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TIPS & REFLECTIONS

Adulting and Life Skills for High School Students

5/15/2023

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Parents of seniors and older high school students, are your kids ready to live independently, fly from the comfort of your nest, and settle into their lives as confident, competent college students and young adults? Here’s a reality check...does your student have these essential "adulting" and daily living skills? If not, get busy! Summer can be an excellent time for teachable moments that last a lifetime. 
  1. Money Management: Teach your child how to create a budget, manage expenses, and save money. For example, encourage them to track their spending for a month and identify areas where they can cut back on unnecessary costs. Encourage your child to get a part-time job to learn more about how long it takes to earn money for the things they need and want.
  2. Cooking: Teach your child how to cook basic meals and snacks. Start with simple recipes like scrambled eggs or grilled cheese sandwiches and gradually increase the complexity of the dishes. Help them learn how to grill burgers, the classic college tailgate or fraternity party meal.
  3. Cleaning: Teach your child how to clean their living space, do laundry, and keep their belongings organized. Show them how to use cleaning products safely and efficiently, and encourage them to create a regular cleaning routine to stay on top of their chores.
  4. Time Management: Show your child how to create a schedule and prioritize tasks to manage their time effectively. For example, encourage them to use a planner or calendar app to keep track of their assignments and deadlines. Help them to see how getting started and not procrastinating actually gives them more free time and control over their day.
  5. Simple Household Projects: Involve your child in work around the house that requires using simple tools, like screwdrivers, hammers, and paintbrushes; problem-solving; and reading instructions. For example, have your child help you put together a new bookcase for their room, set up the new computer, or sand and paint the gate. 
  6. Communication: Teach your child how to communicate effectively with their peers, professors, and other authority figures. For example, encourage them to practice active listening and using "I" statements to express their thoughts and feelings. Help them write emails to teachers, coaches, and other authority figures, and engage in modeling and role play to help them figure out how to express themselves when topics are less familiar or self-advocacy is needed.
  7. Decision Making: Teach your child how to make informed decisions and problem-solve. Model the decision-making process, including gathering information, weighing the pros and cons, and considering the potential consequences.
  8. Responsibility: Teach your child how to take responsibility for their actions and own up to mistakes. Encourage them to apologize when necessary and make amends for any harm they may have caused.
  9. Independence: Encourage your child to take on responsibilities and make decisions for themselves. Give them opportunities to become more independent by gradually giving them more freedom, encouraging them to do things on their own, and providing guidance and support as needed. Have your child learn to drive and teach how to read metro or public transportation schedules before leaving for college.
  10. Self-Care: Teach your child about the importance of getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating healthy. Encourage them to establish a regular schedule of sleep and physical activity. Help them recognize when they are overly tired, burned out, or exhausted. Model ways for them to take breaks and then reengage with their school work or other responsibilities. 
  11. Goal Setting: Help your child set achievable goals and work towards them. Encourage them to break larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps and celebrate their successes along the way.
  12. Self-Advocacy: Teach your children how to speak up for themselves and seek help when needed. Encourage them to ask questions, seek feedback, follow up, and advocate for their own needs and interests.
  13. Networking: Encourage your child to build professional relationships and see the value of networking with others. Help them identify potential mentors or contacts and practice introducing themselves and making connections.
  14. Health Insurance: Teach your child about their health insurance and how to navigate the healthcare system. Help them understand the different types of insurance plans, how to find a doctor, and how to use their insurance benefits. Make sure they know what to do in a healthcare emergency.

To help your child learn these skills before going to college, you can:
  • Model the behavior yourself: If you want your child to learn good money management or cooking skills, show them how it's done by including them in your budgeting or cooking activities.
  • Give them opportunities to practice: Let your child take on age-appropriate responsibilities around the house, like doing their laundry or cooking dinner once a week.
  • Use real-world scenarios: When teaching skills like decision-making or communication, use real-world scenarios that your child can relate to, like a disagreement with a friend or deciding whether to accept a job offer.
  • Provide guidance and support: Be there to answer your child's questions and offer guidance and support as they learn these new skills.
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'Crisis of Our Time'

4/27/2023

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In a recent article in Education Week on student well-being, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy points to social media as the major contributing factor in the surge in children's mental health challenges, and describes their declining mental health as the 'Crisis of Our Time.'

​Self-regulation of social media use is a learned skill that has to be mindfully practiced. As a college advisor working with high school students, I'm experiencing more of my students making a conscious decision to set aside their social media, attending to it less, and trying to take a more objective view of what is available on social media.


Just last night, a high school junior told me that she feels more positive about herself because she's decided not to be on social media very often. She told me that she realized she was wasting so much time and that she's happier when she uses her time in other ways. She also said that she feels it was toxic to her to be always looking at other people's achievements. She referred to it as being "filtered" and never showing anything negative or any true feelings. I love that she's able to separate herself and her experiences from what is portrayed on social media.

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The Race . . .

10/7/2022

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A refreshing perspective in the article "Quietly Quitting the College Admissions Race" from author Brennan Barnard, "...I am not suggesting that young people disengage and passively refuse to go above and beyond. I am saying that learning to set boundaries early is a life skill that will serve them well on all fronts. Instead of packing schedules with a litany of “should dos,” students might consider what they really want to do–what fills and inspires them–and lean into those pursuits in moderation and purpose, not mania and pressure."

I recently started working with an inspiring, articulate, athletic, academically and service-oriented sophomore who already seemed to be subscribing to this mentality, very intentionally setting boundaries and prioritizing time for himself to rest, rejuvenate and relax. He talked a lot about it being important for him to incorporate these moments every day, whether it be taking a short nap, playing with his dog, going for an early morning surf or scrolling through social media. He doesn't seem stressed, but he is directed and contemplative, as well as being a straight A student, playing two sports, tutoring other students and increasing his engagement in new ways in his school and community.

In my experience with adolescents, this is not the norm. The most frequent comments I hear are about wishing they had more free time, less demands, more of doing what they want to do instead of what their parents, teachers, coaches or others think they need to be doing. It's not that they really want to lounge, play video games, and hang out with friends all day long, but they do desire to feel more in control of their lives and future.

The recent data from a Harvard-led study examining many indicators of life satisfaction and well-being found that young adults, age 18-25 report the lowest rates of satisfaction. This has not been historically true, our teens' lives, the expectations of them, and the pressure they place on themselves has changed over the last 20 years.

As a parent, it is a fine line between encouraging, nudging, providing opportunity and pushing too far. Every child is different, every situation is different, but as adults, if many of us in society have decided to #quietlyquit the madness or at least prioritize stepping back a bit and caring for ourselves, then let's empower our youth to do the same.

#collegeadvisor #collegecounselor #redowork #teenmentalhealth
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What college is all about...

9/22/2022

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A parent of a client recently shared with me that she worried that the environment and educational experience at certain colleges might be not in line with her family values.

My role as a college advisor is not always about supporting and guiding the student but also about helping the parent to better understand the benefits of going to college, one of which is being able to listen to and learn from others’ perspectives, particularly those whose experiences and viewpoints are different from your own.

Read this impactful article "These Professors Help Students See Why Others Think Differently," featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education to learn more about the role of college in broadening and deepening your student's experiences and perspectives. 
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Check out local college campus events...

9/20/2022

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I was involved with a USC admissions visit at a local Los Angeles high school, and the representative asked the junior and senior students how many had ever visited the campus. Surprisingly, only 20% had actually been to the campus, and these were students who had self-identified as being interested in applying to USC!

Parents, take your students and younger children to college campuses and events, not because you're doing "official college visits" or planning for college, but because knowledge and perspective are gained from being on a college campus, observing what students do, what fun activities are offered, what a campus looks and feels like, and envisioning your future self as a college student, all the elements that help a student to understand what college is all about ~ besides academics and getting a degree.

Do you know that most colleges and universities have a significant commitment to community engagement and offer a huge number of interesting and diverse experiences for children and families, many of which are absolutely free? These include: sporting events, performing arts, visual arts, notable speakers, book fairs, health fairs, food and restaurant nights, children's theater and concerts, planetariums, community gardens, and much, much more. 
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What students really want to know...

9/14/2022

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What do students REALLY want to know? ….As students are doing campus tours, attending college fairs and engaging with college representatives at their high schools, I thought I’d share a few of the questions I’ve heard from students recently, most of which are not included in this great article, "50 Questions to Ask When You're on a College Visit". Notice how most of the students’ actual questions are not related to academics or formal education but to social aspects and daily living.

* What kind of food do you have or how many places can you get something to eat on campus? Does the       little robot deliver to dorm rooms?
* Is there Greek life?
* What are the dorms like? How many people are in a room?
* How do I get a roommate?
* How far is it to a beach?
* Do you consider your college and students to be more liberal or conservative?
* What is there to do in your college town?
* What activities are there for freshman to help them meet people?
* How do students get around campus or to places in the city?
* Can I double, triple major? Can I have 2 minors?
* Can I change majors?
* Does it rain/snow a lot?

* How do I get involved in clubs or campus activities?
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Why students skip class...

9/2/2022

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Getting a college education isn't just about what courses you take, where you go, or even your instructors, it's as much about the social connections you make with your peers. Students who were surveyed about their attendance and engagement in coursework reported that they were more likely to attend when they had opportunities to interact with their classmates. They also viewed going to class as an opportunity to make friends. As highlighted in this article, these findings have implications for rethinking how colleges and faculty structure classes and opportunities for student engagement.

Check out this interesting read, "Why Students Are Skipping Class, and How to Bring Them Back," to learn more about what today's college students value. 

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College admissions are stressful enough...

8/30/2022

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When meeting with students about their college lists, they frequently share about the additional pressure they feel related to family expectations. "Mom wants me to go to the best, most prestigious school that I can get into. It's really important to her." "I know they care about me and want what's best, but I feel like everyone is pulling me in different directions, and I'm trying to please them all." "My dad thinks I need to start a program to help kids like me at my school this fall. He says I have gaps in my application." "Dad says I can get a scholarship to play football, but I'm not sure I even want to play in college and no coaches are recruiting me."

This perspective article, "College Admissions are Stressful Enough. Parents Don't Make It Worse," gives some healthy perspective on how to support your student in thinking about and applying to college. Working with a college counselor can help bridge these conversations, offer resources and effective tools, and guide your student toward pathways to pursue their interests and goals, while balancing family priorities and needs.
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Playing Sports in college...

8/1/2022

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This Guide to Playing Sports in College is a great introduction and overview of the opportunities to play sports in college from recreational intramurals to competitive club sports to representing a university at the NCAA/NAIA level. The key for students is to find the best fit both athletically and academically. Not everyone is a D1 athlete but playing a sport in college can be rewarding in many ways and may help a student get into a college that otherwise might have been out of reach.
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