Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On InstagramVisit Us On LinkedinCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Youtube
  • Homeschool
    • Book Lists
    • How Do We Do That?
    • Notebooking
    • Subjects and Styles
    • Unit Studies
  • Travel
    • Europe
      • Benelux
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • London
      • Porto
      • Prague
    • USA
      • Chicago
      • Georgia
      • Hawaii
      • Ohio
      • Utah
      • Yellowstone and Teton
  • Family
    • Celebrations
    • Frugal
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • PCS
  • Health
    • Recipes
    • Essential Oils
    • Fitness
    • Mental Health
    • Natural Living
    • Natural Beauty
  • Faith
  • About Me
    • Favorite Resources
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Policies
  • Reviews

© 2023Jennifer Lambert · Copyright · Disclosure · Privacy · Ad

You are here: Home / Homeschool / Succeeding in College

Succeeding in College

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

August 29, 2022 By Jennifer Lambert 12 Comments

My middle two kids began university this week with CCP. They’re commuting to a local university for a three classes for the very first time. They’re 15 and 16 years old. They’ve never attended school before!

While on one hand I feel that I prepared them well for post-high school opportunities, on the other hand, I am terrified that I missed some huge important task or skill that we will have to struggle to make up for that might make their lives difficult.

I lie awake at night checking off my list of what I want them to know.

My eldest did CCP and a year or so of university before COVID, then the school faculty and staff went on strike and she quit rather than do online classes. She may go back someday or she may not. While I do feel I prepared her well, I also know there were some gaps, and our relationship suffered. She didn’t want my help and I was desperate to give it. I have regrets.

I am a first generation college graduate. It was a struggle for me to navigate that world and I feel I missed out on a whole lot due to lack of experience, knowledge, support. I store up information to impart to my kids so they know what to expect.

My husband came from academic parents and both his sisters are teachers. His middle sister’s husband is also a teacher. They all have master’s degrees, as do I. I expect our kids to fare pretty well in the academic world and possibly get graduate degrees.

College Tips for Success

Read the syllabus. Honestly. Keep up with assignments and don’t fall behind. That’s the most of it.

Class Participation

My kids have gotten multiple emails from their uni and there are notes in each of their course syllabi about participating in class for a percentage of their grade.

Some of this is just showing up on time and staying in class and paying attention.

Some is actively participating in class discussion, asking questions, etc.

Yes, it can be uncomfortable, but it is important to get that 10% of the grade and to learn how to effectively communicate.

Also, please keep phones silent or off and away during class time! It’s rude to eat or be on phones during class.

Study Skills

My homeschooled kids have never taken a test nor really had to practice study skills, so we are taking a crash course on note taking and how to manage quizzes and exams.

I realize most of middle and high school involves just learning how to learn and how to study, all those questions at the ends of chapters and vocabulary lists to define – busy work.

I explained to my kids that any questions in their textbooks are study opportunities and they should complete those and also write outlines of the assigned chapters.

There are several notetaking options that are helpful. I like outlines and the Cornell method.

Some professors prefer the students listen to the lecture and participate in discussion while others encourage note-taking during class.

My kids took their first quiz and aced it and are taking great notes, according to the student instructors. They’re excited about the homework assignments and are enjoying classes!

Study Tips

  • Pomodoro Technique: The key to avoiding burnout is to study for no longer than 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break. Repeat this four times and then take a 30-minute break.
  • Record yourself reading your notes aloud and listen to the recording multiple times leading up to an exam.
  • Using different colored note cards for concepts and vocabulary and placing them all over your living space or use in a game format.
  • Use Apple Pencil to enter text in Notes, Notability, OneNote, or Scribble apps

Time Management

Be realistic about how early to get up and how late to stay in class. We chose the earliest class at 10 AM and latest ends about 1:30. There are also labs and study sessions that eat up a lot of time online or in person.

Everything is online now. It’s so different than when I attended university. There’s a server storing all the course info and it propagates to a handy calendar.

I encourage my kids to do a little bit each day for each course so they don’t get overwhelmed or fall behind. Studying and reading and completing homework takes up a lot of time, but chunking it into smaller bites makes it more manageable.

Bigger assignments can be chunked into smaller bites too. Outlining and rough drafts before the final essay.

Social activities, extracurriculars, and part-time jobs are important, but maybe need to take a backseat to the academics for a couple weeks until the schedule feels more comfortable.

Setting priorities helps to alleviate anxiety and fear of missing out.

Communication

It’s very important to keep up with communication. The school, professors, student assistant instructors, and others send out emails every day with important information.

I had my kids get the Outlook app on their devices with their university emails and encourage them to check it every morning.

Professors are usually great about replying to emails. Ask questions! Get clarification! Most professors want you to succeed and encourage active communication via email or office hours.

It’s also useful to share contact info with classmates for emergencies or help.

Being proactive is a must. Of course, we can’t help it if we get sick, but missing classes can be a problem. Most professors understand but require a doctor’s note after a couple missed classes. This is not the time nor place for the adage, “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”

It’s important for the students to learn how to communicate in an adult world. Parents can’t jump in and help anymore.

Using Services

Attend the study group sessions.

Get familiar with the writing lab.

Use the tutoring services.

Learn how to navigate the library.

These services exist to help students and they are usually free and open to anyone attending classes.

Some universities even offer mental health professional services to students for a small fee, and that’s often cheaper and easier than the usual copays. There are also disability offices and waivers that may be helpful.

Stay Healthy

Eating well and getting enough sleep can sometimes be more difficult with a busy schedule.

Since my kids are commuting, I get up earlier to make sure they have a good breakfast. It’s unusual for us to have alarms and it’s been a bit rough.

I make and pack snacks and sandwiches three days a week when they have longer days. Here are some of our favorite lunch storage options.

We have lunch together on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We all still have dinners together.

I am concerned about purchasing meal plans when and if my kids go away to college in 2-3 years. Also, packing lots and lots of snacks and quick meals and hydrating drinks to keep in their dorms. I’ve also read about horror stories of moldy AC units and on-campus restaurants being closed.

Packing raincoats and umbrellas, even a change of clothes, and extra period products in the car for emergencies is a good idea too.

It’s hard having our kids growing up and away and becoming young adults. I feel they’re ready even if I still try to anticipate any little thing and long to help.

I joined a parent support group on Facebook that has lots of info and question/answer for parents of students at the university my kids attend. It’s helpful and I’ve learned a lot of things I wouldn’t have thought about.

School Supplies my College Kids Love:

  • LED Page Magnifier
  • Reading Guide Highlight Strips
  • Page Magnifying Lens
  • Post-it Flags and Tabs
  • Post-it Notes
  • Transparent Sticky Notes
  • Sharpie Highlighters
  • BIC Velocity Max Mechanical Pencil
  • Notebooks: Bono Vintage and Mad Hatter Stationeries

You might also like:

  • Learning to Let Go
  • College Credit Plus in Ohio
  • Shepherding Teens
  • Critical Tips to Acing the SAT and ACT
  • Graduating from Homeschool
  • How to Prepare for After High School
  • Eighteen
  • Parenting Young Adults

Linking up: Grammy’s Grid, April Harris, Pinch of Joy, Eclectic Red Barn, Homestead, Silverado, Create with Joy, Mostly Blogging, Pieced Pastimes, Pam’s Party, Shelbee on the Edge, Suburbia, God’s Growing Garden, Jenerally Informed, OMHG, LouLou Girls, Joanne Viola, Soaring with Him, Ridge Haven, InstaEncouragements, Anchored Abode, Fluster Buster. Ducks in a Row, Simply Coffee, Pam’s Party, Pieced Pastimes, Answer is Choco, Lisa Notes, Imparting Grace, Modern Monticello, Being a Wordsmith, Momfessionals, Penny’s Passion, Slices of Life, Katherine’s Corner, Try it Like it, Random Musings,

Share
Tweet
Pin25
Share
25 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Homeschool Tagged With: college, teen

CHEESE. CHEESE.
I am furious that Sierra Mist is discontinued and I am furious that Sierra Mist is discontinued and replaced with some garbage that has high fructose corn syrup. Why do we even need another hfcs lemon lime soda? Sprite sucks. Now we only have limited Simple 7up and Mexican Coke.There are so very few sodas with real sugar and they are getting harder to find. @pepsico @pepsi #sierramist @sierramist #simple7up #7up @7up @thecocacolaco
Cherry berry banana and spinach with protein and f Cherry berry banana and spinach with protein and fiber for the new year.
Dionysus is soooo worn out from listening to us ta Dionysus is soooo worn out from listening to us take down all the holiday decor.
Happy new year! This is my favorite holiday meal. Happy new year! This is my favorite holiday meal.
Rosemary lemon turkey meatballs with gemelli and v Rosemary lemon turkey meatballs with gemelli and veggies and a lovely Chardonnay #wine #pasta #dinner #firstleaf #firstleafwineclub #firstleafwine @firstleafwine
Happy holidays!- from me, in my buy nothing outf Happy holidays!- from me, in my buy nothing outfit.
Always the cats and foods! Some fun events this ye Always the cats and foods! Some fun events this year. #topnine
Busy baking before the storm! Busy baking before the storm!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Gifting with Gratitude
  • Best Books of 2022
  • Hospitality
  • Adult Daughter
  • Overconfidence
Booking.com ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4

