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A BLANK SLATE MEDIA SPECIAL SECTION • JULY 16, 2021
22 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, July 16, 2021
How volunteering benefits students
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olunteering is often seen through the lens of how volunteers help to improve their communities. Though there’s no denying the valuable role volunteers play in strengthening their communities, it’s worth noting just how much volunteers can benefit from donating their time and effort to worthy causes.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness asked 70,000 participants about their volunteering habits and mental health. The study found that, when compared to those who did not volunteer, people who had volunteered in the previous 12 months were more satisfied with their lives and gave their overall health higher ratings. Volunteering can benefit anyone, and can be especially valuable to students, benefitting their overall health and helping in myriad other ways as well. Volunteering can get a foot in the door. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that employers expect to hire 7.2 percent more new college
graduates from the class of 2021 than they did from the class of 2020. That’s encouraging news, but recent graduates will still face stiff competition as they look for their first job. Volunteering with an organization in their field can be a great way for current students and recent graduates to get their foot in the door. Even if a volunteering opportunity does not ultimately lead to a job offer, the experience students gain can help them stand out in a crowded pool of job applicants down the road. Volunteering can help students find a career path. A 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Education found that about 30 percent of undergraduates in associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs who had declared majors changed their majors at least once within three years of their initial enrollment. The same report noted that roughly one in 10 changed majors more than once. Those statistics suggest that many students are uncertain about what they want to study at the onset of their college careers. Volunteering before
and during college can help students explore their interests and see where their skills are applicable. They can then rely on that experience as they choose a major. Volunteering expands students’ social horizons. Volunteers serve and work alongside people from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. That’s a great way to see the world through a new perspective, and it also can positively affect students’ eventual careers. Professionals who have worked with people of various backgrounds are in better position to effectively communicate with a wider array of people, which can help them build a more diverse set of business relationships. Organizations recognize that value and often prioritize hiring candidates with the kind of strong interpersonal skills students develop through volunteering. Volunteering can be a great way for students to develop an array of skills that can benefit their personal and professional lives for years to come.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, July 16, 2021
When it’s time to call in a tutor B
usy schedules, hybrid learning and demanding coursework have affected students’ academic performance over the last year-plus. The months since a pandemic was declared in March of 2020 have been unlike any other, and confronting the academic challenges of the pandemic may have adversely affected some students’ grades.
A recent report from the Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Research and Strategic Improvement in Virginia found the number of middle and high school students with two or more failing marks increased by 83 percent in the first quarter of the 2020-2021 school year compared to the year prior. But students’ grades may slide or they may find certain school work overly challenging even in normal years. Since many parents have not seen a periodic table or had to solve high school math problems in decades, tutors may be just what students need to regain their academic footing. Failing grades are not necessarily the most notable indicator that students can benefit from the services of a tutor. The Princeton Review says 25 percent of high school students say homework is their biggest source of stress, and homework progress can help parents determine if it’s time to call in a tutor. Students who find their homework is taking too long, particularly double or triple the amount of time it once required, may need some extra help. Here are some additional indicators that a tutor may be needed. Declining test scores: Some students are simply poor test takers, but a gradual or sudden decline in test scores may indicate students are having trouble mastering material.
Teachers can pinpoint if certain concepts are overly challenging to students and notify parents if there are any problem areas. Poor time management or focus: Students who are struggling may have their attention drift or they put off doing tasks because they don’t grasp the assignments. Lack of homework help at home: Parents may have prior commitments during the times of day when their children are doing homework. Even when parents are home, they may discover that the concepts covered in school are not being taught in the ways parents learned them and they may have difficulty assisting their children. Tutors can step in and help students when parents cannot. Learning disorder: Certain students learn differently from others due to a diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disorder. A child who is struggling with reading, phonics, spelling, and writing may have dyslexia, according to the tutoring experts at Dyslexia Practitioner NJ. Tutors who specialize in learning disorders can assess and address learning conflicts and tailor instructions in ways that can help students overcome those challenges. Students “shut down” or say they “hate” school: Disinterest in school or expressions of hating going to school may be indicative of academic struggles in the classroom, says the Princeton Review. Some students get so frustrated they simply give up. Tutors can solve learning puzzles and help get students back on track and reignite their interest in school. Tutors can be valuable resources for students who need some one-on-one attention to master general learning concepts or reinforce skills for key tests or projects.
