All posts by Suzanne Shaffer

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Why Parents Should Attend Orientation

orientation

If you have a soon-to-be college freshman in the fall, this summer is going to be a very busy time for you. Apart from trying to squeeze in every moment for memories, hugs and quality time, you will be making preparations for the move to college in the fall.

One of the most important planning events for you and your student’s success and transition, is new student orientation.

New student orientation is one event at college neither you nor your student should miss.

Parents learn valuable information at college orientation and students make much-needed connections with other students. Orientation will help your student ease into college life and help you cope as they make the move from home to independent living.

It is an exciting time for the entire family when a child goes off to college. It’s not only a transition from one phase of education to the next, but the beginning of your child’s first years away from home. This also means, in many cases, the parents’ first years with a child away or even an empty nest. Although many parents breathe a sigh of relief that the long journey to getting accepted to college is finally over, many need a little guidance on how to deal with this important next step.

New student orientation can provide some of that guidance, as well as help you understand what college life will be like for your student and what life away from home will look like.

Read all about new student orientation, what to know about parent orientation, and what to do if the college doesn’t offer a separate orientation for students from an article I wrote for TeenLife Magazine.

empty nest, graduation

From Acceptance to Graduation and Beyond

 

graduation

The acceptance letters have arrived and your student has made his final college decision. Check the box–going to college! It’s a tremendous accomplishment for both students and their parents. It’s not just your student who is graduating–you are too! You planned for years for your student to go to college and now he has been accepted. After years of planning it’s time to start a new chapter in your life as well.

First things first–do some celebrating. You’ve earned it. It was a difficult task to raise a successful high school graduate and soon-to-be college student. Allow yourself some time to bask in the accomplishment. This is also time to flood him with showers of praise and words of encouragement. He’s worked hard for this and he needs to hear that you are proud of him.

Once the celebration dust settles, to help you head into the next phase, we have some suggestions to assist with the transition.

Graduation Anxiety

Even though it’s a time of celebration, it is also a time of great anxiety; not only for the students who are anxious about their future, but for the parents as well. Students worry about being successful academically, moving away from the safety of home, and the difficult task of making new friends. Parents are riddled with questions and concerns, as any loving parent will be:

  • Have you done your job to prepare him for adulthood?
  • How will you occupy your time when he is away at college?
  • How will he survive without you?
  • How involved do you need to be when he’s in college?
  • How will you ever let go?

These questions and many more are going to be circling your mind over the next few months. However, it’s time for him to put into use the lessons you have taught him over the last 18 years–even if it means he will fail. Standing on the sidelines is difficult, but wipe away the tears and the fears and look ahead to an exciting era for both of you.

Bonding

Spend the next few months bonding with your college-bound teen: bonding, not smothering. Don’t expect him to want to be with you 24-7. He has friends he wants to spend time with as well, knowing he will be leaving them in the fall. Of course you want to spend time with him. After all, he’s leaving in a few months and you will miss him. But don’t cross the line and expect him to want what you want.

If you can’t camp out in his room or sit on the couch hugging him for hours, what can you do to facilitate the bonding? These suggestions might help:

  • Schedule a date night and do something fun together. Go to dinner and a movie. Play miniature golf. Attend a concert.
  • Take a family vacation together.
  • Go shopping for college and/or dorm supplies.
  • Visit the campus of the college he will be attending and take some side trips along the way.

Be creative and think of other ways you can forge time with him. It can even be something as simple as watching a television show with him or cooking together. Whatever you do, take advantage of every opportunity to bond. It will not only help you when he’s at college, it will provide him with memories to hold on to when (not if) he gets homesick at college.

Conversations

Before he leaves for college, you should have several conversations. Avoid lecturing; but discuss some issues he will be faced with at college. You may have discussed these before, but it’s time to reinforce them again:

  • Academics

Even though he’s an adult now (or so he thinks) you need to help him understand that you have certain expectations regarding academics. It’s going to require a commitment on his part to attend class, study, and turn in assignments when they are due. Discuss options for tutoring on campus and what to do if he begins to struggle.

  • Money

Budgeting in college for someone who has depended on parents for everything they need can be difficult. Sit down and help him make a budget and discuss what you will be providing as far as expenses and what you expect him to contribute. This will help minimize the phone calls panicking because he’s out of money.

