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Herman Davis

Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference

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It’s every teacher’s worst nightmare: talking to the parent of a challenging student. Whether the student is having behavioral problems or serious academic concerns, teachers must find ways to successfully and clearly express their concerns without starting an argument. This, however, isn’t an easy task for teachers to accomplish — especially when parents are trying to instill healthy habits in their child.

But what makes the process so difficult? One word: guidance. Since teachers aren’t counseled on how to conduct a successful parent-teacher conference, they can sometimes struggle with ways to approach difficult conversations with parents. In return, parents get frustrated and feel that their child is being targeted, and an argument breaks out.

Fortunately, not all parent-teacher conferences have to end this way. That’s because, if conducted the right way, a parent-teacher conference can actually be a great way for parents and teachers to deepen their relationship — a relationship that can help their child and their student get back on track and finish the year with a bang. So, whether your child is having a positive or negative experience in school, here are some tips to keep in mind when meeting their teacher:

Prepare Some Notes: Taking notes isn’t only important for students, it’s also important for parents as well. So preparing notes ahead of time is key when addressing your child’s instructor. What should your notes entail? Your notes should cover any major concerns or issues your child may have and any you may have as well. This may include concerns about school, home life, extracurricular activities, holidays, and anything else that can affect your child’s education.

Don’t forget to talk about things like allergies, and vision problems that may require accommodations. If you need help with additional notes or questions, feel free to ask another adult — one that shares the same interest in your child and one that cares about your child’s well-being.

Take Advantage of the Opportunity: During the conference, take advantage of meeting your child’s teacher. You can start by greeting them and letting them know which student of theirs is your child. After that (if you’re open to it), you can also give the teacher your personal contact information (email or number) and let them know when’s the best time to contact you. That way, you can stay up to date on your child’s progress and address any issues before it escalates.

Most teachers really appreciate this gesture and might even contact you before the day is over to talk about additional things. Once you’ve met the teacher face to face, then communication becomes much easier and can encourage better results. Whatever you do, do your best not to become a nuisance to the teacher. Remember, it’s your child’s job to know when they get homework and when tests are scheduled.

Talk with Your Child: According to Penelope Adams Moon, an associate clinical professor and director of Arizona State University, talking to students isn’t only crucial for looking back, but for looking ahead as well. So before attending a parent-teacher conference, talk with your child to see what’s going on. That way, as a parent, you have a better understanding of your child’s strengthens and weaknesses. This will also allow you to find out what subjects they like and what subjects they just can’t seem to get a grasp on.

When talking to your child, make sure to ask them if they would like you to speak with their teacher about anything particular — like grading, attendance, or dress code policy. As a final point, inform your child that you and the teacher are meeting to help them, so they don’t worry too much about the conference part.

End With A Thank You: Teaching is by far one of the most underappreciated professions out there today. So instead of rehearsing your concerns about your child and pressuring the teacher for answers, thank them for their time and make a pledge that you will support them. Saying something like, “Now that I understand the curriculum you’re going over in the classroom, I can be more supportive at home,” can have a huge impact on your child’s success. It will also help the teacher as well knowing that they have your full support.

With that being said, ending the conference on a positive note ensures that you both want the best for your child and that you’re both willing to put the time in. After all, isn’t that the whole purpose of the meeting?

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Thanks for the read! Did I miss anything important? What are some other techniques parents can rely on when meeting their child’s teacher for the first time? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Parenting 101: How to Teach Kids Money-Saving Tips

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Are you hoping to raise financially stable kids? Have you thought about the process moving forward? If not, you should. That’s because encouraging kids to have a positive attitude about money early on can have a lasting effect on their spending habits as they mature and grow older. Continuing to praise good financial behavior while offering advice along the way will also help them become more responsible and teach them about financial independence.

So, without further ado, here are some simple ways to engrave positive spending habits and financial responsibility into your child’s daily routine that will get them started on the right path towards financial success.

