What sort of environment suits you? Do you function better in tranquil surroundings or do you thrive in commotion with a side serving of chaos? Are you academically oriented or athletic? Perhaps creativity is your thing, or you need a little of all of the above? Each of us prefers certain conditions and feels energized […]
Women, Education and Parenting: Tough Choices, No-Brainers
Work. Kids. Priorities…
Healthy or Unhealthy? Cultural Commentary: A Conversation
“Why should my tax dollars pay for your medical care?” she says. Her blue eyes are piercing against her softly tanned skin. Her eyebrows are raised, and her lips pursed in annoyance. At first I think she’s kidding. But she’s not. She is about thirty, and we know each other casually. She’s healthy, single, in […]
That Elusive Work-Life Balance – Dream On?
Work-life balance. Possible or not?
The College Countdown
This past weekend, my morning reading brought me to a blog post on the New York Times, written by a high school senior, Michael Campbell, about his college search process. As he counts down to receiving decision letters, everywhere he goes he is asked “Where are you going to college?” And of course, it’s too […]
Permission to Fail? I Don’t Think So.
My son got home late last evening. I wasn’t happy. He wasn’t happy. After his 13-hour day, with plenty of homework ahead, he looked tired and discouraged. His reason for being so late? An informational session on a scholarship program, and its first set of qualifying exercises. He perked up when he talked about it, […]
The Lost Art of the Generalist
We all strive to specialize in something, don’t we? We seek expertise, authority and recognition. But what about the generalist – and all the skills so useful in life that are widely applicable to any choice of career? And if you are a generalist, can you “sum yourself up” in a concise way? Can you […]
An Apple for the Teacher
Did you ever have a teacher or professor who changed your life? Or at the very least, believed in you just when you needed it most? I can remember several, in high school and college mostly, men and women who fed my hunger to learn, and allowed me the space to dream. I never forgot […]
Is College Still the Brass Ring? (Teen Stress, College Prep, College Applications)
Is college still the brass ring? With many parents financially strapped and savings wiped out, it’s only natural that we reconsider college for our sons and daughters. Once, it was a given that those four years meant the education needed to succeed, and essential experiences to test independence. My 18-year old is now a freshman […]