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7 Tips To Make a College Decision as a Family
Tweet Share on Facebook March 13, 2012 Comment (5)The prospect of choosing a college is exciting, but the closer it gets to decision time, the more anxiety it can cause. Use these tips for a stress-free decision.
JULIE:
Visiting colleges with Lindsey was fun because it was all about possibilities. Even applying to colleges included a certain amount of excitement. But decision time was more anxiety-provoking. It was time to make a final call.
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6 Ways College Students Can Find Summer Jobs
Tweet Share on Facebook March 6, 2012 Comment (5)Finding a job in this economy is difficult for anyone, but some evidence suggests teens are among the hardest hit. If a summer job for yourself or your college student is on your to-do list, consider these ideas to help make it happen.
JULIE:
Wherever mothers gather, there is talk of their kids. In the early days it's feeding schedules, ear infections, and preschools that are discussed. Soon enough, talk turns to soccer teams, sleepaway camp, and homework. And as a mom of both a teen and a young adult, I find my friends now talking about summer jobs for their college students. There's a lot of anxiety about their availability.
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6 Ways to Spend Spring Break Wisely
Tweet Share on Facebook February 28, 2012 Comment (1)This month, some college students will be jetting off to sandy beaches or ski slopes for spring break. In case you're not one of those people, here are some other ways to spend your vacation. These options might be more productive, and they may even make the transition back to school a little easier.
[See why fewer students are taking trips over break.]
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How and Why to Get an On-Campus Job
Tweet Share on Facebook February 21, 2012 Comment (2)Many students want or need to work during college, but not all jobs are created equal. Working on campus is something every student should give serious consideration.
JULIE:
Recently, I attended a Parent Association Advisory Board meeting at the University of Kansas, and the conversation turned to students working during college. The college administrators present reminded me of the special advantages of working on campus. Here are a few:
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College Events Can Benefit Students, Parents
Tweet Share on Facebook February 14, 2012 Comment (1)The college experience offers not only academic and social opportunities, but a variety of other unique experiences as well.
JULIE:
Most parents expect their college student to work hard in the classroom, and they generally acknowledge that a certain amount of socializing will be part of their experience as well. But there are many other opportunities that, while not unique to campus life, are certainly more readily available there—things like films, lectures, and concerts.
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6 Ways Families Can Stay in Touch Through College
Tweet Share on Facebook February 7, 2012 Comment (1)Parents and college students often have different ideas about how to stay in touch. Knowing the issues and managing expectations can help smooth the path.
Here are some tips our family has found to be useful for communicating:
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5 Tips to Organize Your College Search
Tweet Share on Facebook January 31, 2012 Comment (2)There are no shortage of places to gather information about colleges. But what do you do with the information once you have it?
Here are some tips for organizing your college search:
JULIE:
Lindsey officially began her college search in her freshman year of high school. That's because her high school computer technology teacher had students research and explore colleges online and then put the information they gathered into a spreadsheet.
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What Does a College Budget Look Like?
Tweet Share on Facebook January 24, 2012 Comment (3)What does an actual college budget look like—and how can you be smart with yours? Here's a peek into one family's costs.
JULIE:
Lindsey is halfway through her sophomore year at the University of Kansas, so money spent during her freshman year has long been in the books. As parents, we spent exactly $17,435 on her first year expenses. Here's the breakdown:
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3 Reasons to Consider Public, In-State Colleges
Tweet Share on Facebook January 17, 2012 CommentPublic or private? In state or out? Theses are just some of the decisions a college-bound student will have to make.
JULIE:
Lindsey was an attractive college applicant. She had top grades, excellent test scores, and a number of service and leadership experiences on her résumé. For many of her peers, those things translated into attendance at private, out-of-state schools.
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5 Considerations for Renewing College Scholarships
Tweet Share on Facebook January 10, 2012 Comment (1)There's more to scholarships than simply winning them; you need to concern yourself with keeping them, too.
JULIE:
When your child receives a scholarship, you celebrate and then breathe a big sigh of relief. At least that's the way we reacted at our house. After all, scholarships can go a long way in offsetting the cost of an education.