Money-Saving Tips

Be Honest About Your Financial Past: The vast majority of parents at some point in time has had their fair share of bad spending habits – whether they ran up their credit card bill or bounced a check (or two). Whatever you do, resist the urge to come clean about everything you did wrong with your finances. Remember: you’re talking to your child, not a financial advisor.

But what if you’re answering questions?

Well, if you’re answering questions directly, pick and choose which financial sins you’ll shed light on without putting yourself in a bad position. Stories of taking everything out of your savings account to travel with an ex or blowing through your 401(K) account because you didn’t plan on buying a house are suitable tales to share – as long as you learned from your mistakes. That’s because these are situations that can take months – if not years – to overcome.

Introduce Them to Money Early On: Once your child is old enough to count, include simple economics into their daily routines. When you’re in the grocery store, for example, explain to them why it’s better to choose the vegetables that cost less per pound or why you chose the generic package over the name-brand one. Don’t forget to explain to them that by saving $20 on this grocery trip – through loyalty discounts and coupons – the family will have an extra $1,000 at the end of the year to spend on something fun like a vacation or a birthday party. That way, they too will start paying attention to the environment around them and most importantly, value the efforts you’ve made from a financial point of view.

Encourage Them to Manage Their Own Money: Did you know that getting an allowance can be a good way for children to learn about having money? In fact, experts believe that allowing your child to manage their own money helps them better understand its value and learn the difference between wants versus needs. That’s why it’s important for parents to provide opportunities for their child to earn money by doing extra chores around the house – like yard work – or push them to search for a part-time job once they’re old enough. In doing so, they’ll realize that hard work pays off.

As your child grows older and becomes more mature, make sure you teach them about the three-bucket approach or the three portfolios that consist of the traditional mutual funds. That said, help them open a checking account and don’t forget about the savings either. Not only does it serve as a great motivator, it’s also the best place to put your cash savings. After all, savings accounts have lower interest rates – a topic you can cover with your child later on when they’re ready.

Teach Them About Budgeting Basics: Speaking of budgeting basics, teaching your child about saving, spending, and sharing – the three-bucket approach – can help tremendously. For younger children, try using a clear jar so they can watch their money grow over time – and see it disappear when they withdraw from it to make purchases.

  • Saving: As most parents know, saving is an important part of managing your finances. The same goes go for your child. Just because they don’t have car payments and mortgages to pay for doesn’t mean they won’t benefit from this lesson. So encourage them to set aside a portion of their money they receive for future things – like bikes, skateboards, and video games they really want.
  • Spending: Even though no one like to spend their hard-earned money, allowing your child to decide on what they want to buy will teach them about money transactions. If they make a crazy purchase they’ll regret later on, they’re less likely to make the same mistake twice. For instance, if they buy too many snacks from the store, then they won’t have enough to buy anything else in the near future. This will encourage them to change their habits as consumers.
  • Sharing: In short, encourage your kids to share their fortunes with others – whether it’s a local fundraiser or a national charity. That way, they’ll understand how their money can help others.

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Thanks for the read! Did I miss anything important? What are some other ways parents can teach their children about money-saving tips? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Christmas Holiday Safety Tips for Parents

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The holiday season is filled with precious moments, no matter your tradition. On the other hand, some holiday traditions, decor, and fun activities can also lead to accidents if you aren’t careful – especially around younger children. During the holiday season, in particular, it’s easy for parents to get so caught up in all the festivities and fun outdoor games, that they forget about safety.

With over 15,000 injuries related to holiday decorations in 2012 according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, taking steps to prevent unnecessary bumps, falls, cuts, strains, and trips to the ER with your child should be at the top of your to-do-list. In order to make sure you have a safe and happy holiday season with all your loved ones, here are some tips that you should keep in mind as you decorate your home.

Familiarize Your Child With the Christmas Tree: According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), each holiday season firefighters respond to about 210 fires nationally. The sources? Christmas trees. Although Christmas tree fires aren’t common, when they do happen, a home can be engulfed in flames in a matter of minutes.

