Jessie's Blog
I’ll Only Be Happy if I Have GASS Earth Shoes & Get Into the University of Wisconsin
Who remembers these swanky soles? There were 26 kids in my fourth grade class, and I am pretty sure that Adam G. and I were the only ones without GASS Earth Shoes when we started school that September. Mom would ask, “Why do you need a pair of those? You have sneakers. And a pair of clogs.” “I’m can’t wear the clogs to school; they are made out of wood. Grandma brought them back from Holland. They’re a decoration.” “How will you play football at recess if you wear dress shoes?” “They’re not dre…
Wrestling With Creating an FSA-ID? (If you're applying for financial aid, you'll need one of these.)
NEW this year! You will need to create an FSA_ID to apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA). Even if you don't qualify for need-based financial aid, but are planning to have your student take out an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, you will need to file a FAFSA. Click here to watch the video.
BERATING YOURSELF, AGAIN? — The Power of Rewriting Your Mindspeak
What’s that tune you can’t stop singing to yourself?
We’ve all got one; in fact, I feel pretty safe in saying we’ve all got more than one. We’ve got a whole chorus of tiny voices demanding our attention, but here’s the thing: Some of our internal voices empower us, reinforce our authentic selves, and feed the greater good. Too often, though, they are the roadblocks that spring from our deepest fears about ourselves. And, they are remarkably good at keeping us stuck, especially when we don’t eve…
QUOTABLE
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift
and the rational mind is a faithful servant.
We have created a society that honors
the servant and has forgotten the gift.
—Albert Einstein
EFC, CSS, FAFSA — Three Acronyms That Add Up
Last weekend, the FAFSA went live and Prior-Prior is here.Ok, but wait a minute--what do all of these CAPS stand for? EFC. CSS. FAFSA. These three acronyms add up--to what can be a sum greater than what you paid for your home and maybe your pop-up camper, as well. And, while my children will tell you that there are many topics I love to talk about, money and how much of it my husband and I are spending on educating our children is not one of them. Yet, Bertha (that rather larger financial elepha…
Focus on Normal! Not.
This holds a prominent place in our kitchen. I wouldn't want anyone to get any crazy ideas. In August, we attended a family reunion in Ocean City, New Jersey. To prove that we were all in the same place at one time, we took the group shots. I also managed to get a few of my nuclear family — that I didn't have to take! But some things remained the same: Aaron poked Mary. Mary squealed. My husband’s hand squeezed my shoulder, and I felt Bryn aiming to bolt. Through a quickly fading smile, I plead…
How Drinking with the Buddha Helped Me Survive This Year’s Back-To-School Churn
Image based on Lodro Rinzler's book and designed by Daniel Urban Brown of Lithographs. “Mom!!” rings from every corner of my small world. The couch, the top of the bunk bud, the bathroom, the kitchen table, and via Facetime and relentless texts. The 10 year old: “We have two book reports. I thought we only had one book report, and I have only read fiction. I need to read a nonfiction. I like fiction. And my backpack is ripped. I found a new backpack on Amazon; would you look at it now?” The 12 …
News Worth Sharing — Published in IECA Insights
IECA is 40! Forty years of dedication to helping students and families navigate educational paths. Ethically, soundly, and professionally. SNAP. I am grateful and honored to be a part of such a swell group of folks. In this issue of INSIGHTS you'll find an article I recently wrote on our culture of extremes — and how educational consultants work tirelessly to help students find a way to move forward. Because that is what doing this work is all about.
At the IECA Spring Conference in Boston, Dr…
QUOTABLE — What would you do today if...
You weren't afraid of failure? Or, judgement, fatigue, worries...? What if it was just about your infinite and unfettered potential? Try that one on. You need it. And so does our planet.
Links Worth Sharing — Lessons From the Olympics for Students Writing the Common App Essay
SOURCE: The Huffington Post "I just have to write ONE ESSAY, right?" This is the question I hear from parents, from students, and just about anyone that hasn't been through the admissions process lately. "Well, that's not usually the case," is my typical response before I go into the ACTUAL number of essays. This recent Huffington Post Blog by Stacey Brooks highlights lessons that the Olympics can offer to students as they wrestle with just what to write. Brooks takes on each of the prompts and…