the quality of the password.

Use the initial letters from an easily remembered phrase, interspersed with numbers. For example, IPA75TTF ("I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag", with a graduation date in the middle).

Choose the initials of a known individual and a date associated with that person (birthday, anniversary, etc.). Begin the password with the month (numeric), then insert the initials, and end with the day or year. For example: 03TWM26. Combine the initials of parents or a sibling with a wedding or other anniversary for example, EB920TB.

Combine the first three (or last four) digits of a telephone number with the initials of the individual associated with the number. This one is a little tricky--don't use a phone number that might be published at Rutgers (a home number is not a good choice here). The work number for one of a child might be a possibility, however. House numbers or non-RU post office box numbers are other numbers that could be considered, keeping in mind not to use anything that might be published.

Choosing password generating schemes is no more difficult and takes no more time than choosing a new password. In fact, once the scheme is nailed down, choosing new passwords from time to time is easier.