That’s why it’s important to teach your child safety protocols. For example, show them why it’s important to keep trees at least at three feet away from heat sources – like heaters, fireplaces, and vents. If your family prefers real trees over artificial ones, remember to keep it hydrated; the drier the tree, the more likely it is to ignite from an unexpected heating source. The base you have the tree it should also be able to hold at least one quart of water, says Rachel Rothman. Be sure to choose a strong tree stand that won’t tip over.

Go Over Light Safety: Whether you’re a last-minute person when it comes to decorating the house for the holidays, or someone that begins brainstorming ideas in August, one thing is certain: you’re going to need Christmas lights. After all, decorative lighting has the ability to spread holiday cheer in and outside your home.

Although parents might feel compelled to add rows and rows of lights around the house, you may have to scale back – depending on where the outlets are located. So before putting up any lights in your home, check the packaging, review the manual or instructions, and never plug in more wires than the power outlet or cord can handle. In other words, you never want to plug in or connect more than three cords of lights in one outlet.

Depending on the age of your child, make sure to point out the importance of the UL symbol when connecting items together and pay close attention to its color. Green, for instance, means it has been approved for indoor use, and red means it’s been approved for outdoor use. If you’re using older lights, check the wires to make sure there are no signs of cracks. Even if you go above and beyond to make sure your lights are safe, you should still unplug the lights when you leave the house.

Avoiding Slippery Spots: With all the excitement going on around the Christmas holiday, the last thing kids are thinking about is slipping and falling outside. However, it’s still important to prep the outdoor surroundings of your home. Keep the driveway and walkway clear of ice and snow – if you live in colder climates – especially if there are kids around wanting to play with their new toys.

You should also be extra careful when going out to shovel certain areas around your home. That’s because roughly 16,500 Americans injure themselves every year from shoveling accidents involving the removal of ice and snow from either the driveway or the sidewalk. If your child does decide to go outside and play after a recent snowfall, make sure they’re wearing proper boots that have enough traction to keep them balanced.

Dispose of Broken Ornaments: Are you known in the family for dropping glass ornaments? If you are, then make sure you pick up the big pieces so the little ones don’t step on them by accident. After you pick the larger pieces, wrap them up in a paper towel or piece of paper before tossing it in the garbage. To make sure there are not small pieces of broken fragments left around, be sure to sweep or vacuum the area.

It’s important that you pay extra attention to the floors during this time of year – even if you haven’t broken anything. As most parents know, kids learn by touching, and anything that’s shiny and within reach, will more than likely get pulled down. One strategy parents can try to be extra safe is color coding boxes and totes. For example, if you have a smaller child who’s constantly breaking ornaments around the house, setting a box aside to put all the broken pieces in is just 1 of 5 ways you can properly store and dispose of your Christmas decoration. It also prevents you from making a bigger mess by putting shattered pieces of glass in a trash bag that could get ripped open from the broken fragments.

Other Holiday Safety Tips for Parents to Remember:

  • Hard candy and nuts: Although it’s a common practice to leave these out on the table for visitors to snack on, it’s also easy for kids to choke on. Allergies are also a concern most parents overlook when it comes to children. So if you have any holiday candy around the house, just make sure it’s out of the kids reach.
  • Toys: When you’re out present shopping for kids, make sure the toys you purchase are age appropriate. If you aren’t sure whether or not the item is age appropriate, check the label.
  • Pets: If you have family visiting that loves to travel with their pets – such as a dog – be sure to never leave your child and the animal alone. Dogs that aren’t used to being around children might become scared and start to behave aggressively. So, keep an eye on your child and the animal at all times and don’t let your child get close to the dog’s food source.

In the long run, injuries can occur anywhere, especially around the holidays. However, following steps to ensure your family’s safety can help minimize the chances of your little ones getting injured. So be sure to educate them about the dangers around them during the holiday season.

Happy Holidays!

Safety Tips for Children on Halloween

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According to the U.S. Census, there are about 41 million potential trick-or-treaters between the ages of 5 and 15 who roam the streets looking for the best candy. That’s a lot of children walking around, and as most parents know, where kids go, safety concerns follow.

