Wise Ambitions: Giving them wings....If I could give only one bit...

Wise Ambitions: Giving them wings....
If I could give only one bit...: Giving them wings.... If I could give only one bit of advice to parents regarding their children's future success, it would be this; ...

Giving them wings....
If I could give only one bit of advice to parents regarding their children's future success, it would be this; start early.  Not with pressure to get straight A's or be the swim team captain.  Not with admonitions to study more or choose a major.  No.  Start early with a loving bond and belief in their dreams.   Support that with college savings and college options.  You brought them into the world and raised them with unconditional love.  Now it's time to teach them to fly, but still be the wind beneath their wings.  Don't turn the entire college search process over to them.  They are 18, not 81.  They are young, not wise.  Don't be afraid to ease them out into the world just as you eased them into it.  Listen to their hopes and fears. Please let me know if I can help you as you prepare to teach your child to fly.

Your Final College Decision

The first day of spring!  You know what that means....colleges have only 10 more days to keep you in suspense, and final acceptance or, sadly, non-acceptance letters will arrive.  If you applied Early Action or Early Decision, this is old news.  If you are accepted to your dream school, congratulations!  But what if your dream school didn't take you, yet you are accepted to several schools and can't decide?  First of all, take pride in knowing that you are now in a "buyer's" position...the cards are in your hands -  finally.  Remember that you have until April 30 to choose where you will attend.  Take your time.  If possible, revisit (and definitely, visit if you haven't yet) the schools that want you.  If that isn't possible, revisit their websites and sites such as College Prowler and College Confidential that go straight to student opinions, and read about your schools in The Fiske Guide to Colleges (just hang out in Barnes and Noble for 30 minutes). If you applied for financial aid (and you should have!) carefully compare your financial aid offers on a site such as www.finaid.org/calculators to see which offer is really the best.  Think about which college is REALLY where you want to go....set aside it's name and selectivity and think about LIVING there for FOUR YEARS.....once everything feels right, make your final decision, and be sure to send in your enrollment deposit before May 1st!!! You can actually accept at more than one school (unless you applied Early Decision) but you can only attend one, so plan on losing the deposit at the school you don't attend.

Irish, Gaelic and Celtic Studies in US Colleges

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here is a list and links of colleges and universities in the United States offering Gaelic, Celtic or Irish studies programs in addition to the usual college parties!

Boston College, Irish Studies Program

http://www.bc.edu/centers/irish/studies/

East Tennessee State University, Appalachian, Scottish, and Irish Studies
http://etsu.edu/das/asis/

Fordham U, Institute of IrishStudies www.fordham.edu/academics/programs_at_fordham_/institute_of_irish_s/

Georgia Southern University, The Center for Irish Studies
http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/irish/

Harvard University, Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures
www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Eceltic/

Iona College Gaelic Society

www.iona.edu/Student-Life/Student-Experience-Activities/Clubs-Organizations/Gaelic-Society.aspx

New York University, Glucksman Ireland House
www.nyu.edu/pages/irelandhouse/

St. Francis Xavier University, Department of Celtic Studies http://www.stfx.ca/faculties/arts/celtic_studies/

University of California-Berkeley, Celtic Studies Program
ls.berkeley.edu/dept/celtic/

University of Notre Dame, Keough Institute of Irish Studies www.nd.edu/~irishstu/

Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame

University of St. Thomas, Center for Irish Studies
www.stthomas.edu/irishstudies/

U of Wisconsin, UW Milwaukee Celtic Studies Program http://www4.uwm.edu/celtic/index.cfm

Of Puppies and Children

We often find parallels in our lives to the lives of those around us. It's what provides empathy and perspective in our relationships.
I was thinking that today after my six-month old rough collie and I returned home after his first sheep herding class.  Like the parent of a high school senior or college freshman, my expectations had been high and, in my eyes, he had done well.  He wasn't scared, he did his best, he chased the sheep, and no one got hurt.  Yet the evaluation form was blank.  No skills checked.  Just a brief note:  "He's still a puppy, keep trying.  Come back for a retest."  I felt....disappointed.  I drew the parallel to when our child is evaluated....class grades, team try outs, SAT tests...and doesn't receive the glowing accolades we think they deserve.  We sometimes feel hurt.   Rather than suffering in silence, I wrote (and revised, and rewrote) a short email to the dog trainer, simply asking for more feedback.  Here is some of what she said, and I think you can see how it could apply to any student learning something new....."None of the characteristics on the form applied to him as he was mostly 'playing'.  I believe that is important as this needs to be FUN;  the training can get difficult and I want a boisterous, happy dog that's eager to work....  We should start to see more in the future as he will remember today.  I'm glad you enjoyed today and very happy you gained some knowledge.  (Your dog) will mature as pups do and we will give him lots of time to hone his skill."  
I felt reassured after reading her comments, relieved, happy.  Please remember this as you stand by your own "pup" during the challenges of their senior high school year and first year in college.  It needs to be fun, they will remember today, and they will mature. Just give them lots of time.