College Textbooks: Tools of the Trade

March 15, 2017April 14, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

This is the first of three posts about one of a student’s most valuable tools – her textbooks. In this post, we’ll consider some essential facts and tips about the importance of textbooks. In our next posts, we’ll consider some alternative ways to purchase books and some thoughts about reselling them later.

Aside from tuition, one of the major expenses your college student will encounter during the college years will be the cost of textbooks. Students often head off to college knowing that they will need to buy their books and supplies, but having no idea how much to expect to pay. As college parents, there are some important points about textbooks which you can help your student anticipate and understand.

The Course Syllabus: Roadmap to Success

August 16, 2019April 7, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

This is one of those articles designed to help you, as a college parent, understand your child’s world in college. It may be helpful as you have conversations with your college student throughout the semester.

Almost every college course will begin with a syllabus. It is generally handed out to students on the first day of class. Some instructors may post their syllabi on line. The syllabus is the roadmap of the course. It lets the student know, at the very beginning of the course, what the expectations are, how to contact the instructor, what assignments will be due, and often a class by class or week by week plan of what will be happening.

Here are ten important pieces of information that may be gleaned from the syllabus.