It’s that time of year – many college freshmen are taking their first steps into a big, new world.  I remember how exciting this big step was – not having my parents tell me what to do, finally feeling like an adult,  embracing my new-found independence! But despite cherishing the life and learning experiences that I gained in those first few months, I’ll admit that there are some words of wisdom that could have been useful had I heard them before going off to college. Here are the five things I wish I had known before arriving at my new ‘home’:

Remember who you are and stay true to yourself.

“Decide the kind of person you want to be before you go, and stick to it,” writes Matt of Fallible Blogma.  The Teen Creed had it right: “Stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”  Students often go off to college thinking that they will figure out who they are when they get there. While this may be true for some, many students ultimately let go of the person they really are during the process.

Of course you’re on your own when you get to college and there’s some self-discovery and growth; it is all a part of the social learning that comes with the more formal education.  Starting college with an open mind is a good thing, as you’ll learn about other people, cultures, styles, and beliefs.  Yet equally important is finding out how true you are to your core values and refraining from allowing others to shape those values for you.

Remember: your values are your guide, and without them, you ’ll easily become lost.

You’ll get by with a little help from your friends (and family).

“Keep in regular contact with your parents (and your brothers and sisters)” says David Murray of HeadHeartHand.  While you’re away at college, it’s so easy to get caught up in all of the activities that come with such a new and exciting life, but don’t lose touch with those who love you most.

College can be lonely and oftentimes cause homesickness; however, by staying connected with your parents and best friends from home, you will never feel like home is that far away. If you do start to feel lonely or homesick, you’ll know exactly who to call.

In addition, it takes time to develop new true friends at college. You won’t initially know everything about them or how to connect with them in times of need. It is imperative you hang on to your support system at home, because they know you better than your new roommate or new group of friends. As you grow and develop your new network at college through shared experiences, you will begin to create a new support system that will coincide with your existing ones. But it’s like the old Girl Scout song: “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold.”

Go to class.

That’s what LifeHacker advises. It’s not only important, it’s critical. Once Mom is no longer there to get you out of bed, feed you breakfast, and make sure you have clean clothes, it’s easy to hear the alarm, shut it off, and go back to sleep for a few hours. No one will be there to hound you to get up and get going.  So, if you stay up the night before, because there is no one there telling you to go to bed, and you don’t get up because there’s no one there in … well, you see the pattern forming.

There will be days when class is the last thing you want to do. Sitting in a lecture hall may be boring, or you may be too tired, or there’s something else that you would rather be doing. Everything else matters more than Econ 101 – at least, it seems that way.

But don’t fool yourself into believing your professor won’t miss you, that your classmate’s notes are going to be just fine, or that you already know this stuff.  All of that is simple rationalization. Consider what you’ll miss when you are not there: info on the next quiz or exam, explanations that will help you learn the material, changes in course requirements, and what you came there for in the first place. If that doesn’t motivate you, divide up your tuition and figure out how much that one class is worth. That number will surprise you.

Here’s the real story:  you are at college to learn, and you and/or your parents are paying handsomely for it.  Get up and go to class or be not only embarrassed by the consequences but also disappointed in yourself.

Establish a regular spiritual practice that touches your soul.

If you are religious, find a church home.  If organized religion is not your cup of tea, establish a regular spiritual practice. “Find a church that you like near your campus, and go to services,”  student newspaper writer Carson Leith eloquently points out in his recent article, “Sacred Space: reasons why attending church is important.” Join an organization that focuses on building your spiritual side through writing, support groups, community service, or any vehicle that works for you.

This kind of practice gives you perspective and a chance to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are, how far you’ve come, and where you are going.  It raises you above the day-to-day turmoil and activities of the busy, demanding, and sometimes stressful college life. A friend of mine once said that she would often visit the local church when no one was there -  just to sit in silence and reflect.

It’s not always easy to make time for your soul at college, because there are so many options and  activities available to you.  But tough times will come your way. You may not get the grade you want or hold on to the perfect relationship. Your values may even be tested. These are times when you will need your inner strength. Feed it.

Paying attention to your own spiritual needs will also keep you grounded and focused on who you are. That, combined with your college studies, will help you figure your purpose in this world.

Know when and where to get help…and get it. 

Whether it’s a tutor, counselor, advisor, professor, or all of these, begin to establish relationships early so that you can get help when you need it.  “There are literally hundreds of people whose only responsibility at your school is to give advice.  Don’t be afraid to humble yourself,” says student Isaac Moshe on the Campus Companion, where he lists 50 things he wish he’d known before starting college. Colleges have a plethora of resources to assist you with just everything, but you have to know how to find them and be willing to reach out for their assistance.