  • Social activity

College provides multiple opportunities to socialize–some of it is good, some not so good. Talk about the drinking, drug and hooking up culture on campus which go hand-in-hand with college life. Discussing it ahead of time will help prepare him when he’s faced with decisions and also come up with a plan to have fun without harming himself or others.

  • Consequences

Make sure he understands the concept of consequences–to his actions, his choices, and his inaction. Remind him to think before he acts because most college decisions affect what happens in the future. For instance, a decision to skip class could result in a poor grade. Or a decision to drink and drive could not only put his life at risk, but if caught, a DUI could affect his ability to secure a job after graduation.

Packing

It’s a natural instinct for teens to want to take everything to college with them. Resist that urge. Dorm rooms are small. He will be sharing a space with another student who has brought things from home as well. As a general rule of thumb, here’s a short list of “do take and don’t take” items:

Do take

  • Hygiene items (including flip flops for shower)
  • Ear plugs (help with concentration and sleeping)
  • Tech items (plugs, power strips, laptop, desktop, usb drives, portable hard drive)
  • Maintenance items (duct tape, hammer, screwdriver, etc.)
  • Office supplies (stapler, paper, pens and pencils)
  • Storage containers (underbed storage works best)
  • Bedding (sheets, blanket, pillows and bed risers)
  • Headphones

Don’t take

  • Huge stereo and speakers
  • Every book and DVD you own
  • Candles
  • High school memorabilia
  • An overabundance of personal items-i.e your entire stuffed animal collection

Talk with the roommate about what he is bringing and try not to duplicate. Decide who is bringing the television, the microwave and the mini-fridge–staples in any dorm room. As your and your teen are making a list of items, remember that less is more in a college dorm room.

Orientation

Most colleges have instituted parent orientation to go along with the traditional student orientation. Parent orientation can provide parents with information about student life, guidance about dealing with college-related issues, and help dealing with separation anxiety. Additionally, you will be able to participate in workshops, take a campus tour and listen to speeches about common parent issues conducted by faculty and staff.

The BostonGlobe reports that most parents found the events to be more than worthwhile:

Colleges around the country are holding orientations for families of incoming freshmen. But these are not simple “Meet the Dean” receptions held the day before school starts. These are elaborate two- and three-day events, often held on midsummer weekdays. “What I’ve heard across the country from parents is that these events are marked on their calendar with a big red heart,” said Natalie Caine, who counsels parents through her business, Empty Nest Support Services in Los Angeles.They say, ‘I need to go. I need to see what it’s like. I want to hear what they have to offer, what the security system is like, who’s the contact person if there’s a problem.’

Use the next few months to prepare yourself and your teen for the upcoming college move-in day. If you’re well-prepared, it will be easier for both you and your student. In the meantime, enjoy your summer and use every opportunity to make some memories!

orientation, parenting

Parent Orientation Dos and Don’ts

 

parent orientation

In recent years, more and more colleges and universities have offered orientation events specifically geared toward parents during the days or weeks before school starts. Attending such events may require taking time off from work, traveling and even paying for admission. With events ranging from “Meet the Dean” to model classes and seminars on “Letting Go,” parent orientations offer an in-depth understanding of today’s college experience that can’t be had from a distance.

Lori Domingo, whose student was heading to a military college, said, “If you have the chance to attend such an orientation, I would highly recommend doing so.”

Recognizing the importance of this transition time, here’s a list of dos for parent orientation:

Do attend

This may seem obvious but many parents feel it’s unnecessary or too costly to attend parent orientation. Thus far, the response to these programs has been overwhelmingly positive. Parent testimonials on the University of Colorado Boulder website called the orientation “informative,” “helpful,” and “phenomenal.” Parents who have attended these sessions comment they alleviated unnecessary stress while also giving them confidence that their children are in good hands.

Do ask questions

Parent orientation provides a wealth of information for parents, but you can get even more out of it if you prepare questions to ask the campus staff that you meet while there. Asking the right questions will help you gather information and ease your mind during the transition.

Here are are 5 questions I suggest you ask:

  • What types of services does the health center provide?—You need to find out if your health insurance is accepted by them and what the process is for co-payments, filing a claim, etc.
  • What type of emergency action is taken in the event of a school shooting or other dangerous action?—Most colleges have steps in place to contact students and parents when an emergency arises.
  • What is the parental notification policy?—Ask how the college notifies you if your student is caught drinking or committing other serious offenses.
  • Do you have a parent association?—If so, how many parents participate? Are they active on campus? What specifically does the group do?
  • Who is the point of contact for parents?—Ask if there is a parent relations office and who do you call if you have questions or concerns.

