1. Talk to your student. Remind your child that there is safety in numbers, and that instincts are to be trusted. Tell your student that it’s never a bad idea to leave an uncomfortable social situation.

2. Take a walk through your student’s day. Start at the dorms, go to class, the cafeteria, athletic practice, and so on. Make your student aware of any potentially risky situations that you might anticipate or locations where you would be on guard.

3. Talk to campus security about their services. Many colleges provide escorts to the dorms from night classes and posts around campus for emergency help. Ask about these and other possible services.

4. Encourage self-defense education. Chances are good that the school or the surrounding community offers a self-defense course. Completion of the course will make you both more confident.

5. Caution online activity and sharing. Advise against posting class or work schedules, addresses, planned events, or other personal information online.

While no campus is always completely safe, proper awareness and preparation will go along way to help in many situations.

The modern American couple is having children later in life, and the size of the average family is declining.  While this can lead to parents who have the time and resources to prepare their children for academic success, it can also lead to anxiety from parents about “doing it right.”  Make sure that you don’t stifle your children with your expectations about what they’ll get out of their first year of college.  Even though you may be footing some (or all) of the bill, it’s still their life to lead.

According to Karen Levin Coburn, an assistant vice chancellor at Washington University in St. Louis, “Parents want their children to get into the most selective colleges … and are concerned that they get good grades and develop resumes of the perfect combination of extracurricular activities and summer internships.”  As a parent, finding the right balance can be a fantastic way to remain an integral part of your child’s lives while allowing them to flourish in their new environment.

College can be a time of changed expectations and greater self-reliance.  Prepare your student by discussing  the issues they may run into during their first term on campus.  The greater freedom that college affords can wreak havoc on those who are unprepared.  Whether it is budgeting or academic goals and expectations, any positive input can help put your student ahead of the curve.

As a parent, perhaps the biggest challenge that you will face is learning how to let go.  Though it may be difficult, you should understand that college students will often call their friends to share exciting news, while using their parents for reassurance in the face of disappointing news.  As college can serve as a transition from the sheltered world of living at home to the new challenges of the “real world,” you can help your child become independent by referring him or her to the appropriate campus resources, rather than being the all-purpose “problem solver” you’ve been in the past.

Rest assured, you will remain an integral part of your child’s life if you find the appropriate balance between “coaching” them and giving them more independence.  Just remember that they’re on an emotional roller coaster.   It won’t always be easy, but the challenges will help your college-bound student transition into a self-sufficient adult.

The Phone Just Isn’t Enough – Sure, you can text, email or talk to your children while they’re living on campus, but you could also be taking advantage of FREE video conferencing technology such as Skype, Oovoo and Vsee.  Your student’s laptop probably includes a webcam and microphone, so they’re already set on their end. By refreshing your computer to one with a webcam and microphone, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to see and speak with your loved ones virtually.

Ready to Retire Your Old Stereo? – If you can’t remember the last time you purchased a physical CD, welcome to the club.  Many people download music on their PC and mp3 devices making them the new stereo.  And with free online services like Pandora, which stream a custom music selection based on your personal preference, your new PC could be your replacement stereo.   You can easily connect to your existing amp and speakers and HP’s new Beats Audio system on select PC’s like the Envy (pictured to the right) brings studio quality sound.

What About All Those Photos and Videos? – So you have a digital camera, but what are you doing with all of those photos you’ve taken?  How about your camcorder…do you still record to tape or have you also made the switch to digital videos?  Snapfish and other online photo sites offer the ability to do some minor editing and unique printing projects.  But if you want to store all of those pictures and videos securely at home or edit them using powerful software like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere, you’ll want a computer with much more storage, more processing power as well as a large screen.

Windows 7….It’s Time – If you’re still running Windows XP at home, consider that you’re running an operating system first launched in 2001.  Windows 7 has been proven as a strong and reliable operating system and there are many advantages for the casual computer user.   Speed, performance and boot-up time are greatly improved.  Plus, the overall design is much more user-friendly making it easier to create and manage a home network, find and organize files on your computer, and even use touch integration that’s available on HP Tablet PCs and touch-screen desktops such as the TM2T (pictured to the left) and TouchSmart 300z.

As a parent, you can take advantage of the education discount offered by HP Academy.   We offer most of the products mentioned in this article at a special discounted price for you! Visit our website or call (800) 632-8251 to get expert advice on the best solution for your needs!

• 85% feel stressed on a daily basis, mostly about school work and grades
• 87% don’t get enough sleep to feel rested
• 60% take 4.5 to 7 years to graduate, costing tens of thousands of dollars

The good news is that there are steps you can take to help your student adjust to college life and make sure they get the most out of the experience.

Figure out what matters most: Ask your student what they hope to get out of college and you’ll likely be met with a shoulder shrug. Freshmen lack the perspective you have, so encourage them to ask the tough questions.  Getting clarity on what they want out of college will help them focus on what matters most. Is international experience, and thus study abroad, important? Are varsity sports and club leadership top priority? Clarity can be hard for students to achieve, but conversations that focus on your student’s core strengths, values and vision for the future are a good starting point.

Develop a plan for success: Your student wants to do it all and will be tempted to overload their calendar with exciting new activities. Help your student develop a plan that maps out their goals – even at a high level - the paths to achieve them and milestones along the way.  If they do bite off too much, the plan can serve as a guide to prioritize efforts. You can jump start this process with them before school starts, but may need to hand-off the planning to another trusted resource.

Find someone to be a sounding board: You will continue to be an important outlet for your student, but most freshmen also need someone they can turn to for unbiased advice and support. Help identify this sounding board in your student’s life – it could be a friend, coach, mentor or other relative. Encourage them to reach out for support frequently.

You want the best for your student but guiding them from afar can be a challenge.  Consider organizations with expertise in student coaching, such as InsideTrack.  InsideTrack has worked with over 250,000 college students nationwide and is the nation’s most comprehensive program for ensuring student happiness and success in college and beyond. Their staff of College Experts will work with your student one-on-one to develop a tailor-made plan for success, identify what matters most and find balance in the first year.  Learn more and get a free session with a College Expert.

This trend towards better grades for less work seems to be seeping into the collegiate environment as well.  Professors who teach their students less receive the most positive feedback, while professors with higher academic rank and educational experience tend to receive lower marks.

While more than 45 percent of recent high school graduates boasted an “A” average, a study by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA shows that entering college freshmen are studying less and less every year.

Studies have shown that the grade inflation epidemic is even hitting elite American universities.  Between 1986 and 2001, the percentage of “A’s” given to Harvard undergraduates increased from 23% to 49%.  Harvey Mansfield, professor of government at Harvard,  says, “Grade inflation compresses all grades at the top, making it difficult to discriminate the best from the very good… and the good from the mediocre.”

Some academics and institutions set out to fight the practice of grade inflation.  For many years now, Mansfield has issued his students two sets of grades: one for the official Harvard transcript, and another representing what he believes the student really deserves on a non-inflated grading scale.

Princeton University’s faculty senate has issued a set of guidelines as to the expected number of “A’s” for undergraduate courses.  Thanks in part to an extensive publicity program explaining the new “grade deflation” policy, the number of students securing jobs, and being offered admission into prestigious graduate programs, both rose in the years immediately following implementation of the policies.

The question remains:  Will other high schools and post-secondary education institutions follow suit and move away from sky high GPA’s being the norm?  Only time will tell.

In today’s 24/7 news cycle, and new studies being published daily, we’re all vulnerable to information overload.  Academic Earth makes it easier to gain meaningful knowledge.  With a goal of  “giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education,”  Academic Earth offers free and full degrees, certificates, and courses from highly-respected universities and colleges.

Say you wanted to hear a lecture from an accomplished professor at Stanford University — all you need is internet access to listen in.  Maybe your daughter is studying business at Yale and you want to know a little more about her classes and what her lectures are like — at Academic Earth, you can.  Video lectures from some of the best and most well-known colleges are available online for free.

If you have extra time, or you’ve always been fascinated by astrophysics and never had the chance to take a class — put your study hat back on and spend a couple of hours learning something new.  Given the opportunity, wouldn’t you want to continue your education in some way?

A computer is a significant purchase and an important tool for your child.  It’s important to ensure your investment is protected, four critical things to consider:

Backup Services & Devices – Viruses can damage or destroy crucial files like term papers and other important documents.  Online backup sites such as Carbonite (www.carbonite.com) and Norton Online Backup (http://www.symantec.com/norton/online-backup) automatically back up files and protect them online for about $5 a month.  A flash drive or pocket media drive can also be used to back up files and start at under $20.

System Recovery DVD – Windows encourages you to create a “recovery” disc that will allow you to reboot from that DVD in the event your operating system has a problem. Unfortunately, many people don’t take that extra step. When you order your new PC, you can often order the recovery DVD included with your purchase for under $20. It’s a one-time inexpensive purchase that will more than pay for itself when you have a problem.

Extended Warranty – No matter how careful you are accidents happen.  You can fully protect your HP PC from damage and drops with an extended warranty.  HP will arrange for shipping to and from the home or campus for necessary repairs.

CompuTrace LoJack for Laptops – Unfortunately, crime is an issue on every campus, CompuTrace is Lo-Jack for your computer.  Once a student reports their computer stolen, CompuTrace will track that computer once it connects to the internet and contact local police to alert them to the stolen device.

HP Academy has a peace of mind bundle on sale now through September 28, just in time for back to school, that includes two of these four services.  2yr HP Care Pack Accidental Damage Protection Services with LoJack for Laptops (product code on website HC688B):  You can save up to 54% when purchased with an HP Compaq, G-series, Pavilion, TouchSmart, or Envy laptop.

HP Academy provides an exclusive education discount on PC’s, printers, and a wide variety of supplies and accessories including many of the products mentioned here.  HP Academy also has knowledgeable real people available to help you choose your PC and to walk you through the specs, call 800-632-8251 today to get a great deal on a computer and also the peace of mind that your investment will be protected.

A few things to consider:

Major – Some majors require extra processing power like engineering, graphic design, computer science, etc.  Call our advisors for help figuring it all out 866-433-2018.  A desktop or laptop can be configured to meet your student’s specific needs.

Screen Size – If a large screen is needed for games, photos, movies, etc. then a desktop is probably best.

Portability—Laptops are made to be portable for your student on the move.  They come in a wide range of sizes and in light or ultra-portable models with extended battery life options.

Usage – If your student will just use their PC for email, the internet and writing papers a laptop might be all that’s needed.  If they download lots of music, games and video then a desktop may be a better choice.

Price—Sometimes a desktop is less than a laptop because a laptops’ smaller components are more complex and costly to manufacture. However, with laptops’ all-in-one design, you won’t have to buy additional components like a monitor and keyboard separately.

Ergonomics—In general, desktop PCs lend themselves to better ergonomics.   A desktop’s adjustable monitor, full-size keyboard and position helps minimize strain on the eyes, neck, back, wrists and hands. Laptops can also be set up with ergonomics in mind using a docking station, external monitor, keyboard and mouse.

You can’t go wrong with these two recommendations, and they are both on sale now:

Desktop – HP’s All-In-One TouchSmart 300z – Powered by AMD Athlon™ II Dual-Core Processor.  Featuring a combined monitor and CPU for a sleek, space-saving design, plus wireless connectivity.

Laptop – HP’s DV6z – Powered by AMD.  Striking the right balance between mobility, size, and performance, this full-featured 15.6″ high-def laptop will expertly handle your daily computing and media needs.

HP Academy provides an exclusive education discount on PC’s, printer, and a wide variety of supplies and accessories.  HP Academy also has knowledgeable real people available to help you choose your PC and to walk you through the specs, 866-433-2018.

1. Check up on your child’s computer. Be sure your child’s computer has all the proper programs needed for classes such as Microsoft Office. Some schools require a specific computer with certain specifications for each student, so double check with your child’s college for any details.
2. Have your child find out a little about their soon to be roommate. Have them find out some of the basics like where they’re from, what they like to do and what they are planning to study. This will ease the transition from home to college dorm.
3. Get all your needed dorm room essentials at a discount department store. Make sure that you coordinate with the other roommates on who is bringing what, that way you won’t end up with two microwaves and no TV.
4. Secure the semester’s class schedule. Ensure that your child gets into the classes they want to take by reminding them of the enrollment deadlines. Nothing ruins freshman year more than having a full schedule of classes you have no interest in.
5. Create a budget. Living away from home for the first time can be very hard for some students. Establish a budget with your son or daughter so that they can start off on the right foot with managing their money.
6. Visit the school’s web site. Get more information about the school traditions, campus, classes, and the social life by checking out the website of your student’s college. Having your child know more about the school may help them feel more comfortable.
7. Get packing. Don’t put off packing to the last day! There is always going to be something your student forgets to pack or never thought to pack, so make a list early on and remember to double check before they take off.
8. Put together a tool kit. Things are bound to break or need some tuning up, so put a small tool or emergency kit together so your student is never stuck without a way to fix a problem.
9. Get protection. Talk to your son or daughter about safe sex and making smart decisions.
10. Allow your student to hang out with their high school pals. Your student is not only going to miss home, but also the friends they have spent the last four years making memories with. You will be in their life forever, but some of these friends they will lose touch with, so be sure to let them spend some time saying goodbyes and making the last few memories they can.

These suggestions came from Lauren Joffe, of The Real College Guide, and you can read the full article here.

On the Parents Countdown to College Coach Blog, Chris Noble listed some great resources that you and your student can look into. Check them out below!

Hands On Network: With 250 action centers around the country, it’s easy to connect and get started with a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule and location.  Plus, they’ll occasionally partner with corporations like Disney to offer special incentives for volunteering.

Do Something: Focused more on teen activism and engagement with causes, their site offers “Virtual Volunteer” opportunities so you can take action without leaving your couch!

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Interested in volunteering in our National Parks?  For the Smithsonian?  Start here.   You’ll find a host of ways to volunteer alongside existing government programs.  The HUD site also lists opportunities to provide technology access and job training to those who need it on a volunteer basis.

VolunteerMatch: One of the largest online databases for volunteering, where over 71,000 nonprofits have listed local and regional events and projects.

Go Abroad: Want to volunteer on vacation?  Fulfill your travel bug and your need to do good at the same time by applying for one of the nearly 6,000 “Volunteer Abroad” opportunities from more than 1,300 organizations around the world.

iParticipate: Follow the stars.  Literally.  The Entertainment Industry Foundation launched this project with Ashton Kutcher, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Katie Couric (and many others) in a campaign designed to encourage Americans to consider volunteering as an integral part of our national identity.

Serve.Gov: One year old this month, this site and associated initiatives were created by the Serve America Act.  One of its purposes is to help Americans get back to work by building skills and connections through volunteer opportunities.

To read the original article, check it out here.