Campus Life

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Thanks to the Internet, it's become easier than ever for prospective students to check out college campuses. Colleges and universities have their own websites, where you can find valuable information about majors, student life, financial aid, and all kinds of stuff. Many websites even offer virtual tours, so you can get a good idea of what the campus looks like. And with lots of college ranking sites online, like the Princeton Review, students can get lots of information about schools without ever leaving their computer.

But does all of this replace a traditional visit to a college campus? Of course not. Yes, if you truly are unable to travel to a campus you are considering--for financial or other reasons--a campus tour might be a decent substitution. But if at all possible, spend at least a day on campuses that interest you.

Why is this so important? Well, for one thing, keep in mind that the college website is, in part, a public relations tool. The website isn't going to lie about what's available on campus, but they also want to portray the school in the best light possible. You need to get a feel for the campus, warts and all.

In addition, there's really no substitute for being there, walking around, attending a class or two, and finding out what everyday life is like on campus. Shopping for a college isn't like shopping for a sweater, which you probably feel perfectly comfortable buying online. Shopping for a college is like buying a house. You're going to live there for a significant period of your life. You wouldn't buy a house online-- and you shouldn't buy a college this way either.

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

High school students: are you ready to go to college? Really ready? If you're not sure, here's an article that may help you:

Are You Ready for College?

Here's the thing: higher education involved a major commitment of time, money, and willingness to learn. It's also a choice, and in my experience as a professor, I don't think that students always recognize this. Colleges and universities are filled with students who are miserable and/or resentful because they really don't want to be there, and don't realize that they don't have to be there.

Here are some reasons why people choose to go to college. If these are the only reasons why you want to continue with your education, consider other alternatives:

• It's the "thing to do" after high school is over.
• It's the norm for people in my community and/or social class to attend college after high school.
• My parents expect me to go.
• My high school friends are all going.
• My boyfriend/girlfriend is going.
• People will think I'm dumb or lower class if I don't go.
• I have to go because otherwise, I won't be able to live the lifestyle I want.

All of these reasons point to one major expectation: people see higher education as a prerequisite to a middle class lifestyle. There's something to this, as people with college educations often have more earning potential. However, this isn't always the case--and it's also the case that people with technical or business school degrees, or no degrees at all, can do well financially.

Look into all your options. If you step into that college classroom that first day and don't feel at least a little bit excited, you may be in the wrong place.

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Looking for a great professor? Here are some tips for choosing a college instructor or professor:

How to Choose a Good Professor

However, keep this in mind: the best professor for you might not be the best professor for everybody.

In fact, looking for a teacher that suits is a little like dating. (No, don't date your professor, as that's generally a bad idea.) In the dating world, there's always this "perfect catch" who has all those qualities everyone wants: looks, smarts, charisma, a good income, a good family, and so forth. That's the obvious choice, and this person is probably in demand.

On the other hand, if you open your mind when dating, you're likely to come across a "diamond in the rough" candidate who doesn't look as good on paper (or probably in person) than the "perfect catch." But the more you get to know this person, the more you realize he or she has other unique qualities, and that he or she does possess those things you need, if not in such an obvious way.

Some professors are the equivalent of the perfect catch. They're charismatic, entertaining, and probably great teachers. But there are other shyer, weirder, and possible even somewhat boring teachers on your campus that have quite a bit to offer as well-- and these teachers might be a better match for your needs than you realize.

When asking student's opinions about why they do and don't like their professor, listen hard. Are these reasons that are actually important to you? And remember, public opinion isn't everything. Stop by a lecture or two or a professor's office hours to get a better feel for what this person is really like.

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Commuting-- that's a great way for students to save money, right? Live with Mom and Dad in your old room, eat their food, and drive to school every day. Oh wait... there's that "drive to school every day" part, huh? Now that gas prices are commonly up to $4 a gallon and more, suddenly commuting is no longer such a cost effective alternative to living on campus. Read more about this problem in this article from The Houston Chronicle:

A Change in Course for College Students

One solution that students are choosing is carpooling. Students don't always love this, as it limits their freedom to come and leave campus as they like-- but they do love the reduction in fuel expenses. And for some students, public transportation to school is becoming a popular option--although this only works for those who live in relatively urban areas.

