social networks

How Colleges are Using Instagram

 

instagramInstagram, the mobile app that allows users to take photos, add filters, and share them with their social networks, has grown to more than 40 million users. Many colleges are embracing the platform and adding it as another social media tool in their marketing strategy. Instagram is a visual platform, much like Pinterest. The appeal, according to students, is that it’s easy to communicate with pictures. Knowing this, colleges are posting pictures on this platform. The best part—they often use images posted by current students.

Here are just a few ways colleges are using Instagram:

Providing behind the scenes content

According to the University of Florida, students “want behind-the-scenes images.” The university posts more exclusive-access images, such as a photo during a class lecture, an image inside a university television station, and a point-of-view photograph from the podium at the university commencement ceremonies. This gives students a visual footprint of the campus.

Posting photos of special events

Many colleges are using Instagram to promote special events, such as commencement. Students at Vanderbilt University, for instance, have made commencement ceremonies an Instagram affair. Using a hashtag specific to the university, the university collects the latest photos from students to share, posting them on their website every 30 seconds so that they could be shared with families and students.

Expanding their social media influence

Smaller colleges may find it hard to grow a fan base on social networks to match those of larger universities, but with Instagram, they have the ability to easily share to other social media sites allowing them to reach a variety of audiences.

Highlighting school pride

What better way to promote school pride than with visual images. Students post photos from sporting events, campus activities, and cultural events. This gives prospective and current students the opportunity to visually participate in displaying their school pride.

Prospective students can use Instagram

Just like Pinterest, you can take pictures while on your college visits. By tagging them with the college hashtags, other students will see your photos. But here’s the plus: as you take the photos you can type comments and this will provide you with a visual reminder of each college.

If your student is looking for images posted by students, Instagram might just be the perfect source. A student’s perspective, after all, is the best perspective.

gap year, mom approved tips

Mom-Approved Tips: Don’t Fear the Gap Year

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gap year“I want to take a year before I go to college” are some of the most feared words by parents. What do we fear? We fear they won’t want to go back to school after being off for a year. We fear they will lie around the house, watch TV and play video games. We fear they aren’t thinking clearly and have no idea what they are saying. And for those competitive parents, it’s not what they planned.

Don’t fear the gap year. Not every student is ready for college after high school. Some simply aren’t mature enough, and others simply don’t know where they want to go or what they want to study. And if this is the case, would you want to spend thousands of dollars on college if it meant they dropped out their first semester? Of course you wouldn’t want to do that.

Have a serious conversation.

If your student is considering a gap year, you need to have a serious conversation—without judgment. Let them talk and listen. Try to find out why they want to do this. Is it about fear of college, are they afraid of failing or not being accepted, or are they simply unsure about what they want to do. Once you know that reason, it will be easier to parent regarding their decision.

Be straightforward and honest.

If you ascertain that their reasons are motivated by fear of failing, be encouraging. Point out their strengths and offer to help if they are struggling. Tutoring might help or consider hiring a professional college counselor to help them make some decisions. If they truly don’t feel college is for them, be supportive and discuss what the next year will be like.

Make a plan

Gap years are successful and beneficial if your student has a plan. During this year, they should work toward determining what they want to do once the year is up. This can be accomplished in many different ways. They could work and save money for college. They could investigate internships or apprenticeships in areas they are interested in. They could travel and work abroad. It’s all about making a plan, setting the ground rules, and making sure they understand what is expected of them.

Gap years are becoming more and more acceptable, especially with colleges. Once your student has been accepted, it’s not uncommon for them to defer admission for a year and use that time to get focused. And remember that not all students are ready for college. Push and they will suffer the consequences. Keep an open mind, discuss the possibilities, and breathe deeply. It could be the best year in your student’s life.

infographics, scholarships

Scholarships Demystified

 

Everyone knows that students in America love scholarships. Each year, millions of students apply for financial aid as they prepare for college in the hopes of easing the financial pain of rising tuition costs. But did you know just how much money was being dished out every year? Or where that money came from?

