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College Prep Success Using Dorm Ideas
Dorm ideas that promote organization and time management can have a huge impact on future college success. Keep reading…
Wendy David-Gaines, author of Parents of College Students Survival Stories, has some fantastic tips in her latest article, Use College Dorm Ideas at Home for College Prep.
The ideas discussed in this article also make for a great way for parents to instill the importance of having a place to study that maximizes the use of space and leads to increased success in the final years of high school.
When students are working on college scholarships and admissions essays, a quiet and organized place to work is a must.
Purchasing college dorm essentials and using them before students are ready to leave for college also saves money, as these items can simply be packed up when the time comes to move away. Working together, parents and students can begin the process for college success years before the student actually leaves home. What a SMART idea!
You may also like to read: College Scholarship Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
Thanks, Wendy, for allowing me to share your wonderful content with my scholarship blog readers!
Use College Dorm Ideas at Home for College Prep
While freshmen head off to college ready to organize their dorm rooms for the first time, high school students and their parents may take a fresh look at their own spaces at home. With a little reorganizing, families may better prepare for the rigors of high school life and college prep.
Increased workloads come from harder classes, studying for standardized tests, jobs, extracurricular activities, and researching college, career and scholarship possibilities. On top of this are the responsibilities teens assume from getting their driver’s license to dealing with social issues. Expect to need room for more real and online books, college brochures/mail/paraphernalia, and family/friend/school commitments. Fitting it all in and not becoming overwhelmed is challenging.
Take a cue from students living in college dorms who maximize space usage and tailor it to studying. Before stress has a chance to take hold, create an environment that will help the college-bound take care of business and enable parents to team with them for the best chance of student success. Use the following three college dorm ideas to create cool college prep spaces at home.
Focus on the Goal
College dorms are usually stripped down to the essentials of a desk, chair, bed, dresser, and closet. Often a common area nearby has a sofa and coffee table. These dorm basics hone in on family necessities. Students need a workspace dedicated for studying and college prep. Parents and students need a spot to brainstorm and work together towards the common goal of student success.
To motivate usage, these areas must be quiet, fully equipped with easy to reach supplies and materials, well-lit and comfortable. Chances are the spaces already exist in the home but could use some sprucing up like better lighting, clutter clearing, and ergonomic furnishings.
Strengthen the family bond while focusing on the goal by together forming some formal rules for parent-student team meetings, healthy snacks and adding some fun.
Add Organization
There are tons of products aimed at making life easier for college students. Get extra use from these supplies by purchasing and using them now such as desktop organizers, schedule planners, storage bins, power strips, cords, and cables. A large write on/wipe off wall calendar shows tasks and appointments at a glance and are easily updated at home or in the college dorm.
Those college tech essentials like cell phones, laptops and/or tablets also help high school students especially if they have current anti-virus protection, surge protectors, memory sticks, backup storage, and access to a printer and scanner. Virtual tools help too such as spreadsheets for filing info, apps for organizing time, managing money, and to-do lists.
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Be sure to read: The Ultimate Planner for College-Bound Students (and their Parents!)
Delete Distractions
College dorm rooms are filled with posters, college give-a-ways, and photos reflecting the personalities of their occupants. Both parents and children want to personalize the spaces where they will be spending a lot of time. Only the college-bound know what will distract from or spur action to achieving their goals. Inspiration may be added with decor touches such as favorite motivational sayings, pictures of objectives, and college logos.
During team meetings, display the wall calendar to review and revise the to-do list. Handily find a college mailing in a portable filing system or on a tablet. Hold a college ball when speaking.
Having developed organization and time management skills, the college-bound will be ready to pack their already purchased college gear and set up their dorm room. Parents will have peace of mind knowing their child has the tools leading to success in high school, college, and beyond.
Through it all, families may work and celebrate accomplishments together.
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Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own son win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has “been there, done that” in regards to helping parents and students navigate the scholarship process.
Her method of helping students in finding college scholarships, writing unique and compelling scholarship essays, creating amazing scholarship application packets and more, have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars.
Monica’s scholarship tips have been featured on many prominent websites and she has been dubbed the “Go-To” expert on college scholarships.
