essays

typical mistakes in writing college essays

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college essays

College is not about partying, college is about essay writing. To succeed in it, you need to learn how to avoid these basic mistakes.

Research Mistakes

Research mistakes are tricky — mostly you don’t know about them before you professor shows you, but if you make enough research mistakes all your paper will collapse. Here is the list of the most probably research-related errors college students make.

  • Using a standard Google search instead of Google Scholar search. This way you will drown in mediocre blog-posts instead of browsing through the most recent and relevant studies.
  • Ignoring libraries. Students often think that it is much faster and easier to find everything online. Wrong! Your college library is not a home for useless manuscripts, it is updated rather often, and it is updated according to the courses and professors’ demands. So most probably it has lots of books and printed studies related to the topic of your paper.
  • Not limiting time for research. You can do research for days, and though you can find some real treasures this way most probably you will just lose time. So, when you receive an assignment to write a quality college essay, define the exact amount of time you would like to spend on research and don’t exceed it. If you don’t have enough time for research from the very beginning, it is a good time to get help with writing an essay from someone you trust online.

Problems with Content

  • Choosing a boring topic. It is a possibility that your topic was given to you by your professor, in this case, you don’t have much space to make a move. But if you just have a general topic, and can choose the more narrow one, you should come up with something engaging. Choose not something that sounds good, but something that will make you interested in finishing your essay.
  • Being boring yourself. For example, you need to write a paper on Gender Studies. And you start writing about the lack of diversity, about equal rights, so on. These are all important topics, but you should be able to cover more interesting angles of the story.
  • Plagiarizing. This is the worst sin of academic writing and whatever happens, you should not do it. It seems easy not to copy someone else’s texts, but it is much more difficult not to allow technical plagiarism to spoil your paper. Be very careful with paraphrasing, put in-text citations every time you use some else’s thought and make a double check using online anti-plagiarism software.

Problems with Formatting

  • Using outdated citation manual. If the required formatting style is APA, you should not be worried too much, as they don’t change their rules very often. However, of the required style is MLA, you should find the latest updates. Of course, your professor may also not be aware of the most recent changes, but it is better not to risk it.
  • Leaving formatting for the last minute. When you do so, you are can rest assured that you won’t have enough time to complete formatting the way it should be done. Use citation generators while writing, it will make your paper more complete before the submission date.

Problems with the Organization of the Writing Process

You would not believe if we told you how many papers were not finished due to a poor organization of the writing process and procrastination. To avoid it:

  • Make a brief plan and estimation of how much time it will take to write every piece approximately. This way you won’t feel like you have all the time in your hands.
  • Establish a suitable working pattern and work accordingly. Even if you need to rest 20 minutes after writing for 15 minutes — it is ok, just continue doing it, don’t stop.
  • Don’t eat too much sugar and make sure to breathe fresh air once in a while. Fresh air will keep your brain active. If you overeat sugar and junk food you will feel energetic briefly and later your sugar will drop, and you won’t be able to do anything.

There are myriads of mistakes a college student can make when working on college essays, but if you learn how to avoid the listed ones, you will be way ahead of your classmates.

academics

Creating the perfect study space

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As a parent that is trying to prepare their child for college, it’s important that you give them everything that they need to study effectively. One of the things that parents often forget about is a proper study area in the home, but it’s so important. If your child is sitting on the couch trying to study, they’ll easily get distracted and they won’t work very effectively. It’s far easier for them to concentrate properly if they’ve got a dedicated area for studying, and their results will reflect that. If you haven’t already got a study area for your child, here’s everything that you need to include.

Furniture

The first thing that you’ll need is some good furniture. If your child is sitting on a beanbag or relaxing in an armchair, they’re not going to be in the right frame of mind for working. Instead, you need to think about the school environment and try to recreate that to some degree. There are some great companies like civic australia who sell a good range of classroom furniture. Getting some proper desks and chairs from there will give the study space a more formal, learning environment feel that is conducive to concentration and work. It’s important that your child is comfortable in their study area, but it needs to feel like a place where they can get their head down and work, not a place where they can relax and watch TV.

