academics

 image by flickr user CC Champman (cc license) The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament bracket was announced yesterday. It won't be until April 7 that a champion is crowned, but students, parents, and, let's be honest, a lot of your coworkers, will certainly be engrossed in collegiate roundball happenings for the next few weeks. But, perhaps, you prefer alternative methods to comparing the final 68 teams in the field. In that case, Inside Higher Ed has something just for you.

Whether your student is a freshman or a senior, it is important to keep track of important dates throughout each semester. Keep your dates organized by downloading the College Parents of America Academic Year Calendar Checklist.

I was at Florida State University recently and was walking through the student union after wrapping up a lunch meeting.  I was a bit surprised, and honestly proud, to notice a student who was standing alone and reading his invitation to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS).  At first I thought I should keep walking but after a few steps further I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to congratulate him.

Back-and-forth between professors and students just isn't the norm in much of Europe. But John Ferrel didn't know that when he spent a semester at the University of Burgos in Spain before graduating in May from Boston University. "A couple of times I raised my hand in class, and everyone looked shocked," he says. But he adapted quickly: "By my second or third month, I had my first dream in Spanish."