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24 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, July 16, 2021
How to support students interested in the arts
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chools are diverse communities in which people from all walks of life gather to teach, learn and pursue an assortment of interests and passions. Students are perhaps the best reflection of that diversity, as even small schools are home to young people who excel in sports, music, theater, and, of course, academics. Many young people harbor a strong interest in the arts, which can provide some surprising benefits. For example, the
National Endowment for the Arts reports that students with high arts participation and low socioeconomic status have a 4 percent dropout rate. That’s five times lower than their low socioeconomic status peers. In addition, a report from the Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that arts education experiences reduce the proportion of students in school receiving disciplinary infractions by 3.6 percent. Despite the myriad benefits of
participation in arts education, which can include improved performance in the classroom, Americans for the Arts notes that not all students have access to art-based educational experiences. Parents of students who are interested in the arts can try various approaches to nurture those interests. Support school-based arts education programs. Funding for arts programs is perpetually in jeopardy. Each state and school district is different, but a 2013 report from the National Association of State Boards of Education found that federal funding for arts and humanities programs totaled roughly $250 million a year, while the National Science Foundation received around $5 billion annually. Arts and sciences are both important, and parents can support legislation that directs more federal funding for the arts while urging local legislators to direct more money to arts education. Make art a part of life at home. Americans for the Arts recommends that parents make
the arts part of life at home. Participating alongside children as they sing, dance, draw, play music or pursue other artsbased interests is a great way to incorporate the arts into home life while showing kids how fun the arts can be. Research local performing arts schools. Children who exhibit an especially strong interest in the arts may benefit from enrolling in a school that specializes in performing arts. Such schools may be open to kids as young as five and extend all the way through high school. Some performing arts schools require prospective students to audition or apply. Arts high schools still offer instruction in core academic subjects, but parents should explore each school’s curriculum before deciding if a given school is right for their children. Arts education can have a profound impact on the life of a young person. There are many ways for parents to nurture and encourage their children’s interest in the arts.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, July 16, 2021
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26 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, July 16, 2021
Follow form and function when outfitting your dorm room C
ollege campuses are a home away from home for much of the year for students who go away to school. According to Azusa Pacific University, many universities, APU included, require students to live on campus during their freshman and sophomore years. Doing so provides many students opportunities to fully immerse themselves in their school communities and enjoy a little independence at the same time. Dorm rooms afford students a chance to impart their own unique touches on their living spaces. A dorm room need not be drab. In fact, with a little creativity and some design tips, a dorm room become a space to be proud of. Coordinate your vision. Once you
meet your roommate, discuss how you see the dorm room evolving. Choosing a color palette is a great place to start. If you can’t agree on bedding patterns, work with a color scheme so your side of the room and your roommate’s will coordinate. Invest in high-quality linens and bedding. Focus your attention on making the one area of the room where you’ll spend most of your time as comfortable and attractive as it can be. Look for high thread counts on sheets and pillowcases. HGTV recommends a duvet cover that can be swapped out to change the look of your bed when the mood strikes. Throw pillows and a throw blanket are ideal for lounging in style, and they
can be arranged to make a tradition XL twin bed look like a daybed or chaise. Opt for multi-use furniture. If your dorm room only has the basics and you can add a few pieces, maximize space and function with items that serve multiple purposes. Storage ottomans can keep belongings organized and also serve as extra seating for guests. A mirror behind your desk can serve as a vanity for getting ready when the shared bathroom is occupied. Set aside a kitchen area. While you may not be cooking a four-course meal inside your dorm room — and most schools limit which types of cooking can take place in dorm
rooms — set up a kitchen station with some essentials. According to the storage and organizational company Spacewise, a rolling utility cart equipped with a coffee maker, small microwave, mini fridge, and some cube storage containers is the perfect place to have snacks and beverages at the ready. Maximize storage. Shelves over a bed, underbed storage, bedskirt organizers, closet caddies, and additional organizational gadgets can keep rooms tidy and functional. Dorm rooms can be customized with some simple additions to make these spaces feel more like home.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, July 16, 2021
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Pre-college arts programs
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o two students are the same, and that diversity is often reflected in the activities kids choose to participate in outside the classroom. Academic clubs, scholastic sports and arts programs are just a few of the many extracurricular activities available to students. Such offerings ensure students with various interests have access to school-based activities outside the classroom. Arts programs cater to an array of students, from the musically inclined to those who love to paint to the next generation of movie stars. Parents and students may be surprised to learn there are a host of pre-college arts programs that can help students interested in the arts take their passion to the next level. Acting and Performance Summer Institute: This three-week online program hosted by the University of California, Los Angeles focuses on theater arts. The program encompasses performance training programs, movement-based techniques and a final showcase where students create their own content through the devised theater process. Participation in the program is by admission only. UCLA notes that the program is designed for students interested in participating in a university theater program when they attend college. ArcStart: ArcStart is a two-week pre-architecture program for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors as well as rising college freshmen. The program is offered through the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. ArcStart is designed to give students an opportunity to study various aspects
of architecture. Students will learn to use specialized drawing, drafting and modeling tools while also exploring architectural history. Students also will enjoy a virtual visit to a thriving architecture firm and be tasked with creating original design proposals. Application is by admission only and there is no minimum GPA requirement to apply. Art as Experience: A three-week program offered by Cornell University, Art as Experience is designed to expand students’ understanding of the ideas and practices of art today. The three-week course is open to precollege students and undergraduates and introduces a broad range of mediums to students. The course is open to all registrants and culminates in an exhibition where students will be responsible for the organization and installation of self-directed art work. College Audition Preparation: This program at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington is designed for vocalists, brass and woodwind players, and composers entering grades 11 and 12. The program is ideal for students who are planning to apply for entrance to college music programs. Participants in the one-week program will work with real audition panel members who will help young vocalists and musicians master their auditioning skills. Pre-college programs can be ideal for young artists who want to immerse themselves in the arts and hone their skills as they prepare to further their educations.
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28 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, July 16, 2021
How to help young athletes cope with defeat The value of athletic competition for children who like to play sports is undeniable. Though not all kids will want to play sports, those who enjoy competing in organized athletics can benefit in myriad ways. Doctors with the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness note that interest in sports should start with the child, not the parent. Such an approach can ensure kids are playing sports because they want to, and not solely because their parents want them to.
The AAP notes that when kids are playing sports because they want to, they can take the lessons learned from competition and use them throughout the rest of their lives. For example, Dr. Steven Cuff, MD, FAAP, who co-authored the 2019
report “Organized Sports for Children, Preadolescents and Adolescents,” notes that “the camaraderie and teamwork needed on a playing field offers lasting lessons on personal responsibility, sportsmanship, goalsetting and emotional control.” When competing, some young athletes may have a hard time handling defeat. In fact, even professional athletes routinely acknowledge how much they struggle after a loss. But there are ways parents and coaches can help young athletes cope with defeat. Reward effort. The College of Education at Michigan State University recommends coaches and parents put an emphasis on effort and allow athletes to bring up the outcome of a particular competition on their own. Encourage maximum effort during
competition and spend time after the game discussing with athletes how they performed and the effort they gave. Remind them that their best effort is all anyone can ask for, which shifts focus from a loss to the effort they gave. Communicate privately if effort is lacking. Parents and coaches who feel their child or player did not give maximum effort can communicate those feelings privately without putting the athlete down. Emphasize that the next game is a great chance to show improvement and give maximum effort. Encourage a healthy perspective. The COE at MSU also urges parents and coaches to encourage young athletes to keep a healthy perspective on their participation in sports. Encourage kids not to sacrifice
other aspects of their life, such as academics and their social life, to improve their athletic performance. When young athletes focus too heavily on a sport, that can create an unhealthy situation that makes it that much harder to cope with defeat in a positive way. Emphasize the individual, not the athlete. Coaches can speak with their players about their lives outside of the sport. Such conversations can show athletes that there’s more to life than just sports and that they’re more than just athletes, which can make it easier to handle defeat. Many successful athletes insist they learn more from defeat than they do from victory. Helping young athletes cope with defeat in a healthy way can benefit them throughout their lives.