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*Before you read this post, make sure to check Part 1 & 2 of the series "10 Conversations Parents Need to Have With Their Kids Before College Begins" Everyone knows that hindsight is 20/20, and when it comes to preparing your teen to attend college--I want to share the three things I wish I had known before my daughter Jayda went to college. Don't Take Too Many Credits Your First Year!  Photo by Andrea Piacquadio The first thing won’t surprise some of you, but taking 19, 18, or even 17 credits is too much for a freshman! Your over-achieving teen may want to tackle more credits, and they may have friends doing the same---but please encourage your student to reduce the credits to a more manageable course load. Be warned, it is common for engineering and science majors to take 17 plus credits to graduate in four years, but this can be too much pressure too soon. Friends and family tried to warn us, but Jayda took 19 credits in her spring semester, and as predicted by onlookers, it did not go well. She was juggling her challenging course load, tutoring sessions, social activities, physical and emotional wellness, and as predicted--a couple of the balls dropped. “Balls dropping” wasn’t the end of the world, but it did mean summer school was in her future! So take it from us, encourage your young adult to take a balanced amount of courses. Understand Your Child is a Legal Adult  Do you see my Jayda? I was blown away by this professional picture she took at a conference in Las Vegas during her first semester of college. I said, "When did this happen? When did she turn into an adult?!" Secondly, I wish I understood the implications of having my child as a legal adult. I quickly learned that although the university would send us a bill, I would only have a right to her student account if she gave permission. Not only that but since she was 18, helping her if she was ever in an emergency would be difficult or even impossible. I know of a young girl who had an accident at school, but the parents could only get information from the hospital because she was conscious and could consent. Another family I know, whose son attended school in a different state, was injured on campus. The hospital kept in touch with the school but did not pass on the "private information" to the parents. So, when I learned about getting power of attorney for Jayda, it made perfect sense. There's a great company that handles everything at a very affordable price and has given me the peace I need while my daughter is off at school. With power of attorney, I can help her without privacy becoming an issue. Use my link to get 20% off: https://share.mamabearlegalforms.com/Ayanna to get your paperwork taken care of--better now than when a crisis hits. Mental Health Should Be A Top Concern  Photo by Alex Green from Pexels And finally, the third, and one of the most important things I wish I had known before sending Jayda off to school, was how depression, anxiety, and suicides are at an all-time high in our country. Mental health should be a top concern of every family. Read these stats from the Health Research Funding Website: Teen Depression Statistics
 Photo by SHVETS production So, although I had prepared my daughter to care for her mental health, she was surrounded by struggling college students. In fact, during the first week of school, an art student in her dorm was on the verge of suicide. And every month, Jayda would call, or I'd receive an email from the school informing us of a student death. Every month, a student died of suicide, drugs, or an unknown cause at her school. Plastered on every wall were posters about suicide prevention. And during her first year, Jayda called the suicide helpline 3x to get help for other students. I had no clue it was so bad on campuses around the nation. Some schools don't share when a student commits suicide, but it is happening, and I want other parents to know and become aware of the problem.  Photo by Thought Catalog Since the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health struggles have sky-rocketed. Parents, 5,400 estimated suicide attempts are made each day by teens in the United States. Academic stress, new friendships, unhealthy romantic relationships, financial pressure, family issues, peer pressure, conflicts, and more can negatively impact your child. Some students do not come home after going off to college. They leave and never return. Can you imagine the heartache? Literally, three students died during finals week at the end of Jayda's first year of college. Please, please tell your child the most important thing is their life. They might be failing a class, on academic probation, or even on the verge of being kicked out of school--but please assure them that you value their life over everything. I remember telling Jayda, "I want you to know that, even if you need to drop out--your dad and I will be okay because we value your life above everything else."  Ayanna (left), Jayda (middle), Bryan (Right) I sent Jayda off to school mentally and emotionally strong, and trust me--she had her moments of struggle--but I never knew to talk with her about how to handle those struggling around her. Once the year ended, Jayda and I reflected upon her year. It was a good year, but she had some challenging moments. We both agreed that regular counseling sessions during the school year would help her navigate the future pressures of college.
In summary, not taking too many credits, the legal implications of having an adult child, and the mental health crisis on campus are the three things I wish I had known before sending Jayda off to college. I'd love to hear from you--what did you think about this blog post? What resonated with you? Did anything surprise you? For those of you who have gone through this already, what were the three things you wish you knew before sending your child to college? Comment Below.
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10 Things Parents Need to Talk About With Their Kids Before They Go Off to College (Part 2)7/3/2023  Jayda, my eldest posing at the end of senior year! Click Here to Read Part 1 The end of Senior Year can be such a blur, but there are so many meaningful conversations that parents should have with their young adults before sending them off to college. Here are the remaining five topics I think all families should prioritize to discuss with their young adults: #5 Conflict Resolution  Communication and conflict resolution skills are also crucial for college success. Encourage teenagers to communicate effectively with their professors, peers, and roommates. Try not to step and do the work for them but teach them how to resolve conflicts in a respectful and productive manner before they leave your home. In the first year of college, we had to role-play with Jayda about informing her professor that she would be dropping his class and not participating in the class project. Helping her to navigate the professor student relationship was a big deal for her that ultimately has equipped her to also have difficult conversations with her internship managers. In addition, we helped Jayda practice how she would talk with her roommate about having guests sleep over and other roommate boundary issues. Talking with a professor can be intimidating and so can addressing a touchy subject with a roommate. Direct and respectful communication goes a long way these days. #4 Communication Expectations  Photo by cottonbro studio Maintaining family connections and support systems while away at college is essential for parents and teenagers. Encourage your teenager to stay in touch and communicate regularly. In addition, set up expectations of how often you want to speak to your child. I expected that I would get a weekly touchpoint with my daughter. However, in the first year, Jayda surprisingly called me every day. She wanted to stay connected and needed our support more often than I expected. She was encountering so many new people and situations, and I made myself available to listen and give time to her--even though she often called late at night. We used apps like MarcoPolo, GoogleMeets, GooglePhotos, Email, and Texting, all to stay in touch. Originally from Seattle, WA, my husband Bryan attended college at the University of Oregon. And as an out-of-state student, he remembered how special it felt to get mail. With that in mind, he committed to writing Jayda a weekly letter and sending her a monthly care package. My husband and I also felt it was important to see her in person, meet some of her new acquaintances, and ensure she was adjusting well. We planned for her to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas and then made the time to visit her for Parent's Weekend and her birthday. Visiting was a great blessing because she needed and welcomed our encouragement and support every time we visited. She wanted all our hugs, kisses, and words of encouragement. Remember, the transition to college can be challenging for parents and teenagers. By having open and honest conversations about these important topics, you can help your child navigate the college experience and set them up for success. #3 Social & Spiritual Engagement  Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko Address social responsibility and community engagement opportunities. Encourage your young adult to get involved in campus organizations and volunteer opportunities. Jayda took the time to gauge her academic load before committing to too many groups. Her priority was academic success, but we encouraged her to prioritize involvement in 1-2 student groups for a more well-rounded college experience. Once she had a handle on her schedule, Jayda regularly participated in art and musical events and volunteered in the community and on campus. Seeing Jayda seek out different Christian Organizations on campus was encouraging. She attended a few student groups before finding a group where she fits in. In addition, she found a local church off campus that provided additional support. For our family, our desire for Jayda to find people on and off campus would support her desire to grow closer to God. College students are guaranteed to grow academically and socially--so if spiritual growth is one of your desires, make sure the school they attend has options for your student. Help them search for the organizations on campus and in the local community. #2 Career Exploration & Job Readiness  Photo by Christina Morillo Career exploration and job readiness skills are also crucial for college students. Encourage teenagers to explore their career interests and seek internships and other job opportunities. Teach them or ensure they attend a workshop or webinar on creating a resume and cover letter and preparing for job interviews. Most schools have Career Centers that can help with these types of skills. Also, remember that many deadlines for summer internships happen in the fall, so encourage your student to visit and get acquainted with their services at the beginning of the school year. Now something to consider, the internship might be in a different state or city, so you won't get to spend an entire summer with your college student. Weigh the pros and cons of being away for the summer. Your student might want to hold off the first year and intern his second summer. Or like my daughter, Jayda, they might jump right into an internship across the country!  Jayda in the middle at the Amazon Headquarters in Seattle, WA. #1 Emotional Well-Being & Stress Management  Photo by Ketut Subiyanto Self-care and stress management techniques are also essential for college students. During the pandemic, all of my teens had a counselor. This proved invaluable as they learned the importance of caring for their mental and emotional health.
Research what the University provides regarding resources, such as counseling services, to help your young adult manage stress and other mental health concerns. Get them use to making their mental health a priority. This topic alone deserves its own blog post so I am going to dive deeper in my upcoming post entitled, "3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before My Daughter Went off to College"  Jayda Murray Senior Year, Class of 2023 Preparing for college can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience for parents and teenagers. Last year, our family drove over 11 hours to move my daughter into her dorm room for her first year. As a mother, I was going over last-minute things for her to remember and review--but once we packed up and said “Goodbye,” I knew Jayda would have to put the information to practice that she genuinely believed was necessary. As your teenager transitions from high school to college senior year of high school, parents should discuss several important topics with their child to ensure a smooth transition and a successful college experience.  Photo by Keira Burton #10 Budgeting & Financial Responsibility One of the most critical areas to focus on is budgeting and financial responsibility. Before your young adult leaves home, ensure they have some experience budgeting. Teach your teenager how to manage (save, invest, donate, spend) their money and create a budget that works for them. Discuss the importance of saving and the potential consequences of overspending. Encourage them to seek financial aid and scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition and other expenses. Ensure they have the skills to spend scholarships, grant money, and any loans acquired properly. Taking a Personal Finance class and reading books on Money Management will help them gain these important life skills. Parents will also want to communicate what they can expect from you financially while they are in college. What will you pay for? Meals and Housing? Books? Travel to and from home? Will you send a monthly stipend? Also, discuss what you can actually afford financially when it comes to paying for school. Will your student need a part-time or full-time job to cover college? Discuss your willingness to take out a Parent Loan and how much. Communicate if your student will be expected to take out loans to pay for college. For more information, check out this article on Article on College Student Spending  Photo by Karolina Grabowska #9 Time Management and Organizational Skills Time management and organizational skills are also essential for college success. Encourage teenagers to develop a schedule to balance their academic and social lives. Discuss strategies for prioritizing tasks and managing their workload. Provide them with resources and tools, such as a planner or calendar, to help them stay organized. My teens love using tools like Google Calendar, Notion, and a traditional whiteboard to stay on track. For those teens who need more help with their Executive Skills, search for a workshop or program that can teach these vital skills.  Photo by MART PRODUCTION #8 Health, Drugs & Sex Awareness Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is another critical topic to address. Teach your teenager the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. Encourage them to make healthy choices and provide them with resources, such as information about campus fitness centers and healthy dining options. My daughter got in exercise walking to and from classes and through the Physical Education classes on campus. She loved the pilates class she took and was proud of the way she strengthened her body. Help them create the habit of taking vitamins, drinking water, and taking any medications without your constant reminder. I ensured Jayda had a little pharmacy for the common cold, flu, covid, menstrual cramps, sore throat, etc. We of course addressed sexual choices, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases. It is our desire that our daughter waits until marriage before having sex, but she will make her own choice. Whatever she decides, as her parents, we want her to know how to stay as safe as possible. In addition to their sexual and physical health, talk with your teen about the common types of drug use in college. I had these conversations with my daughter, and still, she was surprised at the number of college students who take drugs to have fun and some to function. “Mom, I think these kids are on drugs,” she whispered to me on the phone after the first week of school. I replied, “Yes, Jayda, they are on drugs.” “But Mom, some are planning to try even harder drugs.” That‘s when I sent her the videos of kids dying of fentanyl on college campuses. I wanted to warn her and help give her information if she was ever in a situation where she needed help in the case of an overdose. Hidden Epidemic: US fentanyl crisis worsens | Nightline Other videos I recommend for parent's to watch: What is fentanyl? KSAT Explainshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpYcOznq0d8 One Pill: Fighting Fentanyl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY57P-vKovY  Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi #7 Personal Safety Personal safety and security measures are also crucial for college students. Last year I was hyper-aware of the murders, shootings, missing students, and common crimes on campus nationwide. Instead of worrying, please take steps to discuss ways to stay safe on campus and in their living environment. Most schools publicly rate their campus safety level. This is vital information to consider when selecting a school. In addition, many schools have safety orientations for incoming students, so ensure your child is equipped and aware of some safety challenges and sign them up. Consider enrolling your daughters, in particular, in a self-defense class--the more prepared, the better! Talk about the pros and cons of leaving their dorm rooms open. Teach them about the dangers of alcohol and drug use and how to protect themselves from sexual assault and other crimes that happen when drugs are involved. Safety issues can also arise with roommates. If your teen feels unsafe in their room, ensure they are confident to talk with the Resident Director on steps to change rooms and/or roommates. Also, cover safety tips when using Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Here is a great article to read. Like thousands of other families, my teens often utilize Rideshare companies, and I ensure I can track every ride. The ride information gets sent to my phone, and I can follow each pick-up and drop-off. In addition, our family utilizes Life 360App, which tracks everyone's location via the cellphone. This was particularly helpful because I could see her exact whereabouts when Jayda traveled to Las Vegas and Washington D.C. during her first semester.  Photo by Polina Tankilevitch #6 Academic Strategies for Success Discuss academic expectations and strategies for success. I knew Jayda would need tutors for her math classes even before school started. Encourage your young adult to use educational resources like on-site or online tutoring and study groups. Discuss the importance of attending classes and participating in class discussions. Help them develop effective study habits and time management skills. If they need to beef up their writing or math skills, enroll them in a summer class or hire a tutor before leaving for college. A great affordable place to find tutors is Preply.com. Using this link, you can get 70% off your first lesson! Also check out this list of free writing classes. Let your child know that you want them to have fun but expect them to give their best efforts to succeed in school. As a mother of a high-performing student in a challenging major, other parents and college advisors warned me that Jayda might fail some of her classes but to keep encouraging her and never give up on her. They were right. She did fail some classes while thriving in others. As her parents, we chose the role of cheerleader and counselor, helping her identify the specific mistakes and lessons learned from each. She knew that no matter what grades she received we would provide the support she needed to learn from her mistakes and move forward. Click Here for Part 2: 10 Conversations Parents Need to Have With Their Kids Before College Begins
 Day 3 of Filming Last year, my kids Anaya, Shaun, and Jared, participated in the 6 month Indie Memphis Crew Up teen film program. After putting in over 100 hours of planning, writing, casting, filming, and editing, Anaya (Writer, Director, Actor, Editor), Shaun (Writer, Actor, Boom Mic, Editor), and Jared (Writer, Cinematography) completed their first-ever award-winning short film "Amorphous." This short film took so much work and this blog series "And...Scene" will give you an idea of how much time and effort was put into this really cool project. Day 1 of Filming: We had all our teen actors outdoors in the hot southern sun. We were able to find a location at a beautiful home in Memphis that had a gorgeous wooded backyard. We arrived to set up around 7:30 a.m. and finished filming before dinner. Day 2 of Filming: The setting took place in the basement of our public library. With one adult actor and all the teen actors filming scenes in the library's stairwell, basement, and office. The crew used the Black Magic camera and lots of lighting to create the overall suspenseful feel of the movie. Day 3 of Filming: The setting was a conference room with all adult actors. It was exciting for the crew to use the camera dolly and chairs to create different cinematic angles. The essence of cinema is editing. It's the combination of what can be extraordinary images of people during emotional moments or images in a general sense put together in a kind of alchemy. Francis Ford Coppola Once filming was complete, the team had two weeks to edit and submit the film to the Indie Memphis Youth Film Festival. Shaun was the lead editor and used Adobe Premiere Pro as his choice of software. However, Anaya spent even more hours getting everything just right and to her liking. Let me just say, as an observer, editing is a very tedious process. I am so proud of how they created such a believable and suspenseful product. In the following video, Anaya shares the job description of an editor and just how important their role is to every film project. For two weeks during the editing process, the kids' film mentor, Kimel, had no idea how the film was being stitched together. She stepped back during this process, and the kids handled everything. Anaya, Shaun, and Jared were so happy when Kimel and her mom were able to view the finished product. They sat at the edge of their chairs, screamed, and laughed at just the right spots in the film. Kimel's approval made the film ready for submission to the festival. See the pictures below to see Kimel and her mother's first response! Seeing it on the big screen at the Indie Memphis Film Festival was so exciting. There were about 100 movie watchers who were given a sheet with all the videos in the Crew Up category. Sadly, Anaya had covid and was unable to attend, so I used the Marco Polo App, so I could record live, and she could watch with us in the theatre. When their film ended, it received a loud applause which was a great sign. The competition was fierce, and the other Crew Up teams created some incredible films. However, the kids were voted "Audience Choice Award" which was an amazing honor! They felt so good to know that the audience selected their movie in first place! It was such an affirming moment, and the kids look forward to making more films in the future! Click here to watch "Amorphous." and check out the bloopers! Make sure to like and subscribe to Anaya's film channel and leave an encouraging comment.
Just in case you missed them--please read the first two blog posts in this series to get the full scoop on the film project: "And...Scene! (Part 1/3)" "And...Scene! (Part 2/3)"  From left to right: Jared Murray, Anaya Murray, Kimel Fryer, Shaun Murray In 2021, I had the kids apply for the Indie Memphis Crew Up program for the second time. The first year they were not approved, but this time, they were accepted into the 2022 cohort of young filmmakers! What's really cool about this program is that the teens are paired with a local filmmaker who mentors them in all things filmmaking. Anaya, Shaun, and Jared were paired with Kimel Fryer, a local independent filmmaker and producer. Kimel operated as a producer of the feature film "Life Ain't Like the Movies" (currently on the Amazon and Tubi networks). In addition to a mentor, Indie Memphis committed to giving the team $500 for the film budget. Kimel mentored the kids for six months and literally spent two-three hours every other Saturday helping them plan their film. They spent over 100 hours educating themselves on filmmaking and writing short film scripts. Initially, they brainstormed plot ideas and then created the storyline. Next, they wrote and edited the script. After the script was complete, the team researched and scouted out film locations. Location Scouting for "Amorphous" Once the team settled on the sites, they had to find actors. They organized and implemented the casting calls and selected cast and crew members. The kids were surprised to have so many local actors sign up for the auditions. Most of the adults had no idea Shaun, Jared, and Anaya were teenagers because they handled the process so professionally. The hands-on learning was incredible. Behind the scenes video on the casting call process for "Amorphous" Watching Anaya, Shaun, and Jared work together was a beautiful thing to observe. They created an award-winning suspense thriller short film, "Amorphous."
The plot is about five teenagers who are chosen to beta-test a new VR game from a mysterious tech company. Tasked to play what they believe is a simple game of "Hide and Seek," the seemingly easy game becomes more than what they bargained for. Read the final blog post of this series, And...Scene! (Part 3/3) to get the link to the film "Amorphous." Make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment on Anaya's YouTube channel.  Photo by Pixabay When my kids were in middle school, they would write movie scripts with their friends and shoot short videos. They spent hours working as a group to complete their script. As their creative writing teacher, I loved it when they spent their free time working on the movie script. But truth be told, once they handed it to me to proofread--I was honestly shocked at the horrible writing! Lol! The plot made absolutely no sense, and you could tell the boys were heavily involved because, in every other scene there was a fight or battle. But the kids were passionate about the project, so I kept my feelings to myself and let them happily proceed.  The kids discussing plot ideas in the van. As a family, we have always loved movies. Still, the love of filmmaking died as everyone started focusing on other interests. However, once our family moved to Memphis, I heard about the Indie Memphis Crew Up program--it’s where they pair teens and local filmmakers up to create a film. I applied immediately, but they were not accepted. However, I did not give up. In the summer of 2020, I signed Anaya up for a free filmmaking camp at the library, and she created her first short film with her phone. It was submitted to the Indie Memphis Youth Film Festival, and to our surprise, she won the “Rising Star Award” for her film, "Pen Pal." Anaya, online, receiving the Indie Memphis Youth Film Festival "Rising Star Award" Anaya didn't win because "Pen Pal" was a great film. Instead, she won because the film festival jury noticed the thought and effort she put into finishing the project within the one week of camp.
