All posts by Suzanne Shaffer

admissions, college guidance, college planning, parenting, tutoring

5 Ways to help a student who is struggling academically

imagesWhen your child is in their junior and senior year of high school, one of the most exciting things about that time in their life is knowing that they are just several months away from going away to college. But sometimes, even amidst all of the planning and excitement, it can be challenging to maintain the kind of grades that are needed to be accepted into the school of their choice.

If you have a college bound kid who appears to be struggling academically and you’re looking for some tips on how to help them, we have five proven ones that will have them ready to receive their college acceptance letter sooner than you might think:

Encourage them. Whether it’s been while we were in school or on our jobs, we all have experienced moments when we were simply burned out. That’s why, even in the midst of all of the hustle and bustle that comes with the everyday demands of life, it’s important check in with your child and keep them encouraged. Oftentimes a little pep talk can go a long way toward getting them back on track.

Suggest that they to get into study groups. In college, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for students to get together and have study sessions. So, in preparation for campus life, why not encourage your child to either become a part of a study session or to start one in high school? Having the support of their peers can also be a very effective tool.

Be willing to assist them. Yes, for many of us, it’s been years since we were in high school or college, but you might be surprised by the amount of information that you’ve retained. It doesn’t hurt to at least sit down with your child and ask them about the areas where they are having trouble and then offering your assistance where you can. If that doesn’t work, then there’s also the next suggestion.

Get them a tutor. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your child a tutor. As a matter of fact, it could prove to be one of the best things that you could do for them if their grades are truly suffering. A wonderful thing about this particular option is that there are private tutors who can come to your home, or you can enroll them in something like a Sylvan’s Learning Center program, or there are even free online tutoring options available. Some of them include Khan Academy, Free-Tutoring-Online and LearnToBe.org. If your child is comfortable with a tutor now, they will be less hesitant to get one later should they need something like a GMAT tutor to prepare them for an MBA or law school entrance exams down the road.

Don’t rule out getting them tested. Sometimes, you can find yourself doing all of the “right things” and your child is still not excelling. If you sense that they are doing their best and you’re still not getting the kind of results that you would like, don’t be closed to the idea of having them professionally tested. If they do have some kind of learning disability, it’s better to know as soon as possible so that you can get them the appropriate help that they need before they get to college.

 

campus security, college guidance, college planning, in the news

Are you concerned about campus security?

UnknownAlthough the thought of your child attending college brings forth feelings of pride and anticipation, if they are going to be living on campus, it’s understandable why it may also evoke a certain amount of concern. We all have read the news stories of unfortunate crimes that have happened at various colleges and universities across the country prompting you to investigate the security and safety of your child’s prospective colleges.

As matter of fact, just this past January, the Huffington Post published an article that featured the “Top 10 safest colleges within the United States”. Some of the schools on that list included Southern University at New Orleans, Virginia Western Community College and Erkskin College and Seminary in Due West, South Carolina. However, if your child is planning to attend another school, thanks to the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education, there is something called the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool that provides up-to-date information on alleged criminal offenses that have been reported to campus security offices across the country (you can read more about this at Ope.Ed.Gov/security).

But, if you would like a checklist of things to inquire about as it relates to your child’s college campus and its level of security, we have provided you with five things that can help to put your mind at ease below:

Ask if there is 24-hour campus security. Every college campus has security officers and most of them have patrol cars, but not all of them necessarily have 24-hour security that is available should your child need to be escorted to their car or dorm room very late at night. Therefore, it’s important to not assume that there is this kind of assistance available. Make sure to ask.

Look to see if the campus is well-lit (at all times). Something as simple as a broken light in a parking lot or in an alley in between builds can lead to a criminal act. That’s why it’s vital that you tell your child to make sure that the campus is well-lit at night and if they see any broken lights to immediately report it to campus security or the administration.

Inquire about self-defense classes. One wonderful thing about college is that there tends to be classes for just about anything that your student can think of. So, encourage them to see if there are self-defense classes that are offered on campus and if so, let them know how smart it would be of them to take a few.

Mention Safe Place USA. There is a a great deal of petty theft that tends to happen on college campuses. While paying the cost of a home security system for a dorm room doesn’t make the most logical sense, there is an alternative. If your child needs a place to store expensive jewelry and other really valuable items, one option to consider is Safe Place USA. It’s a company that specializes in providing in-room safes for universities. (SafePlace-USA.com)

Ask if it is mandatory to wear student/staff IDs. Another thing that sometimes leads to criminal activity is when people who are not students or staff are hanging out, constantly, on campus. One way to determine who is supposed to be on the grounds and who is not is for students and staff to have their ID on their person at all times. It might seem a bit tedious to do, but if it can help to keep people safe by making everyone aware of who is entitled to be on campus and who is not.

college guidance, college housing, college planning, dorm life, parenting

Should your college student live on or off campus?

imagesThe time has finally come for your son or daughter to enter into the next phase of their educational careers. In just a few short months, they will be enrolled into college as they prepare to earn their degree so that they can be successful in the career of their choosing.

Although all of this time they have been living with you, and as we all know, one of the major transitions that come with going to college is that students are able to live on campus (or even in an apartment). If you’ve been trying to figure out if that is an option that is most suitable for your son or daughter, we have a few things for you to consider before making a final decision whether to live on or off campus.

The Pros of Living on Campus

One of the main benefits of living on campus is that it’s convenient for your child to get to their classes. There’s no traffic or weather conditions that could make it challenging for them to either get to class, or to get to class on time. Another bonus is that great memories are made from living among other students who are also learning in a college environment. There are college roommates (and suite mates) who end up being friends for a lifetime. Still, another benefit is that it gives college students a sense of independence. While they may have relied on you to wake them up to class or to help them budget their own money, living on campus helps them to learn how to make many decisions on their own on a daily basis.

The Pros of Living Off Campus

If they live with you, an immediate benefit is that it saves you money on either room and board or assisting with their rent and other living expenses. Plus, you have the peace of mind of them coming home every day. If they live in an apartment, this even further prepares them for “the real world”, plus it provides them with the privacy that they may need in order to study. One thing to consider with this particular option, however, is if they do live in an apartment or even if they are looking into house rentals in order to rent with a few friends, they are going to need some reliable transportation in order to get back and forth to school.

So when it comes to making the ultimate decision on what is best for your college student, there are three main questions that you should ask yourself: “Would my child thrive more living on campus or off?”, “Is my child emotionally mature enough to live outside of the home?” and “What makes the most financial sense?” Once you have taken these various pros into consideration and then answered those questions, undoubtedly, you will come to the resolve that is best for your son or daughter (and for you).

parenting, tutoring

Helping your college student find a tutor

tutor1When most kids get to college they are understandably a bit lost. If you’ve done a good job of teaching them how to get by in unfamiliar surroundings they can no doubt find their way around (or humbly ask for help from more experienced students). Attending orientation and taking the campus tour couldn’t hurt, either. But there are bound to be things students need that they don’t know how to get. In fact, they might not even know where to start looking.

If they find themselves struggling with a particular subject, for example, it might not even occur to them to seek out tutoring services in order to get the help they need. As a parent, it’s your goal to see that your kids are given every opportunity to succeed, and that onus doesn’t end the minute they turn 18 or leave your house. So whether they call you up complaining about a hard class or you’ve notice their grades starting to slip, it may be high time you help your student find a tutor.

The first thing every student should try to do is take advantage of any tutoring services offered by the campus. Many schools employ knowledgeable upperclassmen in some type of learning center on campus to provide tutoring in basic coursework for their peers who are struggling. So if kids are having trouble with their general education requirements they can get the help they need to understand the fundamentals and prepare for more advanced coursework. Some teachers also have classroom aides that make themselves available to assist any students that are having trouble understanding lessons. This is especially common in large and popular courses that have several hundred students (too many for a single teacher to manage alone). While students can always speak with a professor during office hours, they are understandably busy and they may not have time to tutor individual students. So have your kids inquire with the professor about a qualified classmate that may be able (and willing) to help.

