2019 – College Parent Central

College Parent News & Views

December 31, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

The more that college parents know and understand about the college experience, the less we worry and the better we will be able to help our students to succeed and thrive throughout their college career. However, there is an overwhelming amount of information out there on the web. We’d like to help you find some of the information that might be most interesting and useful to you as a college parent.

In News and Views we share recent college related news and sources we’ve found as we do our research. We hope that this feature will help to introduce you to new ideas and to help you keep up with some of the current issues that may affect your college student — and you.

We invite you to read some of the articles suggested below — and to let us know what you think of some of the ideas included here

5 New Year’s Resolutions for College Parents (or Almost College Parents) — 2020

December 23, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

There’s something about the New Year. It is a time of reflection, thinking about the year that has just gone by. And it is also a time of hope, thinking ahead about what the New Year might bring. Somehow, life seems full of possibility at the beginning of a new year.

If you have a student in college, or one who will be heading to college soon, there’s a lot of transition going on in the life of your family. Your student is looking forward and preparing for their future. You are preparing too, while you also may be reflecting and remembering that kindergarten child just beginning school. Where did the time go?

As we turn the page on a new year, we’d like to offer some resolutions for parents of high school and college students. Take time to reflect, and to imagine into the future. Use this list as a springboard for your own ideas of how to approach the New Year.

#006 – Home from College: That LONG Winter Break

November 27, 2021December 18, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

Winter Break is special because for many families it is so LONG. Some students have as much as four to six weeks of vacation. That’s a long time to have them home. It’s wonderful, of course, but some structure and focus may be needed as you adjust to the new person that your student has become. In this episode Lynn and Vicki share some ideas about what to expect, how to ensure this is a constructive time for everyone, and how to enjoy your time together.

Subscribe to our podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn Radio

College Parent Central Year in Review – 2019

December 16, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

When you do something once, it is interesting. When you do it for the seventh year, there’s no denying the fact that it has become a tradition.

Right now, we’re in that time of year when we can’t quite decide whether to look backwards at the year that is just ending or to look ahead at the year about to begin. We probably need to do a little bit of both. Looking back gives us some perspective to look ahead and think about our goals and plans for the New Year. Reflection is always a good exercise.

We invite you to take a few minutes to reflect with us, and to think about how you view your role as college parent. Are you just starting your journey? Have you grown into the role over the past year? Where might you and your student go next year?

Something new this year!

The biggest development for College Parent Central this year is the launching of our new podcast! We’re so excited to be headed into 2020 sharing our observations, thoughts and suggestions through this new (to us) format! We hope we will be able to reach parents who may not have yet discovered the College Parent Central website.

7 Gift Books for Your College (or soon-to-be college) Student

December 17, 2021December 12, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

Looking for a gift for your student in college or student who’s going to be in college soon is not always easy. What do they need or want?

There are a lot of possibilities. We’ve offered some gift suggestions for this year and we have a list of nearly 100 other suggestions.

But sometimes, what your student needs is a good read that will help them prepare for college, make the most of their experiences, and head down the road to success. A little guidance from those in the know can go a long way.

We’d like to offer a short list of seven of our favorite books for college students. All of these books will inspire your student and help them get ready to make the most of their college years. Take a look at our reviews of these books, and gift a couple to your student. (And maybe read them yourself so you’ll have some topics to talk about with your student!)

#005 – Communicating with Your College Student

December 3, 2021December 4, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

When we think about our communication with our students, we often think about how to get them to talk — but we less often think about our end of the exchange. In this episode Vicki and Lynn talk about three different aspects of communicating with our students — how we listen, how we encourage them to share, and how we respond when they do. Good communication is not going to fix every problem, but it is a great way to help both you and your student feel connected and on the same team.

Subscribe to our podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn Radio

Book Review: College Secrets of Highly Successful People

December 17, 2021December 2, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

From time to time, we like to review some of the books available for parents of college students. There is a wealth of literature available to help parents cope with the transition to college and the changes that occur throughout the college years. We’ve offered some lists of recommended reading, and there is something for everyone. Visit our Resources page for suggestions of important books for college parents and their students.

College Secrets of Highly Successful People is an excellent book for both students and their parents to read. It is ideal for students about to head to college, but is also valuable for those who are already there. It’s never too late to begin to put into place some of the lessons the book teaches.

There many books available to students about how to be successful, but one of the things we like about this book is that it begins by defining success — and we love that it isn’t all about financial success. Before the authors begin to tell students how to be successful, they help students think about what that means. Having the goal up front helps students begin their journey with intentionality — another important term the authors define.

College Parent News and Views

November 30, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

We invite you to read some of the articles suggested below — and to let us know what you think of some of the ideas included here.

Tis the Season: 12 Holiday Gift Ideas for Your College Student (plus nearly 100 more!)

October 30, 2021November 25, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

It’s that time of year again. Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. We’re thinking about family and friends and we’re thinking about gifts. If you have a college student, or an about-to-be college student, you may be searching for some ideas for useful or fun gifts.

You know your student best, and can tap into interests and needs, but we’d like to offer some suggestions that may stimulate your imagination. We have ten new suggestions for 2019, but we’ve offered some suggestions in the past. Don’t stop with this post! Check out our Gift suggestions tab for nearly 100 additional suggestions. There’s something for everyone there!

Check out our ideas, and then let your own creativity take over! If you have additional suggestions, share them in the comments!

5 Situations that May Be Paralyzing Your College Student Right Now

November 23, 2019 by Vicki Nelson

There’s a rhythm to a college semester.

There’s the nervousness at the beginning of the semester as students look at the syllabus for each class and realize that there will be a lot of work to do. Gradually, however, routine settles in and work feels more manageable, and not as overwhelming as it seemed at first. This may be a bit of a honeymoon phase.

For many students, the first reality check may be midterm exams and midterm grades. This is the time to discover what has been working and, for some students, a recognition that some things need to change.

As students near the end of the semester, a second reality check occurs. Now there are only a few weeks remaining and some students may become paralyzed as they face their situation. They freeze because they’re not sure how to begin or how to deal with what needs to be done. If you feel that your student may be overwhelmed by any of these situations, start a conversation.

5 situations that may be paralyzing your student and how to take action

Attendance — Your student has missed a few classes. Actually, your student has missed many classes. They haven’t been to class in a few days, or maybe even a few weeks.

College Parent News & Views

5 New Year’s Resolutions for College Parents (or Almost College Parents) — 2020

#006 – Home from College: That LONG Winter Break

College Parent Central Year in Review – 2019

7 Gift Books for Your College (or soon-to-be college) Student

#005 – Communicating with Your College Student

Book Review: College Secrets of Highly Successful People

College Parent News and Views

Tis the Season: 12 Holiday Gift Ideas for Your College Student (plus nearly 100 more!)

5 Situations that May Be Paralyzing Your College Student Right Now

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