High School and College Tips of the Month

July 2010: Students: How important is a good vocabulary?
Research shows that a good vocabulary:
- Contributes to greater success in school, and greater success in one's career, whatever the career (important for college entrance tests, too!)
- Improves a student's speed and accuracy of comprehension, so reading becomes easier(especially as students tackle college level reading)
- Motivates students to read more, which continues to increase their vocabulary
- Enables a student to communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals
- Improves academic and social competence and confidence

June 2010: How Can I Motivate My Child?
When parents ask how they can motivate their child, the question is usually related to school or work. Think for a moment about the activities that you DON"T have to motivate your child to do. Sports? Music? Video games? Shopping? When students find something that engages them, captures their interest, and allows them to feel competent, they become motivated. Like adults, students are motivated when they see a connection between what they are learning and what they will use. When parents help students explore careers that are aligned with their natural talents (aptitudes), interests and values, they are helping their children discover realistic academic and career goals that are compelling. Motivation is most powerful when it comes from within. More information on the power of internal motivation may be found in the recent bestselling book Drive by Daniel Pink.

May 2010: Why Critical Thinking is "Critical" for Students
On the job, employers expect young adults to analyze situations, weigh pros and cons, and make decisions about their work. Young adults need to recognize false, poorly reasoned, or improbable information. Critical thinking helps avoid or manage potential conflict, and improves productivity. A logic and reasoning class, typically offered as a General Education course, can strengthen a student's proficiency. Or gain the skills through independent learning: San Jose State University offers a free online tutorial called Mission:Critical. Try it!

April 2010: How Will College Be Different From High School?
Too often, bright, capable high school graduates head to college only to get blindsided by the different demands of a college environment. They start off the semester well, but are quickly overwhelmed by reading assignments and lack of planning skills. If they're lucky, they catch themselves and reach out for help from academic support services on campus. If they don't, their grades and confidence crash. Here is an article that families can use as a discussion tool with their college-bound children: How Will College Be Different From High School?

March 2010: Graduate in 4 Years? Here's How to Do It
Funding four years of college per child is challenging enough for a family, and yet national
statistics report that 1/3 of students take up to 6 years to get that Bachelor's degree - another
1/3 take longer or never graduate at all! Here are practical ways to minimize the time needed
to earn that degree:

• Begin with the end in mind. Choose your major early, based on your career goal - that
  is, the job you will do after graduation.

• Make sure every class counts toward your general education, academic major and
  minor requirements. Work closely with your faculty advisor to make sure you stay on
  track, carrying at least 15-16 credits every semester. Take courses during high school
  or summers to make faster progress.

• Investigate 4-year guarantee programs where freshmen commit to a major, and the
  college guarantees graduation in four years or the remaining tuition is free. Western
  Illinois and Eastern Illinois Universities are examples of schools with this program
  offering.

February 2010: Living on Their Own: Reality Check Website for Students
The Reality Check website developed by Texas Workforce Solutions is a fast and fun way to introduce students to the realities of living on their own and paying for their expenses, and underscores how important education beyond high school is. Online, students make a
series of choices about housing, healthcare, transportation, food, entertainment, personal
upkeep and miscellaneous expenses. There is also a way to compare expenses with the
salaries of possible careers to see if they will make enough to cover their expenses. A terrific
tool to prompt discussion.

January 2010: An Additional Benefit for Teens with Part-Time or Summer Jobs
“Teen and young adult employment is very past dependent,” according to Joe McLaughlin, senior research associate for the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston. “The more you work today, the more you will work in the future. The intensity of your work ethic influences the intensity of your work ethic in the future.” (From article “Teen employment tumbles to state low” by Julie Wernau, Chicago Tribune, January 26, 2010.)

So – work experiences for teens strengthen their work ethic and increases their employability in the future!

December 2009: The College Grad Job Market
“Companies with fewer than 500 employees remain the backbone of the college labor market,” according to Phil Gardner, the director of Michigan State University’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute. Companies are hiring college graduates in e-commerce, looking to capture more business from the Internet. Gardner adds, “Other hot sectors that should see hiring increases include agriculture production and food processing, environmental sciences, information systems, manufacturing, nonprofits, statistics, nursing, social work, multimedia and Web design.” Decreases in 2010 are expected in accounting, banking, engineering, transportation, utilities, real estate and computer science and computer programming. However, students should remember that these are short term decreases due to the economy, and not reason enough to abandon a career path that may prove to be very rewarding.

November 2009: Tough Savings Decisions: Retirement vs. College?
Most financial experts encourage parents to make retirement savings a higher priority than using that money to pay for their children’s college expenses. A recent article in U.S. News and World Report, quotes Lynn Mayabb, a senior managing adviser for BKD Wealth Advisors in Kansas City, MO. “There are other ways to pay for college; there are no loans for retirement." Retirement account balances and the value of the family's primary residence or a family-owned small business are not counted toward the expected family contribution the government expects your family to be able to use to pay for college.

October 2009: Plan Out a Semester Using Visual Techniques
Many students (and adults!) find long range planning difficult. At the beginning of the semester, they tend to think they have plenty of time to get everything done.

It may be helpful for them to create a visual picture of the entire semester on a white board, mounted on a wall in the student's study area. Draw a grid, with a horizontal row for each subject, extra-curricular activity and job. Use vertical lines to mark each week. Label the dates across the top. Finally, fill in not only dates when tests are scheduled and papers or projects due, but also tag the dates when different steps of the assignments need to occur, or mini-deadlines. Students can color code their subjects if they find it helpful. When finished, the student has a large picture of what the semester looks like "at-a-glance". It's easy to identify crunch times and then strategize ways to prepare. This helps a student learn how to plan, troubleshoot, and avoid unnecessary all-nighters.

September 2009: Important College Application Deadlines
It's best to apply to colleges you are interested in by November 1, so have your application in your admission counselor's office at least two weeks before this date to allow time for processing. Some schools set their priority application deadline between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1. Scholarship or talent grant money often has an early deadline, too, between Dec. 1 and Feb. 1. Each college handles these dates in their own way, so it is important for seniors and their parents to check their colleges for the specific deadlines.

August 2009: Faster, Friendlier FAFSA Coming in 2010
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has announced the U.S. Department of Education is taking steps to make the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) shorter, simpler, and more student friendly. The changes - some of which are already in place while others will be phased in over the next few months - are designed to increase postsecondary enrollment, particularly among low- and middle-income students. Students and counselors can track the rollout of the new form at the FAFSA website. (From the American Counseling Association's ACAenews, July 2009)

July 2009: New College Grad - and Still Unemployed? Part 2
It's easy to feel isolated and discouraged if you are trying to conduct a job search by yourself and at home. A much more productive method is to connect with people. Designate daytime for making phone calls, meeting with contacts, and participation in a few job search groups. Confine your online job search activities to evenings or on weekends. And don't forget to fully utilize the resources available at the local branch of the state employment office (called workNet Centers in Illinois) and the career center at your alma mater.

June 2009: New College Grad - and Still Unemployed? Part 1
Many communities are home to job search groups and community career centers where speakers educate job seekers of all ages on best practices for researching companies, writing resumes, and practicing interviewing. These settings can also make networking easier for those who are just learning the skills. Job search groups are fantastic resources, but know that age-wise, new college grads will be in the minority. Most members will be closer to their parents' ages. However, by learning from these mid-career professionals, young adults will quickly become street-smart about how to market themselves to employers.

April 2009: What Kind of Work Experience Do Employers Want?
More than 75% of employers said they prefer to hire candidates who already have relevant work experience, according to Job Outlook 2009, a study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. High school students who identify a career goal and related major as early as junior or senior year can then seek out career-related work experiences during the rest of high school and throughout college. Part-time and summer jobs, internships and cooperative education assignments in their career field provide a significant competitive advantage among new college graduates vying for jobs.

