How to help your high school student learn organization

January 9, 2014 Suzanne Shaffer 1 Comment

The steps that your high school student took from middle school to high school were big steps. For them finding a way to get to school, handle the increased work load, and having to start thinking about colleges were often overwhelming. If they have a job or are involved with extracurricular activities it magnifies their new responsibilities.

With teenagers you can’t always tell them about the tools that you know they should use, even though you know they work. Organization may be something they will have to learn for themselves the hard way; but here are some ways that we can lead them to finding the tools that they should use and learn organizational skills.

Have Resources Available

High school students may not always know what they need and by the time the new semester is getting ready to start they may be in a rush to get organized quickly. It can’t hurt to have extra pens, pencils, and notebooks around for when they do need it. The key to organization is having the right tools to help with the process.

Live By Example

High school students may not say so, but they do notice how we live our lives and what we do to stay organized. Setting your house up for success will rub off on your student. Some things that you can do are hang a whiteboard of the family’s weekly schedule, maintain personal notebooks, and coordinate schedules so that your student can see the steps that you take to stay organized.

Take advantage of new tools

Organizational materials today are much different than they used to be. There are multiple organizational apps available, along with online resources to keep organized. Excel spreadsheets, usb thumb drives and Evernote are excellent organizational tools. Don’t forget to use apps that allow your student to create reminders and even send them text messages when a project is due. Since there are so many apps to choose from, visit the Apple Store or Google Apps and do a search on “organization”.

Looking toward the future

However you choose to do it, showing your high school student the benefits of being organized are extremely beneficial to their future. Not only will these skills help them as they enter college, they might develop an interest in all aspects of organization and find themselves studying organizational leadership. This is an up and coming major that companies are requiring to stay organized and plan projects. Organizational leadership degree programs prepare students to be business and program leaders who are skilled in handling the human aspect of business management.

Wednesdays parent

Wednesday’s Parent: The Dangers of Senioritis

January 8, 2014 Suzanne Shaffer

Sign up for my FREE parent tips email and get my FREE Ebook on college financing! Or subscribe to my blog on the left and get email updates.

Wednesday’s child may be full of woe but Wednesday’s Parent can substitute action for anxiety. Each Wednesday Wendy and I will provide parent tips to get and keep your student on the college track. It’s never too late or too early to start!

Wednesday’s Parent will give twice the info and double the blog posts on critical parenting issues by clicking on the link at the end of the article from pocsmom.com to parentingforcollege and vice versa.

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Senioritis is a disease contracted by most high school seniors. Its onset might be hard to recognize because it starts innocently. But once the disease has taken hold it can have a devastating effect on your senior’s future college aspirations. As with any disease, knowing the symptoms is the key to an early diagnosis and treatment.

All kidding aside, however, senioritis is a very real problem for most students, especially if they have already been accepted early decision or early action. They are coming into the home stretch and it’s only natural for them to try to rest on their laurels, so to speak. But every parent needs to be vigilant and act to stop it before it’s too late.

What are the symptoms?

Senioritis usually sets in as the holidays end in January after the winter break. The symptoms are obvious: laziness, lack of study, underachievement, skipping classes and lack of interest in school related activities, especially academics. They may be slight at first—a low grade, a lackluster composition, or an unwillingness to study for a test.

What is the diagnosis?

Senioritis is something students feel they deserve. They’ve worked hard and most likely have completed all their college applications. Why not skate through the last few months? Why not skip a few classes and not study as hard. After all, the colleges already have their grades. No harm. No foul. Or so they think!

What is the cure?

It’s simple: a reality check and ultimately graduation. This attitude can quickly affect their final transcript and possibly cause colleges to re-evaluate their offers of admission. Colleges look at those transcripts and if it appears that the student has not remained committed to academics and their grades drop dramatically, they will ask themselves if the student is college material. Read the college acceptance letters carefully. Many times colleges include clear warnings to students, informing them that admission is contingent on successful performance throughout senior year.

What can you do?

Pay attention to your senior’s study habits and grades. If you notice a slip, have a conversation. Pull out the acceptance letter and have them read the fine print. Remind them that the end does not justify the means.

