Category Archives: Uncategorized

parenting, Uncategorized

How to make high school graduation special

 

If you have a high school senior, the offers of admission have finally started rolling in. March is almost over, April is just around the corner and before you know it you will be watching your college-bound teen walk across the stage at their high school graduation ceremony. Next step college–but first it’s time to celebrate and recognize their accomplishments.

Here are just a few suggestions to plan for the once-in-a-lifetime milestone and celebration. After all, you only graduate from high school once!

Brag (just a little)

This is the time when every parent can brag about their teenager. They have worked hard, applied to college, made the decision on which college to attend, and are on the road to independent adulthood. When they hear you bragging about them, they make act embarrassed on the outside, but they will smile on the inside that they have made you proud of them.

Plan a celebration

Make early preparations. Whether you have a family gathering, a party with their friends, or a small dinner with your immediate family, make it special. Take the time to pick out a unique present (perhaps some type of jewelry for your daughter, or a nice watch for you son). They will always treasure the gift and it will remind them of their accomplishment. Celebrating this time in their life with you creates a lasting memory and encourages them to continue pursuing goals.

Create your own congratulatory banner at Signazon.com
Create your own congratulatory banner at Signazon.com

Watch them beam with pride

Take out senior ads, order graduation banners from Signazon.com, and order graduation announcements to share with family and friends. Attend  banquets, recognition ceremonies and award presentations with them. When your teen sees how proud you are of their accomplishment they will move forward toward college with confidence and pride.

 

Uncategorized

Buying a car for your college student

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college_student_car-400x231When you send your child off to college, you might decide that his newly independent lifestyle warrants a personal set of wheels. Or perhaps you’re looking for a fun and functional high-school graduation gift that he’s sure to get a lot of use out of. In truth, this might end up being a major boon when it comes to travel if your student is attending a college that’s not too far from home since it could allow him to make frequent visits, say on the weekends or holidays, without the added cost of airfare. But whether you’re hoping to see more of your student after he heads off to college or you simply want to provide him with transportation during his time on campus, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before you plop down the dough on a brand new Escalade.

For starters you need to think about your price point. Since you may be helping to foot the bill for college already, the added expense of a brand new vehicle might be more than your current budget can bear. And don’t forget that inexperienced drivers are far more likely to get in accidents (hence higher insurance rates), so purchasing a pricy new vehicle may not be in anyone’s best interest. Although you certainly want your teen to leave for school with a reliable mode of transportation, there are plenty of options that don’t require you to overspend.

For example, you might consider purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle. Most are only a year or two old, the dealer has put them through a rigorous inspection and repair process to ensure that they’re in ship shape, and many come with a full (or at least partial) warranty. Plus, you’ll enjoy the greatly discounted price. Although it’s bound to be a little more than the average used car, it’s still a lot less than brand new and you’ll get several benefits in addition to a relatively new vehicle.

Another thing to think about is how the car will fit with your teen’s lifestyle. For example, parking on campus is often at a premium, so having a tiny car that can fit in any spot (like a Smart, Fiat, Mini Cooper, or other subcompact) could be ideal. In addition, smaller, lighter vehicles tend to be more fuel efficient, which is good news for the average, broke college kid. Plus, a small car will limit the amount of friends your teen can cart around, hopefully reducing the risk for distractions that lead to accidents. As a general rule, small cars tend to be the best choices for college students.

However, there is one last thing you’ll want to consider before you go through with purchasing a car for your college-bound kid: does he really need it? If your student is living and working on campus, there’s really no need for him to have a car. In fact, he might be better off with a bicycle, especially if you’re not willing to support ongoing costs. Even if he can get discounted car insurance for college students, he might not make enough money to cover that plus registration, maintenance, parking, and gas. There’s no doubt that cars require money that many students don’t have to spare. As for those who live and work off campus, a bike and a bus pass could be just as useful at far less cost. So before you buy a car, keep in mind that it could end up being more of a liability than an asset to your student.