Do stick to the school’s plan

There will be programming especially designed for parents that takes place while your student is attending their own orientation. There are things you will need to learn and tons of information to absorb. Use the time wisely, pay attention and stay focused.

Do take notes

You are going to be bombarded with mounds of information. Take notes during each of the sessions, especially related to information you want to discuss with your soon-to-be college student.

Do learn about college resources for parents

As mentioned above, ask questions while you are attending orientation. Specifically, what resources are available for parents and what specific events are provided to keep parents involved, i.e. Parents Weekend. Learn especially when and how you can communicate with the college if you have concerns about your student.

Here’s a list of don’ts for parent orientation:

Don’t supervise your child’s experience

The worst thing you can do is agonize and worry about your student’s orientation experience. It causes you to lose focus and robs you of having your own. If the college feels it’s important for your student to be on their own, respect that and keep your distance.

Don’t embarrass your student

When my daughter went to college orientation, I saw parents insisting on attending the student orientation with them. They complained that their student could not be trusted to come back with a report or remember what they were told. This is no way to start your student’s college experience.

Don’t waste the staff’s time

During the Q&A sessions listen to other parents’ questions and don’t ask them if they are answered. If you have a question that hasn’t been asked, this is the time to speak up. Otherwise, take notes and listen to the questions and the responses.

Don’t sit in the corner and be silent

This is your opportunity to get to know other parents, communicate with staff and faculty, and make some new friends. It’s a given that you will need parental support during the next four years. What better opportunity to make connections, exchange emails and phone numbers, and compare notes than at parent orientation?

Don’t fret and stress

Parent orientation is a college’s way of helping parents make the transition from high school parent to college parent. Their main focus is on helping parents let go, informing parents about resources available, and giving the parents a forum to ask questions. Enjoy the sessions and make the most of every opportunity to make positive connections. If you have a genuine concern, like student safety, for instance, you can ask questions to ease your mind.

Colleges recognize that parents are more involved in their student’s lives than ever before. One college, Brandeis University, has changed its stance from telling parents to detach to encouraging they stay involved. Andrew Flagel, senior vice president for students and enrollment at the college explains:

“The concept of keeping parents at arm’s length can become very unproductive,” Flagel said. “In an age of digital technology and social media, that process of parents and students communicating back and forth is very positive.”

“Parents feel like they are a part of what’s going on at campus. That’s not helicoptering, that’s just being proud of what their child is doing,” he added. “My advice is to keep being the kind of parent you most want to be.”

Priscilla Childress in University Parent’s Guide to Supporting your Student’s Freshman Year, encourages parents to attend:

I’m a strong advocate for attending parent orientation. At each of my daughter’s orientations I learned things I didn’t know, made new friends, and most importantly came away with a sense of calm. I wasn’t as anxious as I had been because I saw the school (rather than just touring it), met the key players, and discovered that the faculty, staff, and administration wanted to see my daughters succeed as much as I did.

Parent orientation should be on your to-do list this summer. It’s probably the most important task to complete before your student leaves for college in the fall. See it as an opportunity to help you relax, gather information, and see what your student will be doing in the fall.

admissions, social networks

What’s the Impact of Your Student’s Social Media on Admissions?

 

social media admissions

According to Kaplan Test Prep’s annual survey of admissions officers, more than two-thirds of colleges (68 percent) say that it’s “fair game” for them to visit applicants’ social media profiles like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to help them decide who gets in — despite the fact that less than a third actually engage in the practice. Notably, students agree: a separate Kaplan survey of over 900 high school students finds that 70 percent consider social media profiles “fair game” for admissions officers evaluating applicants — an increase from 58 percent in 2014.

Admissions officers who say it’s “fair game” shared the following reasoning:

  • “Employers do it all the time. Colleges can do it as well.”
  • “I think if things are publicly accessible without undue intrusion, it’s OK. If it’s searchable, it’s fair game.”
  • “We don’t do this, but we could. I think high school seniors make poor choices sometimes when they put stuff online.”

Admissions officers who said they viewed this as an “invasion of privacy” shared the following:

  • “Their application should be the sole decider.”
  • “We use social media for recruitment, not admissions.”
  • “We only look at social media if the applicant includes or provides it.”

But while a strong majority of admissions officers are ideologically comfortable with this practice, only 29 percent say they have actually done it — a decline from 35 percent last year, and down from a 40 percent high watermark in Kaplan’s 2015 survey. But this isn’t because admissions officers are necessarily forbidden from doing it, as only 20 percent say that their school has official guidelines or policies; and of that 20 percent, only 33 percent are not permitted to do so.

Yariv Alpher, executive director of research for Kaplan Test Prep, noted that some of the decline can likely be attributed to changing social media habits, as teens have migrated from Facebook to non-archival social media platforms like Snapchat.

“You cannot visit an applicant’s social media profile if you can’t locate them, and as one admissions officer shared with us, ‘Students are harder to find.’ They’ve gotten savvier in hiding or curating their social media footprints, even as they’ve become very comfortable with the notion of having a digital presence to begin with. By the same token, colleges have largely become comfortable, in theory, using social media to help them make admissions decisions,” said Alpher. “That said, in practice, the strong majority are sticking with the traditional elements of the application, like standardized test scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, which still overwhelmingly decide an applicant’s path. For most, these traditional factors provide enough useful information to make a decision, like it has for generations of their predecessors.”

And lest applicants think that what they post online can’t be held against them once they are already accepted, they should think again. Nearly one in 10 (nine percent) admissions officers say they had revoked an incoming student’s offer of admission  because of what they found on social media. This finding comes on the heels of Harvard University’s decision last year to revoke the acceptances of at least 10 students for posting highly offensive memes on a private Facebook group for incoming freshmen.

Here’s a short video illustrating the survey results:

Guest Posts, SAT, test prep

Tips for Taking the SAT

1 Comment

 

sat

Ah yes, the dreaded SAT – one of the most popular standardized tests out there. As a test taker, there are several things you can do in advance to increase your chances of scoring higher on test day. In addition to these 3 must know tips for the SAT, here are a few more things to keep in mind:

Know how the test is scored

Not all tests are created equal, and not all tests are scored the same way. Luckily for us, the current version of the SAT has a great scoring policy – your raw score is simply the number of questions answered correctly. That’s it! There are no deductions or penalties for incorrect answers. If you answer 40 questions correctly and 4 questions incorrectly, you’ll get the same raw score as if you answer 40 questions correctly and just leave 4 blank.

This means that you should answer every question (even if you are guessing) because an incorrect answer will not count against you, but guessing will at least give you a chance of getting the answer right. But wait…there’s more!

The SAT’s multiple choice questions have 4 answer choices (A, B, C, and D). Since each answer choice has an equal probability of being correct (1/4 or 25%), you can maximize your chances of being correct by guessing the same letter every time (unless, of course, you know it’s wrong). However, if you guess randomly, you’re just chasing a moving target. So, just pick a letter (A – D), and if you have no idea what the answer is, just bubble in that same letter every time.

Study using the official SAT materials first

Standardized tests, like the SAT, tend to be pretty tricky. The word problems are intentionally confusing and can throw off even the most experienced test takers. For this reason, it’s very important to see as many different types of questions as possible, so that you can be exposed to the variety of ways a question can be asked.

The best way to get used to SAT questions is by studying official SAT material published by the CollegeBoard and concentrating on test prep. The more practice problems you will see, the more familiar you will become with the way they are structured, worded, and presented. So when it comes to taking the real SAT, you’ll be in a much better place to say “I’ve seen this type of question of before, and I know what they are looking for!”

There is a ton of third party material out there, but it may not look like the real thing. So it’s best to practice with official material right on the CollegeBoard website!

Look for shortcuts

The beauty of a standardized test where showing your work doesn’t count is….it doesn’t matter how you get to the correct answer! The only thing that matters is that you get the question right. This affords test takers the ability to solve problems in any way they choose!

The math section is a great place to take advantage of this luxury! Instead of solving the problem using the “high school Algebra II way,” is there a simpler way to get to the correct answer?

  •  Can you just plug in the answers?
  • Can you eliminate answer choices that are obviously too big or too small?
  • Can you use your graphing calculator to find solutions or intercepts?

As you work through practice tests and sample problems, see if you can find faster ways of solving the problem. In a timed test, a few seconds here or there can really add up, so knowing shortcuts can help you out big time!

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Today’s guest post is from Leo Rusinov, the founder of TutoringBoston, an education company specializing in K-12 Academic and SAT tutoring in Newton, MA. TutoringBoston is focused on providing both content and strategy instruction, and is committed to helping students achieve their academic goals through customized lesson plans, tailored instruction, and content differentiation. Tutoring Boston serves students in the Greater Boston area, as well as all over the country through online lessons.

SAT, test prep

Handling SAT and ACT Accommodations

 

accommodations

Getting accommodations on high-stakes standardized tests is no easy task, especially if your child is a high-achiever and has been able to compensate for his or her disabilities until now.  Fortunately, during the Obama administration there were some positive legal developments which have made the law both clearer and more favorable to high-achieving applicants. When testing boards deny accommodations to high-achievers, it tends to be for the similar reasons.  Here are those reasons and some strategies to combat those denials.

“Eleventh Hour” Disabilities

Testing Boards get hundreds of applications for extended time accommodations per each test sitting and they often don’t have time to carefully review each application.  Naturally, they tend to skim for what they consider red flags to disqualifying an applicant. One of those red flags is a late diagnosis. Boards derisively term those late diagnosis “eleventh hour” disabilities because they seem to have developed conveniently around college prep time.

But the truth is that some high-achievers have been disabled throughout their educational careers but have been able to coast through because the work was not very challenging for them.  And sometimes a legitimate anxiety or emotional disorder will develop in high school.

The best way to combat a denial in this situation is to provide them with documentation (i.e., school records, evaluations, physician letters) proving that your child had symptoms for years, even if they were recently diagnosed.  Using bullet points write about what your child has had to do to compensate for his or her disability, such as giving up participating in extracurricular activities so that they have more time to study.  If the disability is psychological or emotional and has legitimately developed recently, document that too.

ADHD or Other Disabilities Which Are Difficult to Reliably Document

Because there’s no simple test for ADHD and its symptoms can often be confused with other disorders, testing boards often look askance at applicants for accommodations whose only disability is ADHD.  Anxiety, depression and certain types of learning disabilities can also be difficulty to document, especially with high-achievers.  

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that to be eligible for accommodations a disability must “substantially limit”  a major life activity, such as learning, reading or concentrating, as compared with the general population.” Most applicants need a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation demonstrating the extent to which their disabilities limit them academically. Generally, that means that you need to show with numbers that your child’s disability causes him or her to perform in certain areas at or below the 16th percentile.

Conclusion

Decisions by testing boards are often unpredictable because they review hundreds of applications for accommodations for each test sitting, and don’t have time to carefully review each student’s circumstances. While the most critical aspect of an application is documenting the educational history of the disability and/or it’s symptoms, parents should present the documentation in a clear and concise way in a cover letter.  To make the information readily accessible, cover letters should be very well-organized, sectioned with headers and detailed with bullet points under each section. Attach the documents you refer to the letter.

The law governing testing accommodations is fairly complex, and it would benefit you to hire an attorney for a consultation or to write a cover letter so that your child’s unique educational history can be clearly and persuasively presented in a legal context.  However, if you’re not able to hire an attorney, it would go a long way to write your own cover letter presenting the important information described above in a clear and concise manner.

For more on the Americans with Disabilities Act, which sets the legal standards for accommodating students applying for accommodations, see this article.    

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Today’s guest post is from Allison Hertog, one of only a handful of attorneys in the country who has a Masters degree in Special Education.  She has successfully represented students applying for college and graduate school entrance exams nationwide, even if they’ve been denied more than once.  Her law firm is Making School Work, P.L. and you can reach her at Allison@MakingSchoolWork.com.

 

parenting, technology

What Parents Can Do to Teach Internet Safety

 

internet safety

The world has changed tremendously.

Decades ago, the word ‘Internet’ did not even exist in the dictionary. Now look at us:  Humanity now seems to need the Internet as much as the very air we breathe.

The birth of the World Wide Web has ushered in a plethora of possibilities. With a simple tap of your Smart Phone you can get access to any information, link up to anyone and become literally anything you wish to be.

However, as much as the internet has a lot of advantages, so does it have its cons.

Nowadays, children barely out of Kindergarten are granted access to the web. They are exposed to all sorts of materials without supervision and sadly most parents remain apathetic to the potential dangers lurking in the online world.

What can parents do to teach their children about internet safety?

Our children are the future.

They are the edifices to our foundations and as such, we owe it not only to them, but also to ourselves to give them a dignified and hopeful future.

In order to protect our kids from the dark aspects of the web, we must ensure that they are Cyber Security aware.