Of course, there are also professional tutors to consider. In some cases, graduate students will tutor undergrads for money to pay their ongoing tuition and other costs. This is a great resource for kids since they are in close proximity and they often charge less than teachers or other types of tutors. But if your student is still having issues finding an appropriate tutor, you might consider looking into professional online tutoring services like SmartThinking.com, Tutor.com, Brainmass.com, Classof1.com, and EduWizardS.com, amongst others. These sites often have tiered pricing structures depending on the amount of help students need, they offer a diverse array of specific subjects, and they allow for flexible scheduling of sessions. Additionally, if your student is well versed in any subject, they can earn money by sharing their knowledge with Learnok.com.

The idea here is that the resources available to students in need of a tutor are practically unlimited in this day and age. If they can’t find tutors here and there within the local area, they need only hop online to find a whole world full of qualified individuals just waiting to help them ace their classes. It may not be free, or even cheap, but if you want your college students to do their best, then help them to find the tutoring services they need. Start by searching for free resources, of course, but don’t shy away from paid options; they’re bound to cost less than another semester of tuition to retake a failed class.

college planning, in the news

5 Tech Tips for college-bound students

Unknown-3College environments are richer in technology today than ever before. Where students used to use card catalogs and microfilm for research, they now use online databases. Where professors used to write lecture notes on blackboards, they now use electronic slide shows. Technology is growing and evolving by the day, and students need to keep up with this progress in order to make the most of their college years.

Remember these 5 tech tips for college bound students and get off to a great start.

  1. Always Try Before You Buy
    Technological investments can be very expensive, and you don’t want to drop large amounts of your own money on something that isn’t going to work for you. Whether you’re shopping for a new computer, a software package, or any other tech item, be sure to try before you buy. You might not realize by simply reading product descriptions that a given product isn’t going to suit your needs. Take advantage of free trials, and talk to friends about taking their tech items for a spin before you commit to a purchase.
  2. Talk to Professors About Software
    There are a number of software packages that may benefit you in school, and some of them are available at a significant discount to students. Try to talk to college professors about what kinds of software may benefit you. Tech needs vary from student to student, and the software suite that works for your friend in finance may not be useful for your curriculum. You want to use technology to your advantage, and your professors can show you the best way to do so.
  3. Take Advantage of Networking Opportunities Online
    One of the greatest advantages of modern technology for students is the capacity for networking. Through email, social media, and a number of other avenues, you can easily stay in touch with everyone you meet in college. These people can become your best friends now, and they can become valuable professional contacts in the future. Never underestimate the importance of networking, and use technology to your advantage while you study to build connections with the people you meet.
  4. Look for Ways to Save
    Technology can be expensive, but clever students can save money by shopping smart and making the most of their tech potential. Tune into special sales and promotions like Cyber Monday, when tech items are sold at significant discount. Use your technology to its fullest potential while you study. Rather than buy heavy and expensive texts, see if your required literature is available for download in e-book format. Avoid spending on planners and other organizational tools by using your computer, smart phone, or tablet to fill this purpose. There are dozens of ways to make your technology work for you and save money at the same time.
  5. Learn as Much as You Can
    Learn as much as you can about technology while you’re in school. Getting into web design and SEO, learning how to implement keywords, and knowing how to reverse a Google penalty are all valuable skills in a world in which industry is governed by technology. Prepare yourself for a career in the digital world by becoming an expert on modern technology while you study in college.

Staying abreast of technology and using it to your advantage is imperative in today’s digital age.

 

college guidance, college planning, dorm life, extracurricular activities, greek life, parenting

Getting involved in campus life

Unknown-2Most parents, if asked, would cite academics as the priority when it comes to the focus for their college-age kids. After all, you are paying for an education that will eventually lead to a job and an independent life (or so you hope). And yet, the time your students spend on campus will offer many more opportunities for education than those that can be found in a book. Without your help and guidance, they will have to navigate the waters of social interaction on their own, learning how to form lasting relationships (both personal and professional). And the best way to do this is to get involved in campus life. So if you want your kids to get the most out of their college experience, it’s important that you encourage them to come out of their shell and participate in something other than their chosen curriculum.

Of course you’re not going to tell them to get out and party, but there are certainly merits to joining fraternities and sororities. Greek life has developed a bad reputation for beer-guzzling shindigs, so you might not think it’s right for the college-bound kids in your family. But the truth is that there’s a lot to recommend life in these houses. For one thing, the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood that exist in the Greek system will give your students instant substitute families, allowing them a place to belong throughout their collegiate experience, not to mention a network of contacts to call upon after graduation. In addition, houses are often required to participate in both campus events and charitable activities, which can only help your student to get involved, and perhaps learn something about the value of compassion and philanthropy. They also require a minimum GPA.

Then again, fraternities and sororities don’t comprise the only means for students to get involved, although they may be one of the most valuable. You could also encourage your kids to join campus clubs, and there are many avenues to choose from. Sports are one great way for students to be thrust into the college experience, since they not only provide an instant group of friends by way of teammates, but they also ensure attendance at a number of campus events. Even traditionally solo sports like running or cycling can be done with friends or campus groups.

There are also clubs that cater to academic pursuits (math club, AV, creative writing, etc.), hobbies, religious groups, or even political affiliations or agendas. The point is that no matter what your kids are interested in, there are probably like-minded students on campus, and if a specific group isn’t available, your student could start one. How about a weekly movie club to screen the classics, or a club that tests new video games and then blogs their reviews?

While keeping your “nose in the books” is admirable (you can compare textbooks here to find the best prices) and studying is important, having a social life is also important. You should pause for a moment and think about how they stand to benefit from a more rounded campus experience. Students that get involved and make friends will gain, in addition to an education, a support network that can help them get jobs and get by in life once they leave college. A well-rounded student is a happy and successful student.

campus security, college guidance, dorm life, parenting

Top 5 college safety tips for students

1 Comment

Unknown-1By the time you’re prepared to head off to college you are likely certain that your parents are merely overprotective. But they have experience, much of which they have probably declined to share with you, that makes them cautious. In many ways they may understand the world and its ills better than you can imagine. But you are young and eager, and you have many lessons to learn on your own. The unfortunate truth is that some will be unpleasant. However, there are precautions you can take on behalf of your own safety. After all, a failure to look out for your own best interest really only stands to hurt one person (that would be you).

Here are a few college safety tips that you should at least consider:

  1. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Teddy Roosevelt surely knew how to turn a phrase (although he attributed this one to a proverb). These days it has come to signify being prepared for any turn of events, having soft options (like negotiating) at your disposal, but being prepared to use harder ones (such as pepper spray) should the situation call for it. As a student on campus you need to be able to protect yourself from all manner of threats, from peer pressure or from a would-be attacker. So having a variety of tools at your disposal is essential, whether that means finding the words to stand up for yourself and what you know is right or whipping out some pepper spray to stave off an attack.
  2. Avoid open containers. Parties are part of the college experience, and since there’s little chance that you’re going to spend the next four years avoiding social interaction, you can at least set some safety ground rules for yourself. For one thing, you should always arrange for backup, meaning someone sober to drive you home and watch your back. Take turns with your friends being the designated driver. But even if you walk to and from parties to avoid the driving issue altogether, consider a hard and fast rule that entails shunning open containers. This protects you from having drugs unknowingly placed in your drink during a party.
  3. Use protection. Pepper spray is great to have on hand if you find yourself walking on campus alone at night (although you’re better off walking with a buddy). In addition, especially for young women, it’s important to know some simple defensive steps that will also help if confronted with an unexpected assailant.
  4. Get vaccinated. In some cases you don’t even have to come into direct contact with another student in order to contract a dangerous disease. Take the measles, pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis, or even the flu, for example. All of these illnesses are airborne, but there are also vaccines available that protect against them. So if you want to keep harmful germs at bay, make sure that you get all relevant vaccines before and during your time on campus.
  5. Don’t be a target. You no doubt want to be the life of the party, having at your disposal cool sayings, impressing everyone with your wit  and wisdom. But when you act foolish you could turn yourself into a target. Drinking too much at parties, walking alone at night, and posting your whereabouts and plans on Facebook for anyone to see could make you a target for all kinds of criminal activity, from personal harm to dorm room robbery. Exercise a little common sense and some self-preservation so that you don’t paint a target on yourself during your time in college.