March 2009: When the Financial Aid Package Falls Short
If your student's financial aid package offer is less than you'd like, appeal immediately. The later you wait, the less funds the college will have.

• If your family's financial situation has changed since applying or requires special consideration, contact the college. This includes loss of a job, divorce or separation, and disability or death of a family member.
  

• Appeal in person…and be personable.
  

• Let College A know that College B is offering more aid…but you prefer College A. See what they might be able to add to their offer.
  

• Follow up in the fall. When students who are offered aid in the spring decide not to attend the college, their grant money becomes available.

February 2009: What contributes to college success?
Those students who coped with their career-related choices at the end of their senior years [of high school] had easier academic adjustments in higher education and greater commitment to their chosen fields of study, according to the researchers, V. Germeijs and K. Verschueren. This finding is contrary to the beliefs of some that career decision making and planning should be given a more serendipitous or happenstance approach. - Career Development Quarterly, December 2008

Basically, the research supports Career Vision's perspective - if students go to college with a sense of direction and have the essential Career Literacy skills, they greatly improve their odds of a successful transition.

January 2009: Is Transferring Part of Your College Plan?
Does your student plan to start their academic career at the local community college, and then transfer to a four-year school? Proceed with caution! Credits for coursework are not always accepted when transferring from one college or university to another. Here are two resources to ensure course credits transfer successfully:

• If they know the school they will be transferring to:
  Use the online resource u.Select Illinois and the Transfer section of the college's website to find the course requirements for the academic major as well as general education classes. Work with academic advisors at both colleges to confirm that the courses your student takes at the community college level will transfer smoothly to the new school.

• If they do not know the school they will be transferring to:
  The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide transfer agreement among more than 100 participating college or universities in Illinois. Visit the IAI website to find information related to General Education Core Curriculum as well as Baccalaureate Majors' Recommendations.
  

December 2008: Almost Time for Financial Aid Forms
Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, forms have a June 30 deadline – but states and colleges have their own deadlines, as early as February. Submit as soon as possible after Jan 1. For more information, see www.fafsa.ed.gov.

November 2008: When Students Come Home for the Holidays
The holiday season can be stressful, especially for parents and college students returning home. Young adults who have been living on their own for several months may chafe at having to be accountable once again to parents. Some actions that will help make it an enjoyable visit for all:

• Share your expectations for the visit ahead of time with your student.

• Your student will want to spend lots of time with friends. Agree upon some times they can reserve to be with just family.

• Make some time for one-on-one conversation, away from the crowd.

• Maintaining a sense of humor can keep things in the right balance.

October 2008: Practice Effective Study Skills Before College
For optimum academic performance, college professors recommend two hours of studying
for every hour spent in class. Though students say they find that standard excessive, the time
that college students need to devote to studying is more than in high school, sometimes dramatically so.

In high school, much of the homework is assigned by the teacher in small amounts, such as prep for a weekly quiz. Students are not required to do much independent planning, and certainly not for an entire semester. In college, students need to be able to plan on their own. They need to make sure hundreds of pages are read as suggested by the schedule on the course syllabus, well in advance of a mid-term or final exam. Parents who help their high school child practice the skills needed to plan and manage their studying will see it pay off when their son or daughter begins their college classes.

September 2008: More $$$ for Illinois College Students
Eight Illinois credit unions announced recently that they have partnered with two state agencies to provide $100 million in new financial aid. The program is designed to address the funding gaps caused by lenders withdrawing from the student loan market due to the current credit crisis. The funds will be awarded through the Stafford loan program, offering a 6.8% interest rate. Final approval is expected September 19 at the Board Meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

August 2008: Fall application frenzy starts September 1
This month, seniors can begin working on college essays and some application forms. When they return to school, students can plan to run their essays past their high school counselor, but they should make this request as early as possible to respect the counselor's hectic schedule this time of year. Build in plenty of time to allow for unexpected delays or doing some revisions

July 2008: Make Writing Well a Top Priority
Students today communicate at lightning speed through text messages. But all those abbreviations used in texting do not prepare them to write a coherent research paper or essay. Strong writing skills are also demanded for the writing section on the SAT test and college application essays, assessing a student's ability to handle college-level work. During high school, English teachers or private tutors can bolster a high school student's ability to write well. On a college campus, head immediately to the writing center to see all they offer - before you need the help. Trained staff, top English majors, and peer tutors offer free coaching with all stages of the writing process, from formulating a topic to preparing the final copy. Tap these resources early and you'll see the payoff in academic success!

June 2008: Volunteering: You'll get more than you give
If your summer job isn't giving you enough hours, consider a volunteer position a few hours a week to introduce you to career options. Colleges and prospective employers look for leadership and volunteer experience in the backgrounds of applicants. Grab a friend and seek out a volunteer opportunity that you both find interesting. Identify organizations to approach or find some ideas at www.chicagovolunteer.net or www.npo.net/volunt.htm. For those who live outside the Chicago area, search on www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do.

May 2008: Save Gas, Earn Credit
This summer, consider getting a head start on your college coursework by taking an online course. Though there are designated start and end dates, coursework can be completed at any time of the day – or night! This makes it easy to fit around a work schedule. Students submit assignments, receive feedback, participate in discussions with other students and complete testing – all online. These courses are just as challenging as classroom-based courses. If you are self-motivated, and can set up and stick to a study plan, you are a great candidate for this method of learning!

April 2008: College 101 Finale
Spring reminds us that there can always be new beginnings. At college, it is never too late to begin following these success tips:

• Set priorities, don't skip classes, procrastinate, or let your study habits slip.
  

• Feeling homesick or overwhelmed at times is completely normal. Call family or friends, send an e-mail, journal, or reach out to your support network on campus.
  

• Don't overspend or get caught in the credit card trap of debt!
  

• Decide now that a bad class or professor will not change your academic or career goals. Keep your eye on your goals and persist!
  
  

March 2008: More College Success 101
Making a successful transition to university life and enjoying your experience in college includes practicing some these "basics":

• Understand course requirements and assignment due dates, and clarify instructor expectations early in the term.
  

• Set realistic academic goals and grades for yourself and strive to attain them.
  

• Get involved in fun campus activities and (if living on campus) resist leaving on the weekends.
  

• Exercise and eat right to maintain your physical and mental health. A healthy student is a student who learns better and faster.
  

February 2008: College Success 101
Unfortunately, 50% of students entering college never earn a degree. Stack the odds of succeeding in college in your favor by following these tips:

• Determine your best career paths and supporting college major(s) as soon as possible to avoid changing majors or spending extra semesters in school.
  

• Get to know and build a support network of peers and mentors on campus (students, classmates, academic advisors, professors, tutors, counselors).
  

• Get and stay organized!
  

• Understand course requirements and assignment due dates.
  

January 2008: Networking
Social networking sites, like Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn have now become the latest trend in employment. Students are finding internships, summer jobs, and full-time employment through these sites. Individuals are able to use their network of influential contacts to introduce them to potential employers, increasing their odds of being considered for a position. Thousands of recruiters and employers (including all Fortune 500 companies) peruse these sites for talent. Be professional in your profile content and communication, and also be aware that an increase in connections can lead to an increase in spam, raising the possibility of identity theft.

For comprehensive information on protecting your privacy, go to: privacyrights.org and www.scambusters.org

December 2007: Parents of High School Seniors
Check with your student's guidance counselor to determine if there are any remaining scholarships or grants for which your student might apply. Note: Seniors who have determined their college major may be eligible for additional scholarships through the college they plan to attend, associations, foundations, or businesses. January is the month to file your FAFSA forms.

For additional scholarship and financial aid information, check out these websites:
BankRate.com
The College Board
Federal Student Aid
Peterson's
Princeton Review

Direction. Decisions. Satisfaction.