College is NOT high school. There, I said it. This is one very important nugget of wisdom for parents and students to understand as they prepare for life after high school. You see, in college roles change. Responsibilities change. And expectations change. For both students AND parents. Parenting a college student is different than parenting a high school student. It
The inside scoop: RA’s advice on how to ace student life
While they might not scale tall buildings or catch villains, there are super heroes walking among us. These heroes use their superpowers to support and guide students, parents and families to successfully navigate the college years. This #HigherEdHero brings a unique perspective as he is a seasoned RA (Resident Advisor) and also currently a college senior. He knows what he’s talking about!
How to be a Great First-Year Roommate
Whether your student has shared a room with siblings or had their own space for their entire lives, living with a fellow student (or students) can be a huge adjustment. This week on our social media pages, we’re looking at what makes a great roommate, how to handle conflicts as they arise, and we’ll celebrate roomie wins. We’ve got a special guest
Move-In Day Madness!
What’s the strangest thing you’ll see on college move-in day? You won’t believe what we saw! Here’s a short excerpt from Chapter 7 of Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage that talks about move-in day and the most unexpected thing we saw when we moved Brooke into her first dorm: There’s an emotional spectrum on
Boxes, totes and biceps, oh my!
If you’ve noticed my bulging biceps of of 2021, it is not because I’ve been lifting weights at the gym. It is because I’m getting pretty good at lifting boxes. Lots of boxes. In the past year, we moved both Marty’s mom and our daughter Brooke to new homes. And next week, we move our daughter Karen. If you’ve moved
5 things parents can do to ace college move-in day!
1 Be smart about packing. Look at your child’s housing packet to learn about the university’s fire codes. They may prohibit hot pots, coffee makers* with exposed heating elements, and toasters. Some may also restrict string lights and extension cords. Why bring stuff that is prohibited only to have to haul it home? *Many DO allow Keurig-type coffee makers, which do
Emotional about launching your college student? You are not alone!
When did it happen? When did our kids grow up? I went from college and my first “real” job to marriage and then babies, who grew from toddlers to teens in a nanosecond. A household where diapers, lullabies, and training wheels turned into thongs, indie rock, and driver’s ed. Who knew I’d long for the days of chicken nuggets with
Cha-Ching! Discussing Money With Your College Student
Parents, if you’re like me, you realize that many things about college have changed since your coed days. College is big business. It’s not like the old days. Back then, if you had a pulse and a checkbook, you were accepted. Today, college is much more competitive. And expensive. That’s true for tuition and room and board, but it’s also
Great Grad Gifts 3.0
Got a grad? Trying to find a gift they will use AND appreciate? Here are great gift ideas for the high school or college graduate. Ink + Volt Planner Your student (or recent college grad) will stay organized, goal-oriented and super-productive with this planner from Ink + Volt. These high quality, well-appointed planners contain calendars, weekly time-blocking pages, journaling prompts
Sexual Assault: When Sex Is Not a Choice
Because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, here’s an excerpt from Out to Sea: A Parent’s Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage on how to help a student who has encountered a sexual assault. Sexual Assault: When Sex Is Not a Choice Not all sex on campus is consensual sex. Sexual assault is the broad term to describe a wide