Remember to use caution, restraint, and common sense while in college. During this time of independence it’s even more critical. Take care of yourself while you’re away and come home safely during breaks and after graduation.

 

empty nest, parenting

Handling the “empty nest” when your student is in college

images-1It probably seems like yesterday that you were bringing your baby boy or girl home from the hospital and now they are preparing to go away for college. Although you always knew that this day would come and you are so proud of their accomplishments thus far, if you are really honest with yourself, there is a part of you that is also dreading it. Your child is leaving home and four years of college will result in them returning to you as an adult with their own home, career and new way of life.

For this reason, there’s a pretty good chance that you will experience some separation anxiety when your child leaves the nest–often called “empty nest” syndrome. It’s normal for most parents and so while it’s nothing to panic over (or feel embarrassed about), we do have some tips that will help you to cope with the transition:

Accept it. Sometimes, the hardest part of change is simply accepting it. The moment that you make the decision to embrace this new season as a part of the parenting process, it will help you to feel calmer so that you can make the necessary adjustments.

Make plans. It is a wise person who once said that when you lose something, you need to quickly replace the void. When it comes to your child, you will always have them as a part of your life, but the time that was once devoted to their needs, because they will be at school, is now freed up. Therefore, use this as an opportunity to join an exercise class, take up a new hobby or make plans with your friends. Staring at your phone, waiting on your child to call or text you is only going to make things that much more difficult. Use it to contact some girlfriends, instead.

Start journaling. There will be some emotions that you have that will be either too hard to explain to others or too private to share. A great way to release them is by picking up a journal. One that can help you to center your focus on the “positives” about this new chapter of your life is a gratitude journal.

Schedule dates with your child. Whether your child is away from home enrolled at Ohio University, Vanderbilt University or NYU, or closer to home at a state college, there are going to be scheduled breaks throughout the semester in which they will be returning home. As a way to give you something to look forward to, discuss with them the possibility of going on a couple of dates with you. That way, you can get in some much-needed quality time.

Pat yourself on the back. When a child goes away to college, sometimes so much focus is on how hard it is emotionally that parents forget that it’s a major achievement that they can be proud of. Not only did their child graduate from high school, but they did well enough to be accepted into a college that can prepare them for their career. So, as you’re wiping away some of the tears that will come from missing them, make sure to pat yourself on the back for a job well done too.

Parenting is loaded with landmarks and accomplishments: their first step, their first word, their first day of school, and their high school graduation. Look at college as another of those landmarks and it will help you see there are always more to follow.

 

college housing, dorm life

Helping your college student furnish their dorm room

Offers of admission are arriving and your college-bound teen is most likely already looking toward the future. Planning for dorm life now will prevent panic at the end of the summer.

College is such a fascinating time. If a student makes the decision to live on campus, for approximately four years of their life, they are able to live in a space that affords them total independence; at least for all of the months that they are enrolled in school. But while they are living in a dorm, they have to figure out how to furnish it in a way that will make them feel comfortable, while also being what they can afford.

If you have a college-bound student in your life who needs some help with furnishing their dorm room and you want to do it in a way that is both modern and cost-effective, we have five great tips for you:

Get the right kind of bedding. Dorm rooms already come with beds. Yet unfortunately, they’re not always the most comfortable. Thankfully, there are mattress toppers (even memory foam ones) that you can get for a really reasonable prices at stores like Wal-Mart and K-Mart. Also, make sure to get pillows that will support their head and neck and sheets and comforters that are preferably made from organic cotton or bamboo.

Purchase some really cool light fixtures. The overhead lighting in dorm rooms can tend to feel pretty institutional. One way to fix that is to buy some modern lighting fixtures. You can start by picking up a dimmer for the light switch, but don’t forget that places like Target and Overstock also carry some pretty cool looking light fixtures that don’t cost a ton of money. Then you can get some fluorescent light bulbs in colors like blue and green to add even more personality to their room.

imagesPick up some pictures. Depending on the college, sometimes the administration will allow a college student to paint their walls (so long as they paint them white again at the end of the school year). Whether or not the college student in your life is able to, it can feel so much more like their own space if they have pictures hanging on the walls. You can either have some of their favorite prints professionally framed or help them to build a picture collage over their bed.

Don’t forget about storage. Do dorm rooms ever have enough storage space? Usually not. Stop by your local container store to pick up some storage bins, baskets, totes or trunks? They are great for storing things like clothes, linens or even waterbed sheets. Or, if you want the kind of storage item that is multipurpose, opt to get an ottoman. That way, they can put all kinds of books and electronics inside, close it and then sit down or put their feet on top of it while studying or watching their favorite movie.

Add a refrigerator. Although all campuses have places where students can eat, chances are, there will be all-night study sessions that will require the need for a snack or two. While all of the things that we mentioned are important, an absolute essential item for a college student is a refrigerator. Not only does it store food, but the top of it can be used as a “tabletop” for an alarm clock or indoor plant. Plus, you can usually find a really good one for less than $150. It’s definitely a dorm room gift that any college student will enjoy.

college guidance, college planning, parenting, work study

Should you encourage your child to have a job in college?

The parenting community seems to be strongly divided on the issue of whether or not kids should work during their time in college. In many cases, students have no choice but to take on part-time or full-time work as a way to make ends meet, even if that means they have to cut back on their studies in the process. The first priority is a roof overhead and food on the table, after all. Attending college is a privilege that some students take for granted, but others must work a lot harder during their college years. For students that don’t necessarily have to work, the question becomes whether or not they should, and as a parent you likely have some thoughts on the issue. There are pros and cons to both positions.

Unknown

Following are a few pros and cons you might want to consider before you urge your kids to take on a job in college and add the additional burden of employment during their time in school.

There are many reasons why parents might prefer that their children avoid working while they’re in college. For one thing, the main point of attending college is to earn a degree (hopefully increasing job prospects), and it requires students to focus on their studies. Carrying a full course load is not only a time-consuming undertaking, what with class time and studying, but it can also take a lot of energy and concentration. A job can be disruptive on all fronts. So if students are able to cover their expenses with funds provided by scholarships, student loans, and of course, the help of their parents, there’s no reason why they should be distracted by the demands and stress of a job. In truth, attending college is like having a full-time job to begin with, and while many young adults enjoy the stamina required to take on additional work, it doesn’t make sense to tax them needlessly. Or does it?

If it’s purely a matter of money and there’s no other option, then students may have no choice but to work in order to support themselves and pay their way through college. But why would parents that can afford to help their kids financially encourage them to take on a job anyway? There are a couple of compelling reasons for parents to take this position, as well. For one thing, having a job builds confidence and character. When kids contribute financially to their own education, they are likely to place a higher value on it, thus making their performance in school more important (since they have more invested).

In addition, working a dead end, part-time job will no doubt help them to realize what their future job prospects look like if they fail to finish their degree, providing ample motivation to succeed. Of course, they might also nab an entry-level position in their field of interest, helping to build a resume and get a leg up on their peers when it comes to getting hired after graduation.

Whether your kids angle for a medical degree from Johns Hopkins or NEU’s online MST degree, you may not know if you should encourage them to take on a job during their time in school. Focusing on studies without the added stress of a job is definitely a consideration. However, encouraging your student to contribute to the cost of their education certainly builds character and communicates that hard work and perseverance pay off in the end.

The bottom line–only you know your student and can help them decide whether or not to work during college.