3. Basic things students should know BEFORE getting to school
- Laundry - including getting stains out and steaming or ironing clothes.
- Time management - they should have a calendar/planner (physical or digital) and actually know how to plan out their assignments and add in their work schedule as well as any other important items. While it can be a lot of work up front to input all assignments, projects and exams as well as plan out when they will work on each assignment it is a HUGE time and stress saver in the end.
- Nutrition - including hydration. The freshman 15 (pounds) is a real thing as is brain fog and overwhelm. Getting good nutrition is so important to help them be successful at college, but unless we have taught them, they won’t know! Also drinking enough water (and not just coffee or caffeinated beverages) is important for them to feel good and be able to think clearly.
- Basic budgeting - most students won’t need to buy food, since they will be on campus, but it’s important for them to know how to manage their money. If they have a job, they need to know how to manage their money, so they don’t spend everything that comes in, and not have money to buy their books, pay for snacks or gas, or pay tuition. You would be surprised how little college students know about finances. This is why credit card companies prey on college students.
We recently got back from a trip to Ohio to take both of our kids to Cedarville University for the start of their senior and sophomore years. Cedarville University is my alma mater, and I am thrilled that both of my kids are attending there this year. My son had planned to attend last year, but he had an unexpected illness that came up, and we had to pivot at the last minute (more on that in a future post). So he transferred in this year as a sophomore after doing his freshman year online through Liberty University. We are so thankful he is healthy and strong and ready for this next step.
Since this is the fourth year we’ve taken a kid to college, it’s safe to say we’re experienced at this. I want to share some of the things that have helped them and us get ready for the transition to college, things students should know before going, and some other tips.
Read more...I started this blog a year ago on September 1st! It’s hard to believe it’s been a full year, and I am so thankful for the way God is using it.
Much of what I share are things that I have learned and am continuing to learn as a widow, and a child of God. He has done so much healing in my life, and if someone else can benefit from my experiences and the lessons I have learned and am learning, then praise God!
To celebrate one full year of this blog, I am doing a giveaway! To enter you just need to SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLOG. If you are already subscribed, then you are automatically entered into the give away. For a bonus entry, leave me a comment over the next two weeks on any of the blog posts.
Read more...As I write this, we are getting ready to go camping for 12 days!! Camping is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. Each year we take 12-14 days and camp with my family on a lake and spend the entire time kayaking, swimming, playing games and of course, eating.
Growing up we did a lot of camping. My grandparents would take a bunch of the grandkids camping, and we had such a great time. Some of my fondest memories are from our camping trips. We hiked, rode bikes around the campground, swam and floated in the river, created matchbox car courses under the tree roots, played games, and so many more fun things. It was the best!!
Read more...The Dangers of Depression
While there are benefits to depression, prolonged depression can be dangerous. When it feels insurmountable, it can lead to a sense of hopelessness and even thoughts of self-harm. It can strain our physical health, leading to chronic fatigue, weakened immune systems, and other serious health implications. Depression can isolate us, causing us to withdraw from our support networks at a time when we need them most.
Depression was by far my longest stage in grief. During this stage I had a constant heaviness that didn’t lift for a long time. I had trouble staying asleep, I struggled with adrenal fatigue, my autoimmune disease flared up, and everything felt so much harder than usual. I missed Jon so much, and I was struggling with how to do life without him. I got stuck in my grief and had a difficult time moving forward.
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