Uncategorized

A Christmas Blessing

Merry Christmas2012 is almost over and what a year it has been for me and my family. We’ve learned to appreciate the small things in life and to not take anything for granted. I hope that this Christmas season prompts you to count your blessings and share your joy with others. May 2013 bring you innumerable blessings, good health, and an appreciation for family.  And please remember that there are those who need your love and comfort this time of year. Take the time to smile, pass along a holiday wish, and even “pay it forward” to an unsuspecting person. You never know what your gift of kindness can do and how it could change someone’s life.

Hug your kids more than usual and pray for the families who won’t be celebrating Christmas with their loved ones this year. Remember that we can change the world one life at a time. All it takes is one voice.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2013!

college planning, Guest Posts, Uncategorized

Six Simple Steps to Prepare for College

The competition for college acceptance has never been tougher, which is why preparing early for your college education can help you position yourself to get into the college you want.  High school graduation may seem like it is ages away, but now is the time to start preparing for college.   Getting ready for college means planning for the future and making some very important decisions early—we advise following these six steps below to maximize your chances of getting into the best college possible.

1) Visit a College Counselor as Early as 9th Grade

Students should begin visiting a college counselor as early as 9th grade. Visit your school’s college counselor early and often to assist with SAT prep, college choices, college applications and letters of reference at no additional cost.

2) Do Your Research to Find a Great Match

Finding a college that compliments your educational goals, personality and learning style takes time and effort. Start by making a list of what criteria your perfect school would have. From that list, focus on the schools that meet your needs with regard to location, size, character and degree programs.  I highly recommend the various college searching tools available at Student.CollegeBoard.org

3) Visit at Least 6 College Campuses

It is recommended that you visit at least six campuses before senior year begins and applications start going out.  Once you have edited down your list of potential schools, schedule an appointment to visit each campus. Also, make sure to check out the schools’ social media sites to get the inside scoop before you visit.

4) Explore Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Total School Costs

Many students find it helpful to prepare an excel spreadsheet to manage information on colleges’ costs, financial aid program and scholarship offerings.

Review national lists of scholarships, awards and grants for college. BigFuture.com is one of many great resources for finding scholarships and awards.

5) Line up Your References Before Junior Year Ends

Get to know teachers and administrators, who can provide valuable letters of reference to accompany your college applications.  Get involved in extracurricular activities, such as leadership and service opportunities, to build strong relationships.

Allow enough time to show them why you are worthy of their endorsement and provide ample notice, at least four weeks, for them to write the letter. Send a thank you note after you receive your letter to show your appreciation.

6) Take the SAT Exam Seriously

Preparing for the SAT should start well before you even book the date of the exam.  The test draws on information learned during the school year, so make sure you do well in class, working with a tutor as necessary.

Lastly, strong consideration should be given to the type of high school you attend, for not all high schools are created equal.  Many colleges will take into account the academic structure and relative rigor of your high school, so attending a respected boarding school or private high school could provide several advantages as well.  But, regardless of what high school you attend, the single most important advice I can give you is to start early—getting into the college of your dreams will make all this preparation worth the hard work.

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Today’s guest post was contributed by Amanda Green, a freelance writer who normally writes on the topics of education, business, and personal finance. Amanda has been writing for multiple years on the web and enjoys writing on less serious topics like pets and crafting in her spare time! You can read more writing by Amanda at paidtwice.com

parenting, Uncategorized

Teaching your teen 10 lessons from the 2012 Election

It doesn’t matter which side of the political aisle you are on, the 2012 Election can teach your teen some valuable lessons about life, responsibility and outcomes. Since you are their greatest teacher, take a moment to discern what they are indeed gleaning from your behavior during this election time. There are important lessons for them to learn.

  1. There will always be winners and losers–The sooner they learn this truth the happier they will be. You can’t always be on the winning team and you should always be a good sport about losing.
  2. With freedom comes responsibility–Voting is a responsibility. Vote in EVERY election and take your teens with you. Let them experience this freedom right along side of you. Decisions are made by the people who show up.
  3. Bashing someone else’s beliefs and opinions only makes you small–Don’t be one of those people that rub victory in other people’s face or bash the ones who won. Rise above the temptation and take the high road.
  4. Even though you may not be happy with an outcome of a decision or path you take, you can still move forward–Teach your teens that there is always a road ahead. Mistakes have consequences but you deal with those, learn from them, and go in a positive direction.
  5. Playing the blame game never benefits anyone–If you blame everyone for the way things turn out, you are teaching your teen to do the same. Explain to them that we are all responsible for our OWN actions, not those of others.
  6. Support your leaders and if you don’t agree, take action toward effecting change–This is America and we have elected our leaders, so they should be respected. If you aren’t happy with the people who are in office, work toward the next election. Sitting around voicing hatred for them will only teach your teen to do the same.
  7. We shouldn’t be defined by our political views but by our values–A famous person once said, “We’re not the red states or the blue states, but the UNITED States.” Teach your teens your values and they will carry them into the future.
  8. Your behavior speaks volumes about the kind of person you are–Don’t be one of those that post hateful comments on social media sites. Be the one who focuses on the future and sees  good in everyone.
  9. Negative attitudes make you a very unhappy adult–Negativity breeds defeat, discouragement, and despair. You certainly don’t want your teen to live their life with these attitudes.
  10. You live in the greatest country in the world–Say what you will, but we have FREE elections and every adult is given a vote to decide who governs us. Teach your teens to be proud of our country, our past, and our future.

I have watched all the negative campaign ads for a year. I’ve watched the coverage of election night. I’ve read Twitter and Facebook feeds yesterday and today. Many adults need to apply these 10 principles to their lives. Your college-bound teen is our future; teach them to respect one another and dream.

college guidance, college visits, Guest Posts, Uncategorized

How to get the most out of your college visit experience

Today’s guest post is from April Elizabeth Bell, Associate Director, Counselor Advocacy – The College Board. The College Board has launched their new site, Big Future, making it easier for students and families to successfully navigate the complex process of finding, affording and enrolling in a college that’s a good fit for them. Big Future has a special section dedicated to campus visits, and today’s guest post discusses the importance of those visits and the tools The College Board provides to help.

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Why Visit?

Choosing which college to attend can be a life-changing decision. Take the time to pursue a campus visit and ensure that you are making the best decision for you. By picking the college that will best fit your needs, you will position yourself to excel in your academic career. Take a look at these students’ testimonials of how college visits shaped their decision about what school to attend.

Planning Ahead

Be proactive and remember to use your resources. Your school counselors can help you plan your college visit and answer any preliminary questions. Also, all colleges have an admissions office that can help you plan your trip, whether you want an official campus tour or to create your own informal visit. You can even check out these 10 Ways to Learn About Colleges Online to see how to effectively research various colleges online. Utilizing these resources beforehand will help prepare you with the information necessary to make the most of your college visit. Watch the video below to hear Jonathan talk about how he maximized his college visit by creating his own campus tour.

It’s important to go on a college visit, even if it’s not the school you want to attend. Tours give you the opportunity to learn more about the common places on a college campus and what resources are available, regardless of which school you attend. Visit the Location Matters to Me link to search for a college near you.

Determine When to Visit

The success of a college visit may vary depending on the time of year, even the time of day, can have a large impact. It is common for most students to wait until spring of their junior year in high school or early autumn of their senior year for their visits. Check the school’s academic calendar to be aware of any potential dates the school is closed. The beginning steps to planning a successful visit also include planning ahead and deciding what’s most important to you during your college visit. Opportunities available for touring students include informational sessions and dorm tours, and it’s even possible to sit in on class lectures. The timing of your campus visit may vary from other students if you’re considering various opportunities before your first year, including participation in summer programs, taking summer classes, or planning to participate in collegiate athletics. Click the link for more tips on When to Visit college campuses.

Create a Checklist

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the things to do, information to gather, and people to talk to while on a college visit. Create Checklist and be sure to prioritize the items that are most important to you. Informational sessions are important, but exploring the college to get a better feel for its campus environment is also critical. Be sure to think about some of the worries you may have about going to college and write them down. Then, look for opportunities to speak with students or staff who may have shared your same concerns before beginning college. They can help you understand how their college meets your specific needs. Make note of any buildings you want to see. Student unions, recreational facilities, dorms and libraries are some of the most common buildings on college campuses, which are important to consider when making your college decision. This Campus Visit Checklist will give you more ideas for your college visits.

