Category — Yearly Cycle of Information

Now that your college student has most likely headed off to school, you may be wondering what, as an official college parent, you should be doing.  In the midst of all of the preparations that took place last spring and summer,  you may have felt active and helpful.  Now that your student is gone, you may wonder how to stay productively involved without “hovering”.

It is true that once your student heads to college your role changes, but you still have an important place in the college transition process – and the transition for both you and your student continues for a while.  Last September we did a roundup of posts that should be especially helpful to you during the month of September as both you, and your college student, settle into your new roles. You may view last year’s September Roundup here.  Listed in this post are those articles written since last September that may be helpful at this time of the year.

[Read more →]

As a college parent, you are trying to learn many things about the world of college, trying to help your student make a successful transition – either to the first year of college or to a subsequent year of college or even a new college, trying to determine how you can be most helpful as part of the college equation, and trying to remember that this is a time of transition for you as well.  There seems to be so much to try to take in and to juggle.

As we begin this busy month just before your college student heads off to school, we offer two  roundups of posts that may be particularly helpful for the month to come.  These posts cover topics that may be most applicable to the preparation for leave-taking and the transition to school.

The first post is the Roundup of posts which we offered last August.  It contains those posts helpful at this time of the year which were on our website a year ago.  Following that, we list those posts which have been published this past year and which may be especially helpful at this time of year.  We recommend that you look at both last year’s posts and the new list.

[Read more →]

Summer is in full swing and your college student – or soon to be college student – is probably busy with a summer job and spending time with friends.  She may have attended an orientation, or that may not happen until the end of the summer.  Chances are that your student is focusing on what is happening during the summer, and although she may be thinking about the fall, she may not be doing much about college just yet.  As exciting as the prospect of college is, for many parents and students, the summer before college begins is a stressful time.

If your student has already spent a year at college, he knows what to expect in the fall.  He will be one of the upperclass students who seems to know it all – envied by the new first year students.  However, even your returning college student may have a few things that he should be thinking about over the summer to make next year even better.

[Read more →]

College students (or soon-to-be college students) are often in yet another transition in June.  Those students already in college may have finished their formal academic year in May.  By June they have settled in to a summer term, a summer job or internship, or may be diligently looking for that first post-college job.  For high school students, June may bring graduation and the realization that college is just around the corner.  For parents, the summer months may be an interesting time of having a student return home after the year away or helping their student prepare to leave home for college.  There is something happening for almost everyone.

Here are a few posts that parents may find especially helpful at this transitional time of the year.

[Read more →]

May marks the end of the formal academic year for many students.  For some, it is the end of the difficult year of transition to a new environment.  For others, it marks the end of their college career and a move to another type of transition – either to career or graduate school.  As the month begins, there may still be some stress for students – final exams may still be ahead, and many students approaching graduation are still uncertain about what their immediate future holds. For still other students, the college journey lies ahead, and they are thinking about approaching that first year of college. But whatever the situation, as May arrives, the end of the school year is in sight and most students are looking ahead – to the near, and more distant, future.

Here are a few posts that should be helpful as you, along with your student, settle into the month of May.

[Read more →]

As April rolls around for your college student, the finish line is in sight.  Your college student is possibly feeling overwhelmed about how much still needs to be done before the end of the term, and at the same time trying to plan a schedule for next year and arrange for housing.  There are many end-of-year activities taking place.  She may also be worrying about a summer job or internship.  If your student is a senior, the ultimate concern is with a job or graduate school.  As other students at school begin to plan schedules and choose dorm rooms and roommates, the reality of next year’s possible uncertainty sets in for many seniors.

Your patience and support may be especially needed right now as your student tries to manage his time in the present – and also plan ahead.  Here are a few posts that may be helpful as you, too, try to juggle this busy time of the academic year.

[Read more →]

March truly marks a turning point in the college year.  Not only is it the time for midterm exams and for the legendary spring break, it is also the point at which the end of the school year seems almost within reach.  Students know they are coming into the “home stretch” of their academic year.  This provides both relief and its own stress.  There’s still so much to be done.  Some students may realize that they are not going to turn around a difficult academic start and need to make plans.  Students may be worrying about summer jobs or summer school.  Students need to be thinking and making plans for the next year – housing choices, roommates, fall schedules, majors, internships.  Seniors face the ultimate stress of finding a job or getting into graduate school.

March brings its own unique experiences.  Here are a few posts that may be particularly helpful to parents to this particular time of the school year.

[Read more →]

Your college student is settling in to the second semester of the year.  Whether your student is in her first year of school or further along in her college career, the second semester has its own rhythms.  Most students are already settled in their rooms or apartments, clubs and activities may be in full swing. However, courses are probably new and there is a feeling of a fresh start.  As the semester progresses, students begin to look toward next year – more settling in, possible study abroad or internship, perhaps graduation.

Here are a few posts that may be particularly helpful at this point in the college year.  We hope you find them helpful.

[Read more →]

The beginning of the new year brings a fresh start for many of us.  For many college students it brings winter break and then the start of a new semester or term.  If your student is in her first-year, the second semester is often a time of settling in now that the tumultuous first semester is over.  Your student may be anxious to head back to school to see her friends again – and also a little anxious about new classes beginning.  This is a fresh start.  If the first semester was a bit rocky at times, either personally, socially, or academically, this is a chance to start over again – with a lot of wisdom gathered during that first semester.

Here are a few posts that might be especially helpful at this time of the year.  Think about how you can help your students get off to a great start this semester.

[Read more →]

New Year is often the time for new beginnings.  Fortunately, for college students, the new year also often brings a new semester with its fresh start as well.  We offer here 10 New Year’s resolutions for college parents and 10 resolutions for you to pass on to your college student.  Enjoy your fresh start – and make this a great year for you and your college student!

[Read more →]