Avenues to Success Notes

There's more to college success than just grades

I came across an interesting posting about a study on student retention that you may be interested in . "It's a Whole New World": A Qualitative Exploration of College Students' Definition of and Strategies for College Success argues that the students rely on other factors than grades to consider themselves a success in college. It explores the importance of social and extracurricular interaction, especially in the freshman year, to adopt to, and succeed in college.

It sort of gives some validation to the common sense notion that it is more than grades. That's why the admissions office spends so much time looking for the "well rounded high school student."   

Also, the study may explain why colleges and universities are moving away from standardized tests. Now if our K-12 schools would back off on some of their testing and let the teachers teach for the student for learning, not just passing a particular test.

You can read the post in BNET by clicking here.

What are some needed goals for college freshmen?

The wonderful first year at college is around the corner. It can be frightening, but with a little planning a college freshman can make it through. After all, the admissions officer wouldn't have accepted you if they believed you couldn't succeed.

Here is a list of Ten Goals for College Freshman. These goals not only save you time, but ensure that your first year, as well as your last year, of college is a success. The following are just ten goals that every college freshman should have.

1. Do Not Fail Any Courses

2. Get Hard Classes Out of the Way

3. Avoid Withdrawing from Courses

4. Learn to Make a Proper Schedule

5. Meet with a Career Counselor

6. Speak to Your Adviser

7. Start Looking at Universities

8. Reevaluate Your Career Goals

9. Finish at Least 8 Courses

10. Join Groups That Will Look Good On Your University Application

You can read these goals in more detail in the post by Amy Brantley at  AssociatedContent.com. This site has links other postings of interest and help.

Want some help and encouragement to go to college?

The good news is the U.S. Department of Education, in collaboration with students, is building a site intended to provide you with inspiration, hope and encouragement to consider and pursue a post secondary education.

College.gov, is where parents and prospective students can get answers to the following questions about attending college:

Why should I go?
What do I do?
How am I going to pay?

No orange barrels here during construction. Visit now and build you knowledge and confidence about going to college as the site builds.

10 Tip to Help Parents Through the College Admission Process

I just added another link to help parents guide their student in the college selection process.

Check out College Admissions 101 for the get-in guide for parents of high school students by College Admissions Examiner expert, Lauren Starkey.

Helpful tips on college student life from the U.K.

There is a wealth of information and tips on survival and success in the postings on college student life from U.K. publication, The Independent. 

For useful information about Finances, Accommodations, Health, Fashion, Music & Film, and Technology & Gaming, click on Inside Student Life.  It is interesting reading.

An excellent article on college student's personal relationships.

I found a post that demonstrates the importance of how a student's personal relationships will affect his career success an would like to share it with you.

The author of Narcissistic College Students states how she observed, and was  constantly impressed with the extent most (there are exceptions) of her employees would go to gain her attention. She observed them while employed at a Washington, D.C. University seeing first hand these behaviors exhibited. Examples are given.

The article she is referring to starts off by stating "Today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society." (The full text and link are included in the posting.)

The comments are worth a read, also.

Another variable in the college selection process...

Choices, so many things to choose from when selecting the things that fulfill our desires. Prospective college students and their parents are adding the "greenness" to the list.

When I was in school, "greens" were the grassy areas we'd have to cross between buildings. The greens that became a frozen tundra during the winters in upstate New York. The frozen thought of the green campus in the sunnier states while slipping and sliding in the crosswind toward my classes.

There is an interesting posting, Now, 'green' report cards for U.S. Colleges at csmonitor.com. It discusses the impact the "Green Rating" in the Princeton Review and the College Sustainability Report Card, put out by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, on the colleges' approaches to be environmentally appealing to prospective students.


The image is the campus of Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, NY

Want to find out what determines college success?

For a  good look at the important and complex subjects of college completion, college success, student risk factors (for failing), college readiness, and academic preparation, go to Michael W. Kirst's blog, The College Puzzle. Dr. Kirst explores the pieces of the college puzzle that heavily influence, if not determine, college success rates.

A Great Neutral Resouce for Students, Teachers and Parents

I came across a website, Mapping Your Future, that anyone with an interest in college should check out. It is a resource for students at all levels, from middle school to graduate school. Parents, counselors and financial aid officers will also benefit from this neutral font of information.

According to their homepage, "Mapping Your Future is a public-service, nonprofit organization. We're a national collaborative project of the financial aid industry – bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide you with the best information available."

There is a link under For College Students and Parents resource list.

Helicopter Parents

There was an interesting article  in  this  morning's Akron Beacon Journal about parents who just cannot let go of their children, actually young men and women, when they leave the nest and go off to college. When I Googled "Helicopter Parents" I got hits for the same article appearing in other McClatchy Newspapers. But the other hits yielded a bunch of other interesting sites. I've listed some of them on a "lens", Helicopter Parents. Check it out.

The term Helicopter Parents as refers to parents who hover over their children, overly protective in the playground, sports field, and even in the classroom. Why don't they let the kids have a life?