10 Ways to Honor Seniors and Promote College Culture on National Decision Day

National Decision Day, observed annually in the USA and many other places around the world on May 1st, is a time to honor high school seniors for their college acceptances and encourage a positive college-going culture among all students. To make this day memorable, a school-wide celebration can be organized with various engaging activities. Here are 10 ideas for high school college counselors to consider when planning National Decision Day festivities:

1. College T-shirt Day. Invite students and staff to wear their favorite college or university T-shirts to show support for the seniors and promote college pride. Often schools ask the adults to represent their own universities. Some even host faculty college fairs where the faculty man tables to discuss their own college experiences with students. These simple yet effective activities can create a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.

2. College Signing Ceremony. Organize a college signing ceremony where seniors can publicly announce their college decision and sign a banner or poster representing their chosen school. This can serve as an inspiration to underclassmen and create a sense of accomplishment among seniors.

3. College Trivia Contest. Host a college trivia contest where students, especially those of younger grades, can answer questions related to various colleges and universities. This fun and interactive game can educate students about different institutions and increase their interest in higher education.

4. College Wall of Fame. Create a "College Wall of Fame" in a prominent location at school, where seniors can post their acceptance letters or a photo of themselves holding their college's banner. This visual display can motivate younger students to pursue their academic goals and help build a college-going culture.

5. College Decision Day Assembly. Hold an assembly in which seniors, teachers, and alumni share their college experiences and offer valuable advice to younger students. This event can foster a sense of community and provide valuable insights into the college application process.

6. College Fair. Invite representatives from local colleges and universities to participate in a college fair, where students, especially those in grades 9-11, can gather information about various institutions, ask questions, and explore their options for higher education.

7. Mentorship Program. Establish a mentorship program that pairs seniors with underclassmen who share similar college aspirations. This initiative can help create a supportive environment and provide guidance for younger students navigating the college application process.

8. College Decision Day Party. Throw a festive celebration for seniors to commemorate their achievements and college decisions. This can include music, food, games, and decorations representing the various colleges and universities to which students have been accepted. Some schools order cupcakes and ask the seniors to come in to share their decisions while enjoying a treat.

9. Scholarship Announcements. Acknowledge and celebrate students who have earned scholarships by announcing their achievements during the National Decision Day events. This can inspire younger students to pursue their own scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

10. Social Media Campaign. Encourage students to share their college decisions on social media using a dedicated school hashtag. This online campaign can generate excitement about National Decision Day and showcase your school's college-going culture to the wider community.

National Decision Day is an opportunity to celebrate seniors for their accomplishments and foster a college-going culture among all students. By implementing these ideas, high school college counselors can create an engaging and memorable experience for students, while promoting the importance of higher education. While planning and executing a school-wide celebration for National Decision Day can be a rewarding experience, it is essential to be mindful of potential pitfalls. Here are some things to avoid and cautionary tales to guide high school college counselors in organizing a successful event:

1. Avoid Exclusivity and Acknowledge Varied Situations. Ensure that your National Decision Day activities are inclusive and recognize students pursuing different paths, such as trade schools, community colleges, or military service. Additionally, be mindful of students who may not have made a college decision yet due to later application deadlines, gap years, or unsuccessful application processes. Focusing solely on four-year colleges and universities or only celebrating those with confirmed decisions may inadvertently alienate some students and make them feel unwelcome.

2. Be Sensitive to Students' Circumstances. Some students may face financial constraints, family responsibilities, or other factors that prevent them from attending their dream college. Be sensitive to their situations and avoid putting undue pressure on students to conform to a specific college-going narrative.

3. Don't Overemphasize College Rankings. While it can be tempting to focus on prestigious institutions, it's essential to emphasize the importance of finding the right fit for each student rather than merely chasing rankings. Encourage students to explore a variety of colleges and universities that align with their interests and needs.

4. Cautionary Tale: Overshadowing Academics. One high school faced backlash for organizing an elaborate National Decision Day celebration that overshadowed the school's academic achievements. Ensure that your event balances excitement with a focus on academics and the importance of learning.

5. Cautionary Tale: Inadequate Planning. Another school struggled to execute their National Decision Day event due to insufficient planning and coordination with staff and students. To avoid this scenario, start planning early, delegate responsibilities, and communicate effectively with all parties involved.

6. Don't Forget Privacy Concerns. While celebrating seniors' college acceptances, be mindful of students' privacy. Some may not want their college choice or acceptance status publicized. Obtain consent before sharing any student's information or college decision.

7. Avoid Reinforcing Stereotypes. When planning activities or sharing stories about college experiences, be cautious not to perpetuate stereotypes about specific colleges, majors, or career paths. Encourage open-mindedness and provide diverse perspectives to help students make informed decisions.

8. Cautionary Tale: Excessive Spending. One notable school faced criticism for spending an exorbitant amount on their National Decision Day celebration, which many saw as a misuse of funds. Plan a budget and allocate resources wisely to ensure your event is both meaningful and financially responsible.

9. Don't Ignore Mental Health. The college application process can be highly stressful for students. Be mindful of the emotional toll it may take on seniors and avoid exacerbating their anxiety with over-the-top celebrations. Provide resources and support for students who may need assistance in managing stress.

10. Cautionary Tale: Overselling College Life. Yet another school received negative feedback for promoting unrealistic expectations of college life during their National Decision Day event. Be honest and transparent about the challenges and rewards of higher education to help students prepare for their next steps.

Planning a successful National Decision Day celebration requires striking a balance between excitement and sensitivity. By avoiding these pitfalls and learning from cautionary tales, high school college counselors can create a meaningful event that honors seniors' achievements and promotes a positive college-going culture.

The Impact of Social Media on College Admissions

In our modern, connected society, social media platforms have become important ways to communicate, express ourselves, and meet new people. As the competition to get into college gets tougher, a student's digital footprint may have a big impact on their chances of getting in. As college counselors, it's our job to help students figure out how to use social media responsibly, since a bad online presence can have a lot of effects.

Admissions officers at colleges are more and more likely to look at applicants' social media accounts to learn more about them. Some schools even have staff members whose sole job is to do this. A student's social media activity can impact their application positively or negatively. For example, a positive post might show off a student's extracurricular activities, while a negative post might use bad language or show behavior that is questionable. Recent news stories about students losing scholarships or admissions offers because of offensive or controversial posts on social media show how important it is to keep a good online reputation.

If you want to help students keep a good online reputation, you could give them the following tips in bullet points:

• Regularly review and clean up social media profiles, removing or hiding any content that could be viewed negatively by admissions officers

• Manage privacy settings carefully, and share personal information only with trusted friends and family

• Create and share content that emphasizes achievements, interests, and positive experiences, showcasing unique qualities and values

• Avoid controversial or inappropriate content, such as political, religious, or offensive material, which may alienate admissions officers

• Monitor tagged content and manage friend/follower lists to maintain control over their online presence

As counselors, we play a pivotal role in guiding students through the digital age. It is important to teach them about how their social media presence could affect their chances of getting into college and about the bigger safety risks that come with sharing personal information online. Students will be able to build a positive online presence if they are shown how to manage their social media profiles well, including privacy settings and content curation. Talk about possible red flags and stress how important it is to manage your online reputation. This will help students make smart decisions about how they use social media. Students can learn important skills for success in today's connected world by getting help and resources for navigating the digital landscape.

For students to do well in college and beyond, it is important to help them find a good balance between online and offline activities. It's important for students to develop strong interpersonal skills, and counselors should remind them that face-to-face communication and building relationships are important for both personal and professional growth. Students can stand out when applying to college and learn valuable life skills by taking part in meaningful extracurricular activities and volunteering in their communities. Promoting a well-rounded student experience that extends beyond social media can help students lay a solid foundation for success in college and their future careers.

Social media has a big effect on getting into college, and keeping a good online reputation is becoming more and more important for students who want to get into competitive schools. Students need to make sure they have a good online reputation because posting inappropriate or controversial content can have long-lasting effects. College counselors play an important role in helping students navigate the digital age by giving them support and tools for managing their social media presences well. Students learn the skills they need to do well in college and beyond by getting a good mix of online and offline experiences.

Transition to College: Technology

At this stage, technology and education are inextricably linked, and this interconnectedness will only continue to grow as students move into college. That said, this post is intended to get students and parents thinking about the ways in which they will navigate those roads ahead. Our fundamental question is:

How will technology figure into your life in college?

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Be sure you know what your school recommends, requires, and provides before purchasing anything! Admitted student websites and social media groups are great places to explore answers to these questions.

• What will you bring to college for a communication device? Will you get a new cell phone or a SIM card for your current phone? Will you keep two devices?

• What will you bring with you to college for a computer? Does your college recommend a certain type or brand (e.g. Mac v. PC)?

• Does your college offer any discounts or deals for purchasing a new computer? Have you explored the IT department, the campus bookstore, and local shops?

• Alumni Advice: Check out what the IT office recommends and get what they say. If your computer breaks and you are using what they suggest, then they can definitely help you. If you’re using another brand or model, they might not be able to help!

• What software or platforms does your college recommend or require?

• Will you bring iPads/tablets, iPods or other personal music players, wearable technology (e.g. smart watch), or other technology?

• Will you bring a TV, gaming system, etc? Have you communicated with your roommates about this? And does the college make any recommendations on this front?

• Alumni Advice: Don’t bring things that will distract you and keep you in your dorm room the whole time. Some friends of mine had TVs and gaming systems and never left their rooms, which prevented them from making friends.

• Alumni Advice: Keep your stuff safe! High school is not real life. You cannot just leave your things laying around and expect them to be there when you come back.

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transition to College: Sexual Intimacy

Based on feedback from countless alums, one of the components of college life that elicits the greatest amount of attention is sexual intimacy. Of course, this is often a difficult and awkward concept to engage in discussion about between students and their parents, but it is nonetheless a healthy and normal one that deserves the time and attention.

As such, for this topic, we encourage students to consider the following prompt:

What are your parameters surrounding sexual intimacy?

Here are some additional thoughts and questions to contemplate:

• Have you examined your college’s rules surrounding sexual intimacy and consent? How about the local laws?

• Alumni Advice: Be sure to know the rules and laws! Everyone knows someone who ran into problems in college because they didn’t know them.

• Under what conditions would you consider to consent to sexual intimacy with a partner, if any?

• Alumni Advice: Stay away from drunken “hookup culture” at college. It can lead to so many problems.

• What resources are available for students who have questions about sexual intimacy or who need guidance? Where are the offices located? What are their hours?

• What difficult situations might present themselves in relation to sex and intimacy that you can plan ahead for?

• Alumni Advice: Discuss your plans surrounding sex and intimacy with your friends so that you can support and help each other, particularly surrounding safety.

• If you are unsure of the concept of sexual consent, take some time to review this video:

• Also, be sure to revisit this video, which is often used to promote discussion about consent:

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transition to College: Hopes & Fears

The process of looking ahead to college/university — for both students and parents — is a complicated ball of emotions. On one hand, it is exciting, and so many have been looking forward to it for so long. But on the other hand, it can be anxiety-provoking, leaving the familiar and moving on into the unknown. That being said, confronting our hopes and fears is an essential component of this process, and the earlier that students and parents confront and then share their thoughts, the more time there is to reconcile them. As such, this week we encourage students and parents to consider the following prompt:

What are your hopes and fears looking ahead to university?

Here are some additional prompts to flesh out your thinking:

• What do you hope for from the college experience?

  1. What do you fear the most?

  2. What sorts of experiences are you most looking forward to in the first year?

  3. What kind of relationship do you hope to have with your roommate?

  4. What would a lonely day look like for you in college? Is there anything you can do to minimize those?

  5. What kinds of classes are you most excited to take?

  6. What is the biggest thing you hope to have learned by the end of your first year?

  7. Alumni Advice: It is very normal to have some worries as you transition to college. Be sure to know in advance who you can talk to about these worries at the college. There are always people there to help.

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Academics

For most students, their preparation in high school has served them well as they move on to college. Some things will be familiar while others will be less so. Some coursework will be far more demanding that what was previously experienced, and some will be consistent with what was experienced in high school. That all being said, it is highly valuable to put time in now into thinking about how best to make the academic transition to college:

How are you ensuring that you will make the adjustment to college academics successfully?

• What is the process for registering for courses at your college? Is the process different for freshmen?

• What are the required courses or general education requirements for your college? How will you strategize getting them completed?

• What resources does your school provide for choosing courses? Is there someone you could call or email with questions?

• Do you know when you will be asked to register for courses? Be sure to look into this process in advance.

• Alumni Advice: At bigger schools, there is often a rush to register, so make sure you know what your top choices are and what 2 or 3 back-ups will be in case you don’t get in. Be prepared for this, especially during your freshman year!

• Have you thought about what courses you will take? Can you find a curriculum guide? If so, take some time to look through and make note of which courses you would like to take.

• Are there freshman-only courses available? Often colleges will offer seminars or writing-intensive courses that are only available for freshmen to aid in the transition to college.

• Alumni Advice: Take the freshman-only courses! They give you great foundations in getting to know expectations at your school, and you get to meet even more classmates.

• At the beginning of the semester, is there an add/drop period or a “shopping” period while students figure out which courses are ideal for them?

• Alumni Advice: If you don’t get the courses that you really want, be sure to attend the courses anyway during add/drop on top of the other courses in which you are enrolled and try to speak with the professor. Often, but not always, they have some power to get you into the course!

• Have you thought about where you will study? Some students try not to work in their rooms while others try to do all of their work there. If not in your room, do you know the other spaces available? Libraries? Student centers? Study rooms?

• What resources are available to you to assist with your academic performance? Often colleges will have writing centers, math support, other academic help desks, as well as study skill support centers. Some schools offer peer tutoring resources as well.

• Will you have an academic advisor? What is his or her role? And when will you be assigned?

• What will you do if you experience academic difficulties? What supports are available?

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Friends & Roommates

The transition to college is at least in part challenging due to the social adjustments that must be made. For most students, their entire social and support networks must be reestablished and reformed in the new environment of college. For some students, these networks have been formed over the course of 13 years! Starting over can be daunting, and so, this week, we encourage you to consider the following:

How will you focus your efforts to establish social connections?

Here are some additional questions to consider:

• When will you learn of your housing situation and roommates?

• Have you received any roommate questionnaires or surveys from your college designed to help pair you with others? Be sure to answer these questions thoroughly and thoughtfully, being honest with yourself about who you are.

• Alumni Advice: Many students will find their roommate via a Facebook group. Many of these groups are monitored by university administrators, so be mindful about what you decide to post about yourself online! (Be aware of this cautionary tale!)

• Alumni Advice: Don’t room with friends from high school. If you are close with someone else going to your college, each of you should room with someone else. It will allow you both to have more friends right away!

• What will you want to communicate with your roommates about you? (TIP: Be honest about your living habits and share who you are, not the person you wish you were or hope to become!)

• Alumni Advice: Be sure to discuss who is bringing what, especially when it comes to bigger items such as refrigerators, radios, televisions, etc.

• What clubs, activities, or other opportunities will you take advantage of early in your college career to be involved and to meet others?

• Alumni Advice: Take advantage of all of the activities and opportunities that your college provides in the early going. Some of them may be cheesy, but you have to put yourself out there to make friends.

• It is entirely common for college freshmen to experience homesickness. Have you explored the resources available if you encounter homesickness yourself?

• Alumni Advice: Remember that everyone is going through the same challenges as you in being new at college!

• Have you thought about how you will go about having conversations with your roommate(s) about boundaries and rules for the room, particularly around cleanliness, bedtimes, and having friends over?

• Do you know about campus resources to turn to if there is a roommate conflict that requires mediation? Are there TAs or RAs available in the dormitories? Residential life staff members?

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Packing

Looking ahead to the move out of the home and to a new city and country for the next three or four years can be a daunting thing to comprehend for many. The transition to a new school and community aside, what will you bring? So, this week we ask you to consider the following fundamental question:

What will you bring with you to college?

Here are some additional questions to consider:

• What luggage will you use to transport your belongings? Can you carry them all yourself? Have you considered that you might need a particular piece of luggage for shorter travel home or elsewhere throughout the school year?

• What carry on baggage will you bring with you?

• Alumni Advice: All airlines have weight restrictions as well as limits on the number of pieces you may check and carry-on. Be sure to research in advance what your airlines allow for each and to plan carefully.

