Comments for Hoverings: A Blog for College Parents

Comment on Ten Factors in Student Success by Tutor Phil

Tutor Phil — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:44:49 +0000

Number 9 caught my attention right away, since I teach college writing.
As an educator, I have a concern about all these “plagiarism-free” essay writing services that abound on the Internet. They are so misleading in their message. Passing someone else’s work as your own IS plagiarism by definition. I think it’s important that this is also voiced when preparing your young adult for college. At the same time, it is important to point out legitimate options – such as good modern training websites, programs, and even one-on-one work.
My two cents,
Phil

Comment on Encourage Your Student to Create an Advisor Connection by Jack G. in PA

Jack G. in PA — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:02:34 +0000

Hello! I really enjoy your newsletters but, I feel obligated to inject a big dose of reality for parents just starting the higher education undertaking.

You neglect to mention what what a parent should do to assure his/her student gets timely, useful and effective service from his or her assigned advisor. What should a parent or student do when the student utilizes the advisor only to realize after the fact the advisor was not qualified to be dispensing advice (such as not advising that certain classes would not count toward graduation credit, mis-advising on applicability of transferred credits, and failing to mention nation-wide key deadlines for specifically discussed post graduate pursuits (i.e. medical school).

After sending 3 children though college (2 state schools, 1 private) with 2 more in the process, I have discovered the student advisors are understaffed relative to their assigned student population, receive minimal (if any) specialized training, and best-case will act as a relatively accurate referrer to other original sources of information when asked specific questions.

My advice to parents – tell your child to also find an upperclassman in good academic standing in the same area of concentration and use their experiences and missteps as a guide.

When it comes to student advising, my opinion is Universities and Colleges act as though they have no moral or ethical obligation, and most of all recognize they have no legal contractual obligation, to provide timely, effective, or useful advising support.

They have your money, they have your child, and you have bills, loans, and a stack of brochures (or webpages) with a bunch of legally unenforceable promises.

My experience tells me that the student advisory function is at the bottom of the academic totem pole when it comes to staffing, training, resources, and expected outcomes.

Comment on Ten Factors in Student Success by Becky

Becky — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:27:54 +0000

As a college staff member who spent a number of years working in Academic Assistance before moving to my current role as a Registrar, I would suggest that parents start working with their student on these factors long before they come to college. That initial time of separation (the child is at college and the parent is at home) is way to late to begin encouraging and building these factors in the child’s life.

Comment on Health Risks Your College Student Might Face by Hilary Smith

Hilary Smith — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:33:47 +0000

As the author of a book about bipolar disorder for college students, I was surprised to see that this article doesn’t mention mental health issues like depression and bipolar disorder. The age of onset for these conditions is the late teens and early twenties. Parents and students need to be informed about the symptoms of mental illnesses so that they do not have the chance to develop into serious problems.

Comment on Health Risks Your College Student Might Face by Joe Parker

Joe Parker — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:31:44 +0000

Great article and insights. The health risks of young adults and college students are real. Thanks for sharing this info and promoting an alternative to the campus based health insurance programs. Do you know how many students withdraw for these health related issues?

Comment on Health Risks Your College Student Might Face by Vicki Yuen

Vicki Yuen — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:19:41 +0000

My daughter spent her Spring Break doing some volunteer work in Nicaragua. We were quite dismayed when she tested positive for TB a few weeks later. It was reportedly an inactive form (due to her previous good health and strong constitution), and she is able to make sure it does not become active with a 9-month series of medication. But it was certainly something that concerned us terribly, especially as she is planning to go into the health care field.

Comment on In Defense of Helicopter Parents by Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:46:34 +0000

Some of you mothers honestly should let your children grow up and experience life whether it be difficult or not. Did all of your parents hover over your grades when you were children? Probably not and all of you are doing fine. It’s fine to ask how the kids are doing grades-wise and to reprimand if they are not doing fine. But, I honestly believe most “hellicopter parents” are simply controlling and cannot accept the fact that your children are growing up. Let them have some responsibility because that is what is REALLY going to help them out in life. If you child is not a responsible child, then fine, go hover over their grades. But if you did an exceptionally well-done job hovering over their grades from K-12, then I am pretty positive they will do fine hovering over THEIR OWN grades as a young adult entering the real world.

I respect all of you, however. This is only my opinion.

Comment on College Orientations: Preparing Students for Success by Bathroom Renovations Perth

Bathroom Renovations Perth — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:23:45 +0000

Going to college can be one of the biggest changes in a child’s life. But more and more its having an impact on the parents as well.

Comment on College Orientations: Preparing Students for Success by Tutoring Match

Tutoring Match — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:06:40 +0000

Going off to college is undoubtedly one of the biggest milestone’s in a students and parents life. College orientation helps parents and students transition tremendously.

Comment on In Defense of Helicopter Parents by Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:09:33 +0000

I to believe that helicopters perform some important and essential jobs too and many of us parents continue to do that for our teen kids, young adult kids, and we do that in our everyday jobs too – and we do that same function for our own elderly parents and other relatives who cannot seem to get the system to work for them – and guess what, others do it for us too. I have one child with special needs, so I know for a fact that I will have to continue to “assure” that they are not just given the run around because they lack strong skills in xyz – however for my other child without special needs they too will have problems that I may need to get involved in – that is what parents are for. In my everyday job, no one person does it all, so colleges and universities need to get with it and understand how collabortion, teem work and community support works in the real world.