Whether you’re a mom or dad planning on dressing your child up as a Disney character, vampire, or professional athlete, you can set a good example for your kids by conducting yourself in the right manner and setting ground rules. With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to help keep your child safe on Halloween night.

Safety Tips

  • Stay Visible: According to Portland State University, Halloween is an accident-prone time. That’s why it’s never a bad idea to take a flashlight out when you and your child are going trick-or-treating. It allows drivers to see you, and lets homeowners know you’re approaching their door and can give them time to restrain their dogs (if they have any), and more importantly, load up their bucket with more candy. As an alternative route, you can also use glow sticks. Although they work the same way, they aren’t as bright as a flashlight. So if you decide to use a glow stick, make sure the community you’re going trick-or-treating in is well lit.
  • Trick-or-Treat Rules Out on the Road: On the day of Halloween your child will be filled with excitement. They’ll get to put on their scary costume, walk around the neighborhood at night, and eat lots of candy with friends. Which means the last thing they’ll be thinking about is road safety. This is why it’s important for parents to remind their child about the everyday safety tips. Teach them how to check their surroundings, even with all the commotion going on in the community that particular night. Distracted driving has become a serious issue within the past couple years, which is why insurance companies and other road safety organizations are focusing on distracted driving nationwide.

In fact, statistics show that a large majority of drivers who are involved in crashes are being distracted behind the wheel. So let your child know to look left, right, left again, and right before making an attempt to cross the street and to continue looking both ways until they make it safely on the sidewalk. If you’re walking with them, make sure they know to wait for you at the curb before proceeding.

Kids should also remain on the sidewalk at all times and never cut through people’s yards. This can help prevent accidents with things like yard decorations and other hazardous items that are hard to spot with the naked eye.

  • Costume Precautions: As a parent, it’s important to choose the right costume for your child to wear on Halloween. In other words, pick something that has bright colors on it and makes them visible at night or in the dark. Parents should also make sure that any store-bought costumes, accessories (beards, hats, masks, and wigs), and plastic jewelry are labeled as “flame resistant.” That way, if homeowners go against electrical safety tips and overload an outlet with too many plugs, your child’s not at risk due to their clothing.

That being said, it’s equally important to avoid putting your child in oversized shirts, and/or pants. For one, it makes it difficult for them to walk. Secondly, clothing dragging on the ground can come into contact with open flames from a jack-o-lantern. To play it safe, be sure to put your child in something that fits them. As a final point, if your child has a prop that comes with their costume (sword, knife, or tools), it should either be made out of plastic or rubber. That way if they fall while carrying their prop it will bend and not puncture their skin.

  • Make A Plan: For starters, children under the age of 12 should always be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating. Their personal items should also be labeled with their name and contact information just in case you both get separated from one another. If you have a child that’s older than 12, double check and see if they know how to reach you in case of an emergency. If they aren’t sure, give them a cell phone to use for the night so you can stay in contact with each other. Communication is key at this point, especially if this is their first time going out with friends without adult supervision.

Prior to them leaving the house, let them know their curfew, and establish a designated meeting area in case the phone dies while they’re out. If you’d like, you can also pre-plan a trick-or-treating route for them to follow: one that’s busy with kids and other parents, and has the best candy, of course. In the end, Halloween is a fun and creative time for both children and parents, so go out and enjoy it together.

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Thanks for the read! There are so many useful tips out there to choose from I couldn’t possibly cover them all. What are some other important things parents should keep in mind? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Sports Psychology: Understanding Your Child’s Behavior

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Let’s be honest, everyone wants to win. As parents, you want to help your child develop a sense of confidence and discipline in sports; and as a sports parent, you’d love for your child to reach their full potential in the game they love. However, pushing your child to strive for greatness without pressing them can be challenging.