• Alumni Advice: Most international flights will allow you to check two pieces of luggage per person; however, be aware that if you have connecting or domestic flights, you may have to pay for additional baggage for the domestic flights, especially if you have to switch airlines! (And make sure you have enough time between flights!)

• Beyond clothing, what things do you want to bring with you from home? Consider over-the-counter cold medicine and other self-care products that are easier to find and/or cheaper near your home.

• What will you bring with you in terms of clothing? Have you looked at the climate and average weather? What will you need to get that you don’t need here and when/where will you get it?

• Alumni Advice: Begin making a packing list as early in the spring of your senior year as you can! It will be fine if you forget some things, though!

• Alumni Advice: Be sure to think about bringing items that will make you feel at home in your dorm room!

• Are there things that you can purchase when you arrive rather than bring from home?

• Alumni Advice: Don’t bother buying cold weather gear if you live in a warm-weather place. The stuff at your school will be better. And, if you’re in the US, you can always just order from LL Bean later!

• Alumni Advice: Do not buy sheets outside the US! There’s no such thing as Twin XL sheets outside the US, and most dormitory beds in the US are this size.

• Conversely, are there things that you can mail to yourself?

• Alumni Advice: Put aside things that you won’t need until second semester (or if in the US, after Thanksgiving break), and either bring them back with you when you come or have your parents mail them later to save space in the fall!

• Do you know if your school provides the opportunity for storage over the summer so you don’t have to bring everything home each year? If not, are there local storage facilities?

• Alumni Advice: Do not pack food! It is a waste of space in luggage. Either mail it or figure out where you can buy it when you arrive. (Parents, care packages are a great way to surprise your children when they are away!)

• Alumni Advice: Parents, please keep in mind that this is a very stressful time for students. Don’t be domineering about the packing process! Be helpful and supportive and offer assistance if needed, but don’t dominate this process.

• If you are able to communicate with your roommates or suitemates, be sure to do so! Many communal groups will coordinate larger ticket purchases like rugs, TVs, video games, futons, etc. Also think about things like hot plates and water heaters (if they are permitted), and coordinating with them who will bring what!

• Alumni Advice: Bed, Bath and Beyond is a terrific resource. There is a searchable database of what to bring based on the individual college. Check it out!

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Safety

Regardless of where in the world students have lived or from where they hail, transitioning to college and a new environment requires some consideration of safety. Particularly for those of our students who have resided among the world’s safest cities for their entire lives, it is important to consider a number of factors related to keeping oneself safe. As such, we ask that you consider the following:

What are the resources available in regards to safety?

Please consider these additional, more pointed questions:

• Where are local hospitals in relation to your college? Police stations? Fire stations?

• Alumni Advice: Learn all of these numbers and program them into your cell phone and share those numbers with your family!

• Where will you seek medical care while at college? Is there an on-campus doctor or clinic? Or are there off-campus options?

• In regards to medical care, what will be the extent of your medical insurance coverage? Most colleges provide some sort of insurance, and some require all students to be enrolled. Will you remain on your parents’ insurance as well? Do you have copies of your vaccination records? Do you have a copy of your insurance cards?

• Do you know where the local Emergency Room is? And do you know what typical ER protocol is in terms of when you should visit an ER and what to do when you are there?

• Do you know your blood type?

• Do you know the difference between an ER and Urgent Care centers or clinics?

• What is your comfort level with basic first aid? Where can you buy basic medical supplies local to your university?

• Have you examined your university’s campus safety/security program and offerings? Most schools have a campus emergency number. (Program this one into your phone, too!)

• Is there a campus blue light system or the equivalent?

• Have you examined any maps of your destination city in regards to safety as well as public transportation options?

• Are you aware of what the “buddy system” is? (Learn and practice it always!)

• Do you have relatives or family friends nearby? What are their addresses and phone numbers? Program them into your phone!

• Have you considered who might be an emergency contact? Some universities will require an emergency contact within the country of the school.

• Are you aware of legal differences between your home and your host state/region/country? For example, consider open-container (alcohol), legal drinking ages, weapons, sexual consent, etc.

• Alumni Advice: While it is not uncommon for citizens to argue with police in other parts of the world, this is unacceptable and even illegal practice in other countries, such as the US. Show police respect always!

