Many college experts offer advice on how to get into college. They recommend stellar standardized test scores, a killer college essay, a high GPA, and strong extracurriculars. While all those application components are important, did you know that there an admissions secret students can use to increase their admission chances by 40 percent!
Students who visit a college before they apply, are up to 40 percent more likely to be admitted than students who do not visit or show demonstrated interest, the data says.
Why does demonstrated interest matter?
For colleges, it’s difficult to know which applicants are really interested in attending. Due to the ease of the Common Application, students can apply to multiple colleges at once. Students often believe that applying to more colleges will increase their chances of getting accepted.
When a college receives your application, admission officers look for ways to determine whether you will accept their offer of admission. Since all colleges have quotas to fill and determine their admission offers based on percentages of acceptance, showing interest lets them know you will likely accept their offer. As they see it, why offer admission to someone who isn’t interested when there is someone who is likely to accept?
How do you find the colleges that place a strong interest on this?
Which colleges want your student to show them some love? You don’t have to guess. You can use a tool like Collegedata.com to determine if a college uses demonstrated interest in its admission decision. The colleges are asked to rate 19 admission factors by using these four categories: very important, important, considered, and not considered. Each year, colleges are surveyed and this data is used to compile the information on its website.
To access the data, you simply search for the college, click on the Admissions tab, and scroll down to the Selection of Students heading. Then you can see the importance a college places on a student’s level of interest. Harvard, for example, lists this as “not considered.” In comparison, the United States Naval Academy, lists it as “very important.”
Every college is different so it’s important to check before applying to determine whether a college visit or another demonstration of interest is warranted.
To learn how your student can demonstrate interest for a college, read my article at TeenLife.com.
Do you have an average student? Do you think your student won’t qualify for any scholarships? Think again. There are no GPA requirement scholarships and average GPA requirement scholarships. If your student can fill out a form, write an essay or simply register on a website, they could win money for college.
Some of these deadlines are close, but if your student doesn’t apply this year, he or she can always bookmark the scholarship or add it to a spreadsheet for next year.
No essay, no GPA minimums, just money to cover tuition, housing, books or any education-related expenses.
Offered by Niche, a website that analyzes public data to review schools and colleges, the $2,000 scholarship is open to all high school, college and graduate students and those planning to enroll within 12 months.
All you have to do is register on their website for free and
enter. A new winner is chosen every month randomly, and you’re allowed to enter
once per month.
Deadline: The last day of every month. Available to: Students must currently attend — or within the next
12 months plan to enroll in — a high school or college, graduate school (listed
on Niche’s website) or be the parent of a student who falls into one of those
categories. The site states that one entry per person is allowed each month, so
you or your parent could apply.
As the title of the scholarship states, you don’t need to
write an essay and no GPA is specified. You must simply enter through their website.
Winners are selected via a random drawing about two weeks
after the last day of the month and will be notified by mail, telephone or
email; the winners will also be announced via Niche’s e-newsletter.
In addition, Niche provides more than 30 scholarships from
other sources on its website besides the $2,000 “No Essay” one.
The only thing required to win this $1,000 scholarship —
named after Gen and Kelly Tanabe, the award-winning authors of 14 books on
admission and scholarships — is a 250-word or less personal essay based on
questions provided on the website.
Your GPA will not be considered. You must be in high school,
or a student in college or graduate school and a legal U.S. resident.
According to the website, “the goal is to create a level field where students have complete control over their applications and are not given an advantage or disadvantage based on financial or academic circumstances.”
Deadline: There are both fall and spring
scholarships offered. Check the website for details. Available to: Ninth- to 12th-grade, college or graduate students
including adult students.
Simply fill out the answer to one of three essay questions —
why do you deserve to win this scholarship, describe your academic or career
goals or any topic of your choice — and a committee will choose the best
answers. The first place award is $1,000; you use the money for any education
expenses, including tuition, room and board and more.
Winners will be notified approximately four weeks after the
deadline.
If you wear glasses, you may be familiar with the Marvel
Optics company, but what you might not know is that its founders hold a $1,500
essay contest for full-time college students.
Applicants must submit a video or short essay on their
social media or blog page tagging or linking to Marvel Optics that answers the
following: “Helen Keller said, ‘The only thing worse than being blind is having
sight but no vision.’ What does that mean to you?”
Two scholarships are offered (fall and spring semester) and the money is sent right to the winner’s school financial aid office.
Deadline: August for the fall semester and January
for the spring semester. Available to: Any student attending a two- or four-year college.
Follow the rules on the rules on Marvel Optics scholarship
program website.
What do Arkansas, California, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi
and Louisiana have in common? They are all rice-growing states. And if you are
a graduating high school student living in one of these places, you can apply
to win up to a $4,000 scholarship, sponsored by Corteva AgriScience, from the
USA Rice Federation.
Applicants must simply make an original video (3 minutes or
less) promoting your state’s product to the sustainability of rice crops.
Upload your video to Vimeo and YouTube and then submit your entry with an online form.
Deadline: All entries must be in by the end of
October. Available to: High school seniors living in one of the following
rice-producing states: Mississippi, California, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and
Louisiana.
Make a short video about any aspect of the rice, or promote
your state’s rice production, upload it to Vimeo or YouTube and fill out
the online scholarship entry form. The USA Rice Federation will
contact you if you win one of the three scholarships: a grand prize ($4,000),
second place ($3,000) and third-place scholarship ($1,500).
Who knew your fire sprinkler could help you go to college or
a certified trade school? Yes, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) —
a nonprofit representing fire sprinkler contractors dedicated to the
educational advancement of its members — started a scholarship program offering
10 winners $2,000 in tuition assistance.
Their mission is to also “educate the public at-large about
the life-saving properties of automatic fire sprinklers” and therefore part of
the application is to take a short quiz after reading an article about the
industry of fire sprinklers.
The selection does not take financial need, GPA or
demographics into consideration. The only requirements are that you must enroll
for classes beginning no later than the fall semester of the year you apply,
and take a short quiz.
Deadline: Spring Available to: High school seniors enrolled for a fall semester.
All you need to do to enter is go to the site and
fill in your education and contact information, and take a short quiz. A random
computer-generated drawing selects the winners.
AFSA will contact each winner by email and phone within 14 business days of contest end-date. The prize will then be sent directly to the college or university where you’ll be attending.
Are you the student who always gets told to quiet down in
class? Well, there’s a scholarship just for you. Unigo, a college and
scholarship search website, started their own scholarship where they encourage
you to speak out.
Applicants have up to 250 words to say whatever they want
creatively and memorably. The “loudest” person will win $1,500 for college
expenses.
Deadline: End of September each year. Available to: Students must be 13 years or older and currently enrolled (or enroll no later than the fall of 2026) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education
To enter, you must answer the following question in 250
words or less: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what
would it be and why? A qualified panel of judges will select one potential
winner based on the criteria of writing ability (25%), creativity (25%),
originality (25%) and overall excellence (25%).
The winner will be notified by email or phone toward the end
of December.
High school, college and graduate school students who are
interested in environmental issues, might check out Digital Responsibility’s
$1,000 scholarships. The grassroots company whose mission is to help create
safe internet awareness offers this scholarship each year. There are two steps
in the process.
First, applicants must fill out an online application form
including a 140-character limit answer to the question “the most important
reason to care about e-waste is …” From that pool of applicants, Digital
Responsibility will select 10 finalists, who will be asked to submit a
full-length essay (500 to 1,000 words) about e-waste.
Deadline: Earth Day (mid-April) Available to: All high school students, college students entering
or currently in college, and graduate school students. Home-schooled students
may apply as well. All applicants must be legal residents or citizens of the
U.S., but there is no age limit.
Fill out the online
application form via Digital Responsiblity’s website, and answer a
question about e-waste in 140 characters or less. If you are chosen as one of
10 finalists, you will be asked to submit a 500- to 1,000-word essay. The
winner will be chosen from that pool of 10 applicants.
Digital Responsibility will contact the winners by email
listed on the original application.
Ice-cream loving students rejoice, there is a scholarship
out there for you. In honor of national ice cream month (Juy) Unigo — which
also offers the
Shout It Out award above — is offering a $1,500 to the student who can
best explain to them what ice cream flavor best reflects your personality and
why.
Deadline: End of July
Available to: Anyone ages 13 or older planning
to go to a college, university or trade school. Simply submit a 250-word or
less online response to the scholarship portal. The winner is announced by the end
of November, and decisions are based on the decisions of a “qualified panel of
judges based on the criteria of writing ability (25%), creativity (25%),
originality (25%) and overall excellence (25%),” according to the Unigo
website.
Share your tips and photos for managing your stress, and
earn $1,000 in scholarship money from DoSomething.org and Blue Shield. In the
past six years, DoSomething.org has awarded $1.2 million in scholarships to
over 300 winners.
You might win cash and your suggestions may go into a guide
for students by students on how to help young adults manage stress.
Deadline: End of May Available to: Anyone in the U.S. or Canada under age 26. Become a
member of DoSomething.org and then fill out the simple scholarship
application, which takes an average of five minutes, according to its website.
Winners are announced via text message or email in late
June, and there is no GPA or essay required to win. Simply share your
strategies for dealing with stress. In addition, DoSomething.org offers other
simple entry scholarships to young people worth checking out.
Of course, a website dedicated to helping students afford
college and pay back student loan debt has a scholarship for the typical
student.
Yes, Student Loan Hero awards two $5,000
scholarships each semester to help alleviate educational costs and no
minimum GPA is required.
Deadline: Early October Available to: Participants must be 18 years of age or older and
enrolled at an eligible educational institution.
To enter, go to our
scholarship page and submit an essay in 500-700 words answering this
question: What financial challenges have you overcome growing up? How have they
shaped your goals and career aspirations?
A panel consisting of four personal finance professionals
will judge the essays. Each essay will receive a score based on clarity of
writing and organization, grammatical correctness, relevance to the prompt
question and creativity and thoughtfulness.
Available to: High School Seniors through College Seniors
Award Amount: $1,000
The Spirit of Giving Scholarship is available to high school
seniors and current college students. You must submit an essay of between 500
and 750 words on one of the following three topics in order to be considered
for this award: How have you advanced the spirit of giving in your community or
abroad either through service or in giving? How has the spirit of giving
affected you personally? How will your college or post-secondary education
allow you to be of service to others or give to others? Get more information on
the Spirit
of Giving Scholarship.
Available to: High School Freshmen through College
Graduate Students, Year 5
Award Amount: $1,000
The Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship is available to high
school, undergraduate or graduate students. You must be U.S. citizen or legal
resident and complete a short statement on why you pledge not to text and drive
in order to qualify for this award. Learn more about the Don’t
Text and Drive Scholarship.
The Paradigm Challenge is open to students up to the age of
18. You may work in a team or alone in creating an original and creative way to
help solve real-life problems in homes, schools, communities, and/or around the
world. Entries may come in the form of posters, videos, inventions, messages,
community events, websites, mobile apps, or anything else that will help save
lives. Additionally, you must submit a brief statement of your idea (140
characters or less) in order to qualify for this award. Learn more about the Paradigm Challenge.
Available to: High School Juniors through High School
Seniors
Award Amount: $250
The Prom Pics Contest is open to high school students. To be
eligible, you must submit a high resolution photo from your prom event. Prizes
will be awarded in each of the following categories: promposal, pre-prom, prom
dance, and post-prom. Get more information on the Prom Pics Contest.
Ages: High School Freshmen through High School
Seniors
The National High School Oratorical Contest is open to
junior high and high school students who are under the age of 20 and citizens
or lawful permanent residents of the United States. You must prepare an oration
on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and
obligations of citizens to our government. A complete list of topics are
available on the Legion’s Web site. Each individual state winner certified into
and participating in the first round of the national contest receives an
additional $1,500 scholarship. Get more information on the American Legion National
High School Oratorical Contest.
The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest is available to high school seniors who demonstrate talent in duck calling. You must participate in a duck calling contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas to be considered for this award. Get more information on the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest.
Just one of the many scholarships without essays offered by
Niche, you can enter for a shot at this $1,000 scholarship by creating a free
account and reviewing your school. A new winner is drawn each month.
The Live Bearded team are focused on lending a hand to those
building their future through higher education. While the company Live Bearded
focuses on grooming products for men, this scholarship opportunity is open to
males, females, high school students, college students, undergraduate, and
graduate students. Send a 90-second video sharing your goals, facts about
yourself, and why you deserve the scholarship. Upload your video to a social
media platform, fill out your application with a link to your video, and you’re
good to go!
In order to ease the pain of paying for college,
SuperCollege offers a monthly drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. All you need to
be eligible is to fill out the exceptionally short application form and you’re
good to go!
Customized Girl prints bold statements on customized shirts.
Naturally, they know an eye-catching quote when they see one. To apply, post
your statement as a caption on Instagram to be chosen as one of two winners,
and your statement may be featured on a customized shirt! Check out past
winners on the scholarship page for inspiration.
While this scholarship technically has an essay, it’s only a
short 150 words, so we’re adding it in! To apply, just fill out the super short
application form and write a mini-essay about the goals you have for your university
education.
In order to win one of these no essay scholarships, simply
answer a short prompt in 150 words or less, such as “How do you prepare and
study to feel confident for your final exams?” If you have more than one
college class you’d like to review, you can improve your chances by leaving as
many reviews as you’d like!
Submit: A short letter and proof of scholarship
applications
Debt.com’s mission is to give scholarships to students who
are consistently applying to scholarships. Debt.com asks you to send all the
tedious scholarship confirmation emails you received along with a short letter
about yourself. Your letter can be about how you feel about applying to so many
scholarships, or if you learned anything from the application process. Winners
are announced every two months.
Submit: A video, music, creative writing, or
graphic design
Deadline: August – November 2020
Students between 14-22 years old may apply. The contest
seeks original work about a solution and strategy regarding reckless and
distracted driving. Choose either video, music, creative writing, or artwork.
There are many submission options and contest categories, so make sure to visit
the scholarship page for details!
Share your story of dealing with migraines or light
sensitivity. All full-time students of accredited two- or four-year American
universities may apply. Choose from a video (less than 1 minute in length) or
an image (photo, drawing, etc.). To qualify, the submission must be posted on
at least one of the following social media platforms: YouTube, Facebook,
Instagram.
HeadSetPlus.Com wants to help you pay for college…no essay
needed! Be creative and create a video with a maximum length of five minutes
detailing why you deserve the scholarship and what inspired you to pursue a
degree in your field.
If you’re planning on attending a two- or four-year
Christian college, you’re eligible to enter the drawing for this $2,500
Christian College Scholarship. Simply fill out a short online survey and you’re
good to go!
Attention all students: You can be the next J.K. Rowling!
This is your chance to show off your writing skills, get published and win a
cash scholarship.
You do not have to be an advanced writer to take part. This
is an opportunity to use words in a creative and unique way.
Students who are currently studying at or have been accepted
to an accredited university may apply by publishing an essay online on the
topic, “How Companies Can Take Advantage of Digital Marketing”.
This scholarship helps students 16 or older pay for higher
education. The scholarship is a competition based on a short essay. Family
income, grades and test scores are not used in selecting a winner. The award
must be used for any education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books
and room and board.
Social skills are important for all of us in day to day life. The vast majority of us are surrounded by other people at all times. We have to work with others. We socialize with others. We engage with people in countless situations on a day to day basis – buying items in stores, navigating ourselves through crowds in the streets, spending time with friends… the list goes on. So, social interaction is going to be a constant presence throughout your child’s entire life. Teaching them social skills before college is essential. They’ll settle into school, make friends, enjoy extracurricular activities and much more if they are able to effectively interact with the people they’re surrounded by. Here are a few areas to focus on to get your college-bound student ready for college.
Teach Communication
Communication is absolutely essential to getting by in the world. We all need to be able to express how we’re feeling in order to maintain good relationships with anyone. Without effective communication, your teen won’t be able to make friends well. So, encourage your child to talk. Get them to talk about how they’re feeling. Get them to talk about their interests. Get them to talk about what they’ve been up to and what they’re planning on doing each day. Simple conversation can go a long way when it comes to helping your teen express themselves and build bonds with others. You can find more information on how to achieve this at teachkidscommunication.
Teach Empathy
Empathy is another essential life skill. It will help your teen to understand how others feel at any given time. This will help them respond appropriately in different social situations. They will be able to help others when they’re feeling sad, down or distressed. They’ll be able to pick up on signs of anger and help to resolve the issues that are causing it. They’ll be able to share in others joy when others are happy or celebrating. Empathy really is important. But how do you teach empathy? Well, you simply actively encourage your child to see the world through another’s eyes or walk in another’s shoes. Ask them to consider how others such as their siblings or friends are feeling.
Lead by Example
Remember that your teen will pick up on your own social behavior, so lead by example and be a good role model. Make sure to treat others respectfully and appropriately at all times in front of your child. They’ll pick up on your behavior and begin to mimic it themselves!
Hopefully, the above advice will help you to help your soon-to-be college student when it comes to social skills! Focus on these different areas to get the best results possible!
During these tough economic times, parents are committed to saving money on college costs. College tuition rises each year and there is little you can do about it; but there are other places that small savings will add up. Tuition will definitely be the huge chunk of your expenses. However, there are other expenses related to college where you can find some costs savings:
The expenses that cost the most
Computers—In today’s technological world a computer is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. When your teen goes off to college, they will need their own computer. Personally, I recommend a laptop instead of a desktop. Since it’s portable, they can take it with them to class, to the library, and to group meetings. To save some bucks, shop online for refurbished or even last year’s models. If you buy online, consider purchasing a service contract to go along with your computer purchase (Note: This will pay for itself—I learned from experience!)
Dorm furnishings—Most dorms come furnished with a bed, a desk and some sort of dresser. Beyond that, it’s up to you and your teen to decide what additional furniture and accessories they want. My recommendation is to buy used. You can find everything from small appliances (microwaves, coffeemakers, etc.) to furnishings (bookshelves, chairs and lighting) on Craigslist, Ebay or at local thrift stores. Be careful not to overload the room because they are traditionally small.
Room and board—Room and board can be a huge portion of your teen’s college expenses. One option is to live at home if the college is within driving distance. Another option to save might be to purchase a home near campus and rent it out to other students, allowing your teen to live in it. Not only will this save you on room and board, but it will also provide you with an investment and tax write off as a rental. However, make sure the home is zoned as rental property. And here’s one of the best savings of all: after freshman year, your teen can apply to become an RA (Resident Assistant) in one of the dorms, which will provide you with a huge break on room and board costs.
Meal plan savings—Most freshmen are required to purchase a student meal plan. But, there are usually options available. My recommendation is that unless your teen is an athlete with a large appetite, the full meal plan (3-meals a day) is costly and you will not get your money’s worth. Opt for the 1 or 2 meal a day plans. Most freshmen eat takeout with friends, microwave food in their rooms, skip meals periodically, and snack voraciously. Providing them with an in room fridge and microwave will save you some bucks in the long run.
Textbook savings
College
students can spend nearly $1000-1500 a year on new textbooks. The good news is
that you don’t have to spend that kind of money if you don’t want to. If you
can, prior to the beginning of each semester, find out what books your teen will
need (title, author and ISBN, or international standard book number). Then get
busy and here’s a word of extra advice: DON’T
WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!
(Note: Look at my List of Website Links
in the Expert Links for all the links related to Textbooks)
Buy used–Never buy new textbooks if it’s possible (unless you are a fan of throwing money away). Used books are just as sufficient. Most students use their textbooks only while they are in class and end up selling them back to the bookstore at an incredibly reduced rate. (Many times the bookstore won’t buy them back because the professor changes texts or the textbook has been updated). You can easily find used books online at discounted prices and your teen will arrive on campus with their books in tow and won’t have to fight the last minute panic rush.
Try renting–There are numerous websites available that offer textbook rentals to students per semester. This is a fairly new concept, but seems to be taking off as more and more sites pop up offering this option.
Purchase Ebooks–Consider purchasing electronic textbooks. With the recent introduction of the new Kindle College version, your student can download their textbooks and carry all of them with them. Without purchasing a Kindle, they can download the ebook versions and store them on their laptop for easy access. These versions are typically 50% less than the printed text version. The only downside is that not all textbooks are offered in ebook format.
Share books–After freshman year, my daughter shared textbooks with her roommates. It was a huge cost savings. They were usually taking some of the same classes and would get together before classes began to discuss who would purchase which textbook. If your teen is a freshman, the likelihood of having the same courses as their roommate is extremely high. Sharing the book will save both of them money in the long run. There is also the option of using a library copy.
Look for free books–There are a few sites that offer free downloads of some electronic texts. Before you purchase, visit those sites to see if any of the books you need are listed and downloadable.
Evaluate the necessity—Do you really need the textbook? Wait a few days into class and get a feel for the professor. If he or she states that the tests will cover lecture notes, then consider not purchasing the book. Worst case scenario you can borrow one from a classmate if you truly need it or find a copy at the library.
The small things add up
It’s amazing how those little expenses can add up: gas, takeout, necessity items. But just as little expenses add up, small savings add up as well and you will be saving money on college costs.
Ditch the car–Many campuses don’t allow freshmen to have a car on campus. But if your teen opts to live on campus and the college allows cars, consider ditching it. Everything your teen needs can be found on campus. And many colleges offer student transportation at very inexpensive rates if they need to leave campus or there is always the option of purchasing a monthly bus pass. In emergency situations, one or more of their friends will usually have a car that they can use or will offer to drive them.
Use the student ID card for discounts–Most fast food restaurants and local eateries offer discounts to students with campus ID’s. Those small 10-15% discounts can add up.
Finish in 4 years or less–Encourage your teen to stay on track and finish in 4 years or less. Most financial aid packages are only good for 4 years. Staying an extra semester will tack on additional expense and is not necessary since most degree plans can be completed in 4 years.
Use family insurance coverage if allowed–Some colleges charge students for health plans. If you have a good family health plan, and the student insurance duplicates what is already covered, get any charges waived.
Financial aid can be a confusing part of the college application process. Even if you can afford to pay for college, it’s a good idea to learn what aid is available and apply for it. You aren’t obligated to accept it, but most students qualify for some form of aid and, if it’s available, why not use it?
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is intended to make up the difference between what your family can afford to pay and what college actually costs. With college tuition rising rapidly, more than half of the students currently enrolled in college receive some sort of financial aid to help pay for college. The system is based on the premise that anyone should be able to attend college, regardless of financial circumstances. However, students and their families are expected to contribute to the extent that they are able.
There are two types of aid: need-based, and non need-based. Need-based aid includes grants and scholarships that are issued based on the family’s ability to contribute to education costs. Non-need-based aid is allocated solely based on availability, not need.
There are three main types of financial aid: grants and scholarships, loans and work study.
What is “free” money?
Not all aid is equal and the best aid is the aid you don’t have to pay back. It’s like getting a huge coupon of savings to use for your college education. Here are the types of aid you can receive that you won’t have to pay back after graduation:
Federal Grants – These are grants given by the federal government.
Pell Grant – This grant is given to students with exceptional financial need.
College Grants – These grants are awarded by the individual colleges based on financial need.
State Grants – These grants are given to students who plan to attend college in their own state (and states are strict about residency).
Private Scholarships – There are a multitude of private scholarships available awarded by private organizations and businesses for every type of student.
Institutional Scholarships – These scholarships are given by individual colleges based on the student’s qualifications or financial need.
Federal Scholarships – Scholarships funded by government agencies.
Tuition Waiver – This waiver is offered by colleges to students who meet specific criteria (e.g. child of a POW/MIA)
There are two types of government-based loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans have lower interest rates and are awarded based on the student’s financial need with interest deferred until after graduation. Unsubsidized loans are awarded without regard to financial need with interest payments beginning immediately and regular payments due after graduation. Following is a brief description of each:
Stafford Loan – Government based loans that can be either subsidized or unsubsidized.
PLUS (Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students) – This loan is for creditworthy parents and has payments due beginning 60 days after it is disbursed with relatively low interest rates.
Private Loan – Loan offered by private lenders usually with higher interest rates than government loans.
Institutional Loan – A loan in which the school is the lender.
Once you have chosen the loan that best fits your needs, do the research and educate yourself about repayment, interest rates and grace periods.
To learn more about work study, the FAFSA, the EFC and award letters, read the entire article I wrote for TeenLife Online Magazine here.
The college admissions process can be overwhelming. It will be a stressful time for both you and your teen. Your teen will need your help and your support. They will need to know they can count on you to do your part so they can do their part. It’s truly a team effort. Good parenting is key, especially during college prep.
Here are some helpful suggestions for you that will help you help your teen during college prep.
Make a visit to your teen’s counselor– Let the counselor know that you intend to be an involved parent and establish a relationship at the start. The counselor is an important source of information and of course guidance regarding your teen’s college pursuit.
Establish relationships with teachers and staff–
Since most parents tend to drop out when their teen reaches high school, it’s
crucial that you make it clear to the educators that you will be a partner in
educating your child. Keep in touch and verify your teen’s progress via email
if it’s available and attend any teacher conferences or parent meetings that
are scheduled. Show up at PTA meetings and parent information sessions, making
you visible to the staff.
Read all school information– Once you have stressed
to your teen the importance of ensuring that ALL information gets home to you,
you must take the time to READ it. This means reading the school handbook,
teacher handouts, letters to parents, guidance department newsletters, any
rules and policies, and homework and attendance rules. Discuss these with your
teen to alleviate any future misunderstandings that might arise over failing to
follow school guidelines.
Stress the importance of good attendance– Attendance
is key in high school. Missing even one class can put the student behind. Schedule
appointments, when possible, before and after school. If there is an absence,
make sure your teen does the make up work in a timely manner. If the absence
will be for an extensive period of time, coordinate with the teachers to assure
the makeup work is completed.
Encourage strong study habits– These habits will
follow your teen to college. Set aside a regularly scheduled study time.
Studying needs to be a priority before any added activities. GPA rules in the
college admission process and good study habits will assure your teen enters
the process with an impressive one. Don’t allow your teen to procrastinate and
go into overdrive because they waited until the last minute to complete a
project.
Stress regular contact with teachers and counselors-This
contact will play an important role when your teen needs recommendation
letters. It will also establish in the minds of these educators that he or she
means business. They will see that your teen is there to learn and excel and
ask questions. Those students are the ones that are recommended for leadership
positions and academic awards. It can be something as simple as saying hello in
the hallway or using the counselor’s office to research scholarships.
Be the organization coach– My mantra for high school
was: Preparation Prevents Panic. If you know where everything is, have a
schedule and a plan, you won’t get stressed and frustrated. Sometimes the only
filing system a teen has is their floor. It’s your job as their parent coach to
help them start and maintain good organization for their date planners,
notebooks, folders, files and college related materials.
Stay informed and involved– This does not mean camp out at the school every day and follow your teen around (although that is tempting). It means monitoring quizzes, grades, daily homework assignments and long-term projects. If you begin to notice any problems, schedule an appointment with the teacher and work out a plan for tutoring if it’s necessary. Don’t wait for the report card to lower the boom. If you stay proactive and informed, you and your teen will be able to fix any problems before they become catastrophes.
Know your teen’s friends (and their parents)– Your teen’s out of school activities will always
affect in-class behavior. In high school, it’s as much about social activity as
it is about academic success. Assuring that your teen’s friends share the same
values and goals will make a difference in their focus in and out of school.
Encourage them to make friends that have college as a goal and have the same
study habits. Take the time to meet and get to know your teen’s friends’
parents. Make sure they share your values and understand your position on
smoking, drinking and drugs.
Be proactive when you encounter problems– All types
of problems arise in high school: academic, behavioral and even social. There
is a logical solution for all of them, but the key is to be aware when they
arise and address them quickly. Academic problems require additional teacher
help, tutoring, and possibly study skill courses. If you encounter behavioral problems,
contact the school counselor or principal and discuss with them recommendations
for the particular situation. Coaches can often help, along with a mentor.
Sometimes professional counseling is warranted. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for
help. And don’t make the mistake of turning your head and going into denial. Problems only get worse
if they are ignored, especially in high school.
We’re living through some pretty strange times right now. Just a few months ago, life was on track and routine. We were living day to day life to schedule – dropping the kids to school, heading to work or completing tasks around the house, socializing with our free time or heading out for fun days out. But since then, the unprecedented spread of coronavirus – a contagious and potentially lethal virus – around the world has turned many of our lives on their heads. The majority of governments have asked us to remain at home as much as possible. Schools have been closed. People are working remotely or not working at all. Socializing outside of your household isn’t really an option. This has posed many of us with a variety of difficulties and problems. But for those of us with kids, school tends to be a main concern. Here are just a few different ways you can maintain your children’s education during the pandemic!
Reduce Pressure
First and foremost, reduce pressure on yourself and your little ones. These are difficult times for everyone and all children are going to be falling behind on their education right now. When schools reopen, all kids are going to find themselves in the same position and teaching will recommence from where it was left off. So, don’t be too hard on yourself or your kids. Instead, focus on this time for bonding.
Look Up Your Child’s Curriculum
If you do want to help to introduce your little one to a few of the things they’d currently be learning at school if there wasn’t a pandemic, you can always look up their curriculum and see what they would be being taught right now. Remember that curriculums vary from one school to another, so ensure you’re focusing on the right one. If in doubt, you could always contact the school and ask.
Use All Resources Available
There are so many great, free online resources out there that can prove educational for your child. Watch a few educational Youtube videos for their age group and determine whether any are good for your child to watch. Use sites like PennyDell Puzzles to challenge them with logic and numbers. Stimulate their creativity with arts and crafts projects or writing projects. Encourage them to read books. Watch kids shows on history, science and other areas with them. Consider investing in language learning software for them. There are so many different options out there!
Set Your Own Tests
Basic spelling and maths tests are easy to set up yourself when you have little ones. Challenge them with simple maths and spellings. Many kids find this fun and enjoy the element of competition.
These are just a few suggestions when it comes to educating your kids at home during the pandemic. They’ll be back to school soon enough, but hopefully, these steps will really help for now!
Most schools have been closed over the past few months, and continue to be closed, but this does not mean that learning has to stop. Online lessons have proven to be a great help.
You can find all types of resources online to help your student continue the learning process. Beginning in the early grades like third grade writing worksheets, and continuing as your student moves into junior high and high school.
Online learning websites are widely available. With so many to choose from, there are many factors to consider when looking for the best. One of the main decisions you need to make is whether to pay for access to a learning website or whether to only use free resources.
There is no right or wrong when determining whether to pay for lessons online. It is all about deciding what is right for you. If you are currently not in a position whereby you can afford to spend money on such lessons comfortably, then, of course, start with free resources until you can.
Aside from this, you need to consider how motivated you are. If you are not a self-starter, you may struggle to stick with a free program. However, if you are paying for a service, it will certainly give you the extra push you need to study regularly. Moreover, if it means gaining access to a much better pool of online lessons, it may be worth paying for a learning website, especially if your time is precious. You could get to the same skill level, in the end, no matter what website you use, but with free resources, it may take a little bit longer, unless you find one that ticks all of the boxes, of course. If that is the case, then great! Also, if you need personalized help, you can get access to a live teacher and so on with some paid websites.
Supplementing learning with online music education
Online music lesson websites are widely available for those who want to learn from the comfort of their own home and have the freedom to practice as and when suits them. There are many benefits associated with this approach to learning an instrument or how to sing, as you will discover below.
One of the main reasons why so many people choose online music lessons is because they are much more cost-effective. Rather than paying a fee every time you have a lesson, you are more likely to pay a one-off cost for access to the website in question, or in some cases, you may need to pay monthly or annual fees. There are also free resources on the web for you to make the most of, meaning you are bound to find the right solution for your budget.
Another benefit is that you have more control over your learning experience. You will be able to find resources suited to areas you feel you need more practice, and you can decide when you take the lessons, and how long for. You also have a much wider scope of music lessons online to choose from, including variation in the way these lessons are presented, from the written format to demonstration videos. You can also continue your lessons no matter where you go, which is ideal for those that travel a lot with work. Finally, you will be more inclined to experiment and take risks when you only have yourself to answer to.
My goal here is to help parents navigate the college maze. Part of that process is to find and recommend products and/or services that will help parents as they navigate the process.
With college move-in day approaching in the fall and parents using the summer to shop and gather items to send with their college students, I’ve found a FREE service that can help: Campus Arrival. This service makes it easy for parents and students to view and check off all the items the college either requires or recommends for students to move on to campus.
All you need to do is sign up for an account which lets you
save your supply checklist. By doing this, you can mark items as done. You’ll
also be able to set your school as a favorite so you can link to it quicker.
Also, if any other family members want to help and buy you something for
college, they can see what you need and what you already have.
Once registered, type in the name of your school (or search
on the list by state), and you will see a curated list of college-ready items
to pack based on the college’s official recommendations. They have also
included items from other schools’ suggestions and expert advice compiled from
around the internet. All their recommendations are based on a balance between
quality and value.
You will also notice a checkmark next to an item that
indicates it is included as an official recommendation from the college.
According to their FAQ section:
Our recommendations come in three flavors.
First
are specific item recommendations. These include an explanation for why we
are recommending the item along with a link to that specific product.
Second
are ‘Starter Pack’ recommendations. These are lists of items that are
similar. We added the lists for items that are small and don’t require
significant concern about reviewing the product – things like toiletries,
desk supplies, etc. Lists provide an easy way to grab a bunch of things at
once.
Third
are search recommendations. For some items, there can be a lot of personal
preference involved – things like bedding, posters, bikes, etc. The search
recommendations provide a link to Amazon with many options that meet the
need but you can personalize for your personality.
For example, here is a screenshot from a college in Texas:
Texas A&M University.
For those parents who are concerned about the coronavirus,
Campus Arrival has also included recommendations for Covid-19 prep:
Sincelaptops are a major asset while you’re at
college, their recommendations help you with the specific hardware requirements
for your school and major. They search the school’s official site. Each school
is different in terms of the info they provide. Some schools provide general
specifications. Some give major’s specific needs. And some schools don’t
provide any recommendations.
Campus Arrival includes the links to the official school
recommendations so you can reference them (in the Sources section of the school
page). With the hardware specifications, they use CNET extensively to make
product recommendations. They also consider Amazon reviews and will search
other technology sites to make sure the products are high quality.
Campus Arrival also provides a list of prohibited items and
posts the links to the sources they used to compile their lists. This takes the
guesswork out of trying to prepare for move-in day and helps parents shop
confidently and easily for their student.
If you don’t see you your college on their sight, you can make a recommendation for them to add it their list. While you wait for your specific school to be added, you can check out their General Recommendations list. This list is a combination of all the items they have collected from all the schools completed. It’s a good start and provides everything you’ll need.
If you have a college-bound student, take advantage of
Campus Arrival’s convenient service to help you and your student prepare for
move-in day.
When I come across a product that can help parents of college students, I’m happy to share it with my readers. For parents whose students will be heading off to college this fall, this product will you stay in touch and show “love” for your students.
Do you have a student entering college for the first time? How about a student returning to school? Either way, they’ll be working hard and missing home. For those that are leaving home for the first time, being away will be exciting and scary. They will be trying to keep up with their work, while at the same time balancing a new social dynamic. Thoughts of home will be a safe haven from the hectic schedule they will now be keeping. For those students who are returning, they will be trying to maintain the school lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to. However, they too will look to reminders of home for solace when things get a little too crazy.
While it’s common for parents to send their students care packages to help them stay fed, most of these care packages are filled with junk food. Processed, unhealthy junk food. Why not give them a true reminder of home each month by ordering them a subscription to A Taste of Home Cake Crate by Kentastic Cakes? A Taste of Home Cake Crate is a monthly subscription of homemade, from scratch baked goods that are shipped directly to their door(or school Mailroom) each month. All items within A Taste of Home Cake Crate are created from scratch using only fresh ingredients. Nothing is processed and everything tastes AMAZING!!
A Taste of Home Cake Crate can be ordered by the month or in longer durations at a discounted price. We also offer our COLLEGE PLAN, which is specifically meant for your student and follows a typical school year. With the COLLEGE PLAN, your student will receive a Cake Crate from September through November and from January through May. They will NOT receive a Cake Crate in the month of December, as most students go home for the holidays. Crates are shipped on or around the 20th of each month, with the exception of May. May crates will be shipped the 1st week of the month to be sure your student receives it before leaving school for the summer. We also offer a First Semester and Second Semester Plan. A NUT FREE option is also available.
Each month, your student will receive:
A Large Cake In A Cup (almost a full pound of moist cake and creamy buttercream frosting)
4 Yummy Cake Pops – Flavors change each month.
3-6 Fresh Baked Cookies(dependent on size and type)
A Mystery Item – Past Mystery Items have been French Macarons, Baklava, S’mores Bars and Chocolate Covered OREOS.
Kentastic Cakes has been creating beautiful, delicious custom cakes since 2012. In addition to weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and birthdays, Kentastic Cakes has been enjoyed at high profile events, such as the Boston Strong Benefit Concert after the marathon bombings and the Vans Warped Tour 20th Anniversary BBQ. Our cakes have been eaten by members of NKOTB, Aerosmith, celebrity chef Ming Tsai and more. We’ve even made cake pops for legendary rock band, Motley Crue on their Farewell Tour.
A Taste of Home Cake Crate just celebrated its 1 Year Anniversary and is excited to send your hard working student awesome treats each month. Please visit mycakecrate.com for more detailed information and pricing, as well as some FAQs at our College Plan page.
Orders received by July 1, 2020 will save, as prices will increase on July 1. Save even more by using Code: COLLEGE to save an additional 5% off your order.
As we always say, “Just because they can’t be at home, doesn’t mean you can’t send them A Taste of Home.”
