Expert advice for college-bound grads

Helping college students “figure it out” sooner rather than later is what the latest edition of the awarding-winning “Been There, Should’ve Done That — 995+ Tips for Making the Most of College,” (Front Porch Press) continues to do.

College advice from the ‘experts’ who’ve been there

Student volunteerism can have a positive impact ... and help pay for college

Volunteerism can help young people grow into well-rounded, responsible individuals. When volunteering, kids can learn new skills, foster new friendships and contacts, and improve both their social and interpersonal skills.

Help make your child's school healthier

Because children spend most of their time in classrooms, schools are an ideal setting for healthy behaviors to be taught and modeled. Therefore, parents are speaking up and getting involved in an effort to improve the health of their children at schools.

Environment Watch: Students teach parents about their futuristic school

It's Open House at Richardsville Elementary School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but this is not your usual parent-teacher event. On the faces of beaming students, it is immediately obvious that today it will be the parents that learn a thing or two.

Net-zero school is a living lesson in conservation

At Richardsville Elementary school, all the electricity is produced self-sufficiently. This is the result of a groundbreaking collaboration between the architects, builder, and suppliers to produce the first net-zero achievable school in the United States. This building in Bowling Green, Kentucky is so energy efficient it is able to produce, on site, as much energy as it uses over the course of a year.

Technology News: First 'net-zero' school sets a fine example

Energy-efficient construction is celebrating one more milestone. It is now possible to build a facility -- perhaps even a home -- that is able to produce, on site, as much energy as it uses over the course of a year.

How to have a safe spring break experience

Each spring millions of students from high school and college embark on a pilgrimage to a vacation locale of their choice and proceed to kick up their heels and relax. For some students, the vacation is really a chance to unwind from months of study and is duly deserved. Other students use spring break as an excuse to participate in reckless behavior, including overconsumption of alcohol.

The 529 college savings plan: a holiday gift that keeps on giving

The holiday season has arrived, and with it, the quest for the perfect gift. Hours spent at crowded shopping malls or perusing online retailers often prove fruitless, and shoppers commonly settle for something that falls short of perfect.

Research indicates 'freshman 15' is a myth

Hundreds of new students enter college each September. One long-standing assumption about college freshmen is their propensity to gain weight -- on average 15 pounds over the course of their initial year in college. As it turns out, a new study pokes holes in that assumption and goes on to point out the truth about freshman weight gain.

Keep your children fit while they play

Toys that encourage physical fitness are a great way to keep your children fit, active and having fun all year-round. Therefore, putting just the right activity-gift under the tree will not only ensure your kids have fun, but will also stay healthy without even realizing it.

The right toys will teach problem solving skills

Encouraging the use of creative activities and games that challenge your children to think outside the box and build their problem solving skills at an early age will help encourage them to become independent thinkers and problem solvers -- skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Keep kids learning during the holidays

Don't let the fun and food of the holidays interfere with your child's learning. Video games and flashy electronic toys may appeal to many kids, but often don't work your child's mind as well as non-electronic games and puzzles. Parents shouldn't fret, however.

Puzzles, games and educational value

Why do people buy and play games? Entertainment value certainly factors in, but there are several other benefits to puzzles and games, including their educational value.

Making the choice to donate to your alma mater

Students spend four (or more) years paying tuition to their school. Upon graduation, many students find that the requests for donations begin with zeal. Whether or not to donate is entirely up to the individual.

National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often

Starting a college savings plan when your children are young sets you on a path for success and can help you reduce the need for expensive student loans down the road. Establishing a college savings plan early and contributing to it often is the key to reducing, or even eliminating, student loan debt.

Key to Affording College is to Have a Plan

Setting goals is often the first step to achieving your hopes and dreams for yourself and your family. Making a plan, however, is crucial to making those dreams a reality. This is especially true when it comes to a college education for your children.

National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often

School smarts for green living School supply savvy saves money and the planet

The average family with children will spend roughly $570 on school supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation. School does require a bevy of supplies, but oftentimes parents and students look to disposable items when shopping for supplies. Did you know that six million disposable pens are thrown away in the U.S. each year?

Important dates throughout the history of newspapers

Over the years, newspapers have played a major role in civilized societies, influencing revolutions and educating a public about events occurring across the globe.

Dispelling myths surrounding ADHD

There is still much that doctors, parents and caregivers can learn about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While answers are constantly being investigated, it should come as no surprise that certain myths abound about ADHD.

Engineers help improve the world

It has been frequently stated that, "Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been." Some of the greatest challenges of modern life have been overcome thanks to engineers. And their reach continues to grow.

