Tag Archives: college

App Tuesday, college planning, college prep

Apps to Make College Prep Easier

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appsMost parents feel their student’s smartphone is an extra appendage. Your student’s entire life is on their phone. They use it to stay in touch with friends (and you if you’re lucky), they use it for homework, for research, for gaming and just about every other task in their lives.

Why not add some beneficial tasks that can help with college prep and even safety? Here are some of my picks for apps that can help your student be more productive and even ease your mind a bit.

Apps to help with writing and research

What high school student doesn’t need to know how to properly annotate a reference source, find a synonym for simple words to spice up their essays, or do some research for term papers?

Apps to help your student with history

Whether you need to reference an article of the Constitution, find out what happened today 100 years ago, or look up some famous speeches, here are some apps that have got you covered.

Apps to help with math questions

Does math homework make you quake in your shoes? It did me. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the widespread availability of apps that today’s high school students have.  These apps should help both you and your student tackle those complicated math problems.

Apps to help your student improve their GPA

Instead of study apps, let’s call these “10 apps to help you get merit-aid scholarships”. Improving your GPA is the best way to qualify for merit aid, and the best way to improve your GPA is to study.

Apps to help with the college essay

One of the most dreaded tasks of the college prep process is writing the essay. Students have problems with essay prompts, being creative, and using proper grammar. As luck would have it, however, there are even essay apps to help with this task.

Apps to help with test prep

A good SAT or ACT score can translate into good merit aid. Your student should take studying seriously. These apps can help make it easier and they are FREE!

Apps to help teach your student about budgeting

A good budgeting app can help college students keep track of their finances and help them find areas where they can cut back. Most budgeting apps can cover the basics—this article will provide you with five budgeting apps that stand out from the crowd and explain how they can help keep a college student’s budget in order.

Apps to help students in critical situations

These apps can help students act during critical situations to go along with the conversations you should have with your soon-to-be college students. These apps won’t solve the problem, but they can help save a life.

For more information on apps that can help you and your student, follow this link for all the articles I’ve written in the past about apps.

college guidance

The Pros and Cons of Moving Away to College

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collegeOne of the biggest decisions a young person has to make is what college to go to. Do you spread your wings and go to a school further out from where you live, or even overseas? Or do you stay home and keep your focus under the watchful eye of your parents? Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros: access to the best schools and/ or courses

One of the biggest advantages to moving away to university is to go and study at the best school or course that you can. Different universities are renowned for different things, and if you’re able to get accepted then it makes sense that you’d choose the best school that you can. Do your research, and apply to the schools that offer what you’re looking for with your expected grades. You will receive an instant rejection, or a offer based on you achieving the results you’ve stated.

Cons: homesickness

Even though you’re officially an adult when you go away to university, some students can experience serious homesickness. This can impact your mental health as well as your studies. It’s always worth giving these things a go, you might surprise yourself and with communication these days being so good you can always video call back home. Just be aware that if things get

Pros: learning independence

Going away to university isn’t just about earning a qualification. While of course this is the most important thing, moving to university helps you to learn about yourself as well as improve your education and job prospects. For most young people, moving away to college is the first time they’ve lived away from home. Being away from the security and regulation of your parents home can help you discover more about yourself, it helps you to grow up and learn responsibility since it’s the opportunity to stand on your own two feet. You’ll need to be able to organize your time, your finances, you’ll need to learn how to keep your accommodation clean, your clothes clean, you’ll need to learn to feed yourself. Moving to university is like a crash course in adulthood, and having these skills when you graduate can really set you on a good path for the rest of your life.

Cons: lack of life skills

No young person is going to know it all before moving away, and learning as you go is the key to success. However, some people lack the fundamental skills to make this work in the first place. If you’ve always relied on parents to cook, clean, budget and know none of the basics then going off to a new place can leave you feeling like you’ve been totally thrown in at the deep end. If you know you’re off to college in the future, work on building up some of these skills now. Find a budgeting app that suits you, even if you only have to pay for your own car and phone while you’re living at home it will get you used to managing money. Learn some simple yet healthy budget recipes that could keep you going if you moved away.

college guidance, college planning

Missed Opportunities: How My College Mistakes Impacted My Adult Life

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  1. Today’s guest post is from Kyle Grappone, a youth motivational speaker and book author. His aim is to inspire High School and College students to think differently about their futures, take advantage of their opportunities, and answer the question: “What type of person do you want to become?”.  

