Recent Articles
The Value of High School Summer Experiences for Teens
While teens deserve to have fun during their summer break, in today’s college- and career-focused society, they should consider participating in a summer program that includes at least one of the following activities: academics, service, internship, employment, social growth, adventure/sports, language, leadership, or travel. Teens who find a summer program that satisfies their interests [...]
Traveling Responsibly: A Beginner’s Guide
You may not realize it, but when you travel abroad you become an automatic ambassador for America. Leaving the country for a gap year adventure is thrilling, but it’s important to note how your behavior abroad can impact you or the people of your host country. Taking steps to be respectful will not only help [...]
Educational Chutes and Ladders: How to Avoid Summer Learning Loss
You might remember chutes and ladders. Or snakes and ladders, but no matter what you call it, a slide is expected. The game is a good reminder of summer vacation, which is rapidly approaching, and with it the student’s nightmare of summertime learning loss. The dog days are lovely and calming but don’t have to [...]
Choosing a Summer Experience: Go Abroad or Stay in the U.S.?
An annual rite for American teens—as much as learning how to drive or taking final exams—is a question kids ask each other this time of year: “What are you doing this summer?” For many U.S. teenagers, a summer camp abroad is expected and encouraged, has even become de rigueur. The preponderance of opportunities from which [...]
3 Ways to Deal With “Magical Teenage Thinking”
Teenage Thinking I remember from several years ago, an unfortunate and disheartening situation with one of my former students. Despite his mother’s directives, and eventually her earnest pleas, despite my counsel, the intervention of other school officials, and county officials; despite many academic interventions, alternative schedules, an alternate building with an alternate teaching approach, [...]
Steps for Summer Success – Write Your College Application While the Sun is Shining
The tulips are in bloom, the grass is green and the temperature hovers near 70 degrees. For many this means spring is here with summer quick on its heels. For high school juniors, this means the college process is in full swing. The standardized tests are wrapping up, the school visits are scheduled, and the [...]