Packing for College

It’s that time of year to collect the essential items for college.  Find out the layout of the room and what items are approved by the college to bring into the dorm. Some schools allow small refrigerators, but not microwaves.  It’s never too early to start shopping for the essentials. Contact your roommate ahead of time so you don’t duplicate items. If you have the space, buy in bulk when you can. Save on costs by bringing your own “munchies.”

What to Take…

  • Sheets, mattress pad, towels, pillow, and comforters with under the bed storage containers
  • Bathroom supplies—shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste and brush, flip-flops, other personal toiletries, and cleaning supplies Read more helpful hints on what to pack for college.

Saying Goodbye to Your High School Graduate

Seniors, you are counting down the days until the end of the school year. You wait in anticipation of packing up the car and heading down the road to your new life at college. Everything seems to be the last – the last dance, the last pep rally, the last set of finals, and lastly, saying goodbye to friends and family.

This summer you will be busy packing, texting your new roommate to coordinate what to bring, registering for classes, and spending time with close friends. Meanwhile, your parents are starting to feel neglected. This time is bittersweet for them. Though they are happy to see you pursuing your dreams, they can’t imagine their home without you.

Knowing the bird has to leave the nest, there are a few things you and your parents can do to help each other during this time of transition. Let one another know you love each other and they will be missed, your relationship has been meaningful, and the transition to the next stage of life with be weathered. You are only a phone call or text message away. Read more guidelines to making the most of your time together.

Tips For Parents Adjusting To An Empty Nest

Do you find yourself taking a trip down memory lane while your child excitement builds as they pack the car to head off to college, start a military career, or get their first apartment? You may feel shaky, sad, confused, or relieved. Parents react differently to an empty nest. It is a time of change, a time to look at your child’s needs and your needs. It can be a fresh beginning. Here are several tips to help you cope with this period of your life.

Rest. Take some time for yourself while you adjust to the change and try to figure out how you really feel. Drastic changes may only cause regret later, so hold off on the redecorating.

Exercise. If you find yourself sad or depressed, exercise is a way to lift your mood. Find a friend or work out buddy to help you start a new routine. Avoid those fatty foods, chocolate and cocktails. Opt for a round of yoga, aerobics, weight training, and healthy eating.

Reconnect with others. Revisit your relationships. If you are single, you may want to get out and mingle. If you are married and you have spent decades focusing on your children, find new energy to reconnect with your loved one.

Follow your passion. Do you like to volunteer? What about going back to school? Think about taking on some new life-enriching activities.

Set a schedule for communication. Many parents worry that they will lose contact with their child. Even if you text or email, Skype or FaceTime, set a regular phone date with your child once a week. This will ease your mind and give them some sense of freedom.

For more articles on the empty nest, read College Bound: Proven Ways to Prepare and Plan for Getting Into the College of Your Dreams at https://www.college-path.com.

Tips for Middle School Counselors and Parents

Are your students thinking about attending college or training in a fielocker2ld of interest? It is never too early to get started in the process even if it is a few years away. Each student can start positioning himself or herself to get into college by following the college planning timeline as a guide.

School counselors – talk to you students about:

  • Taking courses required for entrance into high school and developing strong study habits.  Each student should take challenging courses and position himself or herself to take advantage of advanced courses in high school in areas of strengths.
  • Teach organization and time-management skills to prepare them to succeed in high school and beyond. Assist with building good study habits. Click here for more tips.

Shop for the Best Price on College Textbooks

Books are not cheap. You may want to shop around if you know what books are needed for the courses you plan to take. Here is a list of websites that might help you with this task.

AddAll – Book search and price comparison.

Alibris.com – Save big on high-quality books.

Amazon is the place where you can save on new textbooks and up to 90 percent on used textbooks. You can also sell your textbooks online.

BarnesandNoble.com – If you order over $25 in textbooks from this site you will not be charged for shipping, but this does not qualify for rented or used textbooks.

BetterWorldBooks.com – Right now the site is promoting a “Bargain Bin Blowout” which allows users to purchase 5 used books for $15.

BigWords.com – This site gather information from various textbook sites and calculates each price as well as the total shipping amount. For more textbook websites click here.

Start Your Year Right with “College Bound”, the eBook, on Amazon!

Yes, it’s true! Over 1,200 active links will be at your fingertips in “College Bound.”cb-2016-17-cvr-only

I wrote “College Bound: Proven Ways to Plan and Prepare for Getting Into the College of Your Dreams” as a guide to help parents and students prepare for what comes after graduation. “College Bound” is written so it will be like having a professional college counselor beside you every step of the way (http://amzn.to/2iG7VEG).

“College Bound” guides you through the college planning timeline, the search and application process, and campus visits, with additional tips and resources. It will show ways to approach counselors, teachers, or moderators to request an effective letter of recommendation, give tips on self-marketing through the college essay, provide suggestions for a top-notch resume of extracurricular activities, and offer advice for taking standardized tests.

  • If you are a budding artist, a competitive athlete, or interested in a military career, or transitioning from being homeschooled to college, this book is for you.
  • If you have special needs or a disability, this book is for you.
  • If you are thinking about learning a trade or attending community college, this book is for you.
  • Interested in understanding the “nuts and bolts” of financial aid and where to find scholarships? This book is for you.mcbp-2016-17-cvr-only
  • Looking for an extensive list of publications and internet resources that is beyond compare? “College Bound” is for you – giving you all these resources and more.
  • I hope you will find this must-read guide helpful and informative, and I wish you all the best as you plan a path to an exciting future.

The companion workbook, “My College Bound Plan,” will keep you organized with all the forms and checklists you will need to proceed through the search and application process (http://amzn.to/2hOZPoX).  It’s like having a counselor available to answer your questions 24/7! It’s a great place to start building your college planning library.

 

Dispelling the Myths About the College Selection Process

There are many myths about the college selection process, a few of which follow: 1) there is one perfect college for each student; 2) investigating colleges is an unpleasant chore; 3) a prestigious college education is a necessity for a successful career; 4) you can only afford a low-priced college; and 5) if you’ve never heard of a college, it can’t be good. These ideas frequently interfere with the primary goal of college admissions – to help students and colleges find the best possible match. We often associate exclusivity with higher value, but the fact is that “more selective” does not necessarily mean “better”. A student should not simply attend the most competitive college that accepts him or her. It is a mistake to narrow your sights to only one college, or to steer away from certain colleges because of higher costs. Keep your options open. Looking at colleges is an exciting and interesting activity that often leads to important self-discovery and new direction for the future. Let your enthusiasm and optimism shine and have fun with the process.

What Are the Benefits of Summer Reading?

Summer is a great time to catch up on reading about some of your favorite topics.  It’s time to let your imagination take you on a journey. Reading for pleasure can help turn you into a life-long learner. For some, reading also can be a lot of fun!  It can be a time to get cozy in an environment that is conducive to your reading.  So grab your favorite snack, choose your spot, sit back, and enjoy the story.

What are the benefits? Reading: