Senior Summer: A Roller Coaster of Mixed Emotions

July 20, 2021July 22, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

The summer before the first year of college. It is an interesting summer — for both parents and students. There is the anticipation and excitement — but that is coupled with stress, nerves, and the emotions of leaving home and friends behind. Parents need to be especially patient — both with themselves and with their students — as everyone navigates this new territory.

In our last article, we discussed the in-between nature of this summer for both students and parents. In this article, we look at some of the concerns that often cause stress for students as they anticipate the launch to college.

The myth

Part of the reason that this summer may be difficult is the myth that it is all about the accomplishment and the excitement. The application and admissions process is finally over and your student is in! It’s a tremendous accomplishment. For years, everything has been focused on this next goal. A whole new world awaits, and it is going to be wonderful. This is going to be a stress-free, relaxed last summer at home. This is a ”summer to remember.” The build-up to this summer has been monumental.

Senior Summer: Why Your Almost College Student May Feel Homeless this Summer

September 25, 2018July 15, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

One of the characteristics of this summer before college is that feeling of in-between that most high school graduates/not yet college freshmen feel. They are of both worlds, yet not really of either. It is a strange, somewhat homeless feeling for many students.

No longer high school

It is likely that for much of the last year of high school your senior couldn’t wait to be done. The focus for several years has been on getting into college — the grades, the activities, the college visits, the applications, the acceptance, the decision. Once the goal of college admission was accomplished, many students settled into a few weeks, or months, of senioritis — finishing out the year.

8 Summer Reading Recommendations for College Parents

December 17, 2021July 11, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

For many people, the pace of life in the summer slows a bit. There may be more time for some of the activities we can’t fit in during the year. For many, there may finally be more time for a good read — perhaps even beach reading! For college parents, or almost college parents, this may be an ideal time to do a little reading about what to expect when your student heads off. You know that your parenting job isn’t done — but it will definitely change. These titles will help you know what to expect.

We’ve published several reading lists of books for parents. (See the end of this post for links to those lists.) We recommend that you take time to browse the lists and find some titles that intrigue you. We’ve also published several reviews which might help you make some choices. The books are varied in information and approach and we’re sure you’ll find something helpful.

Considering a Pet Friendly College?

July 18, 2018July 8, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

Is your college student considering owning a pet while in college?

As your soon-to-be college student considers the transition to college, the thought of leaving the family pet behind may be devastating. In most families, the family pet will need to stay with the family. But if your student is considering either taking her pet along or getting a new pet, she will need to carefully investigate college policy regarding pets in the residence halls and also the realities of pet responsibility.

Are pets at college OK?

The short answer to this question is . . . it depends.

Why College?

August 6, 2023July 1, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

Why is your student going to college?

Does that question take you by surprise? Have you asked your student this question? The question may take both parents and students by surprise because we don’t ask it often enough. Many students head to college because it is what students do after high school. It is what all of their friends are doing. It is what everyone has expected of them for as long as they can remember.

We are not suggesting that your student should not be headed to college. However, if you haven’t asked your student the question, it might be a good thing to do. It is important to know where we are headed, but also important to know why we are headed there.

College Parents: Be Prepared for Some Extra College Costs

May 3, 2021June 24, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

You know that the cost of college tuition is high. Perhaps you have been preparing for years to be able to help finance your student’s education. As your student progressed through the admissions process, you may have discovered some additional costs that you hadn’t anticipated: application fees, SAT prep courses, and the costs of visiting numerous campuses to find just the right one.

Now that your student has been accepted and is about to head off to school, you’ve received your first tuition bill. The bottom line on the statement may have shocked you, but at least, you thought, you knew what was ahead. However, there are often additional costs that may take parents and students by surprise.

Most parents and students know that there will be some initial costs as they prepare for that first year of college. There will be dorm furnishings, and perhaps additional funds for food and gas (if your student is taking a car to school), clothing and supplies throughout the year. However, there may be some unexpected or hidden costs. These will vary by school, of course, but here are a few to think about and possibly anticipate.

What Your College Student May Be Looking for in a Job

November 19, 2021June 3, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

We’ve written an earlier post about a 2010 study conducted by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) which investigated college graduates’ attitudes and approaches toward their first post-college jobs. We suggested that some of the information in that study might help parents understand what their recent graduates faced as well as some interesting topics for conversation with students about their hopes and dreams for jobs.

A 2012 study, this time conducted by Net Impact, adds additional food for thought and topics for understanding and conversation about what current college students, as well as graduates want from employers. Net Impact, a national organization which hopes to drive positive change in the workplace and the world, helps employees use their careers to tackle social and environmental problems. This study surveyed 1,726 currently enrolled university students and currently employed college graduates. The study explored respondents’ life goals, job satisfaction and prioritization for making an impact at work.

Once again, we think some of the information gathered should provide parents of graduates and soon-to-be graduates some important topics to discuss with their students. We hope that some of the following information from this study will give you some topics for conversation as you discuss your student’s employment choices and satisfaction.

Why Studying the Arts Can Help Your Student Succeed in College

December 1, 2021May 27, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

Has your student studied music, dance, art, or some other art form throughout their school career? Are they considering continuing to study in college — perhaps not as a major, but just for pleasure? As they enter college, many students, and their families, are focused on academic subjects, choosing a major, and aiming for a career. It is a good thing to be focused, but your student should also keep in mind that college is a time of exploration and expanding horizons. While it is important that your student have goals and keep their eye on those goals, it is also important to balance life with the things that your student enjoys.

The importance of studying the arts, however, goes well beyond the simple enjoyment and fulfillment that your student may gain. There are some very specific benefits that your student will gain from studying the arts. If they have already spent years studying some form of the arts, your student has already gained some of these benefits. Encourage them to continue, if they are interested, and the benefits can only be greater.

Seven Conversations to Have With Your College Sophomore — Part 2

May 20, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

This is the second of two posts about working with your sophomore student. Be sure to see our previous post with the first three conversations with your college sophomore.

As parents, we worry about our high school senior’s transition to college. We know that there is work to be done during the summer before that freshman year. We’ve suggested some important conversations — and then even more conversations — for you to have with your student during that summer before college.

As your student moves past the first, transitional year, it may be important to talk with him about what to expect during that potential sophomore slump. Knowing that the second year of college may be significantly different and preparing for some changes will arm your student and possibly prevent some difficult times. This is a good time to have some specific conversations with your student now that he has some perspective on college life and studies. We’d like to suggest seven possible topics. Of course, not all topics are appropriate for everyone. Our last post considered three topics you and your student might discuss. Here are four more.

Read more

Seven Conversations to Have With Your College Sophomore – Part 1

March 18, 2017May 14, 2013 by Vicki Nelson

As parents, we worry about our high school senior’s transition to college. We know that this is a big step and we hope that our student is prepared. We know that there is work to be done during the summer before that freshman year. We’ve written earlier posts about some important conversations — and then even more conversations — for you to have with your student during that summer before college.

But even after your student has made those important first transitions to college, there are more changes ahead. Each year of college brings its own phase of development, and the phenomenon of the ”sophomore slump” is very real for many students. Parents may be less comfortable with knowing what conversations they should be having with their student who may be moving on to the second year of college, but the work isn’t done.