First Day of College

The first day of college is a big change, and preparation, organization and time management will be very important. Following are some tips for preparing for this huge milestone in your life. 

1.  Orientation.  One of the best things you can do is attend orientation. At orientation, there will be college students telling you what's going to happen and giving you guidance.  There will also be advisers who will assist you with your schedules and provide tours of the campus and the dorms/apartments.  Orientation helps to relieve a lot of stress for both you and your parents.

2.  Acclimation.  When you visit the campus, be sure to explore available parking, eating places, entertainment, etc.  Decide (with your parents) whether you will live in a dorm or apartment and make the necessary arrangements.

3.  Money.  Have a discussion with your parents regarding budgets and money management.  Set a clear understanding of their expectations and agree on a monthly budget.  

4.  Textbooks.  When you go to class on the first day, your professors are going to give you a syllabus, and tell you what you’ll need in the way of supplies and textbooks. 

5.  Supplies.  As far as supplies go, you need a durable backpack that can accommodate your laptop.  Other than that, some notebooks, pens and highlighters are the basics. 

6.  Accountability.  Probably one of the most important things you need to be aware of is that in college, you're on your own. You've got to stay on top of deadlines when signing up for classes and paying the tuition. 

So stay organized, manage your time, and be sure to meet your deadlines.  If you do these few things, you’ll be prepared for that first day of college and it won’t be so intimidating!

This is from a guest blogger, Jodi Okun of College Financial Aid Advisors (CFAA)

They help families with professional preparation, support and navigation of the college financial aid process. You can check our here website here. 

As always, check out our website for all your tutoring needs! We offer test prep for getting into college as well as college-level tutoring.

www.TutoringByCity.com

5 Tips for An Upcoming College Freshman

By: Caitlin Woods, a college student working her way to success

With the excitement of high school graduation dying off, a newer, more nervous excitement is settling in among many soon- to- be college freshmen. It can be overwhelming to think that in a few months (or sooner for some) you will no longer have the comforts your teenage years brought you. It can be hard to be to look to your near future as a young adult student without a sense of fear, but hopefully this article will help!

As a college student and a young adult, I can understand the feelings, thoughts, and emotions that may be rattling around your head as you enter this new season in your life. I have put together the five most important tips that I feel a new college freshman should know as I have just experienced it.

1.       Enter college with an open mind.     

Although college is just another school, it certainly is different from high school. Make sure that you realize and have come to terms with the fact that everything will be different. You will be leading your new adult life. Teachers will treat you differently. The campus will be much larger. The work load will be more daunting and intense. You may even experience living on your own for the first time! Enter college knowing that you are an adult now. You will be treated as such. 

2.       Set yourself up for success!

“My behavior is my responsibility. No one can make me do or say anything that I don’t want to do.” This was a motto that I had to say after the Pledge of Allegiance every day in elementary school. I never knew what meaning it would have until I reached college. In college you are the only one who can control what you do. There will be no one there to remind you to do your homework or to go to bed on time. Make sure to surround yourself with others who want to succeed and won’t pressure you into not studying or staying out too late. Also having the mindset that you are there for a purpose and you expect to meet your goals helps. 

3.       Communication is key!

If you are having trouble, a problem, or find yourself in a tough situation NEVER BE AFRAID TO TALK TO YOUR PROFESSOR! Most professors are very understanding and will do whatever it takes to help you, find you help, or understand a situation. Many of your problems can be solved if you just let them know what is going on. If you feel like you’re doing terrible in class they can tell you if you are or not and let you know what could help. They are also the ones who can help you if you need to miss class because of a family emergency for example. Professors understand that they are there because you want to be there. They understand that they are providing a service that is being paid for so they do their best to help you.

4.       Find ways to make Studying and Homework enjoyable.   

You are always more likely to do something if you enjoy it. Put that mentality into your studies and it could be very beneficial to you. Try getting a group together from class that could meet to have a study session over lunch or something of the sort. This way you’ll make friends and adapt to your new environment and be productive at the same time!

5.       Show up and participate!

This may have been preached to you throughout your years in grade school but it is especially true in college. When your professor tells you that tomorrow’s class “is going to be an easy day,” it shouldn’t be taken as a ticket to get a few more hours of shut eye.  You should take advantage of any opportunity presented to you, whether it is optional or not. Take in every bit of information you can and you will benefit in the long run. Plus, it shows your dedication and your professors will be more inclined to work with you if something negative happens such as missing an exam. 

So, on your first day, when you walk onto that large campus; take a deep breathe to clear your mind and remember these tips. College is truly one of the best times of your life, even if you are studying hard. As long as you work hard and act responsibly, you will exceed your own expectations! Good luck and remember to contact A Quantum Leap Tutoring and Educational Consultation if you need that extra boost! We can help you with everything from College Algebra to organizational and test-taking skills.

“Success Feels Good”

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The economics of college education

Last week we talked about how to keep the house civil during the college searches of the teens in your household. This week, we talk about one of the big looming issues that can make that search so stressful - the cost of college.

Thirteen Ed Online has a great online lesson plan about calculating "the REAL cost of college," including an online video about the costs of moving out on one's own. This activity is designed for grades 7-12, but the results of all the calculations can be illuminating for parents, too!

When looking at the cost of college, it can seem like a little too expensive an investment. However, the long-term impact of a college degree in one's economic status is incredibly long-lasting and important. The College Board released a study this fall tracking the economic value of a college degree, summarized in this Chronicle of Higher Education article. The Chronicle's article shows how even some college is better than none for earning potential, but also includes input from some critics of the idea that everyone should go to college without thinking through the financial aspects. It's food for thought as you or your teen considers the college options available.

Of course, to get into college in the first place, one needs a strong educational background. For those struggling in school, before, during, or after college, A Quantum Leap Tutoring is always here to help in any topic you can name - all over Florida. From pre-K to high school science to college composition to law school, we can match you with a tutor in your area.

The College Search and Family Tension

A Quantum Leap Tutoring offers tutoring at all levels - pre-kindergarten, K-12, college level, and adult education. What that means is that plenty of the students we work with here in Florida are thinking about college... or will be eventually.

When it comes to choosing a college, there can be a lot of different confusing aspects. If Mom or Dad went to college, there may be a lot of pressure to pick (and get into!) their alma mater. If Mom or Dad didn't go to college, it can be really difficult to know what solid advice to give.

Even parents who applied to and went to college themselves a couple of decades ago aren't necessarily up-to-date on what the process looks like right now. For instance, even though my parents went to a public university near where I grew up - one I applied to, and one most of my high school friends ultimately attended - when they applied, the process was as simple as signing up on a list as long as your GPA was over a 2.0. By the time I applied, admission was competitive and quite involved, requiring multiple multi-page essays and a 7-page application to be completing partially online, partially via the mail. And it's even different now!

The simple fact is, applying to and attending college continues to get more and more complicated and competitive, not to mention more expensive and more necessary to compete in the job market. It can feel like an overwhelming losing game, whether you're an applicant or the parent of one. The high cost and high stakes can make this process fraught with potential conflict fodder.

With that in mind, I have a link from AlphaMom on how to keep a happy household during your teen's college search. It has a few simple tips that can be hard to keep in mind during such a stressful time. It's a good, quick read and great if you're feeling the tension rise every time you even contemplate bringing up the search and application process.

Next week, we'll bring you a quick economic activity for teens and tweens on calculating the real cost of college - a useful exercise in and of itself, with the added bonus of reinforcing math skills. Until then, have a great weekend, and enjoy the extra hour of sleep when you "fall back" this weekend to go back to Standard Time!