The first thing you need to do is to properly educate your children. Proper communication goes a long way so you will need to enlighten them about the dangers and risks of the online world.

Kids do not do what they are told, but imitate what they see

You cannot expect your children to follow your words of caution if you yourself continue to throw caution to the wind.

All too often, kids do not know how to properly create a safe online environment for themselves because no one has shown them how, so they would rather imitate what they see around them, and as a result, they could fall victim to all sorts of malicious schemes and plots online.

Children who reveal too much information about themselves online could end up being susceptible.  They could be stalked, bullied or worse: Their accounts could be hacked and they could become victims of identity theft.

Sadly, you yourself could unknowingly be teaching your kids to be vulnerable and reckless online.

At a young age, a child’s vulnerability is at its peak: They are easily influenced and ready to absorb information like a sponge.

According to Research, a lot of parents post far too much personal information about themselves and their family online.

This is not only unwise, but could lead to disastrous consequences.

What’s the solution? Practice what you preach!

The first thing you need to do is to work on yourself by educating yourself and engaging in good security practices.

Our kids mirror our behaviors. If they observe their parents taking the proper precautions like instituting rules to eliminating rogue downloads, they will most likely pick up the habit.

As a parent, you must ensure to introduce security concepts to your child and the earlier the better! A five your old is not too young to be taught the basic concepts of cyber security. All you need to do is to enlighten them in the most fun and engaging way possible.

Older children should not be left out. They should be taught to treat cyber security as they would real life security related situations.

Manage your child’s screen time

In order to ensure that your children do not stray you must remain vigilant and monitor their online activities.

Perhaps you could consider limiting the number of devices accessible to them; cut off the gadgets they don’t need.

Now, thanks to the improvement in technology, you can keep tabs on their activities on the phones and computers: Take for instance the Apple IOS devices and some Android tablets which allow restrictions on app usage.

Now, new Models of windows Computers and Apps come with built in parental controls which allow you to limit the amount of computer time each user account has per day and which applications they have access to.

Cyber security awareness isn’t something you could just instill overnight. It is a gradual process that evolves with time and Technology. The best way to stay safe online is to continue to engage in good security practices.

If a child is smart enough to work his/her way around a Smartphone, then he/she is old enough to be educated about cyber security.

college costs

Coping With the Crippling Cost of College

 

cost of college

College can be cripplingly expensive for many families, particularly those with a low income.

Even if we were to put the tuition fees to one side, you still have the rent, living expenses, travel costs and so on to consider… indeed, the prospect of sending kids to college can be a genuine uphill struggle for many families as tackling cost of college isn’t something all families can manage; however, where there’s a will there’s a way and there’s a lot to be said for adopting a state of resourcefulness at times when a lack of resources could otherwise hold you back.

Firstly, it should be noted that if you’re looking for a more frugal way to facilitate a decent college education, the majority of major universities are now offering distance learning as one of their platforms.  These courses can often save a huge amount of money in terms of travel, accommodation and daily living expenses. They also tend to be cheaper tuition fees as the college itself has less overhead to cover in comparison with people physically attending a course.  

That said, college isn’t purely about the educational experience in terms of academic understanding; there’s a lot to be said for the diverse social and experiential side of attending college in addition to the connections and networking opportunities they facilitate.

This article looks at how to cope with the crippling cost of college, from a ‘making money to fund college’ perspective, but before we go into that it seems pertinent to talk about the concept of making money particularly when it comes to people entering college and the world of work.

Once upon a time, we were told to work hard at school, get a good job, work our way up through the ranks and then retire with a secure financial future ahead of us.  Today, this advice is not only archaic, it’s potentially hazardous to our financial future, as everything has changed since we entered the new digital age of globalisation.

Today, it’s imperative to learn about topics such as personal branding, portfolio careers, side hustles and passive income in order to secure our financial destiny.  There’s been a huge social shift in the way we are making money; and it’s important to become more educated in this growing area of concern.

Whilst an academic education remains valuable it’s important students expand their view of education to incorporate money making and personal marketing concepts.  

There’s a popular saying that states the “more you earn the more you learn”.  This is a sound concept, however, when looking at education from a money making perspective, it should be noted that there are many people that dropout of college and financially surpass their well educated white collar friends by simply selling things on eBay.  