FluidReview, a company that specializes in scholarship management systems, has put together this infographic that demystifies the topic of scholarships in America. Some of this information might surprise you. Click on the excerpt below and it will take you to the complete infographic.

scholarships demystified

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Scholarship Friday: “You Like Me…You Really Like Me” Facebook Scholarship

 

facebook scholarshipScholarships.com’s “You Like Me…You Really Like Me” Facebook Scholarship is awarding a $1000 scholarship or a Kindle Fire for college. It’s easy (and everyone likes this kind of scholarship) to enter and the deadline is March 31st.

According to Scholarships.com, here’s what you need to do:

Love our scholarship search? Tell us why. Is our financial aid section really helping you out? Send us an example. Think our college prep section is the bee’s knees? Give us a shout out. Awards will go to the users that are making the best use of Scholarships.com’s many resources as determined by our team – impress us!

Step 1: “Like” Scholarships.com on Facebook.

Step 2: Post on our wall how Scholarships.com is helping you with your scholarship search. Once you do this, you are automatically entered to win a $1,000 scholarship or a Kindle Fire for college.

Step 3: You may enter as many times as you want over the course of the contest but please limit your comments to one per day. You must also have a valid Scholarships.com account and adjust your Facebook privacy preferences to allow Scholarships.com to message you should you win. The Scholarships.com Team will then determine which comment best exemplifies what our site is all about and which applicant is using our resources most effectively.

    Ends: March 31st

   Number Available: 3

   Amount: $1,000 for one first-place winner; one Kindle Fire each for second- and third-place winners

This scholarship competition is offered by Scholarships.com and is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

how to, social networks

How to Use LinkedIn University Pages

 

linkedin university

Recently, LinkedIn introduced their LinkedIn University pages, birthed from a parent who saw the need to connect students with faculty, other students, and career professionals. According to Christine Allen, Director of Product Management at LinkedIn:

Through my relationships at LinkedIn, I knew that hidden in millions of member profiles were powerful insights about the career outcomes of educations from universities around the world. If harnessed, these insights could provide incredible value for students – helping them explore possible futures and build a support network to help them succeed on campus and beyond.

Universities stepped up to the plate.

What an ingenious idea. Imagine making all these connections in high school and college and once you graduate you have a network of job possibilities. Over 200 universities have embraced this new offering and have set up pages you can connect to. Here are just a few:

And it’s not just for college students. In September, they began making LinkedIn accessible to high school students. This will give them an opportunity to “explore schools worldwide, greatly expand their understanding of the careers available, and get a head start on building a network of family and friends to help guide them at every milestone.”

LinkedIn offers students opportunities to connect.

Once they have signed up for LinkedIn, students can take advantage of the University pages by doing the following:

  • Join the conversation by engaging with the campus community.
  • Connect with current students and alumni.
  • Research specific majors and their career potential, along with the careers of alumni.
  • Research universities worldwide and explore those opportunities.
  • Begin building a network.
  • Investigate internship opportunities.

Your student should take advantage of this amazing opportunity. Not only is it an excellent tool to connect with professionals, it’s a great place to connect with college staff and other students.

parenting, Uncategorized, Wednesdays parent

Wednesday’s Parent: When Just Say NO Is Not Enough

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just say noIf you or your child has been in the public school system in the last 30 years you’re familiar with the phrase–just say no. From first grade on, those words have been pounded into the heads of kids giving them an answer to anyone who offers them drugs or any other form of abuse. It’s not the answer sometimes that’s important, as much as the attitude behind the response.

Research shows that kids who have a good relationship with their parents are less likely to pursue a life of abuse. The drug awareness programs give parents some guidelines they say will help. They instruct parents to do several things and lead us to believe that if we follow those rules, our kids are less likely to succumb to peer pressure.

Their suggestions have merit. But the bottom line is that most kids, no matter how strong they appear or how great their relationship is with their parents, are going to find themselves in a situation where just saying “no” is not enough. Just saying “no” will be met with teasing, pressure, and even ridicule. It’s your job as a parent to prepare them for that moment.

Educate your kids about abuse.

