When Does A College Transfer Make Sense?

It is estimated that about 30% of college students will decide to transfer to a different school at some point in their college careers. Too often students switch schools for the wrong reasons and find that the grass is not always greener after the move. Here are a few situations in which a college transfer makes sense.

Financial Necessity
Some students simply feel that they can’t afford to stay at their current college. If you're feeling money pressures, be sure to talk to a financial aid officer or your family before deciding on making a transfer. The long-term rewards of a quality degree might outweigh short-term financial inconvenience. Also, realize that a transfer to a less expensive school may not actually save you money in the long run.

Up for the Challenge
If you are not feeling challenged enough at your current school, or you have you earned such high grades that you think you can win admission to a significantly better school, than transfer might be a good idea. A more prestigious college may be able to offer better educational and career opportunities. Remember, however, that being the star of the class at lower-ranked school can also have its own rewards.

Specialized Major
If you discover in your first few years of college that you want to be a zoologist, you might want to transfer to a school that specializes in animals. Similarly, if nothing will suit you but a career as an astrologist, you should transfer to one of the few schools in the country that offers such specialized training.

Family Obligations
In some cases, family has to take priority over school. If you need to be close to home because of a sick family member, transferring to a different school closer to home might make sense. Try to talk to your Dean first--a leave of absence is sometimes a much better solution.

Social Situation
Sometimes the culture at a college turns out to be the opposite of what you wanted. Maybe the seven-day-a-week party scene isn’t for you, or perhaps the opposite is true and you’d like a more active social life. College isn’t just about the academics, so in some cases like these, a transfer might make sense. Don’t jump too quickly though--make sure that the social group that you’re looking for doesn’t exist at your current school and try a change of friends first before a change of school.

How to Start the School Year Off Right This Year

Summer is over, the days are shorter and the weather is cooler—this is the start of the new school year. Instead of groaning, why not take this as an opportunity for a new start and the chance to make it the best academic year yet!

Go to bed early and get enough sleep--a good sleep makes you more awake during the school day, which means you’re more focused and are much more fun to hang with during the day. You should ideally get between 7 and 8 hours a night, and also, to make sure that you are getting quality sleep, make sure to shut off computer and cell phones at least 1 1/2 hours before going to sleep.

Watch your eating habits—make sure that you are getting enough whole grains, fruits and vegetables so that you don’t find yourself getting sick or feeling sluggish during the day because you are hungry or lacking vitamins. Also, don't forget to eat something for breakfast, even if it means grabbing a granola bar or banana on the run.

Do homework right away—don’t put off doing homework or projects until later in the night or after your favorite TV program. Do what you need to do right away so that you don’t run the risk of not having enough time to finish later or leaving it too late to go to sleep at a reasonable time.

Be prepared--Have everything you need for the school day set up and ready to go the night before, so you won't find yourself running around getting even more stressed in the morning.

Be on time for classes--by showing up on time or even a little early, you immediately give the impression that you are reliable. Punctuality and making deadlines are crucial to your success as a student. If you are known for being on time, a punctuality slip in the future is more likely to be forgiven.

Keep your focus--the reason that you are at school is for school. Worry about socializing before or after school or on weekends; don’t ignore teachers or talk with friends during class instead of paying attention. The only one who will suffer is you—and your grades! 

Engaging with your teacher in class--ask questions, make comments and volunteer for demonstrations. You want to be in their mind as someone who is listening to their lecture. Even if you just ask for clarification from time to time, it shows a willingness to learn and improve. Stepping out in class is gutsy too; you’ll establish yourself to your teacher, as well as your peers, as a confident person.

College Freshman Survival Guide

If you feel overwhelmed by your freshman year in college away from home, you are not alone! The first semester away from home is a difficult time for about every college student--you're not just learning college curriculum, you are also learning the challenge of how to be a college student. Here are some basic first year survival tips.

Be responsible for your own learning. No one is going to remind you when your papers are due or hold you responsible for doing your homework every night instead of socializing. Make sure that you go to class every single day unless you have an extremely good reason not to go. Now that you're no longer forced to be in class, it will be tempting not to go. Just know that if you don't go, you're not going to do well. When in class, take good notes and pay attention—no text messaging your friends or updating your Facebook status.

Try to meet new people. Be sure to take advantage of freshman orientation week--if you go home to visit old friends and visit family, you'll be missing out on the opportunity to make friends and build an independent life away from your family. Face your fears and your homesickness and stay on campus, at least for the first month or so. The same goes for if you have high school friends on campus with you-- avoid hanging out with them all the time and take the opportunity to make new friends and meet new people.

Learn to be financially responsible. Even if you're lucky enough to have parents who can help you out financially, you need to learn to spend money wisely. Also, be careful with credit cards--credit card companies prey on college students heavily, and before you know it, you may be in more debt than you thought possible. Make sure that you have an emergency fund for things like medical bills, car repairs, etc., so that if something goes wrong, you're prepared to deal with it.

Eat right and stay healthy. Try to eat well, exercise a reasonable amount--walking around campus counts, get regular medical checkups, and get enough sleep. Make sure you understand basic nutrition and how to eat right--college is full of junk food temptations and if you're not careful, you'll be packing on the dreaded "freshman 15" in no time and may make yourself sick in the process. Be careful not to have too much sugar or caffeine, and avoid consuming too much alcohol.

Seek out help if you need it. Academic and psychological help is available on all college campuses, but you need to take the responsibility to get the help you need. Don't be afraid to ask professors for help if you are feeling depressed or psychological overwhelmed.

If you follow these simple steps and guidelines, your first year as a college student will go much more smoothly. Take the time to educate yourself now to guarantee a great college experience.

Coping With Kids Going Off to College

You've waited so long for this day--your son or daughter is proudly off at college! In many ways, it is culture shock when a child leaves home for college and parents left behind may react in a variety of ways. If a parent is elated, they may immediately be measuring to turn the now vacant room into that hobby room they have always wanted. If a parent feels lonely and depressed, he or she may tend to sit home more often and wonder what to do with themselves. The goal for getting through this life change is to reach a happy balance.

Keep in touch….
Missing a loved one is okay—especially when you know that they are off bettering their lives. The key is to keep in touch with your student so that you don’t end up missing them too much. Now may be the time to learn instant messaging on the computer, or texting on a cell phone. Staying in contact with your student is very important, as is setting ground rules for how often you are going to communicate—maybe a phone call every Sunday evening when the family is together for dinner and a text or email once or twice during the week. Being able to communicate in a variety of methods gives you more freedom and will likely result in more effective communication with your student.

Try to look for small, inexpensive, yet meaningful things to send the student in an occasional “care” package. Their favorite chocolate bar, a gift card to a local area restaurant or coffee shop is a nice way to show that you are thinking of them and want them to be comfortable in their new surroundings.

A Life Outside of Family
You've spent many years of your life raising your child and now, all that hard work has paid off. You deserve some time for yourself, so do something that you have always put off doing. Keeping busy will keep your mind focused and occupied so that you won't have as much time to spend worrying about your student.  If you don't already have a job, this may be the perfect time to find one, even if it is just part time. You will not only earn some extra money, but may make new friends or learn a new skill.

If working is not for you, but you are still interested in learning, why not take a course or attend a class at a local community college. Look around your community and see what opportunities are right around the corner. Be careful not to overdo it though--sometimes a parent may have a tendency to do too many things. Some parents may go out every night or be so involved in activities that the rest of their family barely sees them because it's too lonely for them to be at home. Catch yourself if you feel you are starting to overdo it, and change your thinking paths.

Sending a child off to college is as much an adjustment for the parents as it is for the students. Look at this time of life as an opportunity to grow in more ways. You will always be a parent, regardless of how old your student is, so give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done, and take the time now to better yourself and your environment.

Campus Life - The First Weeks

There is always a lot of hustle and bustle when it’s time for students to go away to college for the first time. Parents are bogged down in preparations and students have plans too. Students usually are struck by the real implications of being on their own once they’re settled in. This doesn’t have to be a tremendous change. Preparing ahead of time for the first weeks away can be a big help.

Some colleges offer an orientation program for freshmen. This is a terrific opportunity for students to get accustomed to their new surroundings. Campus life is different from living at home. Parents can play a big role in easing students concerns about being independent. Making a list of important factors is a good way to prepare for the first weeks of college. Let’s take a look at a few of these factors.

Residence Living

It doesn’t matter, whether a student has siblings or not. Living in a dorm requires a bit of adjustment. Sharing living spaces with other people is a part of the process. Dorms are separated into suites, depending on their size. There could be 5-10 students living in one suite on your campus. Factors like noise, shared facilities, and room sizes may be a source of conversation.

Dining Options

Students living on campus are immediately responsible for their own dining arrangements. Campuses are generally equipped with a variety of locations where students can purchase meals. Meal plans usually determine which locations are available to a student. It is important to know where meals are served and at what time.

Budgeting Time

Campus life holds a lot of intriguing locations and activities. These can be fun to enjoy and participate in. Students must remember to budget their time wisely. Being able to incorporate fun and work is critical to student success.

After the first few weeks on campus, most students are able to adjust easily. There are many new things happening at once. This is a part of the excitement of being at a college or university. It can be unsettling, however, if the student doesn’t know what to expect. Getting ready to be independent and a college student is important. With a little preparation, your college student will be well on their way.