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Friday, September 29, 2006
By Jim Van WingerdenWell it’s Friday again—only three weeks away from Family Weekend! Students are completing their fourth week of classes. Most have taken this semester’s first test and/or had a writing assignment come due.
Parents I have talked to or run into these past four weeks seem generally content about their student’s college experience thus far. In spite of that I know that many parents are secretly busy with one of the prime activities of parenting a college student.
They worry.
Parents are all over the board when it comes to topics they choose to worry about. The September 2006 “Question of the Month” touched on those issues: “As you think about the upcoming academic year, what concerns you most regarding your student’s Calvin experience?” Based on input from 168 parents here are how those responses broke down:
* Time Management: 19.0%
* Academics: 15.5%
* Personal Relationships: 14.3%
* Spiritual Wellness: 13.7%
* Career Planning: 11.9%
* Finances: 10.1%
* Health: 2.4%
* Involvement opportunities outside classroom: 2.4%
* Safety: 0.6%
* Other: 10.1%
It’s interesting to me that even though time management tops that list, there are five other very healthy contenders for the #1 position—each worthy of a parent’s prayers and concern.
Let me share this comforting Bible passage and a short piece that I wrote for a church devotional booklet a few years ago. It’s an eternal promise that’s been helpful for this dad when those “worry” opportunities pop up.
The “two-for-one” rule
Sunday, September 24, 2006
By Jim Van WingerdenMany bright and talented students attend Calvin College. I know that this is a gross understatement, but consider that in this new class of first-year students alone more than 60% began their Calvin career being awarded one of the college’s top scholarships (based on high school grades and test scores). That is an impressive statistic for any college.
In spite of this many first year students, even those who received a scholarship, will experience significant academic adjustments during their first semester. Many parents report that even though their student received very good grades in high school, Calvin academics require a lot more time and effort to maintain similar grades.
Because college students are actually in a classroom fewer hours each week than high school students, some arrive at an early (and false) conclusion that there is more “free” time in college. This is a common mistake. The sooner this misconception is exposed, however, the better. Putting off an assignment for a few days can quickly turn into a week or two. Suddenly it’s the middle of October and there is little time left to turn a ship around that is sailing in the wrong direction.
Parents have asked how to best coach their student as they adjust to this new academic environment. There are many ways to do this. Remain positive. Find opportunities to encourage your student. Let them know you believe they can be successful in college. Remind them of good time management strategies.
I also like to mention that students should know and follow the “two-for-one” rule. Simply stated the rule is this: for every one hour that a student is in class, he/she should be spending at least two hours of work outside of the classroom—reading textbook assignments, participating in study groups, organizing class notes, researching term papers, studying for quizzes or exams, and so on.
Blessed at chapel
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
By Jim Van WingerdenFor me one of the great perks of working at Calvin College is the opportunity to attend morning worship or “chapel” at 10 am. Classes are neither scheduled nor held between 10:00-10:30 am. Some college offices even close their doors at 10 am, hoping to encourage students and staff to attend.
Unfortunately I don’t always make it to chapel. It’s been a personal goal of mine to attend at least once each week. Last week I made it three times--I also attended this morning. That’s not always the case. Often the tempo of a work project propels that 9:55 am “mark” right past me. Or I just plain forget and don’t even consider the chapel option many mornings. Occasionally a colleague will stop by or shoot me an e-mailed invitation. That is usually enough of a prompt. Sometimes I even take the initiative and invite a colleague.
But one thing is always certain when it comes to my chapel attendance. I always receive a spiritual blessing when I do go.
Aren’t They Still Our Kids?
Friday, September 15, 2006
By Jim Van WingerdenAt a summer PASSPORT session a while back a dad commented, “These PASSPORT sessions are helpful but I’m starting to resent hearing you and others here at the college continually referring to ‘your student.’ They aren’t our STUDENTS, they are our KIDS! They are YOUR students! Can’t they still be OUR kids?” The chuckles that echoed in the auditorium lead me to believe that his comment had struck a nerve with several other parents in the room.
I heard that dad’s comment loud and clear. My oldest is already in 11th grade and I too am beginning to lament the inevitable passage from home to college. That lament is universal for all parents. Even though we as parents are excited for our sons and daughters as they embark on this rite of passage called college, we still mourn as they become increasingly independent from mom and dad.
Learning styles and teaching styles; sometimes they match, sometimes . . .
Thursday, September 14, 2006
By Jim Van WingerdenI recently exchanged e-mails with the parent of a first-year student. The student was adjusting well to college and to academics but was frustrated with the teaching style of a particular professor. The parent reported that the student talked to the prof about his frustration but received the message that the teaching style would essentially remain the same.
The parent was seeking advise as to how to handle this situation with the student--is there another course of action when a student feels he is not making progress with a professor. Let me share my response: