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Back-to-School Organization Tips for a Successful School Year
(StatePoint) When the school year begins, students need to quickly get back into the swing of things. Staying organized from day one can ease the transition. While every individual needs to tweak his or her routine to best suit personality quirks and study habits, here are a few tried-andtrue organization tricks that will work for most anyone: Get Scheduled
While the word “bedtime” may have no meaning on summer vacation, during the school year, it’s vital. A regular sleep schedule can mean better quality sleep and higher alertness at school. Likewise, a morning routine can help students focus and prep for the day. Family members should share their schedules with each other to ensure everyone gets to practice, club meetings and other activities on time. Install a household calendar or bulletin board in a central location to ensure everyone stays in the know. Stomp out Clutter Lockers and backpacks need to stay organized. Whether notebooks, binders and textbooks are arranged by sequence of the day, subject or color isn’t important so long as the system works for you. To create more storage space in your locker, add durable, stackable locker shelving. For on-the-go book hauling, look for a backpack such as the Five Star Expandable Backpack
that features two expanding compartments providing additional space, along with protected storage for laptops. Its patented zipper allows you to quickly get inside your backpack while it’s hanging in your locker. Ergonomic patentpending straps distribute weight to comfortably support a heavy load. To cheer up your locker with a boost of color and add a place for quick reminders and mementos, try the Five Star Magnetic Mirror + Push Pin Board. Its slam-resistant magnets will keep it affixed to the inside door of your locker. There isn’t much time between classes, so a mirror is a welcome locker feature when there isn’t time for the bathroom.
Organizational tools such as these can keep your ducks in a row all year long. Also remember to set time aside weekly to clean out your locker and backpack, throwing out candy wrappers and crumpled notes. Personal Organization Students need to be able to keep more belongings than ever with them throughout the day -traditional school supplies, paperwork, flash drives, calculators and other electronics. A binder that can contain it all will give students a chance to make sure their lives are in order, not just a class at a time. For a secure method of carrying supplies, look for the Trapper Keeper Zipper binder, with
pockets and dividers to keep items organized, and the Five Star Zipper Binder + Expansion Pocket, which features storage for textbooks and a tablet, and has an adjustable strap that allows you to carry the binder messenger style or on your back. At home, it’s easy to get distracted from important tasks like studying and homework. Create a dedicated work space away from televisions and other distractions. Make sure the area is comfortable, well-lit and conducive to great work. More study tools and tips can be found at www.Mead.com. The right tools and habits can empower students for a successful and organized school year.
THE ALBANY HERALD • BACK TO SCHOOL • Thursday, July 30, 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 3
4 Big Mistakes College Students Make (StatePoint) College is when many young people first get a taste of independence. Unfortunately, this newfound freedom can lead to decisions that may impact life well beyond graduation. How can you avoid the pitfalls plaguing fellow scholars? Here are strategies for dodging common mistakes made by college students: Hurting Your Credit You may be presented with credit card offers for the first time; and building good credit can help lay the groundwork for future financial options -- but proceed wisely. College seniors owed $4,100 in credit card debt by graduation, according to recent research from Debt.org. Don’t let credit cards be an excuse to spend beyond your means. Start with a line of credit you can handle. If you manage that well, later on you’ll be able to borrow more. To maintain good credit, pay your statement on time and more than the minimum due each month, keep balances low, keep long-standing accounts open, and avoid applying for too many credit cards. Remember to check credit history often. Look for a credit card that offers perks like cash back rewards and a low APR.
Overdoing It College is about earning a degree. However, it’s also about making lifelong friends and exploring interests. Keep this in mind when choosing courses for the semester. For example, it may not be the best idea to stack five of the most challenging courses offered by the school into one semester. Not only will it be hard to devote the attention needed for each class, you may leave yourself little time to take on other projects and internships that could also benefit your future. Bad Money Management College is expensive, and beyond the expenses you already know about -- tuition, books, and housing -- you will incur many other expenses along the way, from lab fees to gas to cell phone bills. “Setting up a budget is crucial, particularly if your spending money is drawn from a loan or grant,” says John Rasmussen, head of Education Financial Services at Wells Fargo. “You’ll need that money to last if you don’t have another stream of revenue.” Don’t form bad financial habits now, as do so many college students. Take advantage of free resources, such as Wells Fargo’s Get College Ready site, to learn
PHOTO SOURCE: (c) cristovao31 - Fotolia.com more about banking, building good credit and paying for college. The site features tips, and tools such as My Money Map, which offers a way to track spending, set budgeting goals and monitor savings. It also offers advice on topics like renters insurance and student loans. Visit mrm.wellsfargobank.com/getcoll egeready/ to learn more. Not Sleeping
Between cramming and socializing, shuteye may be in short supply. However, quality sleep is fundamental to quality learning. If you’re a night owl, avoid early morning classes. Also, avoid procrastination, which can lead to all-nighters. College lasts just a few years but what you do there can affect your life for years to come. Use your independence to make smart decisions that are good for your future.
4 THE ALBANY HERALD • BACK TO SCHOOL • Thursday, July 30, 2015 • www.albanyherald.com
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Tips to Supplement Kids’ Learning at Home (StatePoint) There’s no reason that learning should stop once the bell rings. When concepts are reinforced at home, not only do children learn faster, they are better prepared to excel in school. Whether your children are in preschool or are already in grade school, there are many bright ideas out there that can give kids an extra academic edge: Explore Your World
Your world is a classroom that can provide an abundance of lesson plans. Start in your own home by exploring key concepts around the house. From using measuring cups in the kitchen to identifying shapes in the playroom, there are lessons to be learned in every room. The new “Get Ready for School” series by DK includes “I’m Ready for School,” an interactive book that helps toddlers practice colors, numbers and more. Proceeds from the book series support PBS KIDS, which uses the power of media to help prepare children for success in school and in life. Once you’ve mastered the house, take the show on the road. Visit museums, the aquarium or even the park around the block for learning opportunities.
PHOTO SOURCE: (c) YanLev - ThinkStock.com Play Games Encourage the idea that learning is fun by introducing educational games into your child’s daily routine. Games are a great way to make lessons stick and help a child grasp new ideas. Check out “Get Ready for School Games: Number Memory,” a math card game that show numbers 1-10 arranged in set order with everyday objects and number words to help toddlers practice adding and taking away up to 10, sharing, and grouping. It’s an easy-tounderstand visual approach to real-life problem-solving. A companion game, “Color Match,” introduces kids to words and colors with timed memory challenges and activities.
Also consider “The Incredible Math Games Book,” which blurs the lines between practicing math and play. With interactive games like “Find the Fraction,” “Subtraction Action,” and Dancing Dice,” kids can learn key math concepts minus the homework. Write a Story Help your budding writer find her literary voice by encouraging her to write fictional stories or report on “news” events from around the neighborhood for the house newspaper. Make sure she is well-equipped to handle her writing assignments with the help of a classic reference tool, DK’s Merriam-Webster Children’s Dictionary -- now updated and revised to include modern words
like “smartphone,” “MP3” and “graphic novel,” as well as new countries, borders, flags and cities. Music Lessons Round out your child’s education with music lessons, which can improve motor skills, build self-confidence and help impart cultural values. Many music stores rent instruments, which can be a low commitment way to test out your child’s interest. Check out options for lessons in your area or even just find free tutorials online. When the school day is over, don’t let young minds go on strike. Through activities, music and even games, you can make stress-free learning happen round-the-clock.
6 THE ALBANY HERALD • BACK TO SCHOOL • Thursday, July 30, 2015 • www.albanyherald.com
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Five Golden Rules for Kids Using Tech Devices (StatePoint) The next generation of smartphone users is getting a head start on device destruction. Children are breaking more smartphones, tablets and laptops than ever before, say experts. Their tech-forward parents have so far shelled out more than $11 billion to repair or replace such devices, according to a recent report from SquareTrade, a protection plan for mobile devices and other consumer electronics. “Teaching tech etiquette alongside the ABCs and 123s is a smart idea for sanity at home. And for the 89 percent of households whose kids have damaged devices, it makes great financial sense,” says Jessica Hoffman, vice president of global communications for SquareTrade. “Kids as young as toddlers are getting significant doses of screen time and, as a result, accident rates are climbing.” The report also found that 70 percent of elementary school kids own tablets and a whopping 55 percent of accidents happen from children accidentally dropping their devices. Not surprisingly, 20 percent of kids blame someone or something else for the mishap. “Kids and technology are as popular a pairing these days as peanut butter and jelly,” says Hoffman. “As smartphones, tablets and laptops replace dolls and toy cars as children’s most prized possessions, we recommend that parents do their
homework on how best to deal with at-home tech habits, or risk having their child on the device dishonor roll.” SquareTrade suggests the following five golden rules to keep in mind before letting kids use electronic devices: • Don’t pack devices into overstuffed, heavy backpacks without proper protective gear. Tablets cannot handle the wear and tear that a book can absorb. • On rainy days or when you will be around water, use a zip lock bag for your smartphone or tablet. • No eating or drinking while using devices. Sticky liquids are the most dangerous. • Limit screen time in the car. Siblings fighting can lead to devices flying out of windows. • No matter what precautions you take, accidents can still happen. Invest in a protection plan that covers the clumsy drops, juice spills and backpack crushes of daily life. Repairing a broken device can often cost as much as buying a new one. A good protection plan can cost just a few dollars a month and can buy priceless peace of mind for parents worried about everyday accidents and other “uh-ohs.” So even if your child breaks a device, there’s no need to stress: you’re covered. For information on protection plans, visit www.squaretrade.com. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Tweak habits at home, school and on-the-go to prevent technology breakage.
How Safe is Your Child’s School? Three Things You Need to Know (StatePoint) With dangerous incidents happening in schools nationwide with increasing frequency, it’s important to know what measures are being taken to protect students and staff. A school's design can have a big impact in helping keep students safe and thriving academically, say experts. In this regard, many architects are leading the way to improve school safety, harnessing the power of design to secure schools, and in the process, enhance learning. “A safe school is one that allows administrators to have physical control over the environment. It is a place where students, parents and staff can go and not be concerned by outside or internal threats, such as intruders, natural disasters or bullies,” says Brian G. Minnich, co-chair of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education who has worked in educational design for the past 19 years. “What’s more, a secure school need not feel like a fortress or a bunker -safety measures should feel invisible to those protected by them.” So, how does your child’s school stack up? While there is no national standard to help assess what makes a facility safe, better security can be achieved by addressing three key factors, according to Minnich: • Life Safety: From fires to flash floods, natural disasters can happen without warning. Your school should take geography into consideration first and foremost. Also, the school should
be designed to ensure that students, staff and first responders can easily maneuver through the facility in case of emergency. • External Security Concerns: Quick fixes, such as installing additional security cameras or employing extra guards are not the only answers to threats posed by intruders. A school should have a single, main point of access that’s easily identifiable; and administrators should have visual control over every approaching individual. Security is enhanced, as well, through a design concept called “concentric rings of protection,” which provides multiple barriers to entry: at the property line, the exterior of the building, and within the building, via an internal set of doors. This layered protection makes it more difficult for a trespasser to reach the inside of a facility. • Transparency and flexibility: School invasions and their tragic results make headlines all the time. However, the most common threat in schools are internal -bullies. An open environment, in which students and staff can easily “see and be seen,” can help deter bullying and violence in schools. “Visual transparency is key to achieving natural surveillance and fostering positive social interaction,” according to Minnich. For more information or to connect with an architect on the impact of design on school security, visit www.aia.org. When school security is designed into a building, kids can focus on learning, without fear.
THE ALBANY HERALD • BACK TO SCHOOL • Thursday, July 30, 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 9
How to Pack an Organic School Lunch for Under $5 (StatePoint) Deciding what to pack for lunchbox meals is an important part of the back-toschool experience for parents and kids. Proper nutrition is essential to positive learning and growth, and many families aim to eat healthfully, while also saving money. But packing a wholesome, organic lunch doesn’t have to cost big bucks. Here are five tips for building an organic lunch for under $5: • Make a shopping list. Do an audit of your current kitchen inventory and write a shopping list before hitting the store. This will help you stay organized and keep you from buying extra items you don’t need. • Look for store brands. Not every organic brand is pricey. For example, some brands even offer products that are cheaper than the non-organic alternative, such as Whole Foods Market’s 365 Everyday Value line. Plus, their products are made without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or hydrogenated fats. • Shop for ingredients that do more. Foods like rotisserie chicken can be used for an entire week’s worth of school lunches using a different recipe each day. Think sandwich, taco, salad, wrap and casserole. • Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk is often cheaper than purchasing packaged items, and you get the added benefit of controlling how much food you pay for. At some stores, like Whole Foods Market, you can even get a discounted
price when you buy a full case of packaged products. • Use coupons. Coupons are a great way to save extra money on purchases you will actually use. Search through coupons online and at the grocery store, too. Ingredients: • 1 (6-ounce) box macaroni & cheese • 1 cup red lentils • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1/4 cup lowfat (1%) milk • Pinch fine sea salt Directions: Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add pasta and lentils and return to a boil. Cook until lentils and pasta are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well. Return pasta and lentils to the pan and stir in butter, milk, the contents of the sauce packet and salt. Continue to stir until blended and warmed through. Have a kitchen full of ingredients but don’t know what to make for lunch tomorrow? Try this simple and quick Lentil Mac & Cheese recipe from Whole Foods Market that can be easily customized by adding your favorite spice or flavor: More cooking tips and recipes can be found at www.WholeFoodsMarket.com or www.youtube.com/WholeFoodsM arket. In the midst of a busy back-toschool season, don’t put good-for-you lunches on the back burner. Simple tips can help you from spending a fortune.
10 THE ALBANY HERALD • BACK TO SCHOOL • Thursday, July 30, 2015 • www.albanyherald.com
Prepping for College 101 New Technologies are (StatePoint) Whether you’re an incoming freshman or entering your senior year, the transition to campus life requires mental and logistical preparation. For a smooth move, prepare in advance. “You’ll want your dorm room or apartment to be a space in which you can thrive academically and socially from day one,” says Jessica Joyce, spokeswoman for Bed Bath & Beyond, a well-known destination for college essentials. Joyce and the lifestyle experts at Bed Bath & Beyond are offering tips to set up your dorm room with form and function in mind. • Use a Checklist: Stay organized and on-budget by using a shopping checklist. Many stores that sell housewares provide shopping guides for college students that break down all the basics needed for campus living. Use this as a base point for what you’ll need and add your own custom items to it, so that when you get to the store you won’t miss any essentials. • Know School Rules: For specific information about your college, use online resources such as, bedbathandbeyond.com/shopforcoll ege, which offers customized lists of what students can and can’t bring with them to their school and what the school provides. Students can also use these pages to locate stores close to campus. • Think Small: For many students, moving to a college dorm room means living in a smaller space. Take this into consideration when planning how you will organize your items. Space-saving storage tools and multifunctional items, such as bed risers that have
an AC outlet and USB charger, can help students pack more essentials into a smaller space. • Build a Better Bed: As if getting a good night’s sleep isn’t hard enough in a dorm, standard college beds are often thin and less comfortable than what students are accustomed to at home. The solution? Add cozy layers of comfort and support with a mattress pad, memory foam topper or fiberbed. • Create a College Registry: High school graduates can create a registry wish list online or in-store of what they want for their new space, to share with family and friends. Students can also use their registries to share what they’re bringing to school with their roommates. • Roomie Request: Once students receive their housing assignment, they should finalize room decisions to avoid duplication. Decide ahead of time which items to share, like a coffeemaker or TV, and whether students want to coordinate décor. • Getting There: Getting your new items to college can be tricky. Look for such services as Bed Bath & Beyond’s free in-store service, Pack & Hold, which lets students and parents shop for items at a store near home and then conveniently pick them up at a location closer to campus. The service is especially beneficial for students traveling to school far away from home. Once the semester gets underway, your schedule will be jam-packed with classes, activities, studying and friends. Set up your space wisely for a successful start to the year.
Boosting Students’ Grades (StatePoint) Picture a college student studying for an upcoming exam. If you’re envisioning her surrounded by marked-up textbooks, you probably aren’t a recent graduate. These days, you’re just as likely to see the student with a tablet, smartphone or laptop taking advantage of digital course materials -- and student grades appear to be rising as a result. New digital platforms are making a difference for students who have access to them. Students using a digital learning platform increased their grades by one full letter, with more B students getting As, and more C students getting Bs, during an independent study of more than 700 students at six institutions, which was conducted by a member organization of the Association of American Publishers (AAP). Community college students participating in the study saw their graduation rates improve by 12.5 percent. A different independent study of another learning platform by another AAP member found that students using only the textbook improved 51 percent, while students who used both the textbook and the digital learning platform improved 79 percent. Indeed, a digital learning revolution is well underway in colleges and universities across America -- and the benefits are even extending to student and parent pocketbooks. Though the cost of college tuition has been steadily rising, the student cost of coursework has stayed flat. The money saved by shifting from print to interactive digital platforms in the classroom can be as much as 60 percent. “For more than 10 years, publishers have been redefining the concept of textbooks and course materials through content and technology innovations,” says David E. Anderson, Executive Director of Higher Education with the AAP. “Interactive materials can now be used on virtually any device, including a laptop, tablet or smartphone, making it easy for students to study whenever and wherever they like.” Digital learning materials have evolved way beyond their origins as a simple PDF copy of a textbook. These advanced educational platforms now include quizzes, tests and games to help better engage students in their coursework and in the classroom. The learning experience, in turn, has become less static and more interactive. Beyond making learning more engaging, the materials are helping customize the learning experience for each student. The latest materials use artificial intelligence to focus on those areas where individual students need the most attention. Professors can employ real-time monitoring to determine how individual students and whole classes perform, adjusting their lessons to better meet the needs of the class. They can also use these programs to communicate directly with specific students or with the entire class, making introductory-level classes -- which often have hundreds of students -- more personalized in ways that weren’t possible in the past. Lower-cost digital course material options can add up to convenience, cost savings and better graduation rates for students. That’s a valuable lesson being learned by today’s college students.
THE ALBANY HERALD • BACK TO SCHOOL • Thursday, July 30, 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 11
Do You Know How Much College Will Really Cost Your Family?
(StatePoint) Paying for college? Look beyond the tuition price tag when making your financial plans and you will encounter many expenses not listed in school brochures. Be aware of these costs. Determine in advance how you’ll pay for them and even consider how you may save money. With some smart preparation, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. Here are some things to keep in mind when assessing college costs and financing options: Financing
No matter what your family’s financial status is, you should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is the first step toward obtaining financial aid. Also explore additional financing options, like scholarships, tuition payment plans your school offers, federal loans and private alternative loans. Millions of Americans are faced with a rising amount of student loan debt. Make graduating debtfree your objective and only take out loans by necessity. After receiving award letters, scholarships and grants, calculate whether there is still a financial gap between your resources and the cost of college. Take out a private student loan only after exhausting these other resources and efforts first. If you do opt for a private loan, ensure you’re familiar with the loan’s terms, as well as the realities of graduating with debt.
PHOTO SOURCE: (c) xixinxing - Fotolia.com A responsible lender that defers payments until after you leave school can help you get educated on how loan repayment works and how this decision will affect you in the future. A loan consultant at your bank can help you explore the best options for you. For example, applying with a cosigner may qualify you for a lower interest rate, saving you money down the line. Plan Ahead To be truly prepared for the years ahead, get as accurate an estimate of total college costs as possible. Most school websites offer a net price calculator that can give you an estimate of your total college cost and your
financial aid award. Also, free online tools, such as Wells Fargo’s Get College Ready College Cost Calculator, available at www.WellsFargo.com/GetColleg eReady, helps you take all your personal factors into consideration. The site also features useful tips and checklists for parents and students on subjects like paying for college, managing money and building good credit while in school. When putting a price tag on college, don’t forget to budget for other certain and potential expenses like a mobile phone plan, medical insurance, lab fees and class materials.
Save Money After tallying up college costs, you may encounter practical ways to reduce expenditures. For instance, you can save on big ticket items by attending your state school at the in-state tuition rate or by living at home. Save on day-to-day living costs by biking instead of driving and buying textbooks used. Get a smaller meal plan and prepare some meals in your apartment. There’s no doubt about it, college is expensive. Be realistic about the true costs associated with a financing an education and get savvy about how to pay for it wisely.
12 THE ALBANY HERALD • BACK TO SCHOOL • Thursday, July 30, 2015 • www.albanyherald.com
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