CC Addict Makes Good

Parent Cafe
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<p>Okay, you know the symptoms - hurried minimizing of the cc blue screen when your spouse enters the room; demented clicking of the Refresh button in hopes that someone has posted something new and different in the last few seconds; twitching behaviors on those days and nights when the Forum is down/slow/or “having database problems.” Latetoschool has even confessed to going so far as to purge her history in a valiant attempt to cover her tracks. Not to mention the deteriorated condition of personal surroundings due to cc activities crowding out housekeeping, or the growing pile of unread books on the bedside table, or concerns about reaching the tipping point on that fine balance between getting work done at the paying job vs. checking in “just for a second” on cc goings-on.</p>

<p>We know who we are, we cc addicts. And it is not a pretty picture. Some make resolutions to cut back. Some even make announcements - right here in blue and black - that they are moving on. Hah! I guess we know that doesn’t always work.</p>

<p>So, anyway. I’m not in denial. I am aware that I have a problem. I believe I even actively participated in young yemaya’s cc-12-step program lo these many moons ago.</p>

<p>All those worries are behind me now. A little background: for several years, I have done volunteer work at our state’s youth detention facility, teaching Life Skills, tutoring in literacy… I’d been on hiatus for a bit when I received an email from the Volunteer Coordinator. To wit: They are starting a

WOULD I?? :smiley: :smiley: Is the pope Polish?</p>

<p>Today I started. Now I can log-on to cc proud and guilt-free. Talk about the best of both worlds. I have a purpose. I know I’m being flippant, but it really is nirvana. Doing something I love, helping someone at the same time. And what can be the occasional harm in clicking onto the Cafe side of things?</p>

<p>Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone can or should sign up tomorrow for mentoring at their local Youth facility. Some aren’t handily located within a 15 minute drive as I am. Some have totally full plates as it is. Many have their own community service activities and don’t want or need another.</p>

<p>But here is my free gift to anyone wanting to share in my freedom from cc-addiction guilt. I don’t know all this stuff. This is a different world from elite or even “average” college admissions. So, when you log on to cc, you can tell anyone who dares question or roll their eyes that you are (fill in self-designated job title here). Resource Specialist on prepping kids for GED testing (any clues you can offer on helping a math-challenged kid unlock the mysteries of geometry?); Brainstorming Consultant navigating issues of how to answer questions about suspensions/expulsions/juvenile arrest records. Whatever. I will be your cover and I can use the help for sure.</p>

<p>Who knew this could all come to some good?</p>

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<p>Way to go jmmon! You will be a great mentor!!!</p>

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<p>Very worthwhile, jmmom. They are getting a fabulous resource and you are getting an excellent cover. ;)</p>

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<p>I love it! It seems like such a shame to develop all of this admissions expertise and then have it go to waste. What a great program – helping kids find the right path has got to be the most rewarding activity around. Good luck! :)</p>

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<p>JMMom, congratulations! I think you will be an excellent resource and mentor to those kids. Not only have you learned a lot from your CC “addiction”, but you did three rounds in one year with one kid…which qualifies you for college admissions sainthood. I know you will be great at this and you will be a huge influence on those kids’ lives which they will not have had otherwise. It should prove quite rewarding. And now when you are on CC, you can think of it as work related research, yeah :smiley: </p>

<p>I can relate some to your story. Three and a half years ago, when CC was looking to train college counselors, I thought, why not? Education is my field and I was pretty immersed in all things “college admissions” with D1 at the time, so I trained and now do it for a job! And so, you can join me in calling our CC “addiction” a “write off” in how we spend our time…LOL. </p>

<p>Good luck. You’ll be great.</p>

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<p>

Exactly. Such a grind. ;)</p>

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<p>Bravo!!! Perfect!!! What an awesome solution!!! </p>

<p>P.S. The new pope is German :)</p>

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<p>JMMom, </p>

<p>Love what you do.</p>

<p>Do what you love.</p>

<p>Who could ask for anything more.</p>

<p>Congratulations!</p>

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<p>Wow - Super find! :slight_smile: Good work!</p>

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<p>jmmom…you will make a difference.</p>

<p>My Ss attend a HS with a 50% dropout rate. Four guidance counselors so far per only my family over five years. I need to be out there financially producing for the next decade for our sons educations actually, but I have long felt a pull to start a volunteer mentorship program in our own HS with parents taking a couple students each, since most of our local students do not have parents with college experience or for that matter parents with positive memories of high school.<br>
good for you for acting on your impulse to help plus…goodie, another great hanger-on Mom for CC</p>

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<p>What a simply outstanding “cover,” jmmom. You did not disappoint. But stay away from CC’s “High School Life” forum. Fair warning. :rolleyes: Best of luck with your new “searches.”</p>

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<p>Many good wishes on your new venture. The kids are getting an incredible resource in you and I know you’ll get every bit as much out of it as they do. Non Ministrare sed Ministrare - way to go jmmom!! ;)</p>

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<p>What a wonderful outcome, jmmom! We are proud of you!! :)</p>

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<p>You’re the third poster that I know to take that plunge. Congrats and good luck! What a treat for all of them.</p>

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<p>Aw, this just makes me very happy, jmmom. I could see myself segueing into this role in a couple of years when I’ve gotten D into college. Good for you! Let us know when the success stories start rolling in. :slight_smile: :)</p>

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<p>Can we make this a group project? :smiley: I expect to see some "case studies.’ </p>

<p>Great job!</p>

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<p>jmmom - congrats and wow! changing the world one person at a time. Just make sure you come back to SA, ease off your ‘shoes’ and regale us with tales of a CC’er in the real world…Best Wishes :)</p>

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<p>And she’s nice to boot:).</p>

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<p>"college support group for kids looking at going to college and have been trying to match the residents with mentors to help them through the college exploratory process… help the resident on his/her plan, including writing the application/essay, exploring paths, etc. Would you be interested? "</p>

<p>Wow! What an opportunity to make a difference!
Wish we had that in my state!</p>

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<p>Thanks for sharing in the fun, everyone. I’ll share because I’ll have questions, I know. Success stories rolling in are just what we aim for, of course. But one thing I’ve learned about these kids, momof2inca, is that it is two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes <em>one</em> step forward and <em>two</em> steps back. So it may not come quickly.</p>

<p>Group project for sure, NJRes. That’s the whole point ;). We all now have a “cover” for our cc-posting (or lurking) madness.</p>