My son is now officially a high school senior, where did the time go? He is already taking dual enrollment classes at our local community college and only God knows the plans He has for Aaron down the road.

In talking to my friends I have realized that no one is helping them choose the right college for their child. Even those in public schools with “guidence counselors” aren’t getting the support and information they need to make one of the most important and expensive decisions in their lives so far.

I have been doing some research and I have found some interesting online resources. Over the next few months I will be sharing them with you. I have not received anything from these sites though some of them have asked me to talk about them on my blog.  Some of these sites may see each other as a “competitor” but every family has different needs and different questions about preparing for and choosing a college. I am doing this as a service to you, my readers.

I hope you will find this series of articles helpful and please feel free to share them with your friends via Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, StumbleUpon, Propeller, Digg and any other way you like to share great information.

Unigo is a new website, launched in September of 2008, that was created by 26 year old entrepreneur, Jordan Goldman who has written a series of 100% student written college guidebooks. Unigo is the place to go on the web to bypass what a school’s marketing department wants you to know about the school and find out what the students have to say about the school.

From Unigo-

For years, prospective college students have had to rely solely on costly print guidebooks for
their research. These books offer limited information, are typically written by marketing
professionals, have few photos, no videos, and no interactivity. Launched in September 2008,
the free website Unigo.com is quickly replacing these outmoded resources, with tens of
thousands of interactive reviews of America’s top colleges by the real experts – the students
who attend them.
These reviews were described by The New York Times Magazine as “…so evocative they make
the one-page U.S. News summaries read like junk mail … they are vivid in a way no guidebook
can match,” and The Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg called Unigo “…a college information
resource built for the age of YouTube and Facebook.”
Pre-launch, Unigo’s team of 19 editors spent months researching America’s top 250 colleges,
and networking with tens of thousands of students to give them the opportunity to tell their
stories. They made sure to contact a diverse range of students within each university –
students from every class year, major, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation,
etc.

After more than 30,000 candid and original reviews, videos, photos, documents and more
poured in, Unigo’s editors viewed and organized all of it, working with students on campus to
ensure accuracy and making all of it available at Unigo.com. At many featured colleges, close to
10% of the student body contributed content.

Since Unigo is a new site and currently only has full profiles of the top 250+ colleges and universities, it has a long way to go. I searched for 6 universities that my son is interested in and none of them are profiled on Unigo at this time. To do my research I finally went to my alma mater The University of South Florida.
Unigo has a very nice review of USF with pictures and videos as well as reviews by students. I was impressed that in the sidebar of the page there are quotes from students that are the “Best things about USF” and the “Worst things about USF”. The content is real and regularly added to by students. Unigo also has a forum section where students can talk with prospective students and answer some of their questions before they ever step on campus.

Unigo is free to join and is a worthwhile place for you and your high school junior or senior to start researching and planning for their college career.

Campus Explorer is a free tool for researching colleges and universities. Campus Explorer doesn’t just cover your major colleges and universities, it covers smaller schools and even trade schools.

The first thing I did when visiting the site was to search for a school. The search function is adequate. I typed in the exact name of a school and instead of bringing me to that school’s page it brings you to a list of schools with those words in them. To me that is unnecessary, if you do a specific search you want to go to a specific page. There is a lot of information available to you without registering with the site. Once you locate a school’s page you can see information on the student population, expenses, and academic programs as well as pictures and videos. Unfortunately most of the pictures are logos or Wikipedia graphics so they are very sterile and don’t give you a feel of the campus’ personality.
After you register for your free account you can ask questions in the College Advice section, which is powered by Yahoo Answers. There is also a section where current students can contribute information via Google Friend Connect.

Once you have viewed the information on several schools you can click on the “compare” tool and it will bring up a side by side comparison of 4 schools that you choose. This tool was very helpful to me in weeding out some schools that didn’t meet the demographics I was looking for. The school names didn’t show up in this screen shot but they are from left to right: The University of Tampa, The University of South Florida, The College of the Ozarks and The University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

If you are looking for information on smaller schools and trade schools Campus Explorer is the tool for you. There is information on a lot of schools that are not covered at all on other sites.

Back to school is just around the corner. For students heading away to college, this is a time filled with both fear and excitement. For many students this is the first extended time away from home. It may even be the first time they have to share a room, I know it was for me! Moving in with a stranger can be terrifying but Sears has created CampusReady to help with the transition.

When I went away to college I moved in with two girls I had never met before. We had a good size triple room but I did not fit in at all with the other 2 girls. I had an 8am class, they came in most mornings at 3am after partying all night and slept until noon. I thrived at campus activities, mixers and club meetings…they partied. It was not a match made in heaven. Sears has created CampusReady on Facebook a set of apps aimed at getting to know your roomate, decorating your dorm room and going back to school in style.

There are 3 parts to Campus Ready: RoomMate Matchup, Dorm Room Designer and Gift Getter. RoomMate Matchup is a great tool to see how compatible you and your roommate will be. It is a quiz that explores your likes and dislikes. This is a great way to start communicating with the stranger you will be rooming with. Once you get to know each other Dorm Room Designer helps you design your room before you step on campus. Last, but most importantly Gift Getter is a gift registry for decking out your dorm room and going back to school in style. Just will out your wishlist and share it with your friends and relatives and (hopefully) the gifts will start rolling in.

I am a football fan. I love football at every level, high school, college and pro. My boys are homeschooled but we still attend a few games at the high school I graduated from. I’ve been to a UMass vs BC game and I have even been to the Orange Bowl. I’ve even attended a few Tampa Bay Bucs games. I love football.

We were blessed to have Tony Dungy as head coach of the Buccaneers for several years. He is a great coach and a greater man. The way he blends teaching football with positive character traits is to be applauded. Next week there is a special event specifically for high school football players, parents and coaches, though any student-athlete will benefit, put on by Coach Tony Dungy.
Tony Dungy’s National High School Football Kickoff, “Tony Dungy’s Red Zone ’09″ is coming to a theater near you ONLY on Tuesday, August 25, 2009.

Tony will be sharing coaching tips and strategies as well as life and character training. Coach Dungy has assembly some of the best in football to share training tips and drills with the players. What kicker doesn’t want to learn from Adam Vinatieri and what quarterback would say know to tips from Peyton Manning? Definitely not one that wants to improve! Other topics will cover preparing for college recruiting, making sure you are eligible for the NCAA and more.

Tony and host Reggie Dabbs will join with an all-star cast of football’s finest:

• Peyton Manning
• Jon Torine
• Michael Irvin
• Joe Ehrman
• Jim Sorgi
• Joseph Addai
• Gary Brackett
• Adam Vinatieri
• Dallas Clark
• Pete Carroll
• Bob Sanders

For the first time ever, high school football gets its own national kickoff.  As you join more than 1.2 million student athletes taking the football field this fall, it is more important than ever that your sports career gets off to the right start.  With specific training tips from some of the premier players and coaches in the NFL, this event is more than razzle-dazzle. Regardless of your ability level, it will provide new incentive to work hard, eat right, stay focused and develop all of your potential.

from redzonelive.com
For more information, to see where Red Zone ’09 will be showing in your area or to order tickets please visit redzonelive.com. Please share this info with any coaches, parents and/or players you may know.

Recently this question was posted by a mom on Mamapedia.com:

This is the first year my son has gone away to school. He gets financial aid and thinks his disbursement check is for just “going out and spending”. At this rate he will be on bread and water til the end of the semester(December) He gets mad when I don’t transfer more funds into his account. How do I get him to see that living expenses do not include weekly all you can eat places and trips to 7-11 or the ABC store for him and his friends?

Thinking back to my own first two years of college, I know this can be a tricky time of freedom and finances. I was not at all prepared for what I encountered out on my own. I was inundated with credit card offers and my parents generously sent me whatever I asked for, neither of which are very good things.

Kids need to learn to manage their money, preferably as soon as they start getting money. Even if you did teach your son money management, it sounds like he needs a refresher. There are many great resources for teaching children money management from ages 3 and up. Both Crown Financial Concepts and Money Savvy Generation have great tools for teaching kids money management. Since your son is older, I highly recommend Good $ense money management class which is offered in local churches by teachers trained through the Willow Creek Association.

Your son needs to get a handle on this now, before it gets worse. Between now and the time he comes home in December I would only send him what he needs. How much does he need per week to pay for incidentals? If you can, put that much on a reloadable debit card every Monday. That way you know his immediate needs are met-he can live 6 weeks on Ramen noodles if he has too…it may help him learn this important lesson.

