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| December 2011 Newsletter | SuccessfulCollegeParenting.com |
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Successful College Parenting Strategies
When you are more successful in your parenting your student is more successful in gaining skills for life! TM
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Greetings! 
As of late I have been giving thought to the idea of expressing gratitude, and wondering about ways to increase this practice among students. Opportunities for students to share feelings of being thankful are numerous, yet they might only do so a few times a year. Saying "thank you" is often expressed in much the same way as is "Have a nice day." It is shared as more of a pleasantry than a heartfelt sentiment. During this holiday season consider giving a box of "thank you" or blank note cards to your student and encouraging him or her to think of as many people as there are cards -- to write a few words of gratitude. I am not suggesting that your student write all of them at once, but perhaps consider a goal of writing one a week or one a month. A student might have the chance to thank an advisor who listened and helped him or her to sort out options, a current or past teacher or professor who helped the student to understand new concepts or who provided a strong foundation for future learning, a community member or athletic coach who has been a strong mentor, a childhood friend who shared early memories and dreams of growing up, a favorite hair stylist who knows exactly the right cut, a school janitor or secretary who always has a kind word to share, a friend's mom or dad who has been a positive influence, etc. With a little prompting your student will likely have ten or more people to whom he or she can express a few heartfelt sentences of gratitude -- it isn't about writing something long, it is about expressing something real.
Dear Mrs. Smith, Thank you for helping me to understand all the concepts we covered in 11th grade math. You stuck with me even when I wanted to give up. I wanted to let you know that I have done really well in my math class this year at college. I understand a lot of what we are covering and after taking your class I felt so much more confident. I hope to stop in at the school during my January break -- I'll look for you. In addition to giving your student a box of note cards, this month's parenting article, "Great Gifts for Your College Student," suggests a range of holiday gifts that will benefit your student and have some staying power. The gifts you choose for your college student can open doors, increase confidence and enhance skills and experience. Read more here All the best in your parenting and best wishes for the holidays, -Kay Kay Kimball Gruder Follow me on Twitter @KKimballGruder or http://twitter.com/KKimballGruder |
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| Recommended Reading from the
Successful College Parenting Archive
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| Great Holiday Gifts for Your College Student |
With holiday gift giving fast approaching, and many young people already having the latest and greatest in technology, fashion and entertainment, it can be challenging to come up with a present that has some lasting benefit. I am not suggesting that you forgo the fun or frivolous, but also consider a gift that has the potential to transform your student's sense of self and enhance his or her ability to navigate situations and interact with the world.
Learn more about Great Holiday Gifts for Your College Student
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| Communication Central - Hang In There When Students Want to Transfer | |
 When students come home for break it is not uncommon for them to express dissatisfaction with their college choice or to share a desire to transfer or delay returning to college. If it is not to the detriment of your student's physical or emotional well-being, supporting your student to remain at his or her college through the remainder of the academic year is often the recommended approach. At the same time you will want to help your student to determine if his or her reasons for wanting to transfer or delay a return to college are sound.
Students express both positive and negative reasons for wanting to transfer. Bad roommates, difficult courses, poor grades, homesickness, etc. can exist in any college setting, but perhaps your student seeks to transfer to a better school, or a school that offers his or her distinct academic or career interest. Maybe cost is a factor, or the desire to be geographically closer to an ill family member might be a consideration. The key is for your student to be able to take time to determine if transferring will really provide the changes and outcomes that he or she seeks. When a student expresses that he or she wants to transfer, the student is often reacting to something -- a series of poor grades, a bad living situation, a long distance love relationship, or a desire to be at a better school having proven his or her ability to do well academically. As you hopefully did with the college selection process the first time around, become acquainted with the timeline and action steps required to transfer, and provide the time and space for your student to think through and evaluate the options and opportunities that exist.
Be aware that in the National Association for College Admission Counseling Admission Trends Survey, "more than 90 percent of the survey respondents rated the overall postsecondary GPA as 'considerably important' for transfer admission." You can't escape poor grades.
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Did You Know... Beer is big business at college stadiums
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"Beer is sold to the average fan at 20 of 120 major college stadiums - twice as many as a decade ago - with West Virginia the latest to cash in. Mountaineers Athletic Director Oliver Luck projects beer sales will generate $1 million this season."
Quoted from an article published on page B1 of the Thursday, November 17, 2011 edition of The Columbia Daily Tribune with the headline "A revenue stream worth tapping?: Colleges wrestle with the complicated question of alcohol and athletics."
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As always, enjoy this month's newsletter and please email me with topics you'd like to learn more about. SuccessfulCollegeParenting.com is your resource for enhancing your young adult's college experience and reducing your stress. Visit the website to read this month's article and to access the archive of articles.
Sincerely,
Successful College Parenting Strategies Newsletter Copyright © 2011 by Kay Kimball Gruder
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