Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 318
October 5, 2018
High School is Really Only Three Years Long, and Here’s Why
Right now in my state, applications for admission are open and being accepted at several of the state’s public and private universities. As a matter of fact, they’ve been open since late August. This means that before high school seniors even complete one day of their senior year (or one week, or one month for that matter), they can fill out and complete the college application process for a handful (if not more, because many colleges are opening admission early) before they’ve even gotten th...
Fifteen Biggest Financial Aid and FAFSA Mistakes
“College is one of the most expensive purchases a family will make in their lifetimes” according to Jeff Levy, a Certified Educational Planner with over a decade of experience as an educational consultant. Levy shares the mistakes families make that can have serious consequences for their teen’s ability to maximize merit and financial aid.
Financial Aid and FAFSA Mistakes1. Believing advice from people who aren’t qualified to give it.
Yesterday I heard from a parent that an English teacher...
The 90s Were The Absolute Best College Years Ever And I Miss Zima
Recently, my college roommates and I realized we moved into college 25 years ago.
As we prepare to send our own kids off to college and find ourselves on college tours and navigating intricate financial aid forms, we’ve all agreed that college has become a lot more complicated than when we mailed our college applications. Yes, mailed. With stamps. And a return address.
When we hit the halls of our dorms, the internet wasn’t yet a thing, the only clouds we knew of were in the sky and we had pi...
October 4, 2018
Our Daughter Spoke to Her Teachers About Her Mental Health Struggles. Here’s What Happened
During her junior year of high school, our daughter’s mental health took a dive into rock-bottom territory. An as-yet-unspecified anxiety disorder had taken hold of her, and she struggled with basic everyday things.
She had always been a good and responsible student, and at 16, she started taking community college classes for dual college/high school credit. She played the violin and had participated for a couple of years in the local youth orchestra, which she greatly enjoyed. But that year...
Dear Daughter, You Are So Much More Than Your Resume
Darling Girl,
Your whole life I have watched and cheered as you have participated in sports, taken music lessons, joined clubs, volunteered for charities, and served on committees. I’ve enjoyed seeing your enthusiasm for each new activity. In a way, your busy life has allowed me to relive some of my own memories from high school and college—back when I was young and eager to sign up for the next new thing.
Yet, I worry
There is something much more intentional and more strategic about the way...
My Teens Are Independent But They Still Need Me
By the time I drag myself into the kitchen, my high-school sophomore is already sitting at the table, eating breakfast (“yes, mom, I have protein and produce”) and starting in on her 64 ounces of total daily water consumption. And this is after she’s gotten herself out of bed, done her morning devotions, gone through her daily stretching routine, practiced her marching band drumline cadence on her home quad set, and washed her face.
When I see her at the table, I always ask, “Do you need me t...
October 3, 2018
I’m Learning To Parent A Gay Teen One Step At A Time
On a crisp Fall night, I said the words out loud for the first time. My husband and I had been out dinner with good friends and we’d stopped by a local festival to listen to music. As our husbands walked ahead of us, in search of beer, I touched my friend’s arm and said, “I have to tell you something,” with tears in my eyes.
I’d been carrying the weight of our family secret for too long but, recent events in my daughter’s life allowed for me to share with my dear friend.
The words, foreign an...
New Study on College Rankings: It’s Not Where You Go To School It’s What You Do When You Get There
My son is a high school senior and we are consequently in the thick of all the stress that comes with the college application process. Most of that stress derives from the firmly held belief that many of us have embraced that attending a “top tier” school ensures success in life after college.
Students are encouraged to find a college that is the “right fit” for them. But, a new study asks, “What do college rankings really measure? Are students who attend more selective colleges better off la...
October 2, 2018
The Risks to Sleep-Deprived Teens are Far Greater Than We Ever Imagined: New Research
We parents fight the good fight trying to get our teens to sleep more, but so often we lose to all the things in their lives that keep them up late into the night. Teens are laden with homework, overscheduled with extra-curricular activities and the alluring glow of their electronic devices keep them interacting with friends long past their optimal bedtimes.
Previous studies showed that lack of sleep in teens caused, “learning difficulties, impaired judgment and risk of adverse health behavio...
High School Activities Have Become “All or Nothing” and It’s Unacceptable
I was what you called a “well rounded” high school student. I had good grades, I participated in activities and clubs and I was the captain of our Color Guard. I attended dances and football games and I still had time to fool around with my friends on Saturday nights.
Somehow, I managed to participate in honor society meetings and I found time to do my homework before I watched shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 while I yapped with my best friend on my pink princess phone.
I had it all in high s...