When he comes home, focus on helping him set up a budget. Your job as parent now it to coach him to make the right choices, you can’t make the choices for him. Help him find books, online tools or a class near his college that will help him learn financial responsibility. Help him also see the difference between wants and needs. Make sure his needs are accounted for in his budget and that there is some allowance for incidentals and entertainment.

Categories in a student’s budget could include: housing, tuition, books, food, clothes, entertainment, incidentals, cell phone and transportation.

Next, draw a line in the sand, the buck literally stops here. You have helped him with his budget, you and his financial aid package are covering his school, books, food and an agreed upon amount for incidentals-his job is to live within his means. This is the hard part for parents but…stand firm.

Training or re-training your son now will help him now and in the future. Do this and then you can send him back to school feeling confident and equipped that he can manage his finances.

Now is the time of year when families sign up their children for summer camps, and many are looking for a unique camp experience. Adventure Camps at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld are just that: These diverse camps let kids get closer than they ever thought possible to exotic animals and encourage lifelong passion for wildlife and the environment.

For more than 40 years, Busch Gardens and SeaWorld have been committed to animal care, wildlife conservation, education and research. Adventure Camps at our parks offer something no other camp experience can offer – the chance to work alongside the best animal care experts in the world for hands-on experience with animal trainers, veterinarians and animal care staff.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Adventure Camps are offered at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa. The programs offer a learning environment that fosters exploration, inquiry, self-discovery and self-esteem with three distinct offerings: traditional “sleep-away” resident camps, day camps and single-night sleepover programs.

Resident Camps

• For 5th graders through college students
• From 3 nights to 2 weeks
• Each Busch Gardens and SeaWorld resident camp offers up-close, hands-on experiences with amazing animals. Resident camps are available for students in grades 5 through college. Camps for younger students offer an engaging combination of animal encounters and time to enjoy all the exciting rides and shows at the parks. Older students can immerse themselves in Career Camps or choose to conquer all the excitement of rides and thrills at Busch Gardens with the “Xtreme Adventures” camp, which includes day trips to SeaWorld and Discovery Cove in Orlando.

Resident campers lodge in on-site dormitories at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. At SeaWorld Orlando, campers sleep in animal attractions right next to beluga whales, manatees and dolphins, or at approved off-site hotels. Camp counselors supervise campers 24 hours a day.

For a complete list of Resident Camps, visit www.SWBG-AdventureCamps.com or call (866) GO-TO-CAMP.

Day Camps

• Preschoolers through 8th graders
• Weeklong programs offered June through August

Day Camp is a time to make new friends, try new things, come face-to-face with a giraffe, touch a penguin and ride amazing coasters… one-of-a-kind experiences you can only have at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Day Camps. These diverse, weeklong experiences start in June and are offered to campers going into preschool through eighth grades. There are a variety of camps offered sure to please an array of childhood interests, from animals to coasters to conservation. All Day Camps include lunch, juice and snack daily. For a complete list of Day Camps, visit www.SWBG-AdventureCamps.com or call (866) GO-TO-CAMP.

Sleepovers

Single night sleepovers are offered year round at SeaWorld Orlando and at Busch Gardens Tampa. The programs are flexible – perfect for birthday parties, individuals, school groups or scout groups – and let kids experience the parks at night and sleep right next to the animals.  They also are a unique way to spend quality family time or celebrate special holidays with your family.

About The Adventure Camps

For nearly 25 years, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have provided safe, fun and educational camp experiences for kids of all ages – in the not-so-traditional setting of a world-class theme park. In the past 10 years, more than 250,000 youth have attended a SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Adventure Camps.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Adventure Camps are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), a nationally recognized association focused on quality, health matters and safety issues. ACA assures that camp practices have been measured against national standards and go beyond a state’s basic licensing requirement. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Adventure Camps have voluntarily submitted to this independent appraisal conducted by camp experts and have earned this mark of distinction.

For more information on any camp program at SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, visit www.SWBG-AdventureCamps.com or call (866) GO-TO-CAMP.

As the mom of a homeschooled high school senior, we are at that point where we are staring to search out scholarships so that Aaron can continue his education at State College of Florida. Last semester he was dual enrolled and this semester he is an early enrollment student and he will finish 5 college classes before he graduates high school in May just 2 months after he turns 17. Once he graduates high school we need to start paying for his college education and this is where Edu in Review comes into play.

One of the many helpful sections on their website is the Scholarships section that has tons of scholarships listed by category so that you can check them out and see if your student may be eligible to apply. I also found a great article about my rich uncle which helps match students to available loans.

EduInReview.com also has helpful articles on planning for college, campus life, choosing the right school for you…and your student. There is even a section on Greek organizations, and even how to rush a fraternity or sorority.

If you have a high school junior or senior Edu in Review may be just what you have been looking for.

I am proud to share with you that an article I wrote about Budgeting for College Kids is featured on Mamapedia! Click the link above to see the post.

It’s that time again, when summer nights come to an end and students gear up for their exciting lives at college. Students used to rely on tapestries and posters to create décor on their dorm’s dull walls but today’s college students have so many other options. For those who want to bring the sophistication and style of their fashions to their décor, here are a few tips from Paula Berberian, Creative Services Manager for Brewster Home Fashions, producer of WallPops, the premier line of peel-and-stick wall art.

1. Throw Pillows: Easily add color with one or a few pillows to accent your room. Compliment your room décor with a pop of color or one that matches your bedspread or wall art to add more life to your room.

2. Play with Lights: Dorm room lighting is normally drab and bleak. Take the initiative to improve your surroundings and buy floor or desk lamps to add a homey touch to your living space. Also, don’t be afraid to get adventurous and play with stringable lights. Hanging lights over your bed, around the door or windows can create a fun and playful atmosphere. Match your lights with the rest of your room décor and you will have a peaceful spot to hang out with friends, study or relax.

3. Use Wall Decals: Try WallPops, removable and repositionable peel and stick wall art. With WallPops you can bring major style to your white walls. Try these design ideas:

• Sleek n’ Chic: For the more sophisticated individual, create a modern look using “Blackjack” Blox, “Ghost” (white) Blox, and “Sizzlin” (red) Dots to produce a geometric pattern that will make guests feel like they are at a hip urban hotel.

• Exotic Safari: Get in touch with your wild side with “Go Wild” zebra print Blox, Dots and Stripes to create a lively and unique atmosphere.

• Funky Diva: In need of some additional color in your life? Turn to “Twister” Blox and Dots with “Plush” (purple) Dots to create a fresh retro design.

• Bollywood Hollywood: Try “Bali” black-and-white intricate designs with an alternative ethnic Indian feel bringing a cultured feel to college living spaces.

• “Carnivale” a red, orange, yellow and brown circular pattern with blossoming floral patterns inspired by Brazilian flowers will brighten your room.

Additionally, use WallPops Dry Erase Message Boards and calendars in various styles and colors to keep yourself on schedule and to easily write reminders and notes to friends.

WallPops Twister and Plush Dots ($12 for a pack, four or five per pack)

Twister Dry Erase Calendar ($12 for single dry erase calendar).

4. Rugs and Carpets: To add the final homey touch to your room, use a few area rugs or a large carpet to cover those often cold dorm floors. Use a colorful carpet to add depth to your room and transform your living space into a personalized masterpiece.

By adding these elements to a room, you can go from dull and basic to dramatic and stunning without spending a lot of time or money.

WallPops Dry Erase collections are available at select retailers nationwide from approximately $13 per WallPops Dry Erase Message Board, $13 per Dry Erase Monthly Calendar and $20 per WallPops 4-piece Calendar Set. Other WallPops collections are available for approximately $12 for a pack of Dots (four or five per pack), $12 for a pack of Blox (four or five per pack), $12 for a 6 ½‘’ x 16’ continuous roll of Stripes, $24.99 per ZooWallogy animal and $29.99 per WallPops Wall Art Kit.

You can now shop online as WallPops has an updated website. The site has been redesigned, expanded and conveniently now has an online store as well as full store listings and additional product information. Fans can peruse the different styles of peel-and-stick wall art to add easy flair to their home. Additionally, become a fan of WallPops on Facebook to meet other fans and read up-to-the-minute product news.  You can  follow them on Twitter too!