Are you thinking about studying abroad? Make sure you weigh the pros and cons before you buy your plane ticket! Pros: 1. Experience culture—Wherever you go, you’ll be experiencing a different way of living and a culture that is likely radically different from your own, which is great. You can try new foods, listen to new music, and get life experience you simply can’t get any other way. 2. Make new friends—You will meet lots…
Read More »Studies show that anxiety disorders among children are on the rise, and they are quickly becoming some of the most common child psychiatric conditions. As many as 10% of children suffer from them and require medical treatment. Experts believe that school anxiety in particular is becoming more prevalent among younger kids, including preschoolers, perhaps because of societal expectations and changes in standards of education. Our society expects more and more from children at increasingly younger ages,…
Read More »For some teenagers, winter means wanting to hole up at home and never leave. In severe cases, some people may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder – a form of depression thought to be triggered by a lack of sunlight in the winter, which can wreak havoc on your biological clock. Whether it’s our changing habits or changing light, winter can take a toll on students’ motivation with classes and other obligations. However, it’s important…
Read More »In recent years, subjects like math and science have been pushed as being most important in school and society. This trend is increasingly reflected in the decisions of college students choosing their majors, but also in the decision making process of elementary and middle school students. More than 80% of US school districts have seen their funding slashed since 2008, and fine arts disciplines such as music, art, and foreign language are almost always the first…
Read More »in College Admission, College Applications, College Bound, Parent-Child Advice, Standardized Tests
Applying to colleges can be tricky, but if you make sure that you fully understand the process, things will go more smoothly. Many students believe the following “facts,” but doing these things will lead you down the wrong path. Here are some college application myths you should know about. 1. When applying early, there’s no real difference between early action and early decision. Early action and early decision applications have similar deadlines, but they are very different. Early…
Read More »in College Applications, Parent-Child Advice, Service-Learning
Service-learning can be a wonderful tool for taking students outside of the classroom. There are many benefits of service-learning for students, teachers, and the community alike. Essentially, it is a research-based teaching and learning strategy that engages students in service to meet learning objectives and address real-world issues. As an example, I participated in a service-learning project in the spring of 2016 while taking a Victorian Fiction class at UMass Lowell. This class involved many…
Read More »Are you ready for college? If you haven’t ticked these items off your to do list, the answer is probably no. 1. Save money, plan a budget, and get financial aid straightened out. I’m sure you’ve heard the trope of the “poor college student,” but if you’re able, it’s a great idea to work and save as much money as you can before you leave for school. To avoid bank account panic later on, you should…
Read More »One of the biggest differences between college professors and high school teachers is that most professors genuinely start treating you as adults. Meetings with professors will feel more like discussions between equals, so it’s important to step up to this new responsibility. Your professor can’t help unless you effectively communicate what you need. Here are some tips for being professional in successful communication with professors. Start talking before problems develop. Too often, students wait until…
Read More »Not sure what to read next? Check out one college student’s list of favorite young adult books for high school readers. Reading levels provided by Scholastic and Lexile. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Before Steven Spielberg’s 2018 film adaptation is brought to the big screen, read this futuristic story about a young man seeking fortune, adventure, and escape from reality in a massively multiplayer online world. He must dodge obstacles and solve puzzles for…
Read More »Not sure what your child should be reading next? Check out one college student’s list of favorite books for middle school readers. Reading levels provided by Scholastic and Lexile. How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found by Sara Nickerson. This book was probably my all-time favorite as a child. Any reader would enjoy unraveling this curious, exciting, and dramatic mystery tale about two young sisters, the boy next door, a series of strange homemade…
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