It’s no secret that sports success is linked closely to an athlete’s mental toughness. If your favorite athlete struggles to perform well in competition, shows signs of frustration, talk about quitting or display low levels, mental game training can help. In other words, parents should not make assumptions about their child’s behavior in sports. At first, you might feel your child isn’t trying hard enough, or maybe even takes the game too seriously. When your kid appears to struggle with their performance, it’s important that you communicate with them. Help them identify the root of the problem.

If your child appears to take themselves or their heads out the game they love, try to understand if they are struggling with one or more of these classic mental game challenges:

Overcoming the Fear of Failure

With over 7.8 million children participating in sports, it’s no wonder why so many young adults want to perform well during games. The competitions high. Kids, in particular, who focus on making mistakes tend to overthink their personal or try too hard. This is why parents along with coaches and sports educators need to be aware of a child’s growth. These stages are physical, emotional, and mental which could impact all areas of a child’s academic and athletic life. Furthermore, trying too hard results in too much anxiety about the outcome of the game. Kids also become tense and play tentatively, which then hurts their overall performance.

Giving Up Towards the End

If your child has played a sport, you’ve probably been stuck chauffeuring them to practice and games; spent weekends on the field or beside the court; laced up soccer or football cleats for 8 am practice; paid for new equipment, clothes, food, and lessons; and possibly gotten involved in parent booster/ fundraiser club. Sports are a family commitment. So, when a child gives up when all hope is gone, it’s up to the family to get things back in order. A parent may assume that their kids do not care about the game if they give up –or stop trying– in competition. When kids lose, their temper and/or self-esteem can suffer tremendously. These athletes may also lack trust in their abilities.

When children announce they’re quitting, sometimes after spending as much as five years at their sport, many parents are upset and even angry. After all, as a parent, you’ve invested so much time, energy, and money. Instead of being frustrated, however, try to understand their reasoning. This is usually the first step in knowing how to respond.

Frustration to Meet High Expectations

Your child may have high expectations for themselves, such as making every free throw, making every tackle, or winning every game they play. These high expectations can set kids up for failure. Kids either achieve their goals and expectations or they don’t. It’s simple. Most of the time these expectations are too high and young athletes have a difficult time reaching them, which makes them more likely to experience depression.

Parents should also be careful what they tell their child just before a performance. Yes, even if you’re joking around when you say it. The best thing to advise your child to do is, “Have fun,” and enjoy the sport the sport they’re playing.

Approval from Others

Kids generally want to please their parents; and as humans, we naturally share an innate drive to connect with others. That being said, one challenge for many young athletes today is the fact they worry so much about what others think when they perform and this is a big distraction. Because the consequences of being rejected are so extreme, a child’s brain is programmed to avoid disapproval from other. In fact, studies have shown that social rejection can also lead to physical pain, which helps explain why rejection hurts so much.

Kids may feel pressure to meet the expectations of parents, teammates, and coaches. This causes them to judge their performance, and make assumptions about other perspectives. For instance, they might think, “If I miss this free throw coach won’t play me anymore,” or, “If I strike out my parents will be embarrassed.” Young athletes are in tune with how they are perceived by others.

These are just a few of the most common challenges that affect a young athlete’s behavior just before or after a game. Before you make an assumption about your child’s game, be sure to think about the challenges listed above and try to understand if your athlete is struggling with one or more of them.

In order to become mentally tough, young athletes need to learn to:

  1. Build confidence that can be transferred from practice to competition.
  2. Define and manage the high expectations that can quickly lead to frustration and anger.
  3. Let go and move on when mistakes happen during a game and/or competition.
  4. Manage distractions and negative thoughts/ feelings to perform with laser-like focus.

Should Your Child Follow a Routine During the Summer?

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Summer is practically here, and you know what that means? That’s right, schools all over the U.S. are closing their doors and going on summer vacation; but before you think about driving off to get to your vacation home, take a second to think about the importance of structure in your child’s life.

Since children thrive off the structure, it’s important that parents get them accustomed to routines. Whether kids are waking up in the morning before school, or going outside to play, they need routines to establish good habits. Kids don’t have too much control in their lives, but routines can give them a sense of organization, stability, and most importantly, independence.