Pay attention during your orientation because that’s where you’ll get lots of information.  You must also seek out some information on your own.  Stay after a class and speak with a professor you really like.  Visit your advisor outside of normally scheduled times.  Walk your troubled friend to the counseling center.

You’ve paid tons of money to be at your selected school – take advantage of everything it has to offer while you are there!

Paris Love is an Author, Coach, Speaker and Consultant specializing in helping overextended professionals strive for a better quality of life infused with meaningful work, wealth, good health and well being. Paris has written articles for NAPO News, Star Lee Magazine, Baldwin Parent, San Diego NAPO News, Organizing A to Z, BrownSkin Magazine, Online Organizing and Home Base Quarterly. You can catch Paris on A & E “Hoarders” where she helps a family in crisis. Her most recent book, Growing Pains and Fifty Tips to Get You Organized in Ten Minutes or Less, along with more information on her life’s work and business can be found at www.ParisLoveInstitute.com  or by calling 770-722-2748. 

Preparing for college is a goal that both the child and the parents need to work towards. Most high schools focus on college prep, particularly during the last two years of school, but getting ready for college involves more than ensuring your student takes the right courses and fills out applications. Here’s why:

Most college freshmen drop out of college simply because they were not prepared for college life — not just the increased level of academics, but living alone as well. For most students, this is the first time they will be living on their own. This means that they need to become responsible and dependent upon themselves while they are in middle school and high school. This not only teaches responsibility throughout high school, but will prepare them for living on their own at college. Time management is one area that ends up haunting students in college and this issue can be prevented if they are taught good time management habits while in high school.  Your child should be able to complete homework and schedule study time without your nagging or help.

Finances are another area of concern for students going to college. Teaching your child how to manage their money and set a budget early in high school is important. Most high school students will begin a summer job or part-time job at some point in their high school career. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get your child a checking account and teach them how to make smart financial decisions. Students should also be taught about credit card debt early. According to Bank Rate, the average undergraduate carries $2,200 in credit card debt. If your child must have a credit card, it is vitally important that you teach him or her to pay off the card each month and to only use it in emergency situations. The longer they wait to pay a credit card bill, the deeper in debt they will get, due to the high interest rates and fees.

Financial aid is a big step in college preparation. You can apply for federal student aid as early as January 1st, prior to starting college in August. In order to apply, you need to have your income taxes completed prior to filling out the application. It is vitally important that both the student and parents complete their income taxes as early as possible to ensure that they can send in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as possible. The earlier you send it in, the earlier you can determine if you’ll receive federal aid, school assistance, scholarships and how much you qualify for in student loans. The FAFSA can also be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The FAFSA is a very important document that must be completed and it is not only used by the government, but also the school and loan officers. Even if you do not believe that your student will qualify for financial aid, you must fill out this application. The absolute last day that you can turn in the FAFSA for federal aid is June 30th. State assistance may also be available as well and based off this application, but each state will have a different deadline date.

Finally, scholarship applications can be sent into schools and other organizations a year to six months prior to school beginning. Most colleges have an early scholarship application deadline. This deadline is generally around February 1st prior to the fall semester beginning. Search for scholarships online as well as locally from various organizations in your community. Many corporations offer scholarships to students of employees, so check if your company offers one.

Following these simple steps, you will be able to prepare your child for college and set them up for success, not only financially but also teach them the life skills they will need for when they are on their own at college.

“Education Coach and Mentor Tanya Knight help parents, students and adult learners successfully prepare, enter and graduate from the college of their choice. Get her FREE eBook “Top 10 Simple Secrets to Getting into the College of Your Choice” at www.TheEducationCoach.com

Dr. Steve Perry, founder of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut boasts a 100% graduation rate — coupled with a 100% four-year college admission rate — among its graduates.  This is the model of success that charter, public, and private schools all over the country seek to emulate.

In the midst of a national conversation that is dominated by higher education as a path to a better way of life, how do we discuss the option of vocational schools and training institutes with adults who are considering furthering their education…or to high school students at a crossroads trying to answer the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Interest is the compass that should guide choices, says Elaine Metcalf, Director of Summit Technical Academy in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.  “Know what a person’s skills are and what their passion is. Turning that passion into making a living is the key to helping students advance.”  Many students who graduate from high school get accepted to a four-year college or university — but the reality is that the majority of these students do not get substantial scholarships or grants.  As a result, students are faced with taking out college loans that equal the price of a small house.

Those who seek to reform education worry that people of color will be streamlined towards two-year colleges, as was the overwhelming case in the past.  Shelli Copas, Counselor at Ruskin High School in South Kansas City, agrees with Metcalf and says students at her school are guided according to their interests.  “The career centers are brought up numerous times in conversations during advisement periods and with each student’s counselor. Also if a student is in an elective that feeds into one of the programs at Herndon or Summit Tech [area vocational schools], those programs are talked about numerous times throughout those elective classes.”

Metcalf stresses that students who graduate from a two-year technical training institute can use their training to create earnings much higher than minimum wage — while they further their education beyond the two-year degree.  “We are teaching students about the professional certifications that industry requires…and how to use that certification to pay your way through college.”

In exploring alternative options, it is important to note that the trade schools of today are different than the trade schools of the past.  The art of branding has not been lost on this sector.  The titles of “trade school” or “vocational school” are not used anymore – today’s training programs are called technical schools, career centers, and career academies. While in some instances the definition of college has expanded to include these schools, in many cases the programs are still plagued by stereotypes and assumptions — with two-year colleges being viewed as best-case options for people with low aptitude or a lack of ambition.

However, statistics prove that in the quest for autonomy and stability, two-year colleges are smart options to be considered.

“Statistics will show that someone with a two-year college degree [in engineering technology or energy conservation] will make more money than someone with a four-year degree — if they obtain a skill that is in demand,” says Metcalf.  She adds that even adult college graduates are going back to college — and are selecting training institutes to prepare them for employment in today’s market.

Another thing to be wary of is how programs advertise themselves and their offerings.  Schools assuring students their programs will lead to employment in a career or field that’s “in demand” should be cautious. An increasing number of training institutes are run by private institutions — that lure applicants by promising their life can totally change in “just 9 months!”  These institutions often have high-priced tuition and bootleg accreditations. But to someone eager to get to the other side of their “rainbow,” lofty promises and sleek advertising campaigns can cause students to overlook something as critical as accreditation status.

To best assess a legitimate two-year training institute, Metcalf suggests that seekers first visit career centers at a public two or four-year university to check their offerings and recommendations. As public institutions, their use of state funds will require them to adhere to stricter accreditation guidelines when working with students…and they offer career counseling for free.

Tough economic times demand that we evaluate more avenues and pathways to success. It’s important to be open to legitimate alternative ideas of what it means to be educated and prepared — for today’s global employment market.

Other Resources:

Considering a two-year education option? Assess your interests by visiting O*NET OnLine.

Want to find a legitimate two-year institute? Check out College Navigator.

Elizabeth Herron is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and resides in Harlem, New York City. She is an educator, stage director, and Teaching Artist for the Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center Theater, and Lincoln Center Institute.

For those returning to the classroom after years working, the process of earning a degree can be overwhelming and intimidating. Fortunately, learning for adults doesn’t have to be difficult. With an online degree program, you can earn your degree from the comfort of your own home, on a schedule that is convenient to you.

Benefits of an Online Degree Program

Online learning has several advantages, particularly for busy adults who may have work and family responsibilities. Adult learners often select an online degree program for their:

Flexibility: While some courses may require that you be online at specific times for lectures or learning chats, most courses may be conducted at your convenience. Work third shift? Need to juggle your daughter’s soccer practice with coursework? No problem. You log on the school site to review course materials at whatever time works best for you.

Low Cost: In terms of cost, an online adult college education gives you the most bang for your buck. There is no need to relocate your family, or commute to campus each day, costing you money for gas and parking. While traditional college degree programs may require that you take a certain number of credits each semester, online degree programs are designed with busy adults in mind. You can take as little as one class per marking period, saving you money and freeing up time.

Diverse Classrooms: Many adults, particularly those who have been downsized from their jobs, feel uncomfortable walking into a classroom filled with twenty-somethings. Online programs attract a variety of students of all walks of life from across the nation, and even the world. You can interact with others in student forums and chats without worrying about sticking out like a sore thumb.

Online Degree Information

When it comes to adult college education, there are special considerations for finding the right online degree program. While online learning for adults can be easy and convenient, it should also be done carefully to ensure you receive a quality education.

Most importantly, make sure you select an accredited online degree program. There are a number of different accrediting agencies that operate both regional or locally. In addition, many industries are serviced by non-profit accrediting agencies specific to their field. For distance learning, accreditation is provided by several organizations including the:

• Distance Education and Training Council
• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools

Other agencies including industry-specific councils and regional commissions offer accreditation for regional programs.

Reviewing online degree information can be a daunting task. Each program offers specific benefits, and you certainly don’t want to waste money on an online degree program that is not right for you. If you need help navigating the available programs, an education coach or admissions advisor can provide guidance and expert advice.