Furniture placement is very important too because you need to limit distractions. You need to place the desk somewhere that gets good sunlight, but it’s best to avoid putting it directly in front of the window because they can get distracted easily. In a corner is always good because it makes it easier to focus.

Noise

Noise is a huge distraction and if your child can hear the TV going downstairs or they can hear their siblings playing out in the garden, they’re not likely to stay focused for very long. That’s why it’s essential that you pick somewhere that doesn’t have too much noise. Hopefully, you’ve got a fairly quiet area of the house that you can use, but you can also do things like put draught excluders under the door to block out noise. You also need to make the family aware that they should keep the noise down during study time. If you really can’t find anywhere where there isn’t any noise, you should invest in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones for them so they can focus properly.

Learning Tools

Giving them the right learning tools is so important, so you should invest a little money if you need to. They might need access to certain websites or software that comes with a subscription. Even things like a good stock of stationery can be a big help when they’re trying to stay organized. The best thing to do is to speak with your child and ask them what tools they need to help make their studying more effective.

Creating a good study area for your child will make it so much easier for them to prepare for exams and eventually get into the college of their dreams.

college prep, parenting

Conversations before college

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before college

High school graduation is upon you and you and your student are looking forward toward college and a very busy summer. Amidst all the parties and preparation, it’s crucial that you spend some time dispensing “parental” advice in a way they will listen and take it to heart.

Don’t sit them down for “the talk” because they will simply tune you out. Take advantage of snippets of time to cover these important topics either for the first time or as a refresher before college.

Pick your friends carefully

College friends have a great impact on a student’s academic success, social life while in college and create a feeling of home away from home. Impress upon them that their friends will influence them in positive and even negative ways, just as they did in high school; but with one difference–you won’t be there to meet them and give advice.

Study first, play after

College is much more difficult than high school. The reading is extensive, the homework can be overwhelming, and the study requirements can be brutal. If your student doesn’t make study a priority, their first semester of college could be their last.

Take advantage of that expensive education

It’s true when they say colleges are institutions of higher learning. But your student must attend class, pay attention, be motivated to study, and do the work. The knowledge won’t just soak in, your student will have to do their part. Don’t miss out on free lectures and career training opportunities.

Don’t look in the rear view mirror

Your student’s friends (and boyfriend or girlfriend) back home will often bring them down. During periods of homesickness, that pull to return home from the friends who stayed can be strong. Remind your student that college will be a new chapter in their life and looking ahead will keep them focused on what’s important.

Graduation will come sooner than you expect

Four years will pass quickly. Your student needs to take advantage of every opportunity to plan for days after graduation. They should participate in internships, make connections with alumni, develop relationships with professors, and visit the career center often. Most students don’t even start thinking about jobs after graduation until senior year. When graduation day arrives, you student won’t be caught unprepared.

Resolve roommate conflicts immediately

When your student recognizes a problem (and they will). address it. Much of the angst your student might experience with roommates could have been avoided if your student simply has a conversation. For the worst problems, go to the RA for mediation.

Avoid risky behavior and consider the consequences

Every college is a party school. Unfortunately, even though your student will be underage, they will be offered alcohol. The reality is there will always be drinking on campus. Excessive drinking can cause all sorts of regrettable behavior that result in negative consequences. It’s unwise for you to assume that your student won’t drink because even the strongest student will be tempted and most likely succumb. For girls, this conversation is critical since drinking often results in unwanted sexual experiences because they are less likely to be in control of their emotions.

Your professors are your friend

Your student’s professors are key players in their college success. Encourage them to establish relationships and cultivate them. They might need them for tutoring help, and will definitely need them for job connections after graduation.

The days will fly by–Carpe Diem!

The memories my daughter made in college are some of her most treasured memories. Her sorority sisters, her study abroad experiences, her trips with friends, and some of her most admired professors and mentors live in those memories. College is what you make of it and your student should enjoy and experience every moment.

admissions, orientation

The Next Step After college decision day

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college decision day

Yesterday was National College Decision Day. It’s the day your student made the final college decision and locked in their future. Now it’s time to move forward.

Your student can start by completing these tasks before transitioning to college.

1. Send in your deposit and apply for college housing

First things first—by now you should have sent in your deposit to your final college choice and applied for dorm housing. The national decision deadline is May 1st and there are no exceptions or do-overs. If you are even one day late, you may forfeit your place in their freshman class.

2. If you have chosen to defer, complete the necessary paperwork

If you have already decided to defer, contact the college and make sure that is an option. Most colleges will allow students to defer their admission for a year if they ask. But you must ask. Be sure to ask if you need to sign an agreement or make a deposit to hold your spot for next year.

3. If you are taking a gap year, finalize plans.

Gap years are becoming more popular among students and many colleges are even encouraging them. Take time to plan your gap year and have a clear purpose in mind. Whether you choose to travel abroad, stay home and work, or explore careers, it’s a good idea to finalize those plans before graduation.

4. Attend “Accepted Students Day” and register for orientation.

If at all possible, attend the college’s accepted student day. Colleges encourage students to attend to familiarize themselves with the college, meet other students, and use this event to make their final decision. Later, after you have accepted an offer of admission, you should try to attend college orientation. Don’t forget to register for this important event.

5. Consider a summer college program.

Many colleges offer summer pre-college or community service programs. Investigate the college you will be attending and ask if there are any programs in your area of interest or your intended major. Colleges like Brown University offer a wide variety of programs from academics to adventure.

For tasks 6-10, read the original article at TeenLife.com.

college prep, homeschooling

Can Homeschooling Prepare Your Student for College?

homeschooling

Before you head to the college fairs, and go through the emotional rigmarole of enrolling your children into college, you’ve got to prepare them for numerous changes in life. While homeschooling is becoming a more popular approach, there can be concerns that children aren’t prepared for college in this manner purely because they have been educated at home. Can a child get a better education at home to prepare them for college? Let’s answer the question.

Does Homeschooling Hinder Their Socializing?

From an outsider perspective, a child that is educated at home by themselves can seem ill-equipped to deal with what college throws at them. But in fact, while being homeschooled means they’re not engaging with people on a regular basis, it means that they can interact with other people with more vigor. In fact, many children are better socialized through homeschooling than those that go through the standard education system. It could also be because homeschooled children are less bound by time in class, so they have the opportunity to go out and engage with the world.

Are Homeschooled Children “Less Academic?”

There are two strands of thought to this. Because many homeschooled children choose their education they naturally have more of a passion for the subject, and when they apply to college, this authenticity shines through their application making them more of an asset to a specific college. But on the other hand, there are plenty of educational organizations, like cyber charter schools, that provide a structured education that children can follow. Because a child chooses their own education through homeschooling, or can follow a set routine provided by these cyber schools, it makes them more skilled regardless of the avenue they go down. It’s not a question of them being “less academic” but more about having the time out of school to add more strings to their bow, making them very attractive to college admission officers.

They Will Savor College

There are many kids that get into college and treat it like a vacation. But for those who have been educated at home, and have had to seek out their own passions in life, they will make more of college life. The opportunities that present themselves can be a logical extension of what they’ve already done. But in fact, as college provides more of an opportunity, from numerous extracurricular activities to social functions and more valued friendships, the child that’s been homeschooled won’t take this for granted in comparison to many others. It’s not just the fact that they will turn up for lectures and knuckle down, but they’ll find all aspects of college rewarding.

If anything, it would appear that home education is the way forward. There was a study that followed students between 2004 and 2009 at a doctoral university, and those that were homeschooled outperformed their peers and graduated at a higher grade. Even from an academic perspective, it appears that homeschooling isn’t the act of the parents wanting to bring their child out of formal education. In fact, it could give them a leg up in life!

If you’ve thought about homeschooling and wonder if it’s right for you, this infographic should help you weigh the pros and cons.

Homeschooling 101

admissions, college planning

Tips for Choosing the Right College

college

Choosing a college to go to can be difficult. If you make the wrong choice then this may have an impact on your education for the next few years of your life, but with a bit of research you can be sure to make the right decision.

Accreditation

It doesn’t matter what type of college you are looking to attend because you need to choose one that is accredited. There are various types of accreditation, and some of them include licenses and certificates too. It also helps to do some research as it will help you to understand where your chosen college excels. Quite often, the college will list any credentials they have on their site, so take note of them and then work out what each accreditation stands for. This way you can find out exactly what the college can offer you, and you can also get some valuable insight into how they work as well.

Reviews

One of the best ways for you to understand the quality of a school is to look up rankings and ratings. There are plenty of sites that have all of the information you need, and a lot of them are based on student experiences. You can find out more about a school’s culture, the faculties that are available and even the social life that people have on campus. Remember that going to college isn’t just about the educational facilities, it’s about the student experience too. If a college doesn’t show good reviews for a specific time period, that doesn’t mean that they haven’t turned things around since. Jerry Jellig for example, works with educational institutions to help them do this.

Academic Support

College can sometimes be a challenge, so it helps to know that you have some degree of academic support outside the classroom. Look up to see if your chosen college offers remedial courses in core subjects, and also find out if you have to pay for this.

Social

Do you like to meet up with new people? Or would you prefer more of a close-knit community? Either way, the environment of a school is very important. There is a high chance that you are going to be staying there for years, and you may even be living on or near campus too. A few years is a long time to be living in a community that does not suit your personality. Take the time to find out how many people attend your university, how far away you are from the social and entertainment facilities, and also see if there are any smaller areas around the college that you would rather stay at.

Extracurricular

Sports are often emphasised at college and this is great. If you’re not the sporting kind however then it helps to see if there are any other activities that you could take part in. Sometimes you need to unwind at the end of a long day, so if there are any particular extracurricular activities that you would like to take part in, or if there are any clubs that you would enjoy then take note when making your decision.

admissions

What do other parents think about college admissions?

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college admissions

You can talk to experts and read all the articles online, but nothing compares to listening to other parents and their experiences with college admissions.

Knowing there are other parents struggling with the same questions, problems and unexpected outcomes can help you feel less alone. But where do you find that information? There are two excellent Facebook groups to help: Paying for College 101 and Grown and Flown. With thousands of parents posting and commenting daily, you can ask any questions (even specific ones) and someone will most likely have the answer.

Parents have asked about testing, financial aid, homesickness, the college admissions process and much more. There are plenty of other parents available to offer their advice and non-judgmental help. According to a survey by Paying for College 101, “the most common words participants used to describe the admissions experience were “stressful,” “exhausting,” and “overwhelming.” Most parents can certainly relate to those feelings.

Other results of the survey include:

  • Most of the families responding (68%) were going through the college admissions process for the first time
  • 27% of students applied to 10 or more colleges
  • 39% applied to 1 to 5 schools
  • 34% applied to 6 to 9 schools
  • 42% of students were waitlisted
  • 17% of these students being waitlisted at 2 or more schools
  • 89% of responders received some form of financial aid. Of those receiving financial aid, 57% received only merit scholarships, 6% received financial aid based on need, and 37% received a combination of merit and need-based aid
  • 66% of responders were either OK, Satisfied or Very Satisfied with their financial aid offer
  • 62% of responders chose not to appeal their financial aid award
  • 56% of responders have a plan to pay for college
  • 24% aren’t sure if they have a plan
  • 20% do not have a plan.

For some specific responses and stories from three parents, you can follow this link: College Admissions Decisions & Financial Aid Survey For The Class Of 2023.

college guidance, college planning, college visits

Looking toward college decision day

college decision day

The middle of April is here and students who have been accepted to college are weighing their options and finalizing their choice on or before college decision day. Since this is a life decision and a difficult choice for you and your student, these five tips can help you make that final college choice.

Revisit every college on the list

You can’t know if a college is a good fit without visiting it. Even if you’ve already visited before you were offered admission, revisiting brings a new perspective. Can you see yourself there? Do you fit in with the student body? Does it feel like your new home for the next four years? Revisit with these questions in mind. If you didn’t visit before you apply, this visit is crucial. Never choose a college sight unseen!

Take a hard look at the financial awards

For many students, it comes down to “showing the money”. Compare financial aid awards side by side and use them to weigh your decision. If a college offers admission but doesn’t back it up with financial aid, you should consider a college who did. Why? Because offering aid is a sign of how badly the college wants you to attend.

Determine what your deal-breakers are

Every student has those deal-breakers: Greek life, a specific major, a dorm amenity, location, alumni network and others. A college that doesn’t have that one item on the list, might not be the college for you.

Connect with current students and alumni again

If your student is still unsure, it might help to connect with current students and/or alumni. This group can provide an honest assessment of the college and campus life. Your student can ask questions of each group and will most likely receive an honest answer (one that isn’t on the tour or in the college brochure).

Listen, discuss and decide

Once you and your student have compared colleges, revisited campuses and looked at financial aid, it’s time to listen and discuss. Talk through the decision-making process and voice any concerns either of you might have. Remember–listening is key. Don’t force a college on your student if he’s “just not feeling it.” There’s usually a reason.

The May 1st deadline does put pressure on students to make a decision, especially if there is more than one college that is in the running. You can always use the old trick–flip a coin for heads or tails and whichever your student hopes it lands on that’s the college to choose!

Student debt, student loans

Being realistic about earning potential

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Many families are unrealistic about covering the cost of an expensive college education. Many students admitted that paying for the education at a more expensive university would put a financial burden on their families, but they were still willing to risk it based on their perceived value of that education.

Student debt has become a family problem. According to the NY Post:

“When three generations of a family collaborate to tackle college costs and fail, the results can be catastrophic. Credit profiles are destroyed, homes and retirements are put at risk, and families land in bankruptcy court. Even then, in most cases higher-education loans, which average more than $30,000 per bachelor’s degree recipient, can only be deferred in bankruptcy, not discharged.

What you’re seeing now in the student-loan area is not only the debtor, but the family of the debtor,” said Manhattan bankruptcy lawyer Dave Shaev. “Mom and Dad are usually the co-signers, and sometimes Grandma or Grandpa are having to dive into retirement funds and home equities to try to bail out a daughter or son with student loans, because the jobs they are getting do not allow them to keep up on the payments.”

Being realistic about student debt and earning potential after graduation is an important part of your college decision.
Here are some tips to help make that decision:

1. Study various career paths

Research the jobs that involve your intended major. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious. You might find a career path that you had not even considered.

2. Investigate the earning potential of the career

These figures can be easily obtained through the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected earnings charts. Be realistic. You won’t be paid at the top of the scale right after graduation. Use the lowest percentage for your figures as a conservative estimate.

3. Learn about loan repayment

If you are borrowing money to attend college, don’t just assume you will make enough money to pay back those loans. Research repayment amounts (and monthly payments) to determine how much of your salary will go towards student loans.

4. Consider that life is more than dollar signs

If you are making five figures and employed at a job you detest, the money won’t soothe your misery. Being financially secure is everyone’s goal, but sometimes working at a job you love is worth its weight in gold. A career as a teacher can be as rewarding as being a doctor. You know yourself better than anyone else—pursue your passion.

5. The highest priced education is not always the best

A high-priced higher education is not always worth the dividend it pays. Investigate the cost of tuition and weigh that against your future earning potential. It is wise to consider community college, investigate trade schools, evaluate state college cost versus that of private universities, and even consider online accredited learning.

That degree from a so-called prestigious university might look great on your wall; but is it worth cost? Be a wise consumer and don’t go into debt on the promise of a five-figure salary. Study the statistics, put some thought into the process, and make an informed decision.

college fairs, college planning, college visits

Tips for Attending Spring College Fairs

college fairs

Nothing says spring like those annual spring college fairs. If you have ever attended one or look forward to attending one this spring, you know they can be a bit overwhelming. Faced with the daunting task of connecting with admissions representatives from numerous colleges, parents and students need a plan. Approaching a college fair without a plan will leave you frustrated and disappointed at the end of the event.

College fairs, when approached properly, can help you in the beginning stages of the college search process. More importantly, however, they facilitate those all-important contacts with college admissions officers. Those connections can be used in the future when visiting campuses, connecting with the colleges via telephone or email, and even as a “cheer leader” when you college application is submitted for consideration of admission.

Spring college fairs are important tools in your arsenal of preparation during the college admissions process. If you approach these fairs with the proper planning, you can use the information you gather and the contacts you make to your benefit.

Preparation prevents panic

As with any college-related task, preparation is key; and the college fair is no exception. Here are just a few tips to consider as a part of your preparation:

  • Do some research about the colleges who will be in attendance. Educate yourself regarding the basic information: campus size, majors offered, location, etc. This will help you make a good impression and appear knowledgeable when talking to the representatives. It will also help you when preparing a list of questions to ask.
  • Decide what you will wear: first impressions are important. Don’t show up in tattered jeans, a dirty t-shirt, and flip flops. Treat the connections you make with the college representatives as a preliminary interview.
  • Set up a college email account: firstname_lastname@gmail.com. Use this email address for all your college-related connections. Doing this will convey a positive impression and help you keep your emails separate and organized.
  • Make self-stick labels that contain your legal name, mailing address, email address, year of graduation, and intended area of study.  This will speed up the process of filling out inquiry cards, allowing you more time to talk to the college representative.

Map out a strategy

When you arrive at the fair, take a look at the physical map of the location and where each college is located. Take a few minutes to map out a strategy and decide which colleges you will have conversations with the representatives in attendance. One Florida admissions officer compared a spring college fair to a buffet: there will be more there than you can take in, but not everything is to your taste. As with a buffet, it is best to scope out your choices before you start adding to your plate or gathering your information. Don’t waste time with the colleges that don’t interest you. You’re on a mission—stay focused.

Take notes and gather business cards

Bring a notebook to the fair and take some notes as you speak with the college representatives. After your conversations, ask for a business card. This will be your first contact with the college and an important one. Turn the card over and make some quick notes after you leave about the person you spoke with. This will serve as a reminder when you make a follow-up contact after the college fair.

Ask questions

This is your chance to ask some questions and conduct your own mini-interview of the colleges. Don’t waste your time asking questions that can be found on the college websites. College admissions representatives learn just as much about you from your questions as they do having a conversation. If you did your homework and prepared, you should have some specific questions in mind. Use this time to gather information and learn things about the college you might not find on their website.

Attend information sessions

If the spring college fair is offering information sessions, make plans to attend some of them. Many fairs have sessions on the search process, applications, financial aid and other issues run by experts in the field. These sessions are a great place to ask general questions about the college admission process.

Follow up

After the fair, spend some time organizing your information and going over your notes. Grab those business cards you collected, along with the notes you made, and send an email to the college representative letting them know how much you enjoyed speaking with them. This will serve to cement your meeting in their mind and provide an opportunity for further connections.

Find a fair near you

Speak with your high school guidance counselor about local college fairs, or find a fair near you sponsored by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling. If there aren’t any fairs in your area, you can attend an online fair sponsored by College Week Live.

Helping parents navigate the college maze