"Inch by Inch, It's a Cinch"

We are all facing difficult challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we are forced to stay at home away from school, work, activities, friends and even family. But there are ways you can use any free time you have while you are at home to make a difference in the lives of others. Focusing on someone else who may be more in need or struggling can help alleviate some of your own stress. Here are a few suggestions from multiple sources (big thank you to my colleague, Michelle Humbach!) of different ways you can get involved to help others as well as yourself: Medical Professionals There is a new organization developed by physicians nationwide to help guide the donation of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), whether home-made or factory made, to the places that need them the most. There is a desperate need for masks for healthcare workers. #MillionMaskMayday instructs on DIY masks for donation. This political PAC is currently accepting donations to order masks and donate them to hospitals in NYC. Help the people who are helping the rest of us through a Facebook group like Australia’s Adopta Healthcare Worker . Check out the American Red Cross to learn about ways to support this “do-good” powerhouse. First Responders Contribute via an online fundraiser or directly to a not for profit organization that supports the mental wellness of first responders, such as the Gary Sinise Foundation . Elderly Organize to help older neighbors by using neighborhood associations, churches, mosques, synagogues, school Honor Society, social media, or by using NextDoor. Providing social connection with the elderly who are sheltering in place. One existing organization uses volunteers to make "Social Calls" to the elderly. Youth Tutor or read-aloud remotely through an organization like Quarantutors . Remote volunteer tutoring (homework, lessons and activities) for younger students using Nextdoor, social media, community organizations and teachers to find opportunities and contact parents who need help. Offer to teach online classes/tutor for younger neighbor children to help parents and donate the proceeds to one of the groups mentioned previously. Get your friends to help. If you want new ways to learn yourself, in addition to helping others, many companies, such as Khan Academy offer valuable resources. Other websites list multiple links to educational resource companies offering free access and other educational resources during this crisis. The Arts To keep your own musical abilities sharpened, organize virtual concerts or other performances. Try ballet or learn to play a new instrument or practice your current one online. The National Theatre is streaming a live play every Thursday Night and PBS offers access to Great Performances including Broadway shows. There are lots of live concerts and shows to stream online and Andrew Lloyd Webber even offers a different one of his shows every week! Politics While the coronavirus crisis is ongoing, our 2020 Election political process continues. Students can volunteer to increase voter turnout through organizations such as Rock the Vote , and Postcards to Voters , which can be written at home. Tech Students with programming skills can do home-based coding for nonprofits that need help or through organizations such as Code for Social Good , Benetech , or DonateCode. If you haven’t yet learned to code (a great skill no matter your major or career choice), get started through one of many free sites. Continual Learning Take an online course or learn to code through IXL , Udemy , Coursera (which offers Yale’s “Science of Well-Being course I suggested earlier), EdX , Harvard online courses , Stanford online courses, or Great Courses of the World. (Some are for a fee, but many are offered for free.) Access the free resources of OpenCulture for eBooks and audiobooks or any of the TEDTalks . The Facebook group Amazing Educational Resources has assembled a pretty comprehensive listing of resources that companies are now allowing everyone to use for free during this crisis. Or do test prep for AP tests at AP Online Classes or Fiveable or visit the ACT website or College Board SAT website for great resources and practice tests. Catch up or get ahead through tutoring from a local online tutoring service offering their services online, such as Mindfish or Moser Educational Services. Foreign Language Brush up on foreign language skills through News in Slow French or News in Slow Spanish . Since you already know current events, these sites give them familiar content spoken more slowly in the languages they’re studying in school so non-native speakers can follow along. Or check out Language Bird to learn start a new language or connect in “chirp rooms.” Colorado From Colorado Public Radio, this is a great collection of suggestions and links for how to help on the local level or connect through #DoYourPartCO. Self-Care Get your “culture” on with virtually touring these incredible tours of theme parks, museums and zoos. For some just happy thoughts, check out John Krasinsinski (“Jack Ryan” and “The Office”)who has a wonderful YouTube channel “Some Good News.” His second show has a great surprise for Hamilton fans! Stay busy, stay connected and stay healthy! “See” you soon! Kathryn

It has been quite some time since I wrote a blog. There is a great deal of content out there and I am usually able to tweet or post to facebook if I read a relevant article and want to share it. Every morning I read the newspaper. Yes, the actual paper. Not online. I like to see local news, as well as editorials, and be able, at the very least, to complete the Jumble and the NY Times crossword puzzle, if time allows. And I also like to read the advice column, "Ask Amy." While Amy usual focuses on relationships and domestic disputes, every once in a while she has a column that really resonates in so many ways that I need to share it. Her column today starts out with, "I am a seventh-grade guy. Lately, I have been stressing out a lot over tests." He asks Amy for her advice and she is absolutely brilliant in her response. Here is the link to the column. While most students don't really feel stressed about homework or have test anxiety until high school, it can really manifest itself in the curriculum as well as the standardized tests that are required for admissions to most colleges. It is my experience that "test anxiety" is most often rooted in a fear of the unknown, like many other anxieties. Having a plan to become familiar with a test, the format and the timing, can reduce a great deal of that stress. So can some of the ideas that Amy and others suggest about getting yourself organized in your school tasks, by making a list and setting priorities. Some basic calming and positive feedback techniques can also be invaluable. It is important to know that you are not alone and that you can and should get the help you need to bolster your self-confidence and find what works for you. Starting this early will prepare you for the college application process as well as for being successful once you get to college. I am a big believer in "the gift of struggle," but also in getting help when you need it. Now, back to the crossword...

If you have not yet subscribed to my monthly newsletter, please go to the Contact form and get signed up today! This month's topics include the following: Lessons Learned by Parents about Campus Visits - Some sage advice from parents who have "been there, done that". Dual Degrees - 3-2 Engineering Programs - For students not sure that they want to become engineers or those who wish to explore more of the liberal arts, a combined 3-2 program offers students the best of both worlds. The Most Generous Colleges - Students who are thoughtful and wisely apply to colleges that really fit their profile, and where they fit the colleges’ interests, may be pleasantly surprised by financial support offers heading their way through ‘Merit-based’ aid. Maximizing Your Summer Break - Summer provides the best opportunity for future college applicants to separate themselves from the pack. Wallowing on the Waitlist - Nationally, only about 20% of waitlisted students are admitted each year. If you really want to be among those who are, you need to be proactive. Every month I feature an issue on the college landscape, as well as insights on majors, financial aid and other "hot topics". Enjoy!

If you have not yet subscribed to my monthly newsletter, please go to the Contact form and get signed up today! This month's topics include the following: Athletic Recruiting - Families may dream of "signing day" but what are the realities facing prospective college athletes? Majoring in Statistics/Data Science - Data Science was just named the #1 career by Glassdoor and the "sexiest career of the 21st century" by the Harvard Business Review. Could this be a career for you? Understanding Net Price - Families often experience sticker shock when contemplating the cost of college, but it’s the net price, rather than the sticker price, that prospective students need to consider. Don't Get Caught Up in Senior Slump - Every year some students get a little too relaxed and cling to a false sense of teenage invulnerability. And every year, to the shock of these students, colleges across the country revoke a small but significant number of their acceptances. Every month I feature an issue on the college landscape, as well as insights on majors, financial aid and other "hot topics". Enjoy!

Early each summer, after students have made their final college decisions, I meet with each of my students and their parents to discuss transitioning to college. This is an opportunity to cover any topic that may be on their minds, as well as some that may have been simmering under the surface. Parents are concerned that they have done everything right to prevent their students from "going off the rails" once they get to college and students are feeling mixed emotions about the prospect of their newfound independence. With these meetings in mind, today I listened intently to a NPR FreshAir podcast entitled, "Why Teens Are Impulsive, Addiction-Prone And Should Protect Their Brains." Over the years I have read many articles and books about adolescent brains, focusing on the later development of the prefrontal cortex that not only helps with regulating impulsive behaviors, but it is the key receptor for thought and analysis. Although many teens look like fully-formed adults, their brains may not catch up until their are in their mid-twenties or even later. What was a new revelation from this podcast is that the elasticity of the adolescent brain that makes it so wonderful for taking in new information and creating memory, is the same trait that can make adolescents more susceptible to addictive behaviors, as these, too, are a form of learning, albeit a negative one. Every teen has heard the warnings about the impact of today's more potent marijuana, as well as the evils of binge-drinking, but it probably would never occur to them that the long-range effects could possibly be permanent. Just as you wouldn't think of skiing or riding a bike without a helmet (You wouldn't, would you?!), it is time to look at protecting that amazing brain of yours from other outside forces that could keep you from being the successful college student and adult that you have worked so hard to become. Face it - you know you are impulsive, but embrace your impulsivity to sign up for a class in a challenging subject or join a new club, rather than engaging in potentially destructive behaviors. No preaching here. I'm just asking you to selfishly protect that amazing brain of yours for all the wonderful plans you have for your future to leave your unique mark on the world.

As you probably know by now, the new version of the Common Application is having problems that make it less than user-friendly and can contribute to the already stressful process of submitting college applications. One of my colleagues, Nancy Griesemer , in northern Virginia, is providing regular updates on the problems and resolutions, so I am highlighting some of those, along with my own observations to mitigate any further frustration: Try to work on your Common App early in the day, as weekends and evenings are the busiest times and the system can be painfully slow. If you will be submitting your application next week, do it early to avoid a major "traffic jam" right before the November 1 deadline for many schools. If you are having problems, make sure that you conform to the system requirements (listed on the bottom of each page of the Common App) for your browser and change or restart your computer if the Common App is not responding. Complete essays in Word before you enter them into the text boxes. Use a standard (not fancy) typeface. You can separate your paragraphs by double-spacing, but do not indent. It may also help to use Notepad or another copy feature if your formatting does not copy correctly. Under the "Assign Recommenders" tab for each of your colleges, you must complete the FERPA release authorization process, which will allow transcripts and recommendations to be submitted on your behalf through Naviance eDocs. Be sure to click on the link and complete all the steps or your transcripts and recommendations will not be released to your colleges. In order to Print Preview, you must earn all of your green check marks. It can take upwards of 30 minutes or even time-out while you are requesting the pdf, so be mindful of hints # 1 and 2! The Common App warns that it may take 24 to 48 hours for your credit card to clear their system, so don't be tempted to pay twice! If you do not receive your notification of receipt of payment and the subsequent "signature" page after 48 hours, contact their Help Center. You must sign your application by typing your name into the signature space. Be sure that you are seeing this after you submit your payment. Once you have completed the signature and submission, a green check should appear. If you are unsure that your application has been sent, you should email the college's admission office. They are well aware of these problems and will understand. Many colleges have a separate Writing Supplement, so once you have paid, signed, submitted and received your green check, you can then submit Part 2 of the application, which is the Writing Supplement. Also, be sure to generate a Print Preview, date it, and keep a copy for your files, just in case there is any issue. It is unfortunate that the Common Application picked this year to make such dramatic changes, but colleges and high schools recognize these issues and many have adjusted deadlines accordingly. Be sure to look on the websites for each of your colleges, as well as check with your high school counseling office.

When I meet with families, we discuss the idea of making a college choice as that old metaphor of the "three-legged stool." The "legs" are the elements of the academics, the social environment and affordability of a college. If something is not right, everything is out of balance. Why is affordability so important? If anything, it could overshadow the other two elements of the decision. There is nothing tougher than going through a college search with your child, only to find out that the schools that are on the list just don't offer enough financial aid to close the "gap" between the family's expected contribution (EFC) and the actual cost of attendance (COA). As parents we hate to say no to our children, but we are not talking a new bike here or a spring break trip. We are talking about tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. There is no reason to wait until senior year of high school to have "the Talk." No, not that talk. I am referring to sitting down with your child and talking about money. How much can you as a family afford to pay for college? How much have you saved, how much will you need and how much will the student be expected to contribute? If you have not yet done so, run a FAFSA4Caster or EFC calculator with your student. I do say "with" because the FAFSA is the student's application, just like their college applications. You will not fill out the actual FAFSA until January of the student's senior year of high school, but completing an estimator early in high school will give you a better understanding of what you will be expected to pay. Each family has its own feelings and language about money. If you have not yet done so, the college planning process is a great time to decide how you want to approach "the Talk" with your children.

The Common Application will be launching their "next generation" of applications on August 1, 2013. I will be receiving training and will keep my families updated on what to expect with the new essays and other elements of their revisions. In the meantime, I just received some helpful tips on how to avoid common mistakes on completing and submitting your Common Application, and wanted to forward those on to you: Submit Application, Supplements & Payment Separately The application, supplement, and payment submissions are three distinct processes. Despite instructions and reminders, some students mistakenly believe that the application automatically follows a supplement and/or payment. Please confirm the status of submissions within the "My Colleges" section. Critical Steps for Successful Support If you have any problems, all support emails are sent from the "commonapp.net" domain. It is critical that you ensure that both "commonapp.net" and "commonapp.org" are on the safe list and/or address book for your email accounts. This step is especially important for AOL users. Before You Submit... Clicking "Submit" on your application is like dropping it in a mailbox: you cannot retrieve it, and you cannot edit it. To avoid "clicker's remorse," remember the following: Do not name specific colleges or tailor essays to specific colleges. Be sure to Preview your work and print it out before submitting. Make sure you have attached the correct documents. Avoid Multiple Accounts If you enter an incorrect email address for yourself, or misspell your name, you will wind up with multiple accounts. Be sue to double check your personal information. If you still wind up with multiple accounts, the Common App Support Team can help you merge them. For more suggestions on ways to avoid common pitfalls as you submit your applications, check out my previous blog, "A Few Helpful Hints as You Submit Your Applications."

Last night I attended a symposium entitled, “The End of the Universities?” that presented the concept of MOOCs as the alternative to traditional college. MOOC stands for “massive open online course.” You may remember that Stanford University, in the fall of 2011, announced a course in Artificial Intelligence would be available, online and free, to anyone in the world who wanted to participate. 160,000 people registered, although only 6,000 actually completed the course. This was one of the most publicized MOOCs, although Stanford, MIT, Harvard and several other prestigious universities have put up millions of dollars to found consortiums promoting this form of education. The founder of Udacity, one of these organizations, Sebastian Thrun, has been quoted as saying “in 50 years there will be no more than 10 higher education institutions.” Staggering thought! The concept of being able to take courses from the best professors in the nation is at once exciting and confusing. Why go to college and possibly incur debt ($26,000 on average for an undergraduate degree), if you can do it all online in the comfort of your own home? In the average week, students will spend 15 – 17 hours in class, roughly twice that studying, and probably one-third of their time sleeping. The remaining 40% of the week is spent interacting with their friends, their campus, and their community. In other words, they are learning about themselves and the world. Online learning is not going away and I know it has value. Of course, academics are the primary reason one goes to college. Much of that could be done in an online format, provided you know what you want to study, which half of all students headed to college do not. In addition, many students think they know what they want to pursue, but then are inspired by a class or an activity that changes the course of their young lives in an exciting new direction. Maybe the “right fit” school for a student is their parents’ basement in front of a computer (Parents, are you ready for this?!) , but I believe that the entire academic and social experience a student receives by going "off to college" offers so much more.