• Alumni Advice: Use good sense: don’t flash valuables around or allow yourself to be victim of crimes of opportunity.

• Alumni Advice: Always be aware of your surroundings, and, for example, take out headphones when walking home alone, especially at night.

• Alumni Advice: Do not text or talk on the phone when crossing the road.

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Communication

Leaving home to head to college typically means a restructuring of daily life in light of the newfound independence that university life provides… for parents and for students! That said, one of the elements of daily life that we all take for granted when we live under the same roof is communication. Most families tend to operate in routines, and those routines most regularly provide opportunities for students and for parents to connect and communicate, if not daily then at least regularly. So, in light of how these routines will need to be adjusted, we ask that you consider the following:

How will you communicate with your family?

Here are several additional questions and points to consider as you consider establishing a communication plan:

• What is an appropriate amount of communication home? What is too much? What is not enough?

• What does this communication look like? Is it on the phone? Videoconferencing? Texting?

• Who will initiate the communication?

• When will the communication take place?

• Alumni Advice: Many families recommend setting a weekly time for a more formal and lengthier call home, such as on a Sunday night. That said, take time to consider how the time difference can wreak havoc on communication plans.

• Parent Insight: ”A video conference with our daughter once a week freshman year was plenty. Always having it on Saturday afternoon for her was really helpful, as she never had to worry about us expecting to talk at unplanned times.”

• What are the expectations regarding communication with other relatives? Grandparents, siblings, others?

• With whom will you share your college mailing address? (Parents: care packages — shipments of reminders of home — go a long, long way for college students!)

• Have you collected all of your relatives’ mailing addresses? (Students: periodic postcards with handwritten messages can be pleasant surprises.)

• What are expectations surrounding academic updates? Keep in mind that colleges generally will not communicate with parents about student grades or other issues!

• What constitutes an emergency? And whom will the student contact? And how? What is the designated mechanism for communication in the event of an emergency? Be sure to explore the expectations around emergencies clearly!

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Finances

When students leave the comforts of their own homes and move on to the independence of college, one of the topics that frequently falls through the cracks — according to many students — is financial responsibility. Often university is the first time a student has ever had to create and live by a budget, think about financial planning, and be aware of the implications of their spending. This topic is one that could occupy a far greater space within the panoply of college transition, but for now, we encourage all seniors and their parents to consider this question:

What will you do about managing your money while in college?

Here are several additional questions and points to consider:

• Will you have a budget and/or allowance?

• Where will “pocket money” come from? What expenses will come from pocket money? What will parents provide?

  • For example, who will pay for transportation to and from school? Textbooks and school supplies? Holidays if not coming home?

  • Do you know how to use an ATM card? Do you know what to do with a paper check?

    • True Story: A college student recently shared, “I know how to take money OUT of the ATM. How do I deposit money INTO the bank? What do I do with a check?”

  • How will you fill up your cash card/ATM for meals, laundry, books, etc?

• Will you get an on- or off-campus job?

• Will you get a job over the summers to earn your own money?

• Will you use a bank local to your home or will you open an account in your host area/country? In whose name will the account be? Will parents have access to it? Is there online banking? When will you set up these accounts?

• Alumni Advice: Recent alums strongly recommend a local bank in the host country! Get there early, they say, and open up your own account! (Be sure to check with your university about any special deals or recommendations about which banks to use. They often have special arrangements with local banks, particularly the ones that provide the ATMs on campus!)  

• Will you have access to a credit card? Will you get it at home or in the host area/country?

• Will parents monitor bank statements?

• How will you track expenses? Consider an app such as Mint!

• Do you know how to use Venmo and PayPal?

• If you are on financial aid, consider the following:

  • Work study: US schools will typically include work-study as part of a financial aid package, a part that you can choose to decline or accept.

  • Will you pay against the principal of a loan while in college?

• Keep in mind that you will be friends with individuals from across the socioeconomic spectrum. You may have friends who struggle to find money to eat every meal. Do not expect all students to be able to fly around the world during spring break. Be considerate talking about finances around others.

  • Also, keep in mind that not everyone will have eaten in a fancy restaurant. Not everyone has experience flying in planes.

  • How will you divide up paying joint bills with others? Who puts their name down on the utility bill or the rental lease, if you live off campus?

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Cooking & Eating

As students prepare to leave their routines and their parents’ homes, one of the most comforting and grounding elements of transitioning to a new environment that we need get them to consider is food! Moving to a new location can be an alienating and challenging experience for anyone, but having some plans in place to address this one simple element of comfort can go a long way, according to so many of our alums. Additionally, there are some life skills buried in this consideration about cooking and fending for oneself. Ultimately, we want you to consider this question this week:

What are your plans surrounding eating and preparing food yourself?

Here are several additional questions and points to consider:

• What are the options for campus meal plans? If you get the full (maximum) campus meal plan, how many meals per week are there? Is that sufficient for you? (You may have to wait to know where you are going to learn this information and/or wait until they share this information with you. If you don’t know your final destination yet, choose a favorite school and familiarize yourself with the meal plan options!)

• Can you use your meal plan at local restaurants/eateries off-campus?

• Will alternative eating options come from pocket money? Who will pay for those?

• Have you explored what food options are available off-campus? Your favorite snack? Cuisine from home? Delivery?

• Do you know if your dormitory will have a communal kitchen or kitchenette? Are there otherwise places where you could cook for yourself?

• Do you know the difference between induction, gas, and electric ranges/ovens? If not, learn now!

• Do you know how to make simple meals? Choose 3 simple meals to master and work with your parents to learn. (Here are some suggestions!)

• Do you understand the basics of healthy eating? Of a well-balanced diet? (See this resource from the British Nutrition Foundation.)

• Are you allowed to have a rice cooker, steamer, or kettle in your dorm room? Refrigerator? Is any of this provided?

• Remember to still get exercise! (Read this piece on avoiding the “freshman 15”!)

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Transportation

As students make the transition from their familiar environs and homes to other locales around the globe, there are a number of points to consider in regards to how a college student gets around. We will discuss the concept of traveling to college and of the the initial drop-off at college in other posts, so this space is designated just for the logistics of transportation. More generally, the question we hope for seniors and their parents to discuss is as follows:

What are the expectations and parameters around transportation while at university?

Here are several additional questions and points to consider:

• What are the available means of transportation around your college campus? (Given that this discussion may take place prior to knowing the final destination, be sure to come back to this question later, but explore the following nonetheless.)

• What are acceptable methods of transportation, including taxis, Ubers (or the equivalent), trains, subways, busses, etc?

  • Taxis, Ubers, and municipal (city-run) public transportation are usually more expensive in the US than elsewhere, but university-run shuttle/bus services (probably more common or at least more comprehensive at large universities?) are often inexpensive or free (or included already in student fees).

  • Additionally, public transportation can elicit culture shock in some parts of the world, where subways, trains, and busses are less reliable and less clean in comparison to much of Asia, for example. In the US, in particular, travel by car is far more common.

• What are your thoughts and expectations about getting into vehicles with other students? Their parents? Relatives? In what circumstances would these be acceptable or not?

• Does your college provide shuttle services?

• How do you plan to get to and from the airport?

• Do you plan to get a driver’s license? Have you explored getting one in your home country or in your destination country? (Keep in mind some places are easier than others, and some countries have reciprocity agreements where foreign licenses are accepted while others do not.)

• Do you plan to have a vehicle at college? Have you discussed the possibility of using a ZipCar? Are freshmen allowed to have cars? Where would you park your car?

• Keep in mind that not all countries drive on the right-hand side!

• Don’t ever get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking alcohol. Ever.

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Travelling to College

For so many students across the globe and especially for students enrolling in other countries, going to college means some significant travel to get to and from home. The logistics required of this is the primary focus of this post. We endeavor here to get you thinking and talking about the many elements and challenges of traveling away from home for college. We will talk later about more specifics surrounding transportation while at college, many of the challenges of being so far away from home, and the specific topic of the initial freshman drop-off. For now, we hope these topics will spur some good discussions about transition, starting with this overarching question:

What are the parameters around travel to and from university?

Here are some additional questions to consider:

• When is it expected that the student will come home? For all school vacations? What will happen over the shorter breaks where travel home is not possible?

  • For example, if going to school in the USA, where will the student spend Thanksgiving, often the first holiday break for first-year students, but, for some, maybe not a long enough break to come home and to deal with jet lag?

