<p>Well, I see that jmmom (thanks, jmmom!) has resurrected the classic CC Writing Awards thread (otherwise known as the “cowarts”). It was a great thread, as was the urban moundbuilders thread that periodically rises to the surface again as we talk about the endless masses of unidentifiable junk in our kids’ rooms. So, this got me to thinking… what topics, besides the obvious “chances” threads, the admissions results, scholarship results and shopping for bed linens (always accompanied by the question “do we need an eggcrate mattress pad??” ans: “no, they are a fire hazard and a lot of schools don’t allow them”) seem to come around frequently, as new cc members arrive and enter the wild and wooly world of college admissions? I feel like a CC college Senior, welcoming the new incoming CC Freshmen class!</p>
<p>So,especially for those of you fellow “upperclassmen”, which topics have you seen resurface as inquiring minds want to know? Can you find the links to the previous discussions and make a summary of past and present threads that discuss similar topics? Having them linked together on one place could be really handy.</p>
<p>great idea jym … I was thinking us old-timers could proactively start up a bunch of threads and include links to the old threads … there are probably easily 25 major topics that reappear each year. Alternatively we could just bump the existing threads … but I’m not sure how many people would actually go back and read the beginning of the threads.</p>
<p>Have we ever started a thread like this before?? I don’t recall. One topic that has reappeared frequently is the “coming home for the first time at Thanksgiving” thread. as we deal with the emotions of getting them back, and having to let go again in just a few days. When I get off work, I wil pull together some of the old threads on this topic. Others???</p>
<p>Thanksgiving threads are going to be huge! It would be so fun to link the new ones to the old. After reading the most recent freshmen drop off threads, I felt like I was reliving ldgirl’s first days of school…from the sweaty stair climbs to the fighting tears at the ‘one last hug before we go’.</p>
<p>But to me, the ones that just keeps on giving are the ‘what are you reading right now’ threads. I hope they NEVER go away…I have gotten the BEST book tips there!</p>
<p>I thought of a few of the questions that come around alot- perhaps a few of you tecnologically savvy folks can help search for the back threads on:</p>
<p>Best student airfare sites
Best cellphone deals
Local vs home bank accounts for students (best bank deals)
online used book sites
to loft or not to loft
best coupons/bargains (my personal favorite discussion)
how to transport bicycles, cvomputers etc to school
summer storage options
How many stupid things Britney Spears and Michael Vick have done ( sorry-just seeing if you are paying attention)</p>
<p>allowance for college students
threads evaluating summer travel programs for high school students
how to communicate with your college student
best ways to structure college visits
best SAT prep books/methods
choosing high school courses (such as Chorus vs. AP English or whether Calculus is really necessary)
good graduation gifts
Mac vs. PC and other threads on choosing a computer
how much control you should have over your college student’s choices
dealing with high school relationships–either when they end, continue long distance in college, or effect college choices
what to do when the new college bf/gf comes to visit (should they be able to share a room?)
women and safety issues (should she carry mace or a whistle? take a self defense course?)
alcohol and safety issues
what if your child isn’t trying or is getting poor grades?
dealing with chronic illness in college (migraine headaches and severe allergies are the ones I’ve seen most)
dealing with sudden illness or injury in college (bad flu, mono, broken ankle, car accident)
mono in all forms
mental/emotional disorders in college students
how to deal with a bad roommate situation</p>
<p>OK, I think I’ve reached my limit in listing old thread topics!</p>
<p>CC is a perfect work distraction. Past threads research will convene in the morning. You in? Any other cc oldsters lurking around out there willing to add to the list and/or dig up the old threads? Help is appreciated.</p>
<p>About a year ago, I organized my bookmarks of my favorite CC links on a word doc after jmmom and Sybbie had a discussion about a Best of CC thread they might call “Lessons from the Trenches.” The links I chose to organize were all related to the admissions process. I categorized the links and organized them from beginning to the end of the admission process. I kept their thread titles and provided the link below the title. The collective wisdom is immense. </p>
<p>The problem is that my list of links is 6 pages double-spaced, even after culling for relevance. I started to annotate the list with a single line such as, “Curmudgeon’s understanding of top merit qualifications.” But then the doc became even more unwieldy. I suppose you could sticky a “Best of” thread in the various subsections of CC. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, my list does not have some of the more recent gems such as those by Tokenadult, so I’d have to update once again. Let me know your thoughts about what to do with them. These are the general categories with the number of links in parentheses:</p>
<p>Admissions Reading (2)
Admissions Process, Lessons Learned (28)
SAT/ACT Process (5)
ECs & Activity Lists (3)
Researching & Building a List (7)
Visiting Schools (3)
Interviewing (3)
Application How to’s (2)
Recommendations (2)
Essay Guidance (3)
Decisions (4)
Financial Aid/Merit Concerns (5)
Parenting College Students (1)</p>
<p>Here is a sample of what my list looks like:</p>
<p>Wow 3ks! You are my hero! This is brilliant! Can you post them in a few separate posts? I really appreciate the FA concers link you just posted. I thik you list deserves to be “stickied” when you get them all posted. Mods, are you listening???</p>
<p>Sorry about the car battery, 3ks. But that reminds me of another topic-- important things your kid should take with them to college (my s’s AAA card has come in handy!)
And sorry for thye typo above-- loved the FA concerns thread. I will start my research on some of the topics described above. Lets also include q’s that get asked frequently, like “how do you make the quote box” or “how do you make the different emoticons?” I’ll find the link to the vB code list to answer this question</p>
<p>Here is a list of helpful links that informed our family’s understanding of the admissions process. The idea for a list goes to jmmom and Sybbie, and now Jym626. Thank you to the many experienced posters and their generous contributions—our family has been well-served. The list is by no means definitive and has not been updated. So please feel free to add any favorites you might have. </p>
<p>Jym, I added a separate category for Logistics of the College Send Off that might encompass your suggestions. I also changed my last category from “Parenting” to Advising Your College Student, as the current threads show great interest in helping students manage academic/social issues. </p>