For Parents Only

by Johnston, Julia; Shanley, Mary Kay; Kerr, Tom

• ISBN13: 9780764113116
• ISBN10: 0764113119
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Inc

Summary

It's well known that kids who get informed guidance from their parents are generally better able to focus their educational goals and become better students. Here's the book that gives moms and dads that extra information and advice. It covers everything from helping kids avoid academic stress, helping them select the college that best fits their interests and needs, managing college financing, gathering information on colleges and available scholarships via the Internet, visiting campuses, choosing courses, and generally encouraging kids to accommodate themselves to college life. There is also special advice on overcoming learning disabilities, coping with college entrance tests, and much more.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Did We Write This Book Anyway?	1	(2)
If Only We Had Known Then	3	(1)
Parents from Around the Country Who Have ``Been There, Done That''	4	(3)
High Schoolers: Keep Those Kids Taking Math and Science and Looking For Frogs	7	(30)
Getting Ready to Get Ready for College	9	(2)
Never Say, ``You Have to Go to College.''	11	(3)
Collections, Hobbies, and Following Different Drummers	14	(1)
The ``I-Want-to-Be-with-My-Friends'' Classes --- Core Subjects and Electives	15	(4)
Academic Stress --- A Not-So-Pretty Part of Those ``Carefree'' Years	19	(3)
Activity-itis --- Making an Appointment to See Your Child	22	(2)
Community Service --- Chores for Others That Kids Can't Possibly Do at Home	24	(1)
``Everybody Else Has a Job!''	25	(2)
Mentors --- You'd Be Surprised Who They Are!	27	(2)
Sidebar: Still Teaching Independence and Responsibility	29	(1)
Sidebar: Readreadreadreadread	30	(2)
Sidebar: That Gender Inequity Thing --- Bad for Girls, Bad for Boys	32	(2)
Sidebar: And the Winner Is	34	(3)
Preapplication Process --- Organization Beats Chaos Every Time	37	(16)
Avoiding the Dart Board Syndrome --- Beginning and Narrowing the College Search	39	(4)
My Alma Mater Doesn't Have to Be Your Alma Mater	43	(1)
Figuring Parameters --- A Whole Lot of Stuff to Think About	44	(4)
Consultants and Counselors --- Information Galore	48	(2)
Sidebar: ``Yes, Sir! I Want to Go to a Service Academy, Sir!''	50	(3)
Money Talks --- And The Conversations Are Heavy-Duty	53	(24)
College Financing Chats	55	(1)
Frankly, My Dears, We Do Give a Darn --- Costs and Choices	56	(2)
Financial Options --- Let Us Count the Ways	58	(2)
And the Good News Is --- Dollar Deals	60	(3)
The Twilight Zone of College Financing --- Hidden Costs	63	(4)
Money Management 101 --- A Lesson Your Student Needs Now	67	(3)
Sidebar: Financial Aid: Something for Almost Everyone	70	(7)
Surfin' The Internet --- Not For Kids Only	77	(12)
Connecting with All Colleges --- Literally	79	(2)
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Tests --- Push-Button Answers	81	(1)
On-line Application --- It's Easy --- Crash!	82	(2)
A Computer for College --- To Buy or Not to Buy	84	(5)
Testing --- A Big Deal About ABCs And a+b+c	89	(12)
Test Taking --- To Prepare or Not to Prepare Is Not the Question	91	(3)
Test Stress --- Not a Pretty Sight	94	(2)
Whahdjurkidscore? --- No Billboards PLEASE!	96	(1)
Sidebar: SAT/ACT and Other Alphabet Tests	97	(4)
Campus Visits --- Slightly Scary, Amply Rewarding	101	(20)
Timing's Everything --- Campus Visits	103	(3)
``And to Your Left Is the Student Union''	106	(2)
Why Go for an Interview --- And Why Not	108	(5)
Parents Have Questions, Too!	113	(1)
Better Eye-Openers Than Classes --- Overnights	114	(2)
Back Home Again --- The Conversation Continues	116	(1)
Sidebar: Questions --- What Are They Going to Ask?	117	(1)
Sidebar: Questions --- What Was I Going to Ask?	118	(3)
Filling Out Forms --- The Road To The ``Final Four'' College Picks	121	(18)
A Chart and a Prayer --- Making Choices	123	(2)
Whatayawanna Major In?	125	(3)
More Art Than Science --- How to Apply	128	(5)
Procrastination as an Art Form	133	(2)
Sidebar: Whose Essay Is It Anyway?	135	(4)
Learning Disabilities --- Mapping College Dreams	139	(24)
What Are Learning Disabilities Anyway?	141	(2)
Still Being the Advocate --- Sort Of	143	(3)
Is Your Child Able to Go to College?	146	(2)
The First Team --- The Teachers, Your Child, and You	148	(2)
Becoming Best Friends with the Counselor	150	(2)
Testing. Testing.	152	(3)
Ferreting Out User-Friendly Colleges	155	(2)
Twists and Turns in the LD Application Process	157	(2)
Before and Beyond Graduation	159	(1)
Sidebar: Getting Down to Basics --- Your Rights, the Law	160	(3)
Senioritis --- Is It Curable?	163	(20)
You're Still in Charge, But the Game Rules Are Changing	165	(2)
Homework? What Homework? Curfew? What Curfew? (Etc.)	167	(2)
Parent Involvement at School --- It's Not Over Yet!	169	(1)
That Long Last Semester	170	(2)
Acceptance and Rejection	172	(3)
Anxiety as an Art Form --- Students from Hell	175	(2)
Anxiety as an Art Form --- Parents Aren't Exempt	177	(4)
``I Wanna Wait a Year!''	181	(2)
Leaving Home --- Slowly, It Suddenly Happens	183	(22)
Graduation and the Endless Summer	185	(3)
Orientation and Choosing Classes	188	(3)
Going Greek	191	(2)
Hide the Plastic --- Clothes Don't Make the Freshman	193	(2)
Touching Base with the Roommate-Stranger	195	(2)
``I Have to Take My Letter Jacket, All My Stuffed Animals, a TV. . .''	197	(1)
Getting There --- Stopping to See Aunt Margaret on the Way	198	(1)
Saying Good-bye --- Who's Crying Now?	199	(3)
Postscript	202	(3)
Appendices	205	(8)
The Long, Meandering List of Colleges	206	(1)
The Short, Pretty Serious List of Colleges	207	(1)
Roundtable Hosts	208	(1)
Other Contributors	208	(1)
Roundtable Participants	209	(1)
Resources	209	(4)
Index	213