For more insight into senioritis, read Wendy’s example:

6 Great Examples to Cure Senioritis

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Scholarship Friday: Scholarships with January deadlines

January 3, 2014 Suzanne Shaffer

The New Year has begun and what better way to kick it off to a good start than applying to scholarships. Here are just a few sites listing scholarships with January deadlines:

About.com list of scholarships with January deadlines

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/grantsandscholarships/tp/college-scholarships-january.htm

Cappex list of scholarships with January deadlines

http://www.cappex.com/blog/scholarships/27-scholarships-with-deadlines-in-january/

Top 10 scholarships for African American Students

http://atlantadailyworld.com/2014/01/01/top-10-scholarships-for-african-american-students-with-january-2014-deadlines/

Extensive list of scholarships for individual colleges (starting with January deadlines)

http://www.scholarshipplus.com/wake/deadline.cfm

Scholarships with January deadlines from Scholarship360.org

http://www.scholarships360.org/discover/page/2/?search_query&orderby=Due&tax_category&tax_post_tag[0]=high-school-students-2&wpas=1

Zinch scholarships with January deadlines (login to see all 173 matches)

http://www.zinch.com/scholarships

Scholarships with application deadlines in January from saltmoney.org

https://blog.saltmoney.org/scholarship-application-deadlines-january-2014/

Don’t forget to check out the colleges you’re applying to (or have already applied to) for any scholarships with January deadlines. And while you’re at it, investigate spring deadlines as well. It’s never too early to start applying!

admissions, college guidance, college planning, parenting

14 Reasons I became a Parent College Coach

January 3, 2014 Suzanne Shaffer

As I look toward the upcoming year I am incredibly grateful for the connections I have made both with college experts and with parents of college-bound teens. Parents have become more and more involved with their student’s college application process and are looking for the best information available to help them guide and encourage.

As a parent advocate, I work to get you the latest information available to help you make informed college choices and financial aid decisions as the process progresses. Since I am a parent myself and am aware of the obstacles families face during this stressful time, I’m able to share my experiences and help you overcome the stress you may feel.

Here are 14 reasons I became a Parent College Coach:

To share my expertise with other parents
To connect you with other college experts
To help you deal with the college prep stress
To help you find scholarships
To help you with the financial aid process
To offer advice about college visits
To help you avoid being an overly involved helicopter parent
To give you standardized test prep options
To connect parents with other parents
To educate and inform
To give every student who wants to go to college help when needed
To help you get the best value for your buck
To answer questions about the college prep process
To help you guide your student through the college prep process

As you can imagine, the internet and social media are flooded with experts, especially in the college field. I bring a unique perspective into the mix because I am not only an expert on the college prep process; I’m also a parent myself. I struggled to help both my children get into college in a time when information was not easily available and school counselors were overwhelmed with parents and students asking for help.

It’s rewarding as I see parents and students cross the finish line and move on to the next phase in their lives. Knowing that I had a small part in the process makes me glad I made the decision to provide parents with the help they need. And as time goes on, I’ve made many good friends!

parenting, Wednesdays parent

Wednesday’s Parent: 5 New Year’s resolutions inspired by my grandson

January 1, 2014 Suzanne Shaffer

Sign up for my FREE parent tips email and get my FREE Ebook on college financing! Or subscribe to my blog on the left and get email updates.

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It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m sitting at home babysitting a 3-year old. Our evening consisted of Chinese food, Tom and Jerry cartoons and a little good natured wrestling. I started thinking about the life of a 3-year old and how we all might take a page from his book as the New Year begins and we all begin to think about New Year’s resolutions. I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions but I do see the value in reflecting and changing our perspective.

Based on inspiration from my grandson, this is how I want to start the New Year and how I hope to adjust my “adult” outlook on life.

1. He accepts correction and makes changes based on them

He doesn’t distance himself from you because you discipline him. Instead, he uses the correction to make a change. He remembers that negative actions produce negative responses and the next time he’s tempted to do something inappropriate; he stops and thinks before he acts (most of the time). Imagine the heartache we would save ourselves if we embraced this simple concept of discipline and correction.

2. Every day is a new day filled with possibilities

At the end of every day he can’t wait for tomorrow. He often asks me, “What are we going to do tomorrow?” Even the simplest answer causes him to say, “That might be fun.” Every day is a day to explore and learn and meet new people. He never dreads tomorrow because he knows that he’s going to have so much fun he won’t want it to end. What would happen if we went to bed every night looking forward to tomorrow?