Food dyes and difficult kids

Those blue drinks, red popsicles and multi-colored cereals could be triggering temper tantrums, learning difficulties, sleep disorders and a host of physical complaints such as asthma, headaches, hives and ear infections.

What to look for in a graduate program

Today's college graduates are facing a difficult job market, one that is flooded with unemployed professionals but few job openings. As a result, many college juniors, seniors and even recent graduates are considering the pursuit of an advanced degree. When researching different graduate programs, prospective applicants should take the following under consideration.

High school sports seasons

Participation in high school sports programs is a favorite activity among many high school students. In many instances, scholastic sports seasons mirror the schedules of professional sports leagues, although the school seasons are often shorter.

Lice in classrooms is common

Head lice do not spread disease and aren't dangerous. However, the fact that they are highly contagious makes them a nuisance at school.

Healthy and quick breakfasts for busy school mornings

Breakfast has long been referred to as the most important meal of the day. It is beneficial for students heading off to school to enjoy a meal before they catch the bus.

Birthday party basics

When children enter school their circle of friends expands. This means that when their next birthday arrives, there may be requests to invite the entire class to the party. Parents facing the prospect of 20 or more children may wonder what to do in this instance.

Supplies for the 21st century student

School supplies have evolved significantly over the years. Items that appear on today's school-supply lists may be quite different from yesteryear.

Cleanliness a concern in the classroom

News of swine flu epidemics in schools and the last vestiges of contagion may have dwindled, but that doesn't mean that classroom cleanliness isn't still a safety concern.

How to switch majors successfully

Choosing a major is often met with trepidation. College students may feel pressured to choose a major when they are less than certain about what they want to study. Majors aren't set in stone and students have the opportunity to switch concentrations if their original choice isn't the right fit.

Alleviating first-day-of-school jitters

The first day of school can create butterflies in the stomachs of parents and children. However, following a few tips can alleviate feelings of nervousness.
August and September are prime months for the return to school. Whether this is a child's first time entering the classroom or he or she has done the back-to-school thing multiple times, it's not uncommon for feelings of anxiety to arise.

TV show sparks renewed interest in show choir

Students who love to sing and perform are discovering the benefits of choir and chorus programs at school after a popular television show has proven inspirational.

How to handle student loan debt after college

Today's college graduates face numerous challenges. With the global economy still struggling, the job market for recent graduates is less than ideal.

Did you know?

According to the latest figures on publicly funded education in Canada, in recent years the student-educator ratio has dropped in every province across the country except for British Columbia.

Extracurriculars could help improve school performance

Parents and students who want to improve grades and classroom performance may want to look to extracurricular activities. There is evidence that some after-school activities can actually help promote better results inside of the classroom -- even helping to mediate symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Schools a big factor in home purchase

There are many factors buyers consider when shopping for a home. From the number of bedrooms to the size of the backyard, prospective buyers have their priorities with what they're looking for in a home. Parents to young children or couples who are planning to start a family soon should also consider the school system.

Volunteer opportunities abound for today's teens

When attempting to gain acceptance to the college of their choice, teenagers quickly learn the admission requirements extend beyond their report cards. Colleges weigh academics considerably, but many institutions of higher learning also want well-rounded students who will make great additions to the community as well as the classroom.

What to look for in a student's tutor

Parents of children who are having difficulties grasping school lessons routinely turn to tutors to provide the added measure of instruction some students need to succeed. When selecting a tutor, parents should ask questions and keep important things in mind.

Unique ways to save on school supplies

When it comes to school, costs are rising across the board. Though tuition hikes get most of the publicity, additional expenses associated with school can add up as well, and school supplies are no exception.

Did you know?

The highest paid teachers in the U.S. are those who work in California, where the average annual salary is $59,800.

Pros and cons to keeping multiples together in school

Parents of multiples have to make decisions regarding their children in duplicate or triplicate. Once multiples reach school-age, one of the questions parents must face is whether to keep their children together in the same class during the early elementary years or separate them into two different classrooms.

Lap belts an issue for school bus safety

In an effort to promote safer riding for students, many school districts have made school bus lap belts mandatory. But the very devices aimed at protecting children actually could be putting them at greater risk for injury, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Only three states require seatbelts on new school buses, and those are New York, New Jersey and Florida. They are optional in other states.

How to take effective notes

A student's success in school is measured by the assignments completed and tests he takes. The students who garner the best grades and do well in class are often those who are effective listeners and note-takers.

