Category: Student Focus

These blog posts are focused on empowering students.

Midterm Survival: Here’s Your Playlist

By Jane Taylor | October 1, 2019 | Student Focus

This is not something you will find on Spotify. Your Midterm survival playlist is more like the old Boy Scouts motto, “Be Prepared,” in which the scout is ready, willing, and able to do what is necessary in any situation that comes along. Your first brush with Midterms demands scout-level preparation – and determination.

Here are eight considerations that will help you do your best.

Adjusting to College Life: Time Management Keeps Everything from Happening at Once

By Jane Taylor | September 17, 2019 | Executive Function,Student Focus

So many First Years in college feel like everything is happening all at once. This is what the internal dialogue might be like as you drag yourself out of bed to face a new day in a new school year in a new environment:

“Will this jacket be warm enough today? Where’s my toothpaste?

Adjusting to College Life: Take your Time and Breathe

By Jane Taylor | September 3, 2019 | Student Focus

“These are the best days of your life.” How many times have you heard this statement in reference to your college days? If you are like most new students (and even of you aren’t!) you have heard it too many times. Adjusting to college life can be a serious challenge that doesn’t exactly feel like the “best days…” In fact,

Still want to go away to college this fall? It’s not too late!

By Jane Taylor | August 21, 2019 | Student Focus

We are happy to announce that we have partnered with the International Guest House to provide an alternative housing option for Focus Collegiate students. The International Guest House is an independent dorm conveniently located in the middle of Boston in the Back Bay on Beacon Street.

It’s not too late to explore college attendance in Boston without committing to full-time enrollment.

The G.I. Joe Fallacy: Knowing is Half the Battle, Right?

By Jane Taylor | August 5, 2019 | Emotional Regulation,Student Focus

G.I. Joe was an action figure who, to placate parents, ended each of his 1980s cartoons with the PSA, “Now you know. And knowing is half the battle…” The PSA was given within the context of something dangerous kids did unintentionally – like running out into traffic. Each cartoon would end with G.I. Joe encircled by a group of kids gleefully shouting,

The Crisis on Campus

By Jane Taylor | July 23, 2019 | Parent Focus,Student Focus

Do a Google search of the word “crisis” and you will find countless results. Okay, that’s not true. Google is counting. There are approximately 1,030,000,000 search results (and counting). Topping the list of crises are opioid crisis, refugee crisis, climate crisis, crisis in Sudan, and crisis on earth (this is a live-action television series starring superheroes –

College Interrupted: Getting Your Groove Back

By Jane Taylor | July 18, 2019 | Student Focus

It sounds ominous, but interrupting college can be a good thing. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation lists poor preparation, not enough quality time with teachers and counselors, and a de-motivating college environment among the top reasons students leave school.[1] To an observer in the college support field, these look like excellent reasons to leave school–each showing a certain level of self-awareness.

Adjusting to Depression and Anxiety to Find Success in College

By Jane Taylor | July 9, 2019 | Executive Function,Student Focus

Most of us feel anxious or depressed at times, especially during times of significant life change like starting college. Given the number of stressors college introduces—especially within the first semester—it is not surprising that many students experience anxiety and depression.

New college students are called upon to make a huge number of adjustments. Learning to cope with new freedom,

Routines Shape Our Lives; Make Yours a Good One

By Jane Taylor | May 9, 2019 | Parent Focus,Student Focus

Good routines shape our lives. You start the coffee maker, walk to the mail box, grab the paper, recycle the ads, and get back into the kitchen just as the last drop of coffee drips into your mug. Perfect timing. You sip your coffee and read the news. You do it every day. Your routine is your solid foundation.

You’ve been Accepted to College. Now What?

By Grant Leibersberger | April 17, 2019 | Student Focus

You’ve been accepted to college. You got the letter! You’re in. You’re going to the college of your dreams. It’s an incredible achievement. Congratulations. Now it’s time to do some serious planning. After the celebratory hugs and dancing, of course.

College can be the most memorable and rewarding experience of your life. With good preparation,