After the festival, to my surprise and wonder, Anaya declared that she wanted to study filmmaking in college! I had no idea that a summer camp could have such an impact on her future. I mean, I knew she loved to perform, but filmmaking was a totally new direction. We were all excited about the journey ahead. Click here to read part two of this series: "And Scene...Part 2/3"  I have two fantastic twin sons, Shaun and Jared. They are the youngest in the family and are taking their time to develop all interests outside of gaming. Lol! So many moms of sons who also have daughters have assured me that boys will eventually mature but that it might take a little bit longer than their older sisters. I think they are right!  Pictured from Left to Right: Jayda, Shaun, Jared, and Anaya "The rational part of a teen's brain isn't fully developed and won't be until age 25 or so." -Rochester Medical Center. Many have held that birth order definitely impacts behavior, especially if boys are birthed after their sisters. My sons, Shaun and Jared, don't mind their sister's bright lights. In fact, they like the fact that the attention is not on them so they can hide in the shadows. But they forget that I see them trying to hide and remind them that they have their own light to shine--so no hiding allowed!  To help assist in their growth and personal development, I had Shaun and Jared apply to an all-boy summer intensive computer science camp called "All-Star Code." And they both received an acceptance email! The email stated, "The admissions process this year has been highly competitive, and we are so happy that we're able to deliver this good news! Your application stood out from the rest for its self-reflection, its enthusiasm, and for how you demonstrated your willingness to take risks and embrace failure." For two months, they spent hours learning Java, how to build a website, and other really excellent computer science skills. They both rose to the occasion, and I didn't even have to remind them to attend the class. They were early to class and responsible for actually completing all homework.  Honestly, I was really impressed with their personal drive. During the school year, I regularly feel like I have to drag them along and pull their teeth to complete a task. But praise God, I saw some tremendous growth this summer! The seeds are starting to germinate, and I see they are headed in the right direction. On the last day of camp, the boys presented their project, a website informing constituents about their app, "HairWise." They had their presentation down and executed flawlessly. Truth be told, when they put on their dad's suit coat--they didn't even recognize themselves. I loved seeing the pride on their faces, and they loved looking so professional. Shaun even added glasses for the extra effect! Lol! So if you are a homeschool parent of teen sons who seem like late bloomers compared to their sisters, I encourage you to take a deep breathe and relax! Even though there are moments when you question if they will ever mature, remember they are steadily changing daily. Keep loving, encouraging, and correcting them; you'll see the slow and steady growth you've been waiting for. Watch Shaun & Jared's Full Presentation Below: The entire family surrounding Jayda--we were all so proud of her! In May of 2021, I launched my first high school graduate into the world! I started homeschooling Jayda when she was in kindergarten. For years, I dreamed about having a senior in high school. I pondered whether or not I would do a good job, especially in high school. I often wondered whether my kids would be as competitive. I asked questions like, "Will they be able to win academic scholarships?" And "Will they have successful college careers if they are homeschooled?"  Jayda graduating from homeschool kindergarten! I'm excited to know that the answer to all of the above questions is "Yes!" With Jayda being the first student to graduate from "Murray Homeschool Academy," I have learned some fundamental principles about homeschooling and how to stand out on college applications that are worth sharing: #1 Let Your Kids Be Unique. Often there is social pressure to have your kids involved in the same activities as other kids. If everyone is playing soccer, your kid should play too. Or if all the kids are in a particular after-school club, then your kid should get involved. But the truth of the matter is college admission teams are looking for unique children. Children who have distinct interests and passions. So my advice is to not give in to the pressure. Allow your kids to travel on a different path. It will pay off in the end.  Jayda received her first NCWIT award in Connecticut for her technological achievements. #2 Don't be afraid to let your child specialize. Jayda chose to pursue the arts and computer science. Most of her activities centered around those two things. She spent so much time on these activities that she gained superior skills. In addition, Jayda earned accolades allowing her to stand out from her peers in the college application process. #3 Your Child Needs to Show Leadership. Jayda not only pursued art and computer science to grow her knowledge but also took the time to teach others. She taught weekly art classes and free computer workshops for young girls. She also volunteered over 200 hours to help St. Jude hospital develop tech solutions for raising money for the hospital. Pretty cool, right?! Parents, remember that colleges want to see that kids aren't just smart but also passionate about sharing that knowledge with others.  Jayda and Anaya served on the Memphis "Mech Warriors" Robotics Team #4 Show Your Students Are Academically Challenged. Throughout high school, I made sure that Jayda took Advanced Placement and college-level classes. Due to age restrictions, I had to find online colleges that would allow dual enrollment for freshmen year. In addition, I picked a cover school that offered AP exams at the end of the school year. With this combination, none of the colleges questioned Jayda's academic ability. If you desire your child to win merit scholarships, then make sure the student's transcript shows an academically challenging, unique, and rigorous curriculum. #5 Let the World Be Your Child's Classroom. For high school, Jayda wasn't active in any homeschool co-op groups. We relied heavily on organizations in our community for volunteer and extra-curricular activities. In fact, the public library was one of the best places to learn about everything in our city for youth. There were so many unique opportunities beyond the local homeschool groups. In addition, the library was a great way to find community groups that shared Jayda's passions and interests. So get online, research, and find out what's happening locally and nationally. Remember, the internet allows participation in national and international programs without them leaving your home. In fact, Jayda was able to participate with TedEdx youth and was selected to give at TedTalk, which was a stand-out opportunity. Jayda is now a college freshman, and I'm here to tell you that you can do it! Your homeschooled son or daughter can have an excellent education at home. We had some ups and downs throughout the process, but it all worked out! I'm thrilled to report that Jayda received a prestigious merit award and thousands of dollars in grants and merit scholarships because of the above principles. But I saved the best principle for last. #6 Trust God With the Process! I pray so often about each one of my children. God made my children, and my worldview is that children come already filled with their gifts. It's my job as a parent to see what God has placed inside and to help cultivate their talents into maturity. I'm always asking God for his guidance, and you know what--He comes through with wisdom, insight, and direction every time! So take each year, one year at a time, and know that you can make it across the graduation finish line with success!   If you follow me on social media than you already know that I enter my kid's into a lot of contests surrounding their interests. Visual Art, writing, singing, and coding contests are usually our area of focus. Although--I would really love it if one of them picked up an interest in film. I'd love for them to create a short film or commercial--but right now no one is biting the bait! 🤣 Anyway, my kids are so busy at home working. learning new skills, and doing all kinds of creative things (some require and some during their free time) and once I realized other people, groups, organizations were interested in their work--I began to have my antennae out for contests for a few of the following reasons:
In the picture above, is my eldest daughter Jayda who I had enter into the New York Times "Coming of Age" Teen contest. Over 5, 500 submissions were entered, and her art piece was selected along with 29 other students for the online and print edition of the newspaper. She has won other national awards, but this is by far the most prestigious award won in our family and Jayda in particular felt so honored to have her work picked as a memorial of when the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a world-wide pandemic. So I encourage all parents--research contests in your child's specific area of interests--the benefits are pretty amazing! Click here if you would like to purchase a print of her artwork, "2020 Thoughts" (New York Times Winner) or click the Shop Tab and select Merchandise. All proceeds will go toward her college fund! P.S. Feel free to check out my Pinterest Board for Contests  What do you get when you add Valentine's Day + Black History Month + a Homeschool Student? Well last month I decided that I wanted to do something special for Valentine's Day and Black History Month, so I partnered with homeschooled artist Keala Venema (one of Jayda's friends). Keala is a senior in high school and together we produced the "Love Knows No Color" product series in my gift shop. I wanted to bring awareness and acknowledgment in particular to inter-racial couples because at one point in our country's history this type of union was illegal.  The art piece "Loving" and "Love is Love" is to honor the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the plaintiffs in the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court (the Warren Court) decision Loving v. Virginia, which invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage. We all owe so much to those who fought for the rights that we have today! And if you haven't seen the movie, "Loving" check it out on Netflix--it's so good! #thisisblackhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #blacklove #valentinesdaygift #loving #lovingyou #interracial #mixedcouple
P.S. If you visit the shop--please "Like the Store" and any of your favorite products--thank you! |
Murray Homeschool AcademyI have been a homeschool educator since 2008. Here I blog about our educational experience and hope you can learn something from our journey. Archives
July 2023
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