Education Coach and Mentor Tanya Knight helps parents, students and adult learners successfully prepare, enter, and graduate from the college of their choice. Get her FREE eBook, “Top 10 Simple Secrets to Getting into the College of Your Choice” at www.TheEducationCoach.com.

The issues surrounding education in America have become more and more sticky. Politics and economic issues impact teachers and schools, alongside ongoing changes in school policies, testing, and performance – and the current debate on the effectiveness of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

As parents wade through all these issues – trying to decide between home, private, public, or charter schooling options – it may seem as if the fate of their child’s learning is solely based on reading, writing, and arithmetic lessons. All this can ultimately make for a less-than-enjoyable experience — for both parents, and their young learners.

However, no matter what choices a parent makes regarding their child’s schooling, “experiential learning” – gathering meaning and knowledge from direct experience — can also always be a great asset to their young student’s education plan.

As a theater artist and arts educator, I strive to incorporate experiential learning in my lessons – and am inspired by the creative, and educationally-rewarding, strategies used by many parenting artists and educators I know. These parents make exposing their children to various “life experiences” a regular and vital part of their education.

Elyse Singer is a NYC based artist whose 7-year-old daughter attends a charter school. “I have always supplemented my daughter’s education, and have even dabbled in home schooling. She likes frogs a lot,” shares Singer — who has also taken her daughter to art exhibits that focus on frogs in various forms and incarnations. “I have followed the tracks of her interests…and go deeper to build on these interests…and let the path go where it goes.”

Experiential learning is a form of education that utilizes activity, adventure, and reflection in advancing the knowledge base of an individual. It’s a good educational supplement — especially for kids in public school settings plagued by reduced resources.

In our technological age — where images are offered up so freely — inspiring imaginative thinking is difficult. The pressure to be ‘right’ — combined with rigid standardized testing — also makes creative thought more of a challenge to cultivate. Albert Einstein offered parents the practical prescription to genius: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

Singer says her daughter has developed an interest in mythology and folk tales from all over the world; recently they read Robin Hood. “My daughter is able to hear stories and draw parallels to history,” says Singer. “She was able to draw parallels to taxes and liberty. She understands these concepts from reading Robin Hood.” Singer also says that reading this story has helped cultivate her daughter’s interest in European history and geography. Together they explore the clothing that the characters wore, what was going on at the time these stories were written, and the types of food the characters ate.

Danny Shaw is a professor and single father who lives in the South Bronx. His 9-year-old son attends public school, and Shaw has chosen travel as a primary way to enrich his son’s education. “Compared to the other kids, he has a global consciousness. He can make connections between the struggles in Ireland and the struggles of people in the South Bronx.” When asked about the expense of traveling Shaw says, “We live in a world where money is freedom — and it’s a huge sacrifice to afford these trips. But I make it a priority…whether through research grants, or credit cards…[I figure] we’ll only live once.”

Cost is sometimes an obstacle to exposing young people to various experiences, but there are a variety of affordable resources that can be utilized in an experiential learning curriculum:

Cultural Resources:
Children’s museums (annual membership fees vary, but can cost anywhere between $100 – $300, depending on number of family members)
Public library (has free programming for children)
Zoo (many offer days that with free or reduced fares)
Museums (most have a day with free or reduced fare, or suggested donation)
Groupon (www.groupon.com)
Mommy Poppins (www.mommypoppins.com)
Local children’s theater (admission varies but usually around $10 – $15 per ticket)
Paperback swap (www.paperbackswap.com)
Free concerts and other events in the park (see your area listing)

The following offer opportunities for volunteers (parents and older children):
Habitat for Humanity International’s Global Village: (800) 422-4828, www.habitat.org
Global Ambassadors for Children, (AFC): www.ambassadorsforchildren.org
Cross-Cultural Solutions: (914) 632-0022 or (800) 380-4777, www.crossculturalsolutions.org

Allowing children to experience and be exposed to foreign languages, a variety of cultures, the arts, literacy, community volunteering, practical skills, and creative projects, can contribute to their continual learning. While there are many things that can’t be controlled within the realm of the education system, you can choose what you’ll expose your little learners to beyond the scope of the traditional “Three Rs.” These experiences can ultimately be the difference between stifling a child’s educational experience – or inspiring an expansive and far-reaching love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

Elizabeth Herron is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and resides in Harlem, New York City. She is a stage director and educator who works as a Teaching Artist for the Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center Theater, and Lincoln Center Institute. Elizabeth recently taught at the University of Kentucky-Lexington, where she directed for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf and Blues for an Alabama Sky. She looks forward to further adventures in education and the arts.