________________________________________________________________________

collegeAttending college is an amazing opportunity that not everyone gets a chance to experience. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the world around you, make new friends, and create a career path that will lead to success and fulfillment. It indeed is a chance at a better life. It’s customary for successful alumni to give speeches or write articles about everything they did right in college and how to emulate the success they had. High School students often have guidance counselors and family members dispensing well-intentioned but typically routine advice on how to be successful. Tips such as go to class, study in the library, and get plenty of sleep usually top this list. The issue is that the part that gets left out is the long-term impact there college choices will have on the rest of their lives. Furthermore, the well-intentioned adults giving this advice are usually the same voices this student has listened to for years and has begun to tune out. It’s time someone who wouldn’t be considered an “ideal success story” talks about these topics and the long-term impact they can have on your life.

I slept through most of my time in High School. Okay, I didn’t actually sleep, but I wasn’t fully present either. I coasted through High School and was accepted to a small school in upstate New York. When I was getting ready for college, I had plenty of people telling me all sorts of advice. I can’t recall what they were saying, because I really wasn’t listening. I was focused on being on my own, partying, and doing all the fun college stuff I saw in movies. The next four years flew by. I had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends but, just like high school, I didn’t try as hard as I could. I didn’t try because I wasn’t aware of what was coming next in life. I was unaware and unprepared for that next step called “The Real World,” and I had no idea how my poor choices were impacting my future. Without knowing what was waiting for me after graduation, I had no idea what opportunities I should have been taking advantage of.

So, while I graduated on-time as a double major, I did so with no idea how to write a resume, interview for a job or figure out what I actually wanted to do with this degree I had just paid a lot of money to obtain. I also did not realize how much left I had to pay or how those pesky interest rates on my loans actually worked. I was 22 years old and lost. I was entirely unprepared for this world I found myself in. My first job out of college was working part-time at Bed Bath and Beyond. This position was followed by a minimum wage warehouse job and a low-paying educational position. Eventually, I recovered and found my passions and better-paying positions. However, my poor choices and lack of understanding and caring regarding my future left an impact that I still feel to this day. Here are a few pieces of advice from a college graduate who knows what happens when you don’t take advantage of what’s right in front of you. 

Make A Plan

When you are older, and preparing to make a life-impacting decision, you make a plan. You decide what it’s going to entail and what you want the result to be. College is a series of life-impacting decisions, so there should be a plan regarding why you are going and what you want to get out of it. Why should an 18-year old sit down and make a plan the summer before college instead of going to the beach? They should make a plan because it will help them choose the right major, pass there classes and ultimately set them up for success in the real world. The better prepared you are, the happy you are going to be. Decide what you want the outcome of your college experience to be and right down specific actions you are going to take to make sure you will achieve the outcome you desire.

Going To Class Is Your Job

It may sound boring, but learning is the reason you are at college. If you are not interested in learning more and challenging yourself, then you should stay at home and save yourself a ton of money. Attending class is not always fun. It’s work, and that’s the way you should treat it. It’s essential that you are not only attending class but participating and learning. The more you learn now, the less you will have to catch up on when you are trying to apply for jobs after graduation. Also, developing habits such as waking up early for class, adding value by participating, and studying on a regular basis are the building blocks for a strong work ethic. A strong work ethic will be noted and rewarded with better-paying positions and opportunities. A well-paying career can often lead to a happier life and less financial stress.

Learn What Networking Is

Networking is a word that you will hear a lot when you are in school and beyond. What does it actually mean? Educators will give you an educated and sophisticated explanation, but I will provide you with a blunt one. Networking means meeting people who can help your career. It means finding people who are currently doing what you want to be doing and asking a lot of questions. It means learning from those who have come before you. It also means creating relationships with people you can count on to give you advice or recommend you for a position you are applying for. The more help you have in your job search the better your odds of landing a better position, creating a  better career, and a living a better life.

Forget The Money, Take The Internship

My last regret turned pearl of wisdom is about internships. Almost every major requires one, but most students don’t know how this seemingly menial work will help them in the future. Most students get caught up on the fact that they have to work for free. I can’t say that I blame them because no one wants to work for free. However, it’s crucial someone points out that money is only one form of payment. If you approach an internship correctly, it can pay you in ways that are more valuable than cash. It can pay you in experience. You’ll need that experience on your resume when you and dozens of other fresh college graduates are applying for the same job. It can also pay you in references. Actual people who can vouch for the type of employee you will be and the value you can bring to a company. Working for free while you can lead to a lot more money when you need it the most.

College can be a fantastic time in a student’s life, but there are plenty of people and content who can cover all that stuff. The goal today was to show the importance of taking advantage of your time in college because it will have a lasting impact on your future happiness and life. If you are a parent, I invite you to share this piece with your high school student so they may be better prepared than I was.

About Kyle

His book, To The Next Step, is an instruction manual for High School and College students to achieve the goals I listed above. You can learn more about my book here: www.publishizer.com/to-the-next-step

Website: www.kylegrappone.com

E-Mail: Kyle@KyleGrappone.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleGSpeaks/

Twitter: @KyleGSpeaks

Instagram: KyleGSpeaks

empty nest, parenting, Uncategorized

5 Experiences to Have With Your Child Before College

before collegeYour child is finally leaving for college. It may seem just like the other day that you were seeing them off to their first day at school. Now, you are helping them pack away their things, so they can further their education and help change the world. This can be an emotional experience for both parent and child alike–even if the child won’t admit to it. To make sure that both parent and child make the most of their last few months living together, here are a few experiences that you can share before college.


1. Cooking Class

Whether you’re the cook of the family or not, teaching your child how to fend for themselves in the kitchen is crucial to their survival and health. New college students tend to gain some weight at the beginning of school until they find their feet. You can help them by either bringing them into the kitchen with you or signing up for cooking classes together. This can be a fun experience to share together. You can laugh, solve problems together, and forge fond memories that your child will always remember whenever they cook that dish. 

2. Take A Trip 

This should primarily be done one-on-one or with both parents involved. Whether it’s to their favorite place or somewhere no one has been before, take the moment to enjoy the time with them. You can impart a few lessons about living on their own along the way. Make sure you take some photos, too, to record this last great adventure as a shared family. You may want to choose a quieter setting, too, so you can have those important discussions about safety, health, and any words of wisdom you gleaned from your college days. 

3. Family And Friend Time 

While they may not believe it, your child is likely going to be saying goodbye to their friends, too. One excellent way to send them off and still have an experience with them is to host a dinner party or pot-luck with friends and family. Only those closest to your child and the closest family members should be invited. This get-together is to celebrate the triumph of your child as well as to send them off with love and wisdom. Just make sure that they don’t spend all of that time with friends. 

4. Give Them An Experience Down The Line 

Sometimes words can be hard to say face-to-face. A way around this and ensure that you’re still telling your child everything that is in your heart is by writing a letter. You can tuck this away into their luggage in a place that they’ll find the letter. Not only does this make for a final experience for them to share with you later when they’ve moved into their place, but it could help curb some of the inevitable homesickness. This letter can ensure your child how much you love them. 

5. Adulthood 

Because schools don’t normally equip children with what they need to know to survive in the day-to-day world, you’ll need to take those lessons upon yourself. It will be boring, but it’s the best thing you can do to make sure your child isn’t lost. Take the time to show them how to use an ATM machine, how to open a checking/savings account, how to pay taxes, basically, everything that an adult needs to know how to do. They’ll hate it, so did you at one point, but it will prepare them for the future. 

It may be hard to admit, but your child has grown. Making sure that your child knows they are loved and always welcome back home is the best thing you can do for them. By ensuring that they know there isn’t any shame in coming home, they can face the future with strength.

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Today’s guest post is from Hayden Stewart, a contributing author and media specialist for MyKlovr. He regularly produces a variety of content centered around the transitional obstacles that come from students moving from high school to college life and how to succeed once there.

 

admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, essays

Prepping for the College Application

college applicationBefore your student hits submit on his college application, he has work to do. Summer is a good time for juniors and seniors to start prepping and looking towards the future.

Which colleges belong on your list

A good college list should have three “fit” criteria: financial fit, academic fit, and emotional fit. Once your student has a tentative list, ask if they have all three criteria before finalizing the list.

Financial Fit

Does the college fit into your family’s budget? If the college doesn’t fit financially, cross it off the list. While you should never consider a college solely based on the sticker price, you should certainly examine what will happen if your student is accepted and doesn’t receive any financial aid. Remember when factoring in cost, don’t forget about the add-ons like traveling expenses or meal plans. They can add up and have a substantial effect on your budget.

Academic Fit

Does the college fit into your student’s academic aspirations? This might seem like a no-brainer, but the education is a key factor in attending college. Cross the college off the list if it doesn’t fit into your student’s academic learning style. For instance, is your student looking for smaller class sizes and strong relationships with his professors? A larger university won’t offer this.

Emotional fit

Can your student see himself attending college there? When he visited the campus, did it “feel” right and did he have a rapport with the students he came in contact with? You might think college shouldn’t be an emotional decision, but it is. After all, they will be spending at least four years of their lives there. If they don’t fit into the social climate they will be miserable.

Positioning

Another thing to consider is positioning. Is your student positioned well with the other applicants, especially if you are looking for merit aid? Are their scores, grades, and achievements good enough to put them at the top of the applicant pool?

As you can easily see, there’s more to refining a college list than picking a college with Greek life or college sports rankings. It’s a place your student will call home and he needs to feel comfortable there. Once you’ve determined if the college has all three criteria, add it to the final list.

Which part of the college application is most important?

Any admissions officer will tell you that the essay is the most important part of the college application. The essay is your student’s “introduction” to the college and an opportunity to reveal the true person behind all the data on the application. They should spend time crafting the essay and painting the best picture possible for admissions officers reading their essay.

In addition to the essay, an important detail to remember is verifying that all items requested by the college are included in the application. That means recommendation letters, supplemental essays, transcripts and standardized test scores. An incomplete essay can be a red flag to admissions officers and could land your student’s application in the rejection pile.

When should your student apply?

Colleges post their admissions deadlines on their websites and within the Common App if they are one of the schools using it. But their deadline should not be your student’s deadline. Their application should arrive early—before the deadline. Applications that arrive early are first in line: first in line for review and first in line for financial aid. It stands to reason that applications that arrive early, before all the thousands of others applying on the deadline, will get greater attention.

Once the application is complete, proofed and verified that all forms and supplements are attached, submit it. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make sure your student has plenty of time to review all the components of the application before submitting it.

If you are applying regular decision, ED (Early Decision) or EA (Early Action), plan on submitting it at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. This puts you at the head of the pack and allows for any technical difficulties that could pop up. Waiting until the last minute on a college application is playing with fire.

With rolling admission, submit the application as soon as it’s complete. Most rolling admissions schools have a limited number of student slots, and as they judge and accept applications, those slots get filled. If you apply too late, then there’s a good chance all the slots may be filled, and you’ll be out of luck.

Schools with rolling admissions offer important options and opportunities that static deadlines don’t. Rolling admissions schools will accept and examine applications as they are sent in, instead of waiting to judge all applications concurrently. Schools with rolling admissions can be great for late admissions, or for finding out early whether or not you are accepted, so you can change your plan accordingly.

What’s next?

After the applications are submitted, you wait. Your student waits for the colleges to respond with offers of admission or no offer of admission. Waiting can be stressful. But the benefit of finishing early allows your and your student the freedom to relax, knowing that everything related to the application is complete.

college planning, college prep, parenting

My 10 Tips for Soon-to-Be College Parents

 

college parentsDuring our student’s senior year of high school we live in a bubble. All sights are set on one goal—getting into college. Students and parents focus on college selection, college applications, financial aid forms, and then we wait. We wait for the offers of admission to come pouring in and then we compare financial aid packages and help them pack their bags for college.

But wait. Is it really that simple? Hardly. Most parents would say it’s anything but simple; it takes work, commitment and perseverance on both parts—parents and students.

Now that your student has graduated, the reality of the truth hits you—your son or daughter is leaving for college. Are they ready? How will they ever survive on their own? How will you survive and cope with the void that’s there when they are gone? Will they be safe? So many questions and concerns are rolling around in your head.

From one parent to another, survival depends on knowing what to expect, what to look for, and how to respond to your student. Here are 10 tips that should help you be effective college parents:

1. Give yourself time to grieve (then move on)

It probably seems like yesterday that you were bringing your baby boy or girl home from the hospital and now they are preparing to go away for college. Although you always knew that this day would come and you are so proud of their accomplishments thus far, if you are really honest with yourself, there is a part of you that is also dreading it.

For this reason, there’s a pretty good chance that you will experience some separation anxiety, not unlike grief, when your child leaves the nest–often called “empty nest” syndrome. It’s normal for most parents and so while it’s nothing to panic over (or feel embarrassed about), you should give yourself some time to grieve and then move on with your life.

2. Don’t give in to fear

Boy how things have changed since we went to school in the 70’s and 80’s. They’ve even changed since my kids went in the 90’s and 2000’s. It’s a scary world out there and you would be crazy not to be anxious when your kids leave your care every day. But don’t let them see it; they need to feel safe and secure at school. Even though we know they are at risk, we have to trust that the teachers, staff, and administration will do their utmost to assure their safety.

3. Stay in touch (in moderation)

Before your son or daughter leaves for college make plans to stay in touch. Schedule time to communicate and discuss how often you need to hear from them. Don’t by like one father who tapped into campus security cameras so he could follow his daughter’s every move. Give them some freedom to socialize, study and explore their surroundings. A text every day, a phone call every week, and face time once a month should be enough to help both of you feel connected.

4. Practice tough love

Don’t rescue them from every difficult situation. You know the term–helicopter parenting. It’s important for them to make messes, get hurt, feel disappointment, and fail at tasks.This helps them develop life skills, achieve happiness, and be successful–the things we so desperately want to give them. Isn’t that what tough love is all about? Love your children so much you set rules, provide clear expectations, and allow them to fail so they can learn.

5. Watch the money 

Money will burn a hole in your kid’s pocket. Before they leave for college have a clear understanding of what you plan to contribute toward living expenses and what you expect him to contribute. Explain the difference between wants and needs. Today’s kids are accustomed to instant gratification; but saving for something teaches them that just because they want something, it doesn’t mean they need it. When they are away at college, this will be the first question they ask themselves before pulling out an easily obtained credit card.

6. Your child is now considered an adult

You may still feel your child is still dependent on you, but the law does not. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act means that your student will have control over his own academic record, control disclosure of who can access those records, and monitor it for errors if detected. The tuition bill comes to the student online as well as any other student expenses. Ignoring these bills can be not only costly, but affect their status as students.

7. Discuss grade expectations

Enter into an agreement with your student before they leave for school. If they want to have fun and waste time while they’re on campus, focusing on socializing rather than studying, make it clear that they can pay their own way. But if they’re willing to work hard for a degree and maintain a certain GPA, you should definitely do what you can to help them. Now, this is not to say that you shouldn’t give them a little leeway. One bad grade doesn’t necessarily mean they’re slacking – it could just be a particularly hard teacher or class. Tell them you expect to be kept abreast of their grades. Many a parent is shocked when their freshman comes home at winter break and announces they are on academic probation.

8. Beware of the transfer

If you have a high school student thinking about college, be prepared to hear these words after their first few weeks, “I don’t like it here. I want to transfer colleges”. As your heart sinks and a hundred things go through your head, remember that I told you it would happen; and if you read a recent article I wrote, it might help you handle those words without your heart and brain exploding into a million pieces.

In most cases, you should stand your ground—at least until the end of the first year. Tell your student that if he/she still feels the same way at the end of the year you can revisit the option. It’s my experience that most students, later in life, thank their parents for giving them some tough love and not allowing them to transfer.

9. Learn how to listen (and not lecture)

It goes without saying that every parent will receive a homesick phone call at some point during the first semester of college. You must learn to listen and avoid the desire to “fix” things. Most of the time they just need to vent and once they talk things out and hear your voice, they feel better. Resist the urge to drive to college and rescue them—just listen and offer compassion.

10. Acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean graduation

Did you know that graduation rates differ wildly from school to school? About 400,000 students drop out of college each year. Students who start college but don’t finish are typically no better off than those who never even started, and in some cases might be worse off, if they took on debt. Help your student stay focused on the goal by providing words of encouragement and some of that tough love I mentioned earlier.

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college costs

Coping With the Crippling Cost of College

 

cost of college

College can be cripplingly expensive for many families, particularly those with a low income.

Even if we were to put the tuition fees to one side, you still have the rent, living expenses, travel costs and so on to consider… indeed, the prospect of sending kids to college can be a genuine uphill struggle for many families as tackling cost of college isn’t something all families can manage; however, where there’s a will there’s a way and there’s a lot to be said for adopting a state of resourcefulness at times when a lack of resources could otherwise hold you back.

Firstly, it should be noted that if you’re looking for a more frugal way to facilitate a decent college education, the majority of major universities are now offering distance learning as one of their platforms.  These courses can often save a huge amount of money in terms of travel, accommodation and daily living expenses. They also tend to be cheaper tuition fees as the college itself has less overhead to cover in comparison with people physically attending a course.  

That said, college isn’t purely about the educational experience in terms of academic understanding; there’s a lot to be said for the diverse social and experiential side of attending college in addition to the connections and networking opportunities they facilitate.

This article looks at how to cope with the crippling cost of college, from a ‘making money to fund college’ perspective, but before we go into that it seems pertinent to talk about the concept of making money particularly when it comes to people entering college and the world of work.

Once upon a time, we were told to work hard at school, get a good job, work our way up through the ranks and then retire with a secure financial future ahead of us.  Today, this advice is not only archaic, it’s potentially hazardous to our financial future, as everything has changed since we entered the new digital age of globalisation.

Today, it’s imperative to learn about topics such as personal branding, portfolio careers, side hustles and passive income in order to secure our financial destiny.  There’s been a huge social shift in the way we are making money; and it’s important to become more educated in this growing area of concern.

Whilst an academic education remains valuable it’s important students expand their view of education to incorporate money making and personal marketing concepts.  

There’s a popular saying that states the “more you earn the more you learn”.  This is a sound concept, however, when looking at education from a money making perspective, it should be noted that there are many people that dropout of college and financially surpass their well educated white collar friends by simply selling things on eBay.  

With this in mind, it should be noted that learning is not limited to academic education; indeed, if you were to learn how to invest in property these skills are likely to get you much further in life, on a financial basis, than having a generic degree.  There are some academic courses that are required to enter a particular profession, and these should be considered, but bear in mind, that oftentimes, you’ll find highly educated white collar workers attending weekend seminars on topics such as real estate investing, amazon trading, and digital marketing that are being led by people that didn’t go to college – they just got out there and did it.  

The one thing to bear in mind, when it comes to learning, is to ensure the time and money you put into the course provides a decent return on investment.

Now, let’s take a look at some ways to cope with the crippling cost of college from a money making perspective.  The majority of these tips are going to be focused on the student making money, yet as a parent, there is a great way to consider coping with the burdensome cost of rent.  

As an example, you could get a housing loan and purchase a four bedroom property, near campus, that you can then rent out to other students and make a profit each month on the loan from the rent paid.  This way, you can provide your family with a secure home that is cost neutral and actually goes some way to paying for trips home and so on.

If, however, you feel more inclined to put them to work and have them stand on their own two feet whilst still having enough time and energy to fully focus on their studies, you’ll want to consider these quirky ideas to make additional money whilst studying.

FLIP THRIFT STORE ITEMS ON EBAY

A quite enjoyable way to make money is to treasure hunt around thrift stores and yard sales, looking for items that you know have a strong desire on eBay.  Often, people aren’t aware of the value that’s in amongst the vats of items in thrift stores and with a bit of careful research and rummaging around boxes, you can find some incredible high profit deals.

SELL FREE ITEMS

Lots of people have items that are “free to a good home”, presuming you have the means and manpower to come and pick them up.  

You could simple use eBay, but If you match this with people putting requests in the ‘want to buy’ sections of newspapers and online listings, such as Craigslist this will be the most efficient and reliable way to ensure you are gathering items that you can sell on; after-all, you don’t want to have to rent out a storage unit just to put things nobody wants in storage.  

The most expensive aspect of this set up is having a vehicle large enough to transport the items, but this can pay for itself, if on top of the sale price for the item, you are able to charge a few dollars for delivery to the new customer.

DONATE BLOOD PLASMA

There’s a limit to how much you can make doing this, as there is a restriction to how many times a week you can attend, but typically your time investment would be around three hours per week in order to make $250 to $350 per month.  

Understandably, this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a rewarding way to make money on the basis your blood plasma is necessary to help fuel life saving operations.

BABYSIT

Babysitting can be a great way to make easy money.  

If you’re lucky, in the evening the kids will be asleep most the time which means you’ll get free time in someone’s home to study in a distraction free environment.  There’s no greater feeling than being productive with your studies whilst at the same time, making money from doing very little.

MOW LAWNS

Whilst this is clearly restricted to three seasons of the year, if you were to charge $25 per lawn, and mow ten lawns a week (basically a weekend’s work) you’ll make $250 per week – that’s a $1,000 per month.

The best part of this, is that once you get regular customers, you can build up a monthly ‘round’ of appointments that generates a reliable stream of income; and doesn’t require you constantly getting new customers.

ONLINE OPTIONS

Today, you can even make an income online by being paid to browse websites or answer online questionnaires.  There are many ways to make money online that simply require an internet connection and a laptop. If you have creative skills in the area of web design, for instance, you could check out freelancer.com and get a variety of gigs direct from employers looking for freelance talent.

In summary, college can be cripplingly expensive but where there’s a will there’s a way and with such a vast plethora of money making opportunities available anything is possible.

admissions, college apps, college costs, college planning

Application Tips for Low-Income Families

 

application

Families and students with low-income backgrounds often find going to college a looming task. They don’t know where to start or how to push past the initial idea of college. I’ve compiled some tips & resources that we regularly use with our students to help make the trip to college more affordable. So, let’s just hop into it then!

One of the most expensive parts of applying that we come across first are the application fees. Oh my gosh the fees. Some college applications are free while others can cost upwards of $100. And those are state schools I’m talking about, not Ivy-leagues. So, how do you get around them?

      • Counselors and Advisors.
        Check in with your student’s school. Many schools have college advisors or counselors that have contacts at the schools your student might be considering.
      • ACT Fee Waivers.
        ACT has this nifty little program where they will waive the registration fee for 2 tests if a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch and meets the other qualifications listed on this website. Some states have specific requirements as well for how to utilize these waivers so, I suggest doing a little more research to make sure you qualify.
      • Application Fee Waivers. These are some of the most useful pieces of paper you can come across.
        • Most colleges have their own fee waiver processes they have specifically for low-income applicants. Most of the time you have to provide proof that your student was able to utilize an ACT Fee waiver to take their ACT. (See above for information on this.)
        • The National Association for College Admission Counseling has a fee waiver as well that you can use once the school counselor has signed off on it.
      • Ask.
        If all else fails, call the college admissions office and ask if they provide any assistance. They are used to this question and it will not phase them a bit. If they respond with “I don’t know.” ask to speak to the recruiter for your area. They typically have a little more information available.

    Another expensive part that we don’t often think of is postage. In our district we will mail the applications, supporting documents, and correspondence between the student and the college for them. I would definitely see if your student’s school has this service provided. If this isn’t available to your students, contact the college they are applying to and see if they will accept materials via email or fax.

    Try to save money on your college visits. If you have a student that is interested in 5 or 6 different colleges, it can get expensive to visit them. We always recommend that students visit a college before making a final decision. To help students who can’t afford to visit, some colleges have fly-ins or diversity programs that allow students to learn about a school while staying on campus for a short visit. These programs for high school seniors usually cover part or all of students’ travel costs. There typically aren’t many spots open so, apply early and follow up often.

    The last and most important tip is to complete the FAFSA. I cannot stress this enough. It could be the difference between having school paid for and having to come up with everything out of pocket. In order to complete the FAFSA, you’ll have to create a FSA ID for yourself and your student. Do not lose this. You have to have the same ID every year and if you have other children, you will need it for them when they go to college as well. After completing your FSA ID, make sure your tax information from last year is available and filed. If you didn’t file, you still have to complete the FAFSA. You will go to https://fafsa.ed.gov and complete the form. If you have trouble, your student’s counselor may be able to help.

    I really hope these tips are helpful. There are other sneaky ways to save up for college but, these are the big four that we use regularly. Prepare. Be organized. And  remember that you are working towards a better future for your student.

    ________________________________________________________________________

    Today’s guest post is from Beth Thompson, who currently works at a public school as a college advisor in the Arkansas Delta. Before starting this adventure, she worked in various university career services offices assisting students with their pursuit of a career applicable to their field of study. She is experienced in rural as well as urban job markets and has a deep love for the Arkansas Delta. She has a great, supportive family and two apathetic but cuddly cats. Feel free to visit her at FromApptoCap.

     

parenting

Tears, No Fears, When Saying Goodbye

 

goodbye

There will be tears. Oh yes, there will be tears. It doesn’t matter how many times it happens, when a child goes to college, you are witnessing the beginning of one of the most transformative periods in her life. You’re also saying goodbye to the nature of the relationship you once shared. But how do you say goodbye to them making sure they have the best start at their future they could have?

Have the talk

College life is different from living at home. For a lot of kids, it means taking on all kinds of responsibility they’ve never had to deal with before. It’s a good idea to prepare them on a few topics well in advance before they move. Financial advice such as dealing with credit, budgeting and the like. What they expect it to look like dealing with living essentials. Even safety. Make the scarier sides of college less scary for them.

Know what the college has in mind

You don’t want there to be problems as soon as you arrive on campus. For instance, know fully what items the College has banned students from bringing. Get an idea of campus events and talks on the first day so you can schedule to visit them in advance. There’s a lot of helpful information there. It might not all sink into your excited teenager’s head, but you can help them retain the important stuff.

Get your logistic hat on

Don’t forget that moving can be a rather big undertaking alone. Figure out in advance whether you can do it yourself or whether you might need the help of local moving services. Make sure you have a checklist of all their essentials, including any paperwork and documentation they’ll need to actually get their place in the dorms. You can save your child a lot of hassle and you can maybe distract yourself a little from your own apprehensions about saying goodbye.

Don’t pack everyone in the car

This is a mistake so many people make. Dorm rooms are not very big. If they’re moving into a student apartment, they’re normally not very big either. There will be a lot of families in attendance, so bringing the whole gang along can make things crowded and difficult. Let some say their goodbyes back at home.

Goodbye with love

It’s going to be teary; there will be hugs; there will be promises to call that quickly fall by the wayside. It’s important you leave things on a positive note and continue to play that note through their college experience. For instance, you can leave them with a care package with all their home essentials. It’s a good idea to do this semi-regularly as time goes on and to simply check in on them to make sure they’re acclimating well. Just the gesture alone is a sign that you love them and care for them wherever they are. Just don’t let the gesture get lost by the fact you do it twenty times a week.

Once you’ve done all of the above, there’s little else you can do but there for them. Call them, ask them to call you, keep in touch and keep them talking about their experience. Becoming their rock can strengthen that relationship and help them stay strong while far from home, too.

parenting

3 Ways You Can Help Your College Student

 

college student

If you are a parent of someone in college, then you are probably keen to help them as much as you can. As it happens, being able to help your college kid can be easier said than done. But if you know the main areas where they are likely to want help, then you can do a surprising amount to do so. In this article, we are going to try and give you a head start on that, by looking at some of the main areas where your college student might need a little assistance.

 

Subject Choice

For some children, it is perfectly clear what they should be studying. This is usually the case for those who already know what career they want to follow, or what kind of topics they are interested in. But for many others, it is much less of a clear cut issue. If your child is not entirely certain on which subject to study, then this is something you can probably help them out with quite well. To help them here, encourage them to focus on their strengths as well as their enjoyments. This should lead them to choosing the subject that is best for them as an individual.

Essay Writing

A big part of college education is essay writing, regardless of the subject matter. Many children struggle more than they expect to with this part of the education, particularly if they did not have to write so many essays in high school. The leap from one to the other is often quite difficult to deal with, and you should do everything you can to help them in that way. This doesn’t mean that you should help them actually write their essays, of course. But there are resources out there which can help by providing an essay and thesis writing service, and these can be useful for new college students who are struggling to make sense of it all. 

Social Life

College is not just about education – although that is obviously an important part of the whole experience. Most kids who go to college will soon find that it is also a deeply social experience, and one which they will probably be a little anxious about from time to time. If you really want to help your kids adapt to college life, then helping them with the social side of things might prove to be necessary. If necessary, work with them on developing their confidence and social skills, so that they feel better equipped to handle such situations. Or it might be the case that they just need to dive into the deep end and get stuck into it. For many people, this is actually the best way to go about it, and it is worth considering if you want to really help your college kid make the most of their experience.