Dr Stephen Jones  

Every year millions of students go off to college with all kinds of hopes and dreams.  During their high school graduation they are told the future is bright.  As is common with any new experiences there are a lot of adjustments that students must make.  There are a lot of encounters with roommates and adjustments for different ways of living.  For example one student might be very accustomed to a clean room while the other likes to leave their clothes wherever they take them off.  This is a common occurrence on a college campus.  A good book for a college freshman is “Who Moved My Cheese” By Spencer Johnson.  There will be plenty of changes during the freshman year. The first year of college is a significant time when students grow and change emotionally and intellectually.  Here are a few college success tips for students to consider:

1.  Arrive on campus early so that you can get to know where your classes are located.

2.  Find an upper-class student who can serve as your mentor.

3.  Form a study group for difficult courses right away.

4.  Meet with all of the teachers during their office hours the first week of classes.

5.  Focus on your fitness.  Go to the gym three times a week.

6.  Get to know your resident assistant.  They can be very helpful.

7.  Meet your faculty advisor and let him/her know your interest.

8.  Meet the dean/director of your department.  You never know when you will need their help.

9.  Go to the library to get other books about your course topic.

10.  Have fun and join an organization that allows you to network with students from other majors.

Attending college can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in life.  I have met many students in college whose friendship has lasted for a lifetime.  College should be a time of exploration where you get to find out many things about yourself.  You can create a fresh vision for your future by participating in campus activities and taking on a leadership role in your college.

Allow your first year to be a time of seeking new information about your self and your career.  If you are not exactly sure of what you want perform a career search.  Sometimes just by talking to a company representative you can identify some area of interest.  For example did you know that many math majors are hired by an insurance company?  It’s important to have different types of career experiences throughout your college years.   The freshman year is not too early to refine your career search.  You can go to events to meet alumni and also attend the campus wide career fair.

Going to college is a great way to take the limits off of your possibilities. When you meet professors in their offices go prepared with questions.  You must be willing to challenge yourself to learn new things from each of the courses that you attend.  There may be questions that your professor is willing to answer when you are in their office.  You can build a good reputation as a student who is serious about your major.  Make this freshman year a success by exploring all of your options. Dr Stephen Jones is education consultant author of three books the Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent's Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide available at http://www.studyskills2u.com

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Senator Edward Kennedy a friend of the poor and champion of education died at 77 last night.  From my days as a young child I remember my parent’s disappointment over the death of John F. Kennedy his bother.  I suppose they were inspired by the President’s enthusiasm for civil rights.  Senator Edward Kennedy took up the challenge to continue the push for the civil treatment of all Americans.  He was not afraid to battle for issues that he felt were important.  He was a liberal who knew how to engage republicans when there were mutually agreeable benefits. I think he valued education because he recognized the limitations that it would place on the growth of the nation. 

One of the characteristics that Senator Kennedy exhibited was that of a servant.  He realized that it was his duty to be concerned about the condition of the common person. Even while he was ill with cancer he still continued to champion causes that he valued.  He will be missed when issues regarding education come before the congress and senate. We need more legislators who will stand up for education and the civil rights of all citizens.  This country needs more people who will realize that nothing will change as long as we to lose our global position in the area of education.  My prayers are with the Kennedy family on this day.

Increasingly parents who send their children to school and those who home school are asking the same question.  How can I motivate my child to learn when 21^st century technology is influencing their every thought? It seems that children are learning how to multi-task but it is affecting their ability to focus.  The very electronics that were purchased to entertain in the home have become the center of their attention.  There are cell phones, flat screen televisions in every room, hundreds of cable stations, wireless laptops and IPods.  Students say that they cannot live with out there technology devices.

What’s a parent to do?  Did you know that each of these items can become another method to increase learning and communication?  There are things that you can do to use these items as learning tools.  Why not send your son/daughter a text message of the day.  Getting the question right helps them to accumulate points toward some reward.  Students can download MP# recordings from informative internet radio programs, record notes on a digital recorder and purchase math software for their computer.   Some schools are using scientific calculators to teach math.

Innovation in the home learning environment involves making the student a part of the learning process.  We do this when children are in elementary school.  Parents and teachers constantly think of creative was get children charged up about learning.  Somehow we’re convinced that creative learning is for children and not middle and high school students. It’s time to ask the children how they can use the technology to learn.  They probably have ideas that they have not considered because they are so focused on communicating with other teens. 

Parents and teachers can be a catalyst that demonstrates how learning occurs through daily experiences.  Why not visit a local business to find out how they use technology to make their company function.  Go to an entertainment company and discover how the use sound affects and technology to change the visible images that people see during a performance. 

Did you know that an IPod can be used as a learning tool? Students can down load information from math and science websites.  If they are studying volcanoes they can go the websites and get a recording that they can listen to any where at home and while they travel.  Learning should occur inside and outside of the classroom.  Ask your student what they are listening to every week.  There is always an opportunity to reinforce the information that they are learning.  Students need to know that you are interested in how they are learning.  A few words of encouragement can go a long way.

It’s a whole new world that students are exploring.  Parents and teachers must take time to raise their awareness of the technology trends that dominate their student’s lives.  For example online tutoring is a growing resource for many families.  Schools are loading teacher information on secure school websites.  Students can review their teacher’s notes online.  It is another innovative way to help your student to learn from a different perspective. 

Today learning at all levels must be an adventure that captures the student’s attention and perceptions.  Seizing the opportunity to explore how to integrate technology into learning is essential.  There’s a wealth of experiences that can make any school assignment a source of academic growth.

Every year thousands of parents grab a cart and engage in the age old tradition of back to school shopping.  There is a level of excitement in the air as students consider new school supplies and what clothes they will wear back to school.  All parents can do is look at their pockets and try to find a way to stretch a dollar.  Many parents start their shopping without a plan and that’s where money is lost.  Have you ever noticed how things are strategically placed around the store so that you will make random purchases?  There are all kinds of pencils, notebooks and paper right within your grasp.

There are some things that you can do to resist the temptation to spend too much.  First make a list of the most expensive items that you need to purchase.  Check the internet and advertisements in your local newspaper.  This is important especially when you are purchasing electronic products like lap tops, Ipods and digital recorders.  The money that you save from these purchases can add up to hundreds of dollars.  Recognize that every product that has a sales tag can be bought cheaper if you are willing to do your research. 

The second tip is to watch for the best day of the week to purchase clothes and other items.  Some stores have sales on certain days of the week.  This is done to increase the number of parent’s and students who are coming into their store.  As you shop for sales it may be worth returning on another day.  Talk with your relative who works in a retail store.  They may have a discount that they can use on your purchases.  There could be an additional discount in addition to the sale that is going on in the store.

Third there are numerous websites where you can purchase books at a discount.  Search Google for discount book websites.  Purchasing books online is real convenient today.  Books that you order usually arrive in 3 to 5 days.  Still it is better to purchase books well before they are needed.  If your son/daughter needs the book to write a report the book will be available to get started early. Also consider purchasing reference books so that your son/daughter will have books to look at when they do not understand a particular definition or subject.

A forth back to school saving tip involves purchasing shoes and sneakers at a reduced price.  There are stores that sell hundreds of shoes.  You need to keep an eye on the prices several times a week.  Sometimes local stores want to move inventory so that they will lower their prices.  Ask your child how often he/she talks with their peers about where they get the best sneaker discounts. 

A fifth tip is to form a group of parents who can each purchase some items in bulk.  Pencils and paper can be shared by parents.  Create a supplies storage container where you will keep all of the items. This is one way that you can avoid purchasing too many items that you already have.  Before you go shopping go to your storage draws and take an inventory of all of things you need.  You will be amazed at how much you have in storage from last year,

Now that you’ve saved hundreds of dollar focus on your child’s education. Decide on something that you will do to make education fun this year.  Load up your students book bags with good snacks. Even high school students need snacks because they can loose their energy during the day.  Remember a healthy body will boost a student’s performance on tests.  Make your back to school journey one that is full of good expectations.  You can control your back to school spending and have a great new school year too. Dr Stephen Jones is an education expert, consultant and author of three books the Seven Secrets of how to Study, the Parent’s Ultimate education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide available at www.studyskills2u.com.