So, students are making do. But what an incredible shame that commuting is becoming such an expensive option. College students have become the victims of two economic crises-- rising tuition and rising fuel prices. The ability to live at home can help offset the expense of tuition a bit, but when commuting becomes expensive as well, students have fewer options. And like everything else, it's students and families who don't have much money in the first place who are burdened most by this double whammy-- including nontraditional students who are trying to balance work, family, and school.

If you can make do without a car, students, do it. Here's an article that might help:

Should College Students Own Cars?

Best of luck with school, students-- and with getting there.

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

As high school students prepare for college, how involved should their parents be in the process? Families differ quite a bit in their approach. In some families, parents do it all; the FAFSA, help with the applications, keeping track of deadlines, driving their kids for college tours, the works.

And in some families (like mine, as a matter of act), parents don't help much at all. Kids are mostly on their own, except for the FAFSA, which parents have to fill out if they want their kids to receive financial aid.

Of course, there are lots of families that fall somewhere in between as well. So what approach is right for you?

As a former professor, I can tell you that some kids really need a lesson in figuring things out for themselves. They seem lost by the simplest of problem solving tasks, and completley overwhelmed by time management and deadlines. Thus, I suspect that many parents help too much with things like college applications, and would do better to let their children figure things out for themselves-- or at least some things, like deadlines.

On the other hand, some kids--like myself--received precious little help with this confusing process. Parents can be a huge help to students in helping to organize paperwork, visiting schools, and just being a source of moral support. A lack of help can put kids at a distinct disadvantage.

Talk to your kids about the college application process, and figure out what role you will play in assisting. If possible, meet with the student's guidance counselor to help figure this kind of stuff out. Good luck with the college application process!

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Let's face it-- not everyone gets into their first choice colleges. But if you have your heart set on your first choice school, should you try to get in the following year by transferring in from a backup school?

This depends on your situation. If you're going to try this, you need to make sure the first choice school really is the best choice for you-- and that the backup school can't offer you exactly what you want or need. Keep in mind that transferring is a big hassle. You usually lose credits, and you have to go through that horrible freshman year adjustment period all over again. If you're going to go through that, make sure the transfer is absolutely worth it.

Second, do your research and find out how difficult it is to transfer to your first choice school. If you can, visit the school and talk to admissions officer. At some schools-- especially elite ones-- it's more difficult to get in as a transfer than it is a graduating senior, even if you do really well your freshman year at your backup school.

If you're attending a school with the intention to transfer, do everything you can to make the most of your life at your new school. This is important partly because a transfer is no guarantee. It's also important because if you give your new school a chance, you may find that it's a perfect wonderful match for you-- and then you can avoid the hassle of transferring. And even if you do transfer successfully, it's a good idea to make the most out of your time at the backup school, as you'll be spending a year or two in this environment and want to have the most valuable experience that you can.

Good luck with your college applications!

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Is it a good idea to get married as soon as you graduate from college?

Sometimes. I certainly know people who have been together since college. My sister in law got married right after college, and she and my brother-in-law are now expecting twins-- and I can't imagine a couple that's more compatible. And a good friend of mine who got married during college has been with her husband for almost 15 years.

But I also know quite a few people who got married right after college who got divorced, and quickly. I was so excited to attend the wedding of one of my students last summer, only to find that they split up less than a year later. And this story is not the least bit unusual.

Students, if you are considering getting married, please think about putting it off for just a little while-- even if you're pretty sure you know it's the right decision. This is such a major commitment, and the last thing you want to have going on as you start your new life is a bad marriage and/or a divorce. Take the time to get to know each other in a setting outside of school, and spend a little time getting your career and your life outside of college together before you make this huge commitment.

In some places, it's common to get married young, so people feel pressure and get married because it seems like the thing to do when college ends. I taught at a little college in small town Minnesota for a few years, and those rings started popping up on girls' fingers like a fashion trend. Thankfully, many of those marriages are going strong. But others are not.

Here are some things to think about regarding marriage after college.

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

When I taught college, one of the most frustrating things for me was how ill prepared students were to write college level papers. Many high school students are not graduating with skills that professors expect them to understand.

This results in both frustrated students and frustrated professors, and with grades that aren't as high as they should be. Unfortunately, this also sometimes results in lowered standards, as many professors give up after reading enough inadequate papers and don't require elements of paper writing that students really do need to know. Of course, this hurts no one but the students.

In my experience, one thing many students are not learning adequately in high school is this: how to cite sources correctly. Students need to come to college with an understanding of how to cite sources within the text of a paper and in the bibliography. They need to be able to use APA, MLA, or Chicago style-- and they need the understanding of style guides in general to be able to figure out how to use unfamiliar style guides.

I can't tell you how many bibliographies I've seen where students had no clue how to cite information correctly. The most frustrating thing I came across frequently was the citing of web sources with just a URL.

Another thing that students often have no idea how to write is a literature review. This is a more advanced skill, but students really ought to have some understanding of how to do this before college. Here's some information on how to write a literature review.

A final skill that students often lack is one of the most basic ones-- how to write an introduction. Students: first impressions count, so you need to master this skill!

Here's some more information about how to write a college term paper.

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Ever notice that dorm room posters tend to lack variety? Here's a great blog entry that claims to list the most overused dorm posters ever:

Top 10 Most Cliche College Dorm Posters of All Time

When I moved into a dorm 20 years ago, the list of cliche posters was a little bit different-- but it was also pretty similar.

I don't think the clever but completely overused "Periodic Table of Mixology" was available 20 years ago. In abundance, however, were dozens of posters about alcohol-- especially beer, and including those tacky neon light beer signs that look like they were stolen from a restaurant, but that actually came from a cheesy mall gift shop. Let's see... can you think of anything more stereotypical that could be in a college student's room than a picture of beer?

Oh, wait, there might be one thing more stereotypical than beer decorations-- and that's the semi-naked woman poster. That "High Street Honeys" poster (you know, that "five naked women" poster that you've seen a zillion times) wasn't around back in the day, but there were no shortage of pinup girl type posters around the dorms. Guys, here's a newsflash for you: if you want to impress the real-life girls of campus (the kind you do not find in posters), don't hang tacky pictures of half-naked women on your walls. That doesn't exactly scream "great dating prospect."

Of course, the "look at me, I have culture" art prints have always been popular too. When I was in college, everyone had Van Gogh's "Starry Night" hanging from their wall. Including me.

Looking for some other ways to decorate your dorm room? Here's how to give your space a cheap dorm room makeover.

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

I wish I had Facebook when I was a college freshman-- and not just because I'm kind of a computer geek. It seems to me that Facebook is making the process of getting adjusted as a freshman so much easier by allowing new students to get to know each other before coming to campus.

My little sister is going to college in the fall. She's been accepted to St. Mary's College in Maryland. And for several months now, she's been corresponding with other incoming freshmen on Facebook. Her new class-- which doesn't even officially exist yet-- has a discussion group, and fellow students are adding each other as friends.

How cool is that? For me, one of the hardest parts of going away to college was not knowing anyone. You come to school to this sea of faces and know nothing about anyone. Thanks to Facebook, that's no longer true. Students who come to campus already know each other--well, at least a little bit. They've had the chance to find a few people that seem like potential "real life" friends. When they walk into the cafeteria alone for the first time, there's a pretty good chance they can look around and find someone they've met online.

So, as I've been thinking about Samantha's new college experience, I had a related experience of my own, coincidentally. I found Steve, the very first person who I met during college orientation before my freshman year-- on Facebook, of course. So I may not have had the opportunity to meet fellow freshmen online before college began, but at least I can "re-unite" with old friends.

Need some info on freshman year? Here's a list of college dorm room necessities and freshman year 101 survival tips.