Helping Your New College Student Consider Computer Needs

Most college students head off to college these days with a computer.  Although a personal computer may not be absolutely necessary since most colleges have computer labs for student use, it is definitely a convenience to have your own computer.

There used to be arguments in favor of laptops and desktop computers, but we’re past that now. Laptops are the way to go for almost all students, and some even use just a tablet.  Your student should think carefully about how they plan to use the computer.  They should talk to other students who are planning to attend the school, as well as to students currently attending.  The college may also have an official recommendation from its technology center.

Check with the college about specific requirements and/or recommendations for computer specifications.  They know what has worked best in the past, and what they are able to support.   Consider their suggestions carefully. Some colleges may have a plan that provides a discount on computers purchased through them. Your student should also investigate whether the college supports both Mac and Windows operating systems before they make a final choice.

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Four Essentials Your Student MUST Take to College

If your student is heading off to college for the first time, both you and your student are probably focused on what they need to take with them.  Everyone is giving suggestions.  Your student will see lists from the college, lists from friends, lists from major retailers (of all of their products that are absolutely necessary), lists in books and lists on-line.  You’ll overspend.  Your student will overpack.

We’re not suggesting that some of the things on those lists aren’t important. Look at all of the suggestions carefully and help your student think about lifestyle, needs and priorities.  But amid all of the extra long sheets, the laundry bag or basket, the microwave, fridge, and matching comforters, there are four essentials that every college student really needs to be successful.  Make sure your student heads to college with these four things and they’ll be equipped for a good start to her college career.

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Twelve Places on Campus Your First Year College Student Should Locate Early

One of the truths of college parenting for many of us is that we worry about our college students.  We may worry a lot, or we may worry only a little.  We worry about our students’ health and safety, their ability to make friends, to make wise decisions and choices, to learn and get decent grades, to find their way around, to have fun and to be fulfilled.  Our concern is often the reason that we hover.

One of the things that often feels overwhelming to new college students is finding their way around a new campus.  Obviously, this is even more challenging at a large university than a small college, but even a relatively small campus can feel overwhelming and strange at first.  Remind your new college student to get a good campus map- and to spend some time looking at it.  They can probably find one on line and print it out.  This will help them to feel oriented even before they arrive on campus.

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Why Has My First-Year College Student Been Assigned Summer Reading?

Your soon-to-be college student may have received her first homework assignment well before she showed up on campus.  For many incoming freshman, their first assignment is a bit of summer reading. Your student may be asked to read an assigned book prior to Orientation, or she may be given the assignment at a Summer Orientation and asked to read the book before school begins in September.  At some schools students are given a copy of the book, while at other schools students are asked to purchase their own copy.

If your student was not expecting a summer assignment, he may be surprised — and even annoyed at having to do work over the summer.  As a parent, you may also be wondering why your student needs to get this ”head start” before the first semester even begins.  Colleges have many different reasons for assigning summer reading and different approaches for dealing with the book once the students arrive on campus.

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How the Americans with Disabilities Act Might Affect Your College Student

Colleges and college parents have at least one thing in common — they want college students to succeed.  For some students, that success may depend on accommodations to help them accomplish their goals. If you think that your college student may need some alterations to his living or learning environment to be successful, then it is important that you understand the framework in which colleges operate concerning accommodations.  You may feel that you are already familiar with regulations if you have dealt with accommodations throughout your child’s academic career, but it is possible that there are variations on the college level.

Some students, and their parents, are familiar with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which may have governed how their elementary or high school handled their needs.  However, this act does not apply beyond secondary education.  At the college level, two laws affect legal rights and requirements.  The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 applies to every public and private institution except those affiliated with religious organizations.  The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 applies to any entity that accepts federal financial assistance for any program or service.  Both laws were enacted to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

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Should My College Student Consider a ”Learning Community”?

Does your student have the opportunity to sign up for a Learning Community at college?  Perhaps you’re confused.  Isn’t college just one big learning community?  The answer is yes — and no.  Of course, in one sense when you go to college you join one big learning community.  College is about learning, after all.  But a ”Learning Community” as your student’s college is using the term, is more specialized.

What is a Learning Community?

Not all colleges or universities have Learning Communities.  And Learning Communities may look very different at different institutions.  Essentially, a Learning Community often refers to a situation in which the same students are registered for two or more courses that are, in some way, linked.  This linkage may be very loose, with little or no coordination between instructors, or it may be quite extended, with instructors teaching parallel units or even occasionally changing or swapping classes.  Sometimes, linked courses may deliberately be scheduled back-to-back to facilitate extended assignments.

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Your Role as a College Parent: Information to Get You Started

If the college acceptance letters have just begun to come in, congratulations!  You are now officially a college parent.  You are excited for your student, and possibly a bit overwhelmed for yourself.  You’re not sure what you should be thinking about, or doing, or how to help your student prepare for the next phase.

Here at College Parent Central we believe that the more information you have, the better you will be able to support your college student as he navigates his new experiences.  But the problem with lots of information is that it can feel overwhelming.  Here are a few posts that we think might be a good starting point.  You’ll want to read more specific information later, but if you’re a new college parent, these posts should help you think about your new role and help you get started on your journey.   Congratulations!

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9 Ways to Help Your College Student Get a Fresh Start for Second Semester

Your student’s return to college for a second semester is a very different from heading off to college last fall.  Students heading back to school for their second semester bring their wisdom and their mistakes, their college knowledge and their new life experiences with them.  For some students, the anticipation and worry may not be as high as first semester.  For other students, who may not have had the best first semester, their concerns are significant and real.  But all students should recognize that the start of the second semester of college is another new beginning.  Parents can help their college students prepare for their second semester by helping them think about it and plan a few goals before they return to school.  Share some of these ideas with your student and ask what might help.

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New Year’s Resolutions for High School Parents and Their College Bound Students

New Year’s is often a time of new beginnings.  For parents of high school students who may be headed off to college in the fall, this year will bring significant changes.  You may, or may not, be prepared for those changes, but you know that they are still several months away.  We’d like to offer some New Year’s resolutions to help you, and your college bound high school student, begin to prepare now.  We hope that you find them helpful — and that you pass some of these on to your student.

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What to Expect from Your College Student’s First Semester Grades

Many college parents wait expectantly, hopefully, and sometimes fearfully for those first semester college grades as a measure of how their student is doing in college.  Although many students may have a better inkling of what to expect when the grades arrive, they, too, wait anxiously to hear the final verdict.  For many students, and their parents, those first semester grades may not be what they expected.

It is important that both college parents and their college students keep first semester grades in perspective.  For many students, these grades may be all that they hoped for.  However, if your student’s grades are lower than anticipated, there are several factors to consider.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that you student is incapable of college work, or that they have been slacking off all semester.  Grades are important, but the first semester of college involves both tremendous transition and, for some students, a ”reality check” about college in general.

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