Comments

  1. Charmaine Anne MacDonald says

    August 29, 2022 at 11:29 am

    Interesting journey

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    August 30, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    I’m a retired college professor. You’ve shared some excellent tips for succeeding in college classes.
    Carol
    http://www.scribblingboomer.co

    Reply
    • Jennifer Lambert says

      August 31, 2022 at 11:06 am

      yay! I was an adjunct writing instructor about 17 years ago and whew has everything changed!

      Reply
  3. Lisa Blair says

    August 31, 2022 at 1:52 pm

    Great job, Jennifer! I think sending a 15- and 16-year-old off to college classes “feels” different than a regular 18-year-old. Our children prefer online classes, but they have handled in person classes well. It’s a transition for everyone, but in a way, you are still over their education…until they reach 18, so your giving great oversight. You’re a great Mom, an awesome teacher/advisor, and I’m sure your kids will do well.

    Reply
  4. Paula Short says

    September 1, 2022 at 1:12 pm

    Jennifer, wow! Thank you for sharing a plethora of wonderful information. Bookmarking this to share with friends and family.
    Thank you for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.

    Reply
  5. Tammy Kennington says

    September 2, 2022 at 4:55 pm

    Hi Jennifer.

    I’m an Academic Coach and I help both high school and college students. You’ve shared some great tips! I love the Pomodoro method.

    Thanks for linking up!

    Blessings,
    Tammy

    Reply
  6. Hazlo Emma says

    September 4, 2022 at 12:03 am

    Congratulations Jennifer for whisking your lovely girls off to Semester 1 at the University. I picked your post as a feature from Wonderful Wednesday 326 hosted at https://thextraordinarionly.com/signs-you-are-an-entrepreneur/ to feature in the subsequent Wonderful Wednesday 327 because I can only imagine the mixed reactions of teenagers transitioning from homeschooling to in-person classrooms with ease.
    It will soon be a celebration, and if not, just like the older one, online classes are awesome too.

    Share the post.
    H Emma, ThExtraordinariOnly

    Reply
  7. Donna B Reidland says

    September 5, 2022 at 2:16 pm

    Jennifer, what great, practical tips. So many young people go off to college without this kind of information. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Inspire Me Monday Linky Party #386 | Mostly Blogging says:
    September 5, 2022 at 9:30 am

    […] The most popular post at the last Inspire Me Monday Linky Party was Succeeding in College. […]

    Reply
  2. Wonderful Wednesday says:
    September 5, 2022 at 11:48 am

    […] for displaying your favorite colors and trinkets ♥Feature Chosen by Emma // ThExtraordinariOnly Jennifer Lambert // Succeeding in College A great college experience and tips on how to achieve graduation […]

    Reply
  3. Linky Party ⋆ My Crafty Zoo says:
    September 6, 2022 at 3:30 pm

    […] for displaying your favorite colors and trinkets ♥Feature Chosen by Emma // ThExtraordinariOnly Jennifer Lambert // Succeeding in College A great college experience and tips on how to achieve graduation […]

    Reply
  4. What You Want Vs What The Market Is Doing - 5 Market Rules You Gotta Break says:
    September 7, 2022 at 2:15 pm

    […] for displaying your favorite colors and trinkets♥Feature Chosen by Emma // ThExtraordinariOnly Jennifer Lambert // Succeeding in College A great college experience and tips on how to achieve […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Suggested Resources Booking.com

Archives

Popular Posts

10 DIY Gifts with Essential Oils10 DIY Gifts with Essential Oils
Natural Remedies for HeadacheNatural Remedies for Headache
10 Natural Remedies to Keep on Hand10 Natural Remedies to Keep on Hand
Homemade SunscreenHomemade Sunscreen
Henna Hands CraftHenna Hands Craft
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT