It used to be that families would have a large shoebox filled with printed photos meant for albums that never got made. Today, with cell phones capturing countless pictures and cloud storage like Google Photos saving them for us, the same thing is happening. While the photos are automatically dated, they often lack important context—like what event they capture, who is in them, or the story behind the staged smiles.
When I was raising my two daughters, I kept an informal journal of their lives. At first, I wrote daily because things changed so quickly—eating schedules, sleep patterns, and milestones happened all the time. Sometimes, I’d ask my daughters to dictate their own stories to me, giving them an opportunity to share their thoughts. When they resisted, I’d sit my husband down or include friends to capture snapshots of their lives through quick notes.
Years later, after they left for college, I revisited the journal and found details I had forgotten. I felt so grateful to have recorded those little moments. As a project, I digitized photos, added certificates, scanned artwork, and even included covers of school reports. I published their biographies—Nicole’s spanned 1496 pages in 3 volumes, and Jaclyn’s stretched 1768 pages across 4 volumes. These biographies became family heirlooms, treasures for my daughters and now for Jaclyn’s son, Asher, who is 9 months old.
This year, I’ve decided to create an annual biography for Asher, similar to what I did for his mother. Writing a yearly summary allows me to start sooner and ensures I capture memories while I can. Here’s how I’m organizing Asher’s biography—a simple and meaningful system you can use, too!
________________________________________
1. Organize and Rename Photos
With phone cameras, we have an abundance of candid photos unlike in the past. To preserve and organize them, I recommend renaming photos with a system that includes key details:
Year Month Date Who What Where Example: 2024 12 15 Asher first food banana Santa Cruz.
Next, place these photos in specific folders named after events: Example: 2024 12 15 Asher visits Thanksgiving Santa Cruz.
This method allows you to search by event (like Thanksgiving) or activity (first food). Once you’ve organized the photos, transfer them to a hard drive on your computer for safekeeping and back them up on an external drive.
________________________________________
2. Create a Journal
Use Google Docs (or your preferred word processor) to write quick, snapshot entries about your child or grandchild. Keep it simple so you don’t feel overwhelmed—even short, heartfelt notes matter.
Example of a Journal Entry: Today, Asher is figuring out the tricky process of crawling. I could see his little brain working hard to coordinate his hands and knees to move toward his favorite toy. When he got tired—and he must have been exhausted—he just laid his head down and rolled over. So adorable!
Tips for Enriching the Journal:
• Share the Google Doc with family and friends so they can contribute their thoughts, stories, or observations. Ask them to sign their notes so you know who wrote what.
• Include small snippets like funny quotes, milestones, or observations from daily life.
________________________________________
3. Combine Photos and Journal Entries
Bring the journal to life by adding photos that match your entries.
• Resize and crop photos so they fit nicely into your document.
• Add visuals like book covers of stories they love, certificates, or scans of artwork to enrich the journal.
• Family and friends can add their own photos or images to the document as well.
________________________________________
4. Publish the Annual Biography
At the end of the year, take time to edit the entries and clean up the layout. Once you’re happy with the final version, publish it using an online printing service (like Shutterfly, Mixbook, or Blurb). Print a copy for your child or grandchild and start a tradition they can look forward to receiving every year.
________________________________________
Why Start Now?
Capturing your child’s story doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By starting with simple notes, organized photos, and an annual publication, you’re creating a keepsake they’ll cherish forever. It’s a wonderful way to preserve memories and celebrate life’s fleeting moments—the perfect gift to begin the new year.
Start today and give your child the gift of their story!
It used to be that families would have a large shoebox filled with printed photos meant for albums that never got made. Today, with cell phones capturing countless pictures and cloud storage like Google Photos saving them for us, the same thing is happening. While the photos are automatically dated, they often lack important context—like what event they capture, who is in them, or the story behind the staged smiles.
When I was raising my two daughters, I kept an informal journal of their lives. At first, I wrote daily because things changed so quickly—eating schedules, sleep patterns, and milestones happened all the time. Sometimes, I’d ask my daughters to dictate their own stories to me, giving them an opportunity to share their thoughts. When they resisted, I’d sit my husband down or include friends to capture snapshots of their lives through quick notes.
Years later, after they left for college, I revisited the journal and found details I had forgotten. I felt so grateful to have recorded those little moments. As a project, I digitized photos, added certificates, scanned artwork, and even included covers of school reports. I published their biographies—Nicole’s spanned 1496 pages in 3 volumes, and Jaclyn’s stretched 1768 pages across 4 volumes. These biographies became family heirlooms, treasures for my daughters and now for Jaclyn’s son, Asher, who is 9 months old.
This year, I’ve decided to create an annual biography for Asher, similar to what I did for his mother. Writing a yearly summary allows me to start sooner and ensures I capture memories while I can. Here’s how I’m organizing Asher’s biography—a simple and meaningful system you can use, too!
________________________________________
1. Organize and Rename Photos
With phone cameras, we have an abundance of candid photos unlike in the past. To preserve and organize them, I recommend renaming photos with a system that includes key details:
Year Month Date Who What Where Example: 2024 12 15 Asher first food banana Santa Cruz.
Next, place these photos in specific folders named after events: Example: 2024 12 15 Asher visits Thanksgiving Santa Cruz.
This method allows you to search by event (like Thanksgiving) or activity (first food). Once you’ve organized the photos, transfer them to a hard drive on your computer for safekeeping and back them up on an external drive.
________________________________________
2. Create a Journal
Use Google Docs (or your preferred word processor) to write quick, snapshot entries about your child or grandchild. Keep it simple so you don’t feel overwhelmed—even short, heartfelt notes matter.
Example of a Journal Entry: Today, Asher is figuring out the tricky process of crawling. I could see his little brain working hard to coordinate his hands and knees to move toward his favorite toy. When he got tired—and he must have been exhausted—he just laid his head down and rolled over. So adorable!
Tips for Enriching the Journal:
• Share the Google Doc with family and friends so they can contribute their thoughts, stories, or observations. Ask them to sign their notes so you know who wrote what.
• Include small snippets like funny quotes, milestones, or observations from daily life.
________________________________________
3. Combine Photos and Journal Entries
Bring the journal to life by adding photos that match your entries.
• Resize and crop photos so they fit nicely into your document.
• Add visuals like book covers of stories they love, certificates, or scans of artwork to enrich the journal.
• Family and friends can add their own photos or images to the document as well.
________________________________________
4. Publish the Annual Biography
At the end of the year, take time to edit the entries and clean up the layout. Once you’re happy with the final version, publish it using an online printing service (like Shutterfly, Mixbook, or Blurb). Print a copy for your child or grandchild and start a tradition they can look forward to receiving every year.
________________________________________
Why Start Now?
Capturing your child’s story doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By starting with simple notes, organized photos, and an annual publication, you’re creating a keepsake they’ll cherish forever. It’s a wonderful way to preserve memories and celebrate life’s fleeting moments—the perfect gift to begin the new year.
Start today and give your child the gift of their story!
The holiday season is often synonymous with gift-giving, but for many, the pressure to buy the perfect present has overshadowed the true spirit of the season. If you find yourself stressed about shopping, worried about your finances, or surrounded by gifts that you don’t want or need, you may be ready to rethink this tradition.
Here’s how you can stop giving gifts for the holidays while still celebrating with your friends and family in more meaningful ways.
1. Communicate Early and Honestly
The key to shifting away from gift-giving is to let your family and friends know your intentions well in advance. Explain your reasons:
• Stop worrying about how much to spend on gifts.
• Focus on quality time, not material goods.
• Aim for financial freedom.
• Simplify the holidays and reduce stress.
A heartfelt conversation can help people understand that your decision isn’t about withholding but about creating a more intentional holiday.
2. Offer Alternatives to Gift-Giving
Gifts are often forgotten, but experiences create lasting memories. For your family, create a holiday bucket list of fun activities to do together:
• Game or Movie Night: Spend time together playing games or watching classic holiday films.
• Nature Outings: Take a hike, walk on the beach, or go bike riding together.
• A Holiday Potluck: Gather friends and family for a meal where everyone contributes a dish.
• Acts of Kindness: Involve your kids in choosing a charity to donate to or volunteering as a family. Helping others during the holidays can teach them the value of generosity and gratitude.
3. Focus on Handmade and Heartfelt Gestures
If you feel that skipping gifts entirely might be too drastic, consider replacing store-bought presents with homemade or thoughtful gestures. Examples include:
• Making lip balm or lotions.
• Organizing a photo collage of special moments.
• Baking cookies or other treats to share.
4. Set Boundaries on Gift-Giving
If you’re part of a family or social circle that clings to gift-giving, propose a compromise:
• Draw names for a Secret Santa so everyone buys just one gift.
• Set a strict budget for presents to reduce financial stress.
• Focus on gifts for children only (and put an upper limit cap), if applicable.
5. Model the Change
Be prepared to encounter some resistance, especially if gift-giving is deeply ingrained in your family or friend group. By showing how meaningful and enjoyable a gift-free holiday can be, you may inspire others to follow suit in future years.
6. Reframe the Purpose of the Holidays
Redirect the focus from presents to presence. Remind loved ones that the holidays are about being together, appreciating our blessings, and remembering family and friends who are no longer with us. Share stories, cook meals, and create new memories.
7. Practice Gratitude
If you’re worried about disappointing others, remember that the holidays are what you make of them. Take time to appreciate the relationships, health, and opportunities you already have. Gratitude is the best gift you can give to yourself and those around you.
Final Thoughts
Stopping gift-giving for the holidays doesn’t mean losing the joy of the season—it means rediscovering it. By focusing on connection and experiences, you can create traditions that are less about materialism and more about what really matters.
Take the first step this year and see how liberating (and joyful) a no-gift holiday can be. You might just find it’s the best gift you’ve ever given yourself.
Last month, TEDxMeritAcademy hosted an inspiring event featuring seven talented teen speakers who showcased their innovative projects aimed at making a positive impact on the world. This year, the event was hosted at the 418 Project in Santa Cruz, CA. Each young visionary shared their unique ideas, from groundbreaking environmental solutions to cutting-edge technologies and social initiatives. Their presentations captivated the audience, highlighting the power of youth-driven innovation and the potential for these projects to transform communities and industries alike. The event served as a platform for these extraordinary teens to inspire others to think creatively and take action toward meaningful change.
Brandon Xu
The 2020 Northern Complex Fire destroyed 318, 935 acres of land and turned the skies over Northern California a dark orange from chemicals trapping carbon dioxide particles. As a middle schooler, Brandon Xu vividly remembers the acrid air and wondered what could be done to mitigate these types of natural disasters in the future. As a senior, he investigated whether mycelium, fungal threads that grow in the soil beneath mushrooms, could be used to create a drywall alternative that holds up to construction standards. Not only will his mycelium wall be better in disaster situations, it also reduces carbon emissions.
Miles Elliott
Globally, we have reached a staggering 400 million tons of plastic consumption each year. Americans use an average of .75 pounds of plastic on a daily basis–that’s like throwing away over 35 pens worth of plastic every day. While some replacement bioplastics exist, Miles Elliott, a senior in the Bay Area, wanted to see if he could add to the conversation by focusing on plastics for household use. He created a bioplastic film alternative made from potato, alfalfa, and kelp and discovered that not only was it a viable replacement, but it even looked as clear as the “real” thing!
Abigail Mathew
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety rates have risen by 25% and one in five teens experiences symptoms of anxiety or depression. When confronted with growing anxiety among her peers, sophomore Abigail Mathew used her enthusiasm for homeopathic remedies to explore an alternative medication without some of the harsh side effects of prescription anxiety meds. Her research led her to passion flower, a plant native to the southeastern US, that has been used in conjunction with other herbs as an anxiety treatment before, but never studied independently. Preliminary studies show a positive correlation between heart rate reduction and passion flower use.
Katie Luong
It is no secret that the education system in the United States is chronically underfunded. Schools across America suffer from massive teacher shortages, a lack of up-to-date technological resources, and a problem with both physical and mental student safety. To solve these problems, Bay Area senior Katie Luong looks to add to the Department of Education budget through a system of taxing the wealthiest 1%, 0.1%, and 0.01% of Americans using a sliding scale based on income. Her formula would see a negligible percentage of those Americans’ taxes being used to benefit millions of children across the country.
Isha Bajpai
Stories connect us, but with the growing digital divide between generations, it is harder for those narratives to be shared. More importantly, there is not a straightforward method for saving those stories for future generations. In an effort to “store the past in the future,” senior Isha Bajpai created Video Time Capsule, an app designed to make it easy for generations to share stories from their past without the confusion present in social media platforms. Inspired by stories of Isha’s family from India, the app provides prompts to help people feel comfortable sharing the stories that make them uniquely themselves.
Kaaviya Aravind
For years, Delhi has been labeled as one of the most polluted cities in the world as a result of burning waste, unchecked vehicle emissions, and firecrackers lit during religious celebrations. But while the air quality is so poor that at times it’s like smoking thirty cigarettes a day, small changes have been made and the daily AQI decreased by 29.4% from 2022 to 2023. Inspired by the communal changes made in her hometown, senior Kaaviya Aravind created PlanetPoints, an app that helps users see how their own small efforts towards sustainability can pay off in a big way.
The best part of the new school year is that the teachers are fresh and enthusiastic, and the kids are glad to be back at school where they can reconnect with friends they hadn’t seen all summer. Everyone is optimistic — Enjoy it while it lasts!
And, every school has Back to School Nights at this time of year to give parents the opportunity to meet their kids’ teachers and get a little glimpse of what to expect for the school year. Some teachers layout their plans and give parents a heads up about big projects. Others share with parents grading rubrics — how they calculate grades — and tips on how to maximize their children’s chances of getting A’s or B’s.
Here are some questions to think about before you go to Back to School Nights.
Elementary School
1. What are some of the major skills that our kids will learn this year to prepare for the next grade?
2. What can we as parents do to reinforce the skills that you’re teaching in the classroom?
3. Is your class divided into different tracks (faster vs slower), and if it is, what can a parent do to help their child get into the faster track?
Middle School
English/Language Arts:
1. What parts of English grammar will the kids learn this semester?
2. Will students be learning how to write essays?
3. What books and how many books will the kids be reading this year? Will they be unabridged books or synopses?
Math/Science:
1. I would like to be sure that my child gets a solid foundation in math facts before he/she starts algebra. What is the plan to build this foundation this year?
2. What areas of science will be covered this year? How many labs will the students participate in?
3. What can we do as parents to supplement class learning to ensure that our kids will be ready for Honors or AP science in high school?
High School
English/History:
1. Will students learn vocabulary that will help prepare for the SAT or ACT?
2. How many essays will the students write, and will you be editing them (as opposed to peer edits)?
3. What books and how many books will the students read this year? Will students be required to write essays about their readings? How many drafts will the students write?
4. Will the students write research papers in either English or History classes? How will they learn how to write the many essays that are required in college?
Science:
1. How many labs will the kids do this semester/year? Will they be required to write complete lab reports?
2. Will their preparation in your class prepare the students to enter introductory science classes in college?
3. Can you recommend how the students can use outside-of-the-class resources to build a strong science foundation to prepare for success in college?
Modern Language:
1. What can we do to supplement classroom learning to encourage our kids to become fluent in the language?
2. Will the students be writing paragraphs or essays?
Use this time at Back to School Night to understand more about what your child will be learning — and not learning — this year. Armed with this knowledge, you can support your child by supplementing with programs that will fill the gaps. Remember, you’re your child’s only advocate!
Now that it’s been 4 years since COVID forced all schools to conduct online lessons and create tests to evaluate students in remote classrooms, students have had plenty of time to find ways to cheat on exams. It used to be that a cheater might write down formulas or facts on their forearms and glance at them when the teacher wasn’t looking. Or, friends who took the class before yours would tell you some of the questions on the test so you had time to get the answer before it was your turn. Other more sophisticated students would bribe the student TA (teacher’s assistant) to change their scores in the class grade book.
Today, students pay Exam Rabbit, a contract cheating company, about $250 to take the exam for them. For the student, it’s really simple. All they need to do is have their student ID, be in a secure location (without other computers, tablets, and phones), and pretend to take the test. Teachers in high school and professors in college use AI-powered proctoring services such as Honorlock and Proctorio to detect if the student glances away from the screen for a prolonged period of time – presumably to look at their notes, books, or other sources that aren’t allowed during the test. As long as the student pretends to take the test by reading the questions and staying engaged, most proctoring services will not detect cheating.
Exam Rabbit and other cheating services set up a VPN to hide their location (usually outside the US) and the remote-controlled platform that allows them to take control over the student’s computer. The cheating service has experts who answer the questions directly on the student’s computer. As long as students stay focused on their screens and don’t act suspiciously, students can get away with cheating on these online tests.
Studies show that students cheated twice as often in 2021 than they did in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. 77 percent of professors believe that students are more likely to cheat in online testing than in brick and mortar classrooms. This is problematic because 50 percent of courses at many colleges are fully online and 75 percent of students now take at least one online class each year.
Not all cheating students pay $250 to Exam Rabbit but many cheat by sharing their login information with a cousin or friend who then takes the exam for them. Donald Trump allegedly paid someone to take the SAT for him so he could get into Wharton. This kind of cheating has been going on for decades.
While cheating is wrong on so many levels, new developments may make students rethink how they cheat and whether or not it’s worth the risk. When they use Exam Rabbit or any program that takes over your computer, these companies can blackmail the student because they have video footage that shows the student’s image and their student ID. This would mean expulsion at their school or college and that video footage could be damning for careers and employment in the future if it were released on social media. Companies like Exam Rabbit have blackmailed students whose payments bounced by threatening to release the video of them cheating on the exam.
In a time where cancel culture can destroy reputations, students should consider the ramifications of blatantly cheating and having digital records that tie themselves to these unethical acts. Wouldn’t it be better to meet with the professor or teacher during office hours to learn the material? If the course is too advanced for the student, they always have the option to drop the course and retake it at another time. If college is too demanding, maybe the student should consider other career options. College is expensive and the ROI is not always positive. Parents, if your child is cheating on exams, take this opportunity to reevaluate their goals and support them in choosing a new direction if that is what they need. And above all else, let’s instill ethics and honesty in our children.
Okay, I know this sounds impossible, but I actually got my kids (and husband!) to VOLUNTEER to spring clean my house! No, I didn’t bribe them, or threaten them.
So here’s how I did it: I made a list of all of the things that needed spring cleaning: organizing closets, rearranging gardening supplies, cleaning out the fridge, cleaning windows – you get the idea. Spring cleaning can feel daunting because there is so much that can be done, so pick 3-4 things that are your top priorities for each room. The rest you can do in another spring cleaning day later or even next year. By listing specific tasks for my family, each one sounded reasonable.
Careful how you make your lists. Instead of writing “Organize Play Room,” I wrote “Find all Legos and place in Lego Bin,” “Gather all books and place on bookshelves,” “Put old toys in box for Goodwill,” etc. Be specific so they understand exactly what needs to be done.
3 Tips for Different Rooms:
For bedrooms: “Fill Goodwill box with clothes that don’t fit anymore,” “Remove everything from under your bed and put them where they belong,” and “Clear off your desk.”
For bathroom: “Wipe down toiletries in drawer,” “Stack and organize toilet paper, tissues, and shower supplies,” and Clean the toilet.”
For kitchen: “Organize utensils drawer,” “Clean fridge and freezer,” and “Clean stove.”
For garden: “Weed planters,” “Organize gardening tools,” and “Plant seeds in little pots.”
For garage: “Fill Goodwill box with stuff we don’t use,” “Hang hooks or build shelves for stuff,” and “Caulk edges around garage.”
I created a list that could be completed in a reasonable amount of time. It felt good just to make the list of all the things I’d been wanting to clean and organize over the winter. Then, I called a family meeting on a Sunday morning and served up everyone’s favorite breakfast — huevos rancheros!
This wasn’t a “bribe”, exactly, but it helped when setting them up to volunteer for spring cleaning. I WAS PREPARED. I put up giant Post-it Notes on the walls and listed all of the individual things that needed to be cleaned. Instead of demanding that they participate, I started with a perk: I told them that we would be hosting a party for family and friends in a month, and we needed to get our house and property in tip-top shape for our visitors. They were thrilled to hear about our future guests and we talked about fun things to do with them. So far, so good.
Then, I asked them to write their names next to the tasks listed on the Post-it Notes that they would like to do. When they saw something that they hated doing — like cleaning toilets or washing out garbage cans, they jumped up to claim the things that they considered easier jobs. What happened next was shocking. They actually signed up for EVERYTHING ON MY LIST!
When they asked me why I didn’t sign up for anything, I told them that I’m responsible for making sure that they have all the cleaning supplies, organizational materials, and guidance they need for all tasks. Couldn’t believe it but they bought it! Phew! I didn’t need to nag about getting it done because they all knew the deadline — the weekend of our party!
On our family calendar (and our family Google Calendar), I blocked off 3 hours each weekend for the family to work on their spring cleaning tasks. I made sure that they had their cleaning supplies, boxes for Goodwill, and new accessories (shelves, hooks) so there were no excuses. I also took lunch orders to give them something delicious to look forward to at the end of their work days. Tossing in pizza and ice cream goes a long way!
And that’s how you get your family to VOLUNTEER to do chores!
What is Zyn?
Do you know what Zyn is? Have you heard of the “upper-decky lip pillow? If you have tween or teen children or grandchildren, hang on because you need to be in the know. Zyn is the smokeless alternative to vapes, and vapes was the less-noticeable form of smoking cigarettes. Zyn is a nicotine pouch that is placed under your lip like chewing tobacco or tobacco dip. It is less visible than vapes because there are no cartridges or battery pens, and certainly inconspicuous next to cigarettes and smoke.
Zyn comes in 2 strengths: 3- and 6-milligram pouches. The nicotine ingredient is very addictive – especially for young tweens. First-time users often vomit or pass out when experimenting with the 6 milligram pouches. Zyn is packaged in tins that contain 16 little white rectangles – AKA lip cushions. Dentists have reported gum injuries and concerns about the toxic chemicals in the pouches that can cause periodontal and gum disease in patients who use Zyn. They are known to increase heart rate and blood pressure. The nicotine can also negatively affects kids’ mental health. At first, they may feel a sense of relaxation that is short lived and followed up with a spike in edginess and anxiety that ultimately causes a vicious cycle of needing relaxation to offset their anxiety. And because Zyn is highly addictive, it adds another layer of mental agitation. Still this is such a new craze that there hasn’t been enough time to understand all of the risks associated with these little nicotine pouches.
Phillip Morris International purchased Swedish Match (the Zyn-brand manufacturer) in early 2023 (barely a year ago) and they expect to make $2 billion by end of 2024. Rogue, Lix, and Velo are also popular Zyn alternatives. The many companies that produce nicotine pouches are hoping to hook young kids on their brands so they’ll have customers for life. Instead of big billboards, magazine ads, or TV commercials, these manufacturers advertise on social media targeting specific age groups. They also use influencers who are like the popular kids that most kids want to follow. Known as Zynfluencers, they send powerful messages using TikTok videos to young kids about how cool it is to Zyn and how much fun it is to have that little blast of energy.
Unlike smoking cigarettes where parents can smell the smoke or vaping where parents find vape pens and other paraphernalia, Zyn is almost undetectable. Students Zyn in class and at home. Most teachers and parents don’t know about Zyn so students are gravitating to it. Since 2014, Zyn has been increasing in popularity and many consider it the new vape.
Even the most concerned parents face daunting odds of positively influencing their children about Zyn. Advertisers and Zynfluencers are on youth social media feeds brainwashing them for hours each day. Parents don’t see the same ads or TikTok videos because marketing companies create algorhythms to target this young demographic.
It’s not like it was when I was a kid. Back then, parents saw the same ads and commercials that the kids saw, and they could restrict what their children read and TV shows they watched. We read real books and magazines (paper), and we all watched the same shows and movies on our one TV set in the house. Most kids today are on their smartphones or tablets for hours without parental oversight.
Parents, you need to understand Zyn. Frame the truth about how Zyn negatively affects your children’s health before they get pulled into Zyn with friends. Be proactive and open the discussion. By framing the idea that Zyn nicotine pouches are a marketing ploy to make young kids addicted for life, you may have a chance to ward off the inevitable dilemma in the first place.
Parents, you have the right to check your children’s smartphones, tablets and backpacks. Limit screen time to one hour per night so they choose how they want to spend that precious hour. Talk to them about ads, influencers, and other bombardment of information. Parents, you have an important role to play as your child’s chief advocate. Open the discussion and be involved in every aspect of your child’s life because you are fighting an invisible enemy in a cyber-battleground that can infiltrate your child’s mind and behavior.
Ever wonder how the US News and World Report select which university is the best in the nation? You would hope that the researchers would create algorhythms to consider a wide range of factors to fairly determine this elite ranking. But no. Critics in the past two decades have exposed just how ratings can be easily manipulated by the colleges themselves. In order to boost their rankings, colleges simply increase the volume of students who apply. To do this, many colleges target applicants who are unqualified students and entice them with free application fees.
Stanford University, Reed College, and others have openly criticized ranking colleges based on the fact that it is impossible to objectively determine subjective characteristics such as “reputation,” which comprises 25% of the ranking. Another factor includes emphasizing research expenditures (grants and contracts) to determine the scientific accomplishment rather than considering the importance and impact of scientific discoveries.
Today, US News and World Report sells “badges” to colleges for thousands of dollars so they can post their shiny badges on their website,citing their ranking. US News started selling badges in 2010, and they now havemore than 130 categories for undergraduate and graduate programs. Do the math:4400 colleges times $20,000 (badge costs are from $8000 to upwards of $32,000 per year) equals hypothetically 88 million dollars per year.
Many colleges are opting out of playing the ranking game,especially many in the top 200. For those colleges, they already have the reputation and they use other marketing strategies to keep them in the news.But for smaller colleges, they struggle to get the incoming student yields theyneed so many colleges are compelled to pay outlandish digital marketing license fees.
With over 4400 colleges and universities in the United States, selecting the best-fit college for undergraduates and graduates can be daunting. While we all know about 200 of the well-known colleges that seemingly everyone aspires to each year – Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton – making this decision can be stressful to every college-bound student.
With the high cost of a college education, parents are pushing their children to major in fields that will give them the best opportunity to secure high-paying jobs in a lucrative market. Where they get their training (undergraduate degree) often plays an important role in getting into grad schools or setting course for a successful career. STEM (science,technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields are highly sought after, andas a result, are the most competitive to get into at the top universities.
A quick Google search for the best colleges in specific fields will send students and parents to college-ranking programs like the US News and World Report. By searching for “Best Colleges” you can select from among several lists such as National Universities, Liberal Arts Universities, Engineering, Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges, and more. But don’t let the allure of the rankings mislead you.
Rather than choosing colleges based on their rankings, choose colleges based on the academic departments you are interested in studying. Check the specific major(s) at each of the colleges at the top onyour list. Then drill down to see the lower-division and upper-division requirements, and the options for electives. Check out their research,internship, capstone (senior project), and other opportunities. Then look atthe general education requirements. Consider other majors that you may want toexplore and possibly audit classes to expand your knowledge. By taking these easy steps, you’ll create a list of excellent colleges that will give you the skills and foundation you need.
While making one of the most important decisions in yourlife, research and compare colleges based on which colleges offer you the bestselection of courses and options. Visit the colleges and take tours, or scour their websites and take virtual tours. If you succumb to the rankings, just take them with a grain of salt.
Many parents mistakenly believe their children are functioning at or above grade level for several reasons:
Grades Reflect More Than Just Academic Performance:
Class grades are not solely based on academic abilities. They often include factors like attendance, class participation, homework completion, behavior, quizzes, and tests. This means that a student can earn good grades even if they haven’t mastered the actual material.
Grade Improvement Opportunities:
Many teachers provide opportunities for students to improve their grades through late homework submissions, extra credit assignments, retaking quizzes or tests, and doing test corrections. This practice can inflate a student’s final grade, making it seem like they are performing better academically than they actually are.
Parents Trust the School System:
Parents often trust the education system and may assume that if their child is earning good grades, they are on track to succeed in college and the workforce. However, the grading system can be influenced by various factors, leading to inflated perceptions of a student’s performance.
Lack of Understanding of Educational Standards:
Some parents may not fully understand the educational standards and expectations at each grade level. They might not be aware of the gap between their child’s reported grades and actual proficiency in subjects like math and reading.
Grade Inflation:
Grade inflation is a phenomenon where grades are higher than they were in the past, and this can contribute to the misconception that students are performing at or above grade level when they may not be.
Standardized Test Concerns:
Standardized tests are not always seen as reliable measures of student potential. Some parents and educators may be skeptical of their validity and may rely more on class grades.
To address this issue, it is important for parents to have open and regular communication with their child’s teachers. Discussing a child’s academic progress and areas where improvement is needed can provide a more accurate picture of their performance. Additionally, parents can take an active role in their child’s education by providing supplementary resources and activities that help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills beyond what is covered in the classroom. This approach can help ensure that a child is truly prepared for success in college and their future careers.
We have an exciting lineup of speakers this year! Join us to learn about ideas worth spreading.
A Drug-Free Alternative Treatment for IBD by Nicholas Tran
Today, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is rapidly spreading with the Westernization of our diets, causing an influx of unhealthy processed foods which cause catastrophic and irreversible damage to our gut. IBD is lifelong and unpredictable in nature, casting a heavy toