December 4th, 2011
On Apple’s App Home Page check out the College Survival guide. There are 40 free and for pay sites that will support the college student for minimum cost.
Getting connected to the college environment can be daunting but these apps make finding things, ordering things and nesting much easier. Just the GPS alone saves time and frustration. Many major cities have their street maps available on map applications. Spend time exploring your new or soon to be new geographic area via applications.
Get use to using your phone calendar so you can keep yourself organized and meet all your deadlines. Being responsible and dependable are now you, the college students’, responsibility.
Posted in Campus, College Essentials, Time Management | No Comments »
November 20th, 2011
The student needs to follow their passion, not the institution. Success can be found in a variety of places, even places you never thought.
Often the decision where to attend college is based on where the parents live or have studied themselves. An interesting statistic: 3.4 million students currently study outside their home countries and this figure is rising. The expectation is 7.25 million by the year 2025. I believe it will be higher. University applicants more now than ever have a global outlook.
Universities want to be a global brand so they attract the best students and the best professors and staff. It is also important to remember that more and more corporations are hiring globally.
If a student does not know yet what their passion is, the American system would be the best choice. If you know your passion then the United Kingdom would be a good choice.
Posted in Admissions, Current Affairs, Life Overseas | No Comments »
October 17th, 2011
I love the quote by Patrick Campbell, Careers and Higher Education Coordinator at Sha Tin College of Hong Kong. “Find the best college for your child is like finding a good partner. ”Just because somebody is famous doesn’t mean they’re going to be the best partner for you.” Large, small, public, private, diversified… Sports, Academics, Arts… Each school has strengths, even the lesser known schools.
Allow your student to pursue their passion, not your passion nor an institution. The experience and the learning path is what is important. Success happens in many places, not just in Ivy League and Branded Universities.
My suggestion is to be open to options and of course do your research, or better yet…Expect your student to do the research and to discuss them with you. Then you come up with a long list, then a short list and start getting those applications in. For Seniors now is the time! For Juniors and Sophomores, you have the luxury of time but its not too early.
Posted in Admissions | No Comments »
October 9th, 2011
When choosing a university, parents often believe that a big name school means a better job after graduation. The most important question though, is whether this is the correct school for your child?
Many schools with these top reputations come at a hefty price. Intense academia is not for everyone and can become a costly mistake if your child does not find success. It may be best to look beyond a college’s reputation to see the real worth for your student. A good fit is what is important.
Does the school offer the course work your child is interested in. Youngsters need to follow their passion. The subject matter is more important than the name of the institution. Success can happen in many different environments.
I always remind parents of community colleges. If your child is not sure of what path they want to take, let them try different courses in a local community college. Or suggest they take the required courses in a community college while they consider what path they want to take. Summer courses at a community college can also help to sort out those that are undecided.
Posted in Academics | No Comments »
September 25th, 2011
I would like to introduce a new idea for college students of all ages… An internet marketing program that has recently been opened by Tom Antion, the best internet marketer I have met. Our kids are attending large universities and getting marketing degrees. These degrees do not truly prepare them for the current job market. I know. I have had first hand experience.
The problem is the courses are taught by professors of the “old school”. Marketing has changed in a big way. Even with my current practice as a mental health therapist, speaker, author and mediator. I better know how to market or I am flat in the water.
So, if you have a kiddo that is really not interested in formal college but IS interested in the computer, blogging, web sites etc… check this web site out.
http://www.IMTCVA.org
Posted in Admissions, Career, Resources, Web/Tech | No Comments »
September 17th, 2011
Federal Application for Student Aid
Here is your “Go To” place for the application and details. www.fafsa.ed.gov
In our new economy, getting financial aid is important if you are eligible. But you will not know if you do not go through the application process and meet the deadlines.
For parents that have students that are not cooperating in this application process, consider that they may not be ready for the demands of college. A student needs to be involved in every aspect of the application for University. This is where the college experience begins. If they cannot fill out their application and take responsibility, you may want to reconsider the expense of sending your child to college.
College is a major sacrifice for the family financially. The college student needs to participate and do their part.
Be careful what you sign. Review the terms of the loans. Know the difference between a scholarship, a stipend and a loan.
Posted in Financial | No Comments »
March 14th, 2011
I learned some new terms for children of exuberant parents. The “crispy” student is burned out from all the play dates, music lessons, tutoring, extra activities and grooming. The “Teacups” are so fragile that without a hovering parent they cannot function. They shatter.
Cute terms but how far off are they?
There are many colleges to choose from and if the student gets into a “No Name” university but finds the perfect fit for them, this is success. It may not give the parents bragging rights unless you can call, “My Kiddo is happy and doing well” something to brag about.
If your child cannot complete their own college applications or write their own essays, cannot make appointments with their college counselors or set up their own bank account – they may be too fragile to be successful in a college environment.
We think we are doing our kids a favor by removing all obstacles from their path when it is the obstacles that teach the lesson. Our kids need to be able to problem solve, make good decisions and deny themselves to get what they want.
Posted in Academics | No Comments »
February 28th, 2011
Amy Chua made a big splash with her advice to western parents on how to raise their kits. The Asian way is to limit, and control their children through guilt and responsibility. Some of the Asian children manage to survive this parenting. Are they happy? I am sure some are but they do not have anything to compare it with. They think they are happy.
I think we can learn from the East but I also believe the East can learn from us. We have creative children who can think. They have a different set of tools in their toolbox. They are not metric tools, or Asian tools but they are creative tools!
We want to raise children that can think, problem solve, negotiate, and navigate around this world that is changing at a very fast pace.
We do this by allowing them to think while they are still in the safety of the family. We allow them to fail. We celebrate their successes because they belong to them. Not US! Let them succeed and allow them to celebrate that they did it.
Posted in Academics | No Comments »
February 27th, 2011
We throw our students into the college environment and expect a miracle to occur. If they have had issues with organization and over stimulation in the past… College is going to be a BIG challenge.
Students have cell phones, computers AND people to talk to. It is hard to find the “Off” button. They may be capable of getting their work done but the amount of time that they have wasted prevents their success.
A life coach can keep your kiddo on track with their assignments and their future projects. Since college has no structure, the student can be spinning around in their own world. Teachers are their only supervisors and with large freshman classes and the general feeling that college kids are adults… there is very little supervision.
It is not only academics but their daily living requirements require energy. Have you done your wash, paid your cell phone bill, registered for next semester, taken your meds???
A coach reviews their weekly schedule and helps the student to plan ahead. A coach helps your student develop strategies for success. If your student needs a coach, contact debi@dryohn.com.
Posted in Academics, Resources, Time Management | No Comments »
February 26th, 2011
My web site and blog were targeted and shut down by an unknown but suspected person but we are now back!
During this time, I have written and published my book: Losing Your Only, a parents guide to losing an only child. Check out the web site LosingYourOnly.com
I have also started another blog: TheInternationalPsychologist.com
Staying involved with the internet is important so we can relate to our college students. This virtual world is expanding so fast that we will miss out if we do not stay with the advancing technology. We need to be able to relate to our kids and the future generations.
Tom Antion has been my mentor. Check out GreatInternetMarketingTraining.com Tom has been instrumental in my continued learning of the internet. He is one of us and he has this internet thing all figure out. The internet is not stagnant. We have to stay with it but it is also amazing.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
