All things relating to kids and college have dominated my own thought processes for at least two years now, the length of time it seems to take between your child’s first conscious thought of college and an acceptance. Claire B. Potter, a Professor of History at The New School for Public Engagement, New York, has written the best single advice column I’ve seen to date regarding how best to send your child off to college.
The entire article can be seen here: http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/tenuredradical/2014/07/bye-bye-birdies-sending-the-kids-away-to-college/
Ostensibly written as a manifesto for parents on what to do . . . to be read more as “what not to do” . . . it also contains a must read section for students entitled “… the differences between high school and college as academic environments.” The general theme is that kids today aren’t ready for college, in no small part due to an infantilizing home environment, compliments of helicopter parenting.
Guidelines for parents include:
“Reduce casual contact while still being available for a good talk; offer less help and advice, but always be ready to give it when your child asks.”
“Never insist on speaking to a faculty member, administrator or dean unless you believe your child is in mortal danger.”
“Urge cleanliness: make sure your kid knows how to do laundry, and how to clean her environment properly.”
For the child, in seven unforgettable paragraphs Ms. Potter lays bare the differences between high school and college. The theme of this advice centers around the concepts of being an adult, being on time, not missing class, doing your own work, not asking for “do overs”.
This is recommended reading for anyone who has ever been to college, and anyone who has a child actually heading off to college.
The entire article can be seen here: http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/tenuredradical/2014/07/bye-bye-birdies-sending-the-kids-away-to-college/
Ostensibly written as a manifesto for parents on what to do . . . to be read more as “what not to do” . . . it also contains a must read section for students entitled “… the differences between high school and college as academic environments.” The general theme is that kids today aren’t ready for college, in no small part due to an infantilizing home environment, compliments of helicopter parenting.
Guidelines for parents include:
“Reduce casual contact while still being available for a good talk; offer less help and advice, but always be ready to give it when your child asks.”
“Never insist on speaking to a faculty member, administrator or dean unless you believe your child is in mortal danger.”
“Urge cleanliness: make sure your kid knows how to do laundry, and how to clean her environment properly.”
For the child, in seven unforgettable paragraphs Ms. Potter lays bare the differences between high school and college. The theme of this advice centers around the concepts of being an adult, being on time, not missing class, doing your own work, not asking for “do overs”.
This is recommended reading for anyone who has ever been to college, and anyone who has a child actually heading off to college.
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