You should be the one to give your kids all the information they receive about the consequences of drug use. Don’t use scare tactics. That never works. There’s not one kid alive who actually believes that if he tries a drug once, it will kill him; although, it can and has in many instances. They see themselves as invincible. Give them facts. If you’ve done your job and they trust you, they will listen and when the time comes, remember what you’ve said.

Prepare them for the worst case scenario.

Tell them it’s going to happen. Give them some suggestions on how to handle the situation. Assure them that no matter what happens, you will be there for them. You want them to tell you everything; no matter what decision they choose to make. Let them know they can call you, anytime, day or night, to come and rescue them and you will be there in a heartbeat.

Keep the lines of communication open.

Make sure your kids know they can tell you anything, and they won’t be judged. Kids tend to keep things from their parents; that’s just part of being a kid. Let them know that, no matter what they do, you will love them. You may not love their behavior, but everyone makes mistakes. Everyone messes up and does things they are ashamed of. Make it easy for them to tell you about those bad choices, so you can help them make the right ones the next time.

Before they leave for college have a conversation.

Your kids have listened to everything you have told them over the years. But this is a time to remind them that they have options. Talk about the drinking culture on campus. Discuss the “hooking up” culture and sexual abuse. Bring up the subject of drug abuse. You may need to do a little research before you tackle this conversation because your kids are aware, or have been confronted, with abuse throughout high school.

What do you do if the worst happens?

Consider this scenario and prepare yourself for a response. Your daughter goes to a fraternity party. It goes without saying that there is going to be underage drinking and drug use. (If you don’t face this fact, you are in denial). Someone brings Ecstasy to the party and is passing it out freely. If you’ve done your job as a parent, she knows what Ecstasy does to her brain and how it affects her body. The girl that’s willing to share is her best friend. She tells her that it’s supposed to make you feel “all warm inside” and tells her no one will know. She tells her that by the time she gets home, the high will have worn off and if she doesn’t like it, she doesn’t ever have to do it again. She reminds her that you can’t judge if you haven’t tried it. So against all the knowledge you’ve given her about the effects of drugs, she takes the pill. Then, in a conversation about college and how she’s doing, she tells you what she did.

Be prepared for a response. Just saying “no”, wasn’t enough. She’s going to need an understanding parent who doesn’t judge, but reminds her there are consequences to every decision. This is an opportunity for a life lesson. You may not be able to be with her 24/7 but your words will be. The next time, she will hopefully think twice about making such a dangerous decision.

For more parenting tips, read Wendy’s blog: 7 Deadly Sins, Teen Style
how to, social networks

How to Use Pinterest for College Prep

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pinterest
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Since May 2011, visitors to Pinterest have increased by 2, 702.2% and with over a million visitors every single day, it’s an excellent source for information. If you’re not using Pinterest during the college prep process, you’re neglecting a valuable tool.

Pinterest’s search tool allows you to organize articles and all kinds of information by creating boards for each topic. It’s one way to keep all your resources in one place and revisit when you need to reread the information or delve deeper.

Here are just a few ways you can use Pinterest for college prep:

Use it to keep information organized

As a parent, you’re invested in helping your student along this journey. Along the way you will be searching for all types of information about college visits, financial aid, choosing the right college, standardized testing and college applications. You can use Pinterest to organize all the information into topic specific boards as you search and learn. When you read an article that is helpful or a blog post, pin it to an appropriate board. How much simpler could that be?

Research colleges

Many colleges are creating accounts of their own (including Yale University, Drake University, University of Michigan and Texas A&M University). Some schools have multiple accounts for different departments and programs. Browsing through a college’s boards is a great way to get a candid look at the campus culture, school traditions, and student involvement. Many colleges are also adding parent-focused boards as well.

Start with some searches

If you haven’t already begun, you’ll need some place to begin; and what better place to start than with a few simple searches. Just as you do with any search engine use it to find boards that interest you and provide you with relevant material.

Here are just a few searches and look at all the information they provide:

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=scholarships (scholarships)

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=college%20prep (college prep)

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=colleges (colleges)

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=college%20search (college search)

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=college%20visits (college visits)

Follow some boards (and or people)

Once you’ve set up your categories and begun to get organized, follow some boards. These boards will appear on your home feed as items are pinned and you can choose items to repin onto your boards. Need some help to start? Here are just a few to follow:

Suzanne Shaffer http://www.pinterest.com/suzannemshaffer/

Monica Matthews http://www.pinterest.com/aidscholarship/

Jodi Okun http://www.pinterest.com/jodiokun/

The amount of information you must assimilate during the college prep process can be overwhelming. Pinterest is another social media tool you can use to gather information. But what makes it unique is that you can organize the information and easily find it when you need it.

mom approved tips

Mom-Approved Tips: Q&A on College Topics

 

college topicsI’ve always been opinionated. Sometimes it’s gotten me into trouble, but it’s never stopped me from voicing my opinions on college topics. I’ve written posts voicing my opinions about Greek life and about forcing your child to go to college if he/she isn’t interested. It seems in the college business, everyone has an opinion. And here are just a few of the debates that have parents spinning:

Should you pay for test prep?

There’s nothing wrong with paid test prep. But if your child isn’t interested and doesn’t pay attention, it’s a waste of money. Before you invest some of your hard earned money, do some research. Would individual tutoring be a better fit for your student? Is a big class environment the best buy, especially since all teachers are not created equal? Look at the online tutoring programs and read recommendations on each. Don’t believe the claims that they can give your student a perfect score on the SAT/ACT or that they will raise their scores 500-700 points.

Are Ivy League colleges a good investment?

I don’t have anything against Ivy League colleges. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that just because a college has a famous name or high tuition that your student will get a better education there. Your student can get a good education at any number of colleges that might be a better fit for them. Since these colleges are very selective and the competition is fierce, unless your student is a top candidate, don’t waste your time.

Should you allow your student to take on student loan debt?

Nobody wants their student to incur student loan debt. But for some families, it’s a reality they can’t avoid. Before you sign on the dotted line, however, investigate repayment options and the pay for the degree your student is pursuing. It just doesn’t make sense to borrow $100,000 for college and not be able to repay it. A little bit of student loan debt isn’t bad–it gives them an investment in their education and they will take it seriously. Aside from that, there are all kinds of creative ways to avoid taking on too much student loan debt.

Should you do scholarship searches?

I’m a big proponent of scholarship searching. You don’t have to spend hours at a time, but allocate some time each day to do the searches. And when I talk about searching, I’m not just advocating online search engines like Zinch. Don’t forget to search locally for scholarships with the least amount of applicants which increases your chances to win.

What about for profit colleges?

Two words: buyer beware. For profit colleges lure students in by promising financing. This is always in the form of student loans. Look for accreditation and read the student recommendations before signing up for classes.

Is college a business or an institution of learning?

College is first and foremost a business–more than an institution of higher learning. If that’s the case, you need to be a wise consumer. Colleges are marketing their business to parents and students. It’s your right, as a consumer, to ask questions and search for bargains. Don’t be intimidated by colleges. It’s a huge consumer purchase that you should take as seriously as you did buying your home.

Should you let your student take a gap year?

I’m not against gap years for students. But set some guidelines before you agree. Put together a plan to use the year wisely, whether by traveling and working, internships, apprenticeships, and working to save money. Don’t let your student become a couch potato and accomplish little or nothing during the year.

Should you hire a college counselor?

College counselors can be a useful investment for parents. However, do some comparison shopping and ask for a list of past clients or testimonials. Not every parent can afford a counselor, however. Fortunately there are alternatives to personalized counseling online by reading blogs, books, and attending Twitter chats.

If you have any other questions, please comment here and I’ll be happy to answer them for you.

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Scholarship Friday: 5 Video Scholarships for the Budding Filmmaker

 

video scholarshipsBelieve it or not, your student’s GPA isn’t the only qualification to apply for scholarships. Not all scholarships are looking for stellar students. Many of them are geared toward a student’s talents and interests. There are scholarships for artists, writers and even filmmakers.