• Who will purchase the tickets for travel? Who will get the air miles? (If you don’t have air miles accounts, be sure to set them up!)

• What is expected of the student when back home? This can mean a lot of different things to various families, but the question is intended to initiate conversation about sleep, rest, relaxation, curfew, chores, spending time with family, etc.

• What about unplanned trips home for emergencies? What would constitute an emergency that would necessitate a trip home? It is hard sometimes to contemplate these situations, but it helps later to have anticipated some of them and to have discussed some of the logistics and process behind them.

• Parent Insight: Be aware that the school’s academic calendar (first day of classes, last day of semester) does not always align with when their flights should be made! From one recent parent, “I scheduled [my daughter’s] return flight based on her school calendar, when in reality she had to get out of the dorm earlier than that.”  

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Laundry

The topic of laundry may seem mundane and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it is a great one for early on in the transition process because it begs a number of questions about the skills seniors have or do not have. Also, don’t be misled into thinking that you will just get the laundry service offered at many colleges! They can be expensive and inconvenient. Inevitably, there will come a time when you need do your own laundry. So, fundamentally:

Do you know how to wash and take care of your laundry? 

Here are some corollary points to consider:

• Do you know how to operate a washing machine?

• Do you know the difference between laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, and other products for laundry?

• Do you know how to shop for laundry care products?

• Can you properly sort your laundry?

• Do you know how to read a clothing label?

• Are you aware of any clothing you wear that requires special handling?

• What gets cold water wash? Warm or hot water wash?

• What should and what should not go into the dryer?

• Do you prefer fabric softener sheets or liquid?

• Where is the lint trap? Know how to clean it?

• Do you know what has happened when you shrink something in the laundry?

• Do you know how to hang things out to dry?

• Do you know how to fold your own laundry?

• What should get dry cleaned?

• Do you know how to wash bed sheets and blankets?

• Do you know how to wash bath towels?

• How do you hand-wash delicates?

When the final college destination is known, here are some additional points of consideration:

• Will you sign up for the laundry service?

  • How expensive is it? Is it worth your time and money?

  • When does it pick-up and drop-off? Does it do linens and bedding? Dry cleaning? Delicates?

  • Will the service provide bedding?

• Where is the nearest laundromat on-campus? Off-campus?

• Where is the nearest dry cleaner?

If you read this early enough, there will be plenty of time to learn how to take care of your own laundry! Parents, are there any other self-care skills that your child needs to learn before heading off to college?

And don’t skip the possibility of sharing this video:

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.

Transitioning to College: Beginning the Conversation

This series of blog posts is intended specifically for seniors and their parents. It stems from our desire in to start our pending graduates down the path of transitioning to college, away from high school, away from their comforts, and away from home earlier in the spring. This can be a challenging time, and there are no right or wrong answers; there is no “how to” book that applies to all situations. As such, what we endeavor to do is to provide a series of questions and discussion points for seniors and their parents to examine on a weekly basis throughout the spring. We ask students and their parents to set a time each week to discuss the new topic. Some topics will be more easily navigated once a student knows where he/she is attending college, but each, we believe, is worth exploring regardless of whether the destination is known. It is our hope that these discussions will strengthen bonds and result in a more streamlined and self-aware transition. 

For our first topic, we want to start relatively simply, to start the habit of having these discussions with a relatively simple query:

Will you have a cellular phone at college?

Here are some corollary points to ponder:

• If you will not have a cell phone, how will communication occur?

• Will you purchase a new phone or use your current phone?

• Will you purchase a local phone (in your university’s country) or buy one at home and then purchase a local SIM card?

• Have you researched options yet?

• Will you keep two phones, one from home and one local to your college?

• Who will be responsible for paying the monthly bill?

• If you are buying the phone, who will be responsible for paying for it?

• What sorts of restrictions or calling, texting, data packages are you considering?

In this conversation, we have steered deliberately clear of the question of expectations surrounding how the phone might be used. That topic will come up later!

This piece is part of a series on “transitioning to college.” We encourage graduating seniors and their parents or guardians to engage in discussion on a weekly basis about these topics. If you have feedback or additional ideas or perspectives to share, please let us know so we can incorporate your thoughts into revisions of our posts.