3. The littlest things bring him joy

Wrestling on the couch, watching a new cartoon, playing at the playground or even reading a new book bring him the greatest joy. Laughter is his second language and he uses it freely and unashamedly. It’s not uncommon for him to laugh at the silliest of things and find amusement in something one of the dogs does. When we become adults, we forget to laugh and find the joy in life. For a 3-year old, it’s second nature.

4. He lives for today

My grandson has no concept of time. He’s having a birthday tomorrow (which is 9 months away). He went to his grandmother’s yesterday (which was months ago). Time for him is in the here and now. He looks forward to events with anticipation, but the happenings of today are what consume his life. He’s not bogged down in the past and doesn’t live in the future. He’s happy just to watch a Hot Wheels car go round and round on a track. There is adventure and wonder in every moment of the day.

5. He doesn’t hold a grudge

Three year olds don’t hold grudges. He may remember being hurt, but he doesn’t hold on to the hurt. If you scold him or punish him, it’s over with a hug and an “I’m sorry”. If he does something wrong and apologizes, he expects and should get unconditional forgiveness. Somewhere along the line, adults forget that forgiveness is something we all crave and something we should all give freely.

In 2014, let’s take a page from my grandson’s book. It will help you be a better parent and change the relationship you have with your teenager. Happy New Year!

Head on over to Wendy’s blog:

A Different Approach to New Year’s Resolutions

mom approved tips, organization

Mom-Approved Tips: Staying organized in 2014

December 31, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

The New Year is upon us and high school students are gearing up for all types of college-related activities. Juniors and seniors especially are looking toward the upcoming year with anticipation and excitement. There are many tasks to complete and many decisions to be made, but the key to gliding through the process is staying organized.

Here are just a few tips that should help make 2014 a successful year and keep your student organized during the college prep process:

Cleanliness is next to godliness

Teenagers are infamous for messes; their rooms are no exception. It’s no surprise that you’re more productive when your space is clean and organized. Their floor should not be a filing cabinet. You can help by providing them with the tools they need to stay organized. A study station, filing cabinets, wall calendars should help, along with calendars and to-do lists on their smartphones. When any type of college related correspondence comes in, establish a landing space that will help you locate the information when needed.

Tame the email monster

Students will be bombarded with emails from colleges, scholarship search engines, teachers and admissions officers. Get started early by creating an email address specifically for college correspondence: firstname_lastname@gmail.com. Use this email address for all communication and create folders to organize the incoming and outgoing mail.

Show me the money

If you expect to get financial aid, you need to be organized. From scholarship applications to completing the FAFSA, you have to stay on top of deadlines, forms and requirements. Missing deadlines and leaving out essential information could cost you and your teen substantial savings. Establish an organization system early in high school and the scholarship search will be less stressful.

Put your best foot forward

Recommendation letters and college interviews require planning and preparation. Long before requesting those letters, students should be establishing relationships with teachers and mentors. They should be networking with the college admissions officers and doing background research about each school. These tasks require organization and planning.

Make a list and check it twice

The college search process begins with a list—a list of colleges that your student is considering for application. This list begins by putting together a wish list of majors, locations, college services and activities and of course, financial aid data. Before the applications are filed, make sure every item on the wish list is satisfied and the colleges your student chooses meet all their expectations.

Staying organized is never easy. It requires a list of priorities and a commitment to complete the daily tasks as planned. An organized student is a successful student. Commit to staying organized in 2014.

Uncategorized

Merry Christmas to All!

December 25, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

To those of you who faithfully follow my blog, my Twitter feed and my Facebook page (and all the college experts that offer me support), I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you and your family experience the blessings of Christmas and remove the stress of college prep. It’s a day to count your blessings.

admissions, college prep, parenting

10 Biggest mistakes parents make

December 24, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

Parents and students are in the thick of the college application process. With more and more parents becoming involved, admissions officers are on the lookout for parents who won’t let their students own the process. That’s not to say that parents should step back and stay uninvolved; students need help and encouragement. They definitely need their parents to partner with them in the application process; but it’s a fine line that many parents simply don’t know how to walk.

Over the past ten years I have heard some stories from admissions officers that would make your hair stand on end: parents who write the student’s essay and try to pass it off as the student’s; parents who ask embarrassing questions during the college tour; and parents who simply won’t let go once the student is at college. Colleges frown upon this type of parent involvement and tend to question whether the student is ready to become an independent college student and adult.

Head over to Zinch to read the 10 biggest mistakes parents make.

mom approved tips, online learning, Sponsored posts, Uncategorized

Mom-Approved Tips: A mother speaks out about online learning

December 23, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

As an educator, I’ve always been a bit wary of online educational programs. Can anything truly replace the interactive learning experience that students get in a traditional classroom, sharing ideas with each other and with their teacher?

Then my son announced that he had enrolled in an online degree program to get his Masters of Library Science degree. I knew that he needed the degree to further his career as a librarian, but I was disappointed that he had decided to enroll in an online program instead of a “real” classroom.

Well, my son proved me wrong. As I watched him go through the accelerated MLS program and earn his degree, I learned that every prejudice I had about online degree programs was unfounded. Here’s what I learned:

Online programs are held to the same academic standards as traditional degree programs

When online programs first launched nearly two decades ago, they were derided for being “buy your degree” programs. Well, times have changed. For professional degree programs, online courses are no longer seen as second-best; they are often the most efficient and effective way to accelerate your education and receive a degree. Online RN to BSN programs, for example, are every bit as rigorous as brick-and-mortar programs, and the nurses they graduate are every bit as capable. Likewise, my son’s MLS program included the same academic high standards as any college course I’ve ever taught.

Students who are apprehensive regarding online degrees should consider the fact that countless schools have started adopting this fairly new method of teaching with excellent results. Once students discover that online programs are held to essentially the same standards as any other institution, they will begin to see the advantages. Students can work hard to achieve countless excellent degrees such as a Master of Arts in Communication, a Master of Business Administration, or even their M.S. in Engineering Management. All the student needs to do is make the first move and sign up.

Online programs encourage in-class participation

I was worried that my son wouldn’t get to take part in the natural banter that occurs in a traditional classroom, the type of back-and-forth conversation that results in so many “eureka” moments for young learners. Then I watched him contribute to his online program’s forums and chat programs. He wasn’t participating less during his online courses — in fact, just the opposite. Because of the unique nature of the online classroom, my son was actually able to participate more.

During a traditional class session, students are only able to contribute during small portions of the learning period — perhaps 15 minutes every hour depending on the course. During an online course, students carry on continuous conversations via computer which later spill into Facebook chats and Skype sessions. When I saw how much my son was learning from his peers, and how much he was sharing with them in return, I was amused that I ever thought that online programs would inhibit conversation.

Online programs include in-person lab components

“How can you become a librarian without doing hands-on work in a library?” I asked my son. Then he told me about his “lab courses,” which did in fact take place in a university campus library. Similarly, my friend who is getting her BSN had lab courses that took place in hospitals. Online courses do not eliminate the necessary in-person work; the courses simply allow students to complete several coursework components online.

Online programs help students get jobs

I’m a bit embarrassed to say that one of the reasons I was nervous about my son starting an online program was that I was afraid it would not help him get a job. Once again, my fears were unfounded. Online degrees do in fact lead to employment, and having an online degree on the resume does not devalue a candidate. As always, the type of degree you choose helps determine your job opportunities. The US News and World Report recently released a list of top online degrees that lead to good jobs; my BSN friend will be very pleased, as nursing is high on the list.

Online learning is here to stay, and I’m grateful it has done so much to help students further their education. Watching my son earn his degree, I learned a lot about how online courses work, and was pleased to learn that they did an excellent job of preparing him for his current job as a librarian.

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About The Author: This is a guest post by Kyle Johnson. Kyle has been blogging online since her kids were under 10 years old! Kyle likes writing about parenting, family experiences, and education. She has used her hands on experience to provide insight to the life of a parent and a teacher!

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Scholarship Friday: CollegeWhale.com

December 20, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer 2 Comments

According to CollegeWhale.com they have made the scholarship search simple. Most students would disagree but they claim to do this by creating the

Easiest Scholarship Search Ever

No sign up, no registration, and no personal information required. The CollegeWhale.com Easiest Scholarship Search Ever gives you fast and easy access to one of the largest online scholarship databases. Get matched with hundreds of scholarships in just a few simple clicks. Scholarship money for college made simple, period.

It’s a good place to start, but there is much more to searching than answering a few simple questions. Check out the site and peruse their information about financing college and managing college expenses. It will be worth your while.

Parenting for College