In return, this should help children develop good behavior skills and a sense of personal control. When adults provide an environment that feels safe, children learn that they can trust others around them to help care for them. In other words, routines not only have emotional benefits but health benefits as well.

Summer schedules may sound like an oxymoron to some parents, but kids need them. Some children, for example, can experience a loss of cognitive ability during summer break, according to the National Summer Learning Association. By encouraging mental stimulation throughout summer, parents can help their child maintain a high level in math, reading, and spelling. Research by the NSLA also shows a positive effect on children when they’re enrolled in summer learning programs, compared to children who aren’t.

Most parents worry about over-scheduling their families, but Mollie Grow, a pediatrician in Seattle, says there is also such thing as “under-scheduling.” Although it’s important to have fun, take breaks, and play a little, routines give kids something to rely on during the summer, when they have more time and less supervision.

Ways Parents Can Handle Playtime

It’s important for stay-at-home dads to build playtime into their child’s day-to-day activities. This gives children an enjoyable activity to look forward to and allows them to burn off their energy. As a parent, be sure to plan what to do with your child’s free time. Some activities could include visiting a park, playing with LEGOs, or building a fort and playing board games. Change up the activity to keep your child engaged.

Of course, if you have older children who play team sports, you won’t have much of a choice when practice starts. However, it’s important to plan your schedule accordingly if it’s your responsibility to pick up your child from practice or games. Schedule your day so that you can still meet the needs of your child and complete your normal tasks even on practice days. Having a child who plays sports shouldn’t interrupt your entire day.

Ways to Keep Routine and Have Fun This Summer

Plan family time. Go on bike rides, hikes, or host a family barbecue for that matter. Or think big and plan a camping trip. Parents who model strong, healthy relationships and involve their kids in decisions about certain family activities will give those children the opportunity to express their voices. For younger children, parents can offer simple choices, such as, “Would you rather go to the beach or water park?” By giving your child an option, they’ll start to feel more involved in the decisions being made.

Are you and your family on a budget? If so, don’t worry. There are lots of low-cost options for families who want to engage in summer activities. The YMCA, for example, offers tons of great outdoor activities to children during the summer.

Allow them to socialize with other kids. For kids, in particular, being outside and participating in outdoor activities builds social skills. Going to the park, for instance, allows children to gain confidence as they play on the monkey bars, and ride their bikes.

Volunteer as a family. Volunteering offers vital help to people who are in need, and the community also benefits from it. As a matter of fact, volunteering and helping others can also help you and your family reduce stress and keep you all mentally stimulated. Although volunteering provides a wealth of benefits to the family, it doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a large amount of time out of your day.

Spending time with your family can be an amazing asset to a child’s development, both physically and mentally. Family time can also improve a child’s vocabulary skills and understanding of the world. Enjoy the long summer days and plan outings as a family.

Remember to have fun this summer. Take a break, relax in the sun, and incorporate structure into your child’s summertime schedule.

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Thanks for the read! I’m curious to know, what are some other ways parents can incorporate summer routines into their child’s summer schedule? Feel free to leave a comment below.

College 101: What Parents of University Students Should Know

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Throughout many American households, going to college is an expectation for children, but planning for this can be a big step for any family, especially when the expenses could bust the family’s budget. For parents of first-generation college students, the summer before your child leaves can without a doubt be both exciting and frightening.

It’s common for parents to have worries about their children being on their own for the first time. As a matter of fact, once a child leaves home for college, it can become one of the most challenging times as a parent.

Your child will have lots of freedom, and you won’t be able to see them as often.

This is completely normal and understandable; but to allow your child room to grow as an individual, he or she may have to deal with situations on their own without running to you (as a first option).

Here are some tips on how to successfully parent your college student:

Preparing for Your Child’s College Career

Begin planning your child’s financial budget: Teaching your kids how to work within a budget pays off big time in the long run. Even when they’re young, kids are ready to learn the basics and as they get older, including them in your own budget planning helps them develop good habits from the start.

Believe it or not, teaching credit is like teaching your child good manners-you need to have it, and you need to know when to use it. That being said, be sure to explain how credit affects your lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to tell them how credit is measured, and what is considered a good credit score. These are the discussions that will help your child understand that credit can be used as a tool. It also gives them power over their financial decisions whether it’s applying for a student loan refinance (after college), or applying for multiple scholarships to help reduce the amount of money owed back to the government. Whatever the case maybe, planning your child’s budget will definitely benefit them down the road.

Keep in touch: A cell phone can be an amazing way to stay in contact, or it can be, as some students put it, an “electronic leash.” Most parents, in fact, find that as students start to become more absorbed in campus life, they hardly ever respond to phone calls, emails, and other means of communication. If this has happened to you as a parent, you are not alone. Keep calling, try instant messaging, and send care packages. Your student will appreciate hearing from you, even if for some reason, they don’t respond. Visiting during parent and family weekend, is also another great way to stay connected.

Gathering essential school supplies: The excitement of gathering items that your child will need for their dorm room or college apartment may cause them to forget that they still need school supplies too. Of course, the new adventure of college will be thrilling, but as a parent, you have to make sure your child’s still working towards their accomplishment. Make sure to put these items on their school supply list:

  • Laptop/printer. Generally speaking, laptops have larger screens and a keyboard that lends itself to easy content creation. This means that inserting pictures, graphics, and other elements into documents will make it much easier for students to both organize and prioritize their work.
  • Student planners. From exam dates to group presentations, a college student’s schedule is typically jam-packed with multiple deadlines to meet. A student planner is vital for time management and will help students stay on top of things.
  • Index cards. Studying using index cards is a great way to help your child learn new material. Writing the information on an index card will help your student better retain information, and the cards are easy to take on the go in case they decide to study while walking to class.
  • Flash drive. There’s nothing worse than losing a semester’s worth of work without the possibility of getting any of it back. Luckily, with the help of free cloud storage, such as Dropbox, Google doc, and One drive, a flash drive aren’t as big of a necessity as it was 10 years ago. There are, however, a few benefits of using a flash drive for college documents such as maintaining physical documents, and securing them.
  • Highlighters. These are a must for future college students. Using a highlighter helps to make the most essential information in their textbook stand out.

Get them ready for independence: Preparing for college during freshman year also means preparing students to be more independent during their last year of high school. In other words, college shouldn’t be a child’s first taste of independence or being away from home.

Leaving home, however, is no easy feat; homesickness, loneliness, stress, and anxiety are all common feelings amongst first-year college students. Signing children up for summer programs that allow them to spend time away from family enjoying the outdoors, studying, or volunteering will help them become more independent. Some universities offer summer programs to give students a chance to learn more about their surroundings while they take on their initial college courses.

These are the same programs that teach students valuable lessons about co-existing with roommates they don’t know. Students also learn how to care for their basic needs. The more responsible a rising freshman becomes, the better off they are when they walk onto a college campus.

Encourage campus involvement: Getting and staying involved is one of the most important things a student can do while in college. Being involved, just doesn’t have to deal with volunteer work. In fact, campus involvement takes on many forms, from being a member of a student organization (ASB Student Body Government), to helping a professor conduct research on a project.

As a result of their involvement, they will gain knowledge, skills, and experience in leadership, problem-solving, communication, management, and group development. Being involved also encourages and advances developed on all levels that include: intellectual, spiritual, and social.

In the long run, participating in groups at school, and attending activities on campus are all important for your child’s well-being. But being involved in everything their campus has to offer can also be dangerous for students, distracting them from their studies. That’s why it’s important for your student to ask, “How much is enough?” and “How much is too much?” to understand the difference. Your student will need to find the appropriate level of involvement for him/her.

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Thanks for the read! Did I miss anything crucial? What are some other things parents should know before their child heads off to college? Feel free to leave comments below.