Follow-Up

Planning for college should be an enjoyable experience and you don’t have to do it alone.  Don’t be afraid to ask for the contact information of any students or staff you speak with. That way if you have any additional questions, you will already have a personal contact at the school. If you plan your own informal visit, stop by the admissions office to get connected with a school representative so they too can help.

Still confused on what to do and where to go to plan your college visit? Take a look at the 6 Steps to Get the Most Out of a Campus Visit. For more information about planning campus visits, admissions, financial aid and college life, check out bigfuture.org.

 

college planning, social networks, Uncategorized

12 College Experts I would like to meet in 2012

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This past year I have met and established some wonderful friendships and collaborations on Twitter. I had the privilege of meeting Jenn Cohen of Sheldon Word Nerd this past summer. I thought it might be fun to list the college experts who I would love to meet IRL (in real life) in 2012. If you aren’t following them already, I’ve included the links so you can!

Akil Bello-This guy cracks me up and is the genuine article. His SAT advice is spot on and he’s quite a wordsmith. I would love to sit down with him and discuss the merits of Manilow’s music (and how he feels about internet shysters trying to rob parents of their hard-earned money).

Kelly Queijo-Kelly is my hero because she walked the 30 mile Komen walk for me and my mom. Not to mention she hosts #campuschat AND has the best go-to site for college visit information. She and I have been Twitter friends since her site launched.

Nancy Berk-Nancy is every parent’s friend and quite the comedian. Her book, “College Bound and Gagged” left me rolling on the floor laughing. I would love to be a guest on “Whine at 9”!

Eric Clark-Eric, my man. A great dad and an educator with a vision to help tutor EVERY student across the country with his Quincy Tutoring network. He’s been one of my biggest supporters and I him.

Wendy David-Gaines-The ultimate POCSMom and a colleague. She approaches the college journey with humor and ideas to reduce the stress while helping parents with support and encouragement throughout the journey.

Monica Matthews-Monica is a parent too but an absolute EXPERT on college scholarships. I wish I would have had her book when my kids went to college. She rocks helping parents and students find and apply for scholarships.

Elizabeth King-Elizabeth writes the most pithy articles about test prep and the value of education. She’s an all star in my book!

Paul Hemphill-My Boston buddy and good friend. Paul and I believe that parents are the customers and colleges should rise up and take notice! Plus, he’s the best at marketing students for college. He gets an A+++ for being a parent advocate.

Jane Kulow-Jane is on the college journey with her kids and visiting colleges as we speak. Her blog ROCKS for parents who are going through the process because you get a real-time parent’s perspective.

Jeff Sheely-Jeff’s common sense approach to financing a college education made me a fan from the first time I met him on Twitter. His College Money blog gives parents and students the BEST advice about debt, student loans and financing a college education.

Gil Rogers-Gil is the first admissions officer I met on Twitter and he helped me answer many a parent’s question. Now he works for Zinch (my fav college related company) and his stellar social media savvy makes him an all-around guru.

Fuji Fulgueras-Apart from teasing me about my Manilow fandom, Fuji is a college admissions counselor and a respected expert. He can answer any questions about college admissions and is always helpful to parents when asked.

infographics, Uncategorized

Myths about College Sports

Are sports scholarships really the best scholarships available? Do colleges spend as much money on sports athletes as they do on academics? Are college sports programs profitable? This inforgraphic answers just about every question you might have about college sports. I just have one question: If these statistics are accurate, why do colleges put so much emphasis on sports programs?

College Sports Myths
Created by Online Masters Degrees

college planning, financial aid, Uncategorized

Making wise college choices based on student debt

Two-thirds of college seniors graduated with loans in 2010, and they carried an average of $25,250 in debt. They also faced the highest unemployment rate for young college graduates in recent history at 9.1%. The new report, Student Debt and the Class of 2010, includes average debt levels for the 50 states and District of Columbia and for more than 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities.

Why is this information important to parents?

Part of your college decision process is based on cost factors. Examining states who have low student debt might open possibilities to your student that you might not have otherwise considered. You can also view individual colleges to determine the amount of average student debt giving you additional information to help you make wise financial college choices.

If you click on the graphic above you can use the interactive map to learn about the colleges your student is considering. Be an informed parent and teach your student about financial college responsibility.