Many colleges are now accepting video essays, so it stands to reason that there would be opportunities for students to show their skills in video creation and win scholarships. Today’s scholarships offer money to students who have a talent for making videos.

You don’t have to have professional equipment or have specific training to create a video. In today’s world of handheld technology, you can use just about any device that captures and creates videos. Once that’s done, the student can edit it and submit it to the scholarship committees. But don’t forget to follow the rules and guidelines when submitting the video.

For a complete list of all 5 video scholarships, check out USA Today’s article with all the links to the scholarship application information.

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5 Things Military Parents Should Know Before Sending Kids to College

 

military dependent
Image by “Picture Youth” from Flickr Creative Commons.

Being a service member or spouse of a service member with growing children is extremely difficult, particularly when it comes to preparing your kids for college. Military parents face the challenge of nurturing their children’s intellectual growth and preparing them for higher education while coping with deployments and frequent relocation. Fortunately, there are ways military parents can successfully prepare their children for college. Here are five things military parents should know as they assist their kids in making this transition.

Military Dependents Are Eligible for College Funding

With all of the challenges that come with being in a military family, eliminating tuition costs from your list of concerns will be tremendously helpful. There are many options available for military dependents seeking college funding. For example, military dependents may receive college tuition assistance through the Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program. This benefit goes beyond providing tuition assistance by offering financial support for on-the-job training, certification programs and apprenticeships. This benefit is available for military dependents of veterans who have died or have been rated as permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability.

Those who are not eligible for DEA may still get help for their college tuition costs through the Post 9/11 GI Bill transfer program. Veterans who are eligible for benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill may choose to transfer part or all of their educational benefits to their children.

How to Spot a Military-Friendly College

While there are many benefits available to assist your child with tuition costs, not all colleges participate in these programs. Look for institutions that support programs such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill and understand the unique needs of military dependents on campus. A military-friendly institution is also one that will offer flexibility with regard to college classes by providing opportunities for evening and online courses. For many military dependents, frequent relocation does not end after high school graduation. Many children of service members wish to remain in close proximity to their parents while they transition into college life. Finding a school with a solid online program is a great way to support this decision. Many colleges also offer tuition discounts for military dependents, simply for having a parent who is a veteran or service member. These are the kinds of colleges that will not only support your child financially, but will also have a basic understanding of the unique transitional needs that exist for military dependents.

The Value of School Guidance Counselors

Being in a military family often means that life gets hectic, and getting the help of a school guidance counselor for your child’s academic needs can be extremely helpful. When kids in military families transfer to various schools, it can be difficult to keep track of all of the courses that are still needed in order to graduate. Guidance counselors have the inside scoop on important factors such as credit transfers, and can help identify college prep courses that will give your child a jump start. Counselors can also help identify any mental health concerns your child might have. Research indicates that military dependents may be at an increased risk for certain mental disorders, and intervening early is the best way to meet your child’s mental and cognitive needs.

The Impact of Military Life on Academics

New and valuable research continues to explore the influence military life has on children of service members. The results of these studies show that some children actually gain useful qualities such as resilience and open-mindedness as a result of living in a military family.  Skills such as these are undoubtedly useful in the college setting and will be beneficial to your child through school and beyond.

Other research, however, indicates that the stresses of deployment and relocation can inhibit your child’s cognitive and academic abilities. For example, a study by the Rand Corporation reveals that frequent moves can sometimes lead to social and academic disengagement. By being aware of the risks your children face in these areas, you can better prepare them for academic success in college.

Saving for College Early

Even with the college benefits available to military dependents, you may find that your child has additional tuition costs. The best way to prepare for these expenses is to start saving early. Consider setting up a monthly automatic transfer into a college fund. Another great way to save is to put any unexpected sources of income into a college account. Transferring money from tax refunds or bonuses is a helpful way to save without experiencing a financial burden. Encourage your child to participate in this process by contributing money from an allowance or part-time job.

Sending a child to college is difficult for all parents, but military families can face additional obstacles. Consider these five tips as you work to make your child’s transition from home to college a smooth and successful endeavor.

Helping parents with all aspects of college prep