Roommate Knowledge

As if there weren’t enough to think about starting college – classes, books, dining halls, wireless access, etc. – on top of everything else you’re almost certainly going to have a roommate; most of you, for the first time. It’s pretty exciting. But also kind of scary. Sure you can check each other out on Facebook and figure out who’s bringing what and text about summer jobs and the classes you want to take. But still…right?

Okay, take a deep breath. It’s all good. People have been doing the college roommate thing for a really long time – way before X-Boxes and Yik Yak – so the odds are with you. And, as if the peace of mind afforded by cellular technology and the long arc of history were not enough to help you to rest easy, you can add to the list of advantages you have as you embark on your first college roommate experience, the wisdom and sage advice that I am about to impart on you. Continue reading “Roommate Knowledge”

Thinking About Thinking

So you’re getting ready to start college. The seemingly endless onslaught of shiny view-books and postcards and pseudo-personalized emails from colleges is behind you. You’re done with campus visits and college fairs and application essays. You’ve received your fat envelopes and chummy congratulations from admissions deans and made your choice. Senior spring, prom, graduation – check, check, and check. The roommate questionnaire, health forms, and course pre-registration process are done, or soon will be, and now you’re pretty much monitoring your class Facebook page and hanging out with your friends until it’s time to start packing the car.

It’s July. Aside from the odd inquiry from the housing office or the people planning orientation there really isn’t anything else you should be doing to get ready for college, right?

Well, maybe. But then again, maybe not. Continue reading “Thinking About Thinking”

Welcome to My College Wisdom

IMG_0027Greetings and welcome to My College Wisdom – a blog devoted to providing advice, guidance, and insights into the college experience for students, parents and families, and anyone else who might be interested. The purpose of MCW is simple: to help students identify, apply and be admitted to, and succeed in college.

Okay, so that’s fine and all, but you may be wondering just exactly what qualifies me to be doling out wisdom about college. Fair enough.

For starters, though it should probably go without saying, I did go to college. And I graduated – in four years, no less. I also went to graduate school and have a master’s degree in higher education. So to the extent that being the rightful owner of framed diplomas lends credibility to my entering the blogosphere I suppose I can check that box and move on. Continue reading “Welcome to My College Wisdom”