8 ways to save on school expenses

Every year parents spend significant amounts of money on school expenses. While there's not much parents can do about tuition, there are ways to save on additional expenses, including clothing. Restocking a student's wardrobe can be costly, but savvy Moms and Dads can lessen the blow in a variety of ways.

Safety tips for young Web surfers

Parents have worried about their children since the beginning of time. Such worry is part of being a parent, and parents will worry about things both large and small.

Credit card pointers for today's college kids

College is a period of firsts. It's the first time many students are away from home for an extended period of time; it's the first time students get to choose their own coursework; and it's the first time many are left to their own devices with respect to taking care of themselves.

Tips to improve standardized test scores

Though some professional educators debate the use of standardized tests, students of all ages can expect such tests to continue to play a role in their education. Younger students might take standardized tests to help determine the class level that best suits their abilities, while high school students will need to take certain standardized tests in order to gain admission to a college or university.

Prescription drug abuse on the rise among today's children

Many children experiment with drugs. What many parents and caregivers may be surprised to discover are even stereotypically "good" kids may try drugs, and legal drugs are becoming just as popular as illegal ones among kids looking to experiment.

Maintaining a gym locker

Students often find middle school or high school is their first foray into a structured physical education class that requires changing into a gym uniform or workout clothing. With this comes the responsibility of outfitting and maintaining another locker on campus.

Pros and cons to learning in a digital age

The world has quickly become digital, and the younger generations are leading the pack with technology that just may make some other items obsolete. As pre-teens and teenagers routinely turn to digital devices for entertainment and schoolwork, the face of education may change as well.

How to help kids find the right extracurricular activity

Today's kids are busier than ever before. Be it the increasingly competitive nature of scholastic life or the increase of two-income households where kids need something to do other than come directly home after school, children today are much busier than their school-aged counterparts of yesteryear.

Did you know?

Cyberbullying occurs when a child is embarrassed, harassed, humiliated, threatened, or tormented by another child using the Internet, mobile phones or another interactive and digital technology. Just as genuine a concern as bullying, cyberbullying has resulted in children killing others or even committing suicide.

Encourage learning all summer long

Don't let summer fun interfere with your child's learning. Research has shown that kids can lose much of what they learned during the school year during the summer months, a phenomenon known as "summer brain drain."

Graduation Ceremony Ideas for Homeschooled Students

All across the country students and parents choose to go the less-traditional educational route by participating in homeschooling. Even though students are not being educated in a formal school building, seniors who are about to graduate often desire traditional ceremonies to mark the end of their formative school years.

Make Safety a Prom Priority

There is a bustle of activity that takes place during prom and graduation season. With so much going on, caution often takes a backseat to other issues. However, it is important to keep safety in mind during prom and graduation season.

Some Graduation Rates Need Improvement

Not every high school freshman who enters public school receives his or her diploma or graduates on time. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were a number of U.S. states that ranked poorly in terms of graduates in 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Named Valedictorian ... Now What?

The title of valedictorian is an honor that only one person receives every year. Planning the right speech requires forethought and creative ideas.

Recognizing a Child's Learning Disability

When a child heads off to school, the hope of parents is the child has every opportunity to succeed and realize his or her full academic potential. Some students, however, could unknowingly begin school without a level playing field.

Newspapers a Valuable Teaching Tool in the Classroom

Few resources are as inexpensive yet inherently valuable as the daily newspaper. For as little as the loose change in their pockets, readers can get all their local news, as well as learn what is going on overseas and, for sports fans, what happened during last night's games.

Opportunity Knocks: Careers for Women in Science and Technology

Successful female engineers and organizations such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the IEEE want individuals choosing a course of study and potential career path to consider scientific fields -- like engineering.

Deciding Between Trade Schools or Traditional Colleges

Today's high schoolers face mounting pressure with respect to their futures. Even high school graduates who did not immediately go to college after graduating face difficult decisions about their futures.

Questions to Consider Before Pursuing an Advanced Degree

Pursuing an advanced degree has long been considered a good career move. While the decision often depends on an individual's field of work, most employers are impressed by applicants with advanced degrees.

Popular Majors Among Today's College Kids

Today's college students are tomorrow's employees. And as any former college student knows, choosing a major can be a difficult decision.

Preparation Paramount for Tomorrow's College Students

As the admissions process at the nation's best schools grows increasingly competitive, how and when students prepare for college entrance exams could determine where they spend the next four years and beyond.

How to Choose a Sweet Spot for Studying

As school gets back into full swing, school-aged kids across the country are once again spending their afternoons doing homework instead of lounging around the house as if it were still summer vacation.

Get Organized for School Success

Students with torn- or crumpled-up papers in their backpacks, desks or lockers, unruly notebooks and more could find it's harder to make the grade. A little time spent getting organized can go a long way toward improving grades and performance at school.

Helping Kids with Learning Disabilities Do Well in School

What's arguably most alarming about such statistics is the connection between reading and all courses of study. A child's ability to read influences every facet of his or her education. Fortunately, there are steps parents of children with learning disabilities can take to help their child become a better student.

Vision Problems Can Affect Learning

Vision problems are more than just a nuisance for children. Impacted vision can have serious effects on a child's ability to learn in the classroom.

Get an A+ in Dorm Design Tips to Go from Dorm Room Drab to College Fab!

Four white walls, a closet and, if you're lucky, a desk ... welcome to your new home, college students. As dreary as a dorm room can seem, a few simple steps can easily transform that drab dorm room into a space you'll want to come home to in a few easy steps.

Back to Savings: Savvy School Supply Saving Tips

Perhaps no time of year is as bittersweet for parents as the back-to-school season. Gone are the relaxing days of summer, but back are the days when kids get excited about school and the extracurricular activities that come with it.

Awareness of School Violence Keeps Students Safe

As students prepare to head back to school, thoughts of school violence generally do not top their list of concerns.

Top 10 Most Popular College Majors

Each year, college kids across the country face the difficult decision of choosing a major. Some schools allow students to choose a major at their own pace while others require students to pick a major freshman year.

Time Management Tips for Busy College Kids

Today's college students are busier than ever before. Tuition hikes and higher cost of living has forced many college students to work part-time jobs in addition to their full-time jobs as students.

Is Your School Ready for Swine Flu?

H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, may not make headlines anymore, but that doesn't mean the risk is any less real.

Be Smart: Stay School-Bus Safe

School buses are essential modes of transportation, taking thousands of students to and from school every day. While school bus accidents are rare, riders should still practice safety aboard and around the bus.

Watch Out for Head Lice

In an era when mobile phones provide Internet access and laser eye surgery restores vision in one visit, it might seem incredulous that a tiny, parasitic bug could cause such havoc. But lice are alive and well and continue to plague school children and their parents.

Inspirational School Movies

Students getting ready to return to the classroom may want to spend their last few days of summer vacation checking out the library of school-themed movies available.

Did You Know?

In many countries, the term "integrated schools" typically refers to schools that place a focus on religion.

How to Go Green in School

Teachers and school officials are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting the environment. Their responsibility for educating the next generation of youth puts the importance of environmental education firmly in their hands.

When's the Right Time for Children to Start School?

Many parents feel early enrollment in school is a good first step for kids' academic careers. But some experts warn that too much, too soon may not be the way to lay the ground work of a successful academic career. Some believe that waiting until a child is age 6 for formal education provides the best opportunity for learning advantages.

Answering Questions About Continuing Education

Adults go back to school for a variety of reasons. They may have personal accomplishment goals or their motivation could be purely financial. Unemployment has recently led many individuals back to the classroom.

Teachers Funding Classroom Supplies

Many teachers look to provide exciting experiences for children in the classroom, frequently using interactive supplies and techniques intended to make learning fun.

Go to the Head of the Class with Back to School Shopping Smarts

Thanks to high prices and long lines, many parents dread shopping for school clothes. But shopping for school clothes doesn't have to be a laborious task. With a little advice, parents can find the deals they desire and be in and out of the stores with plenty of time for summer fun.

Stealing Ideas in School Plagiarism Won't Make the Grade

The Internet offers a wealth of content, much of which is difficult to cite or verify. Unfortunately, this information often proves too tempting for students to ignore.

Creatures That Go "Bite" in the Night

Bed bugs wait for dark, snuggle up beside unsuspecting sleepers and take a bite before scattering when the lights come on.

College Prep Tips for High School Juniors

High school students, particularly high school seniors, anxiously anticipate their next step after high school. With the freedom and excitement of college just around the corner, it's no wonder high school seniors often catch a case of "senioritis" as the school year carries on.

Technology Helping Today's Students and Teachers

Since the turn of the century, technology has changed just about every aspect of life. Perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in the increasing rate of cellular phone subscribers.

Pros and Cons to Commuter Schools and Dorm Living

Each year, thousands of students attend colleges and universities across the country. These students choose schools for a number of reasons, including whether the school is commuter-based or offers on-campus living.

Integration of Autistic Children

The educationl debate with respect to autism largely surrounds whether segregated autism classrooms or integrated programs are better for the child.

Skip Boring School Lunches: Easy Meal Ideas Students Will Love

Day after day, creating new lunch ideas that children will actually eat can be challenging.

How to Boost Your GPA the Easy Way

Grade point average, or GPA, is a number that follows students through high school and college. An often accurate representation of a student's academic performance, GPA is always changing, giving students constant opportunities to improve as a result.

On the Road to Kindergarten: Getting Kids Ready for the Big Day

Kindergarten will be many children's first foray into school. Their experiences in kindergarten can set the scene for a lifetime of learning.

Off to college ... or to high school? Graduation Gifts That Keep On Giving

Graduation season is here! For family and friends of the graduate that means finding an appropriate gift. And what could be better than something that would help the new grad navigate the next four years like a 'pro' and save time, frustration, and money.

Comfort and Space Saving Style at College Without the Cost

One such given is furnishings. While dorm rooms aren't akin to a 5-star hotel, parents who plan ahead when furnishing their children's room can save substantial amounts of money. For instance, dorm rooms are generally smaller than a kid's normal room, requiring some careful planning if he or she plans to bring most of their things along to college. Parents of college bound youngsters should consider the following tips courtesy of StudentMarket.com, the premiere online resource for parents seeking to provide their college bound sons and daughters with all the comforts of home at a fraction of the cost.

Learn to Write the Perfect Letter Again

In the past, penmanship was the mark of intelligence and indicative of social class. Today, many children barely get beyond the printing stage of lessons, never mind mastering cursive writing. However, penmanship is important and writing letters can be the perfect way to reestablish this lost art.

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Expert advice for college-bound grads

College advice from the ‘experts’ who’ve been there

Student volunteerism can have a positive impact ... and help pay for college

Help make your child's school healthier

Environment Watch: Students teach parents about their futuristic school

Net-zero school is a living lesson in conservation

Technology News: First 'net-zero' school sets a fine example

How to have a safe spring break experience

The 529 college savings plan: a holiday gift that keeps on giving

Research indicates 'freshman 15' is a myth

Keep your children fit while they play

The right toys will teach problem solving skills

Keep kids learning during the holidays

Puzzles, games and educational value

Making the choice to donate to your alma mater

National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often

Key to Affording College is to Have a Plan

National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often

School smarts for green living School supply savvy saves money and the planet

Important dates throughout the history of newspapers

Dispelling myths surrounding ADHD

Engineers help improve the world

Food dyes and difficult kids

What to look for in a graduate program

High school sports seasons

Lice in classrooms is common

Healthy and quick breakfasts for busy school mornings

Birthday party basics

Supplies for the 21st century student

Cleanliness a concern in the classroom

How to switch majors successfully

Alleviating first-day-of-school jitters

TV show sparks renewed interest in show choir

How to handle student loan debt after college

Did you know?

Extracurriculars could help improve school performance

Schools a big factor in home purchase

Volunteer opportunities abound for today's teens

What to look for in a student's tutor

Unique ways to save on school supplies

Did you know?

Pros and cons to keeping multiples together in school

Lap belts an issue for school bus safety

How to take effective notes

8 ways to save on school expenses

Safety tips for young Web surfers

Credit card pointers for today's college kids

Tips to improve standardized test scores

Prescription drug abuse on the rise among today's children

Maintaining a gym locker

Pros and cons to learning in a digital age

How to help kids find the right extracurricular activity

Did you know?

Encourage learning all summer long

Graduation Ceremony Ideas for Homeschooled Students

Make Safety a Prom Priority

Some Graduation Rates Need Improvement

Named Valedictorian ... Now What?

Recognizing a Child's Learning Disability

Newspapers a Valuable Teaching Tool in the Classroom

Opportunity Knocks: Careers for Women in Science and Technology

Deciding Between Trade Schools or Traditional Colleges

Questions to Consider Before Pursuing an Advanced Degree

Popular Majors Among Today's College Kids

Preparation Paramount for Tomorrow's College Students

How to Choose a Sweet Spot for Studying

Get Organized for School Success

Helping Kids with Learning Disabilities Do Well in School

Vision Problems Can Affect Learning

Get an A+ in Dorm Design Tips to Go from Dorm Room Drab to College Fab!

Back to Savings: Savvy School Supply Saving Tips

Awareness of School Violence Keeps Students Safe

Top 10 Most Popular College Majors

Time Management Tips for Busy College Kids

Is Your School Ready for Swine Flu?

Be Smart: Stay School-Bus Safe