With this in mind, it should be noted that learning is not limited to academic education; indeed, if you were to learn how to invest in property these skills are likely to get you much further in life, on a financial basis, than having a generic degree.  There are some academic courses that are required to enter a particular profession, and these should be considered, but bear in mind, that oftentimes, you’ll find highly educated white collar workers attending weekend seminars on topics such as real estate investing, amazon trading, and digital marketing that are being led by people that didn’t go to college – they just got out there and did it.  

The one thing to bear in mind, when it comes to learning, is to ensure the time and money you put into the course provides a decent return on investment.

Now, let’s take a look at some ways to cope with the crippling cost of college from a money making perspective.  The majority of these tips are going to be focused on the student making money, yet as a parent, there is a great way to consider coping with the burdensome cost of rent.  

As an example, you could get a housing loan and purchase a four bedroom property, near campus, that you can then rent out to other students and make a profit each month on the loan from the rent paid.  This way, you can provide your family with a secure home that is cost neutral and actually goes some way to paying for trips home and so on.

If, however, you feel more inclined to put them to work and have them stand on their own two feet whilst still having enough time and energy to fully focus on their studies, you’ll want to consider these quirky ideas to make additional money whilst studying.

FLIP THRIFT STORE ITEMS ON EBAY

A quite enjoyable way to make money is to treasure hunt around thrift stores and yard sales, looking for items that you know have a strong desire on eBay.  Often, people aren’t aware of the value that’s in amongst the vats of items in thrift stores and with a bit of careful research and rummaging around boxes, you can find some incredible high profit deals.

SELL FREE ITEMS

Lots of people have items that are “free to a good home”, presuming you have the means and manpower to come and pick them up.  

You could simple use eBay, but If you match this with people putting requests in the ‘want to buy’ sections of newspapers and online listings, such as Craigslist this will be the most efficient and reliable way to ensure you are gathering items that you can sell on; after-all, you don’t want to have to rent out a storage unit just to put things nobody wants in storage.  

The most expensive aspect of this set up is having a vehicle large enough to transport the items, but this can pay for itself, if on top of the sale price for the item, you are able to charge a few dollars for delivery to the new customer.

DONATE BLOOD PLASMA

There’s a limit to how much you can make doing this, as there is a restriction to how many times a week you can attend, but typically your time investment would be around three hours per week in order to make $250 to $350 per month.  

Understandably, this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a rewarding way to make money on the basis your blood plasma is necessary to help fuel life saving operations.

BABYSIT

Babysitting can be a great way to make easy money.  

If you’re lucky, in the evening the kids will be asleep most the time which means you’ll get free time in someone’s home to study in a distraction free environment.  There’s no greater feeling than being productive with your studies whilst at the same time, making money from doing very little.

MOW LAWNS

Whilst this is clearly restricted to three seasons of the year, if you were to charge $25 per lawn, and mow ten lawns a week (basically a weekend’s work) you’ll make $250 per week – that’s a $1,000 per month.

The best part of this, is that once you get regular customers, you can build up a monthly ‘round’ of appointments that generates a reliable stream of income; and doesn’t require you constantly getting new customers.

ONLINE OPTIONS

Today, you can even make an income online by being paid to browse websites or answer online questionnaires.  There are many ways to make money online that simply require an internet connection and a laptop. If you have creative skills in the area of web design, for instance, you could check out freelancer.com and get a variety of gigs direct from employers looking for freelance talent.

In summary, college can be cripplingly expensive but where there’s a will there’s a way and with such a vast plethora of money making opportunities available anything is possible.

admissions, college apps, college costs, college planning

Application Tips for Low-Income Families

 

application

Families and students with low-income backgrounds often find going to college a looming task. They don’t know where to start or how to push past the initial idea of college. I’ve compiled some tips & resources that we regularly use with our students to help make the trip to college more affordable. So, let’s just hop into it then!

One of the most expensive parts of applying that we come across first are the application fees. Oh my gosh the fees. Some college applications are free while others can cost upwards of $100. And those are state schools I’m talking about, not Ivy-leagues. So, how do you get around them?

      • Counselors and Advisors.
        Check in with your student’s school. Many schools have college advisors or counselors that have contacts at the schools your student might be considering.
      • ACT Fee Waivers.
        ACT has this nifty little program where they will waive the registration fee for 2 tests if a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch and meets the other qualifications listed on this website. Some states have specific requirements as well for how to utilize these waivers so, I suggest doing a little more research to make sure you qualify.
      • Application Fee Waivers. These are some of the most useful pieces of paper you can come across.
        • Most colleges have their own fee waiver processes they have specifically for low-income applicants. Most of the time you have to provide proof that your student was able to utilize an ACT Fee waiver to take their ACT. (See above for information on this.)
        • The National Association for College Admission Counseling has a fee waiver as well that you can use once the school counselor has signed off on it.
      • Ask.
        If all else fails, call the college admissions office and ask if they provide any assistance. They are used to this question and it will not phase them a bit. If they respond with “I don’t know.” ask to speak to the recruiter for your area. They typically have a little more information available.

    Another expensive part that we don’t often think of is postage. In our district we will mail the applications, supporting documents, and correspondence between the student and the college for them. I would definitely see if your student’s school has this service provided. If this isn’t available to your students, contact the college they are applying to and see if they will accept materials via email or fax.

    Try to save money on your college visits. If you have a student that is interested in 5 or 6 different colleges, it can get expensive to visit them. We always recommend that students visit a college before making a final decision. To help students who can’t afford to visit, some colleges have fly-ins or diversity programs that allow students to learn about a school while staying on campus for a short visit. These programs for high school seniors usually cover part or all of students’ travel costs. There typically aren’t many spots open so, apply early and follow up often.

    The last and most important tip is to complete the FAFSA. I cannot stress this enough. It could be the difference between having school paid for and having to come up with everything out of pocket. In order to complete the FAFSA, you’ll have to create a FSA ID for yourself and your student. Do not lose this. You have to have the same ID every year and if you have other children, you will need it for them when they go to college as well. After completing your FSA ID, make sure your tax information from last year is available and filed. If you didn’t file, you still have to complete the FAFSA. You will go to https://fafsa.ed.gov and complete the form. If you have trouble, your student’s counselor may be able to help.

    I really hope these tips are helpful. There are other sneaky ways to save up for college but, these are the big four that we use regularly. Prepare. Be organized. And  remember that you are working towards a better future for your student.

    ________________________________________________________________________

    Today’s guest post is from Beth Thompson, who currently works at a public school as a college advisor in the Arkansas Delta. Before starting this adventure, she worked in various university career services offices assisting students with their pursuit of a career applicable to their field of study. She is experienced in rural as well as urban job markets and has a deep love for the Arkansas Delta. She has a great, supportive family and two apathetic but cuddly cats. Feel free to visit her at FromApptoCap.

     

scholarships

Get $2500 for College from College Raptor

 

College Raptor

The $2,500 College Raptor Scholarship is open only to those legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory who are 16 years of age or older at the time of application and who are currently enrolled (or enroll no later than the fall of 2019) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher learning (college, university or trade school).

HOW TO ENTER:

To enter, submit a complete scholarship Application online at the Sponsor’s Website (www.collegeraptor.com/2500scholarship). To be considered an applicant, a person must register with www.CollegeRaptor.com, use the College Search tool and submit a short original, previously unpublished response to one of the scholarship topics. Your written response must be written in English, with correct spelling and grammar. No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages will be accepted once you have submitted your original Application. Written responses that are obscene, pornographic, libelous or otherwise objectionable will be disqualified. All Applications become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for lost, late, misdirected, or unintelligible Applications. By submitting an Application, you fully and unconditionally accept and agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding.

APPLICATION DEADLIINE:

June 1, 2018 at 11:59 pm Central Time

SELECTION OF POTENTIAL WINNERS:

Sponsor is looking for eligible Applicants who follow directions and submit Applications that are well-written and clearly and creatively address the topic described above. By no later than August 1, 2018, a qualified panel of judges will select one (1) potential winner based on the criteria of GPA (25%), college entrance exam score (either ACT or SAT) (25%) and essay (50%). Sponsor will select at least one (1) of the submitted Applications as the potential Prize Winning Application. In the event of a tie, the potential winner will be the Applicant with the higher score for overall excellence.

AWARD AMOUNT:

One (1) winner will receive a Scholarship Prize in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars and zero cents ($2,500.00). The Scholarship Prize will be in the form of a check made payable directly to the accredited post-secondary institution of higher education attended by the Scholarship Prize Recipient (once the Scholarship Prize Recipient has enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education and submitted proof of enrollment to Sponsor). Scholarship Prize Recipient must submit proof of enrollment on or before 12/31/2019. Scholarship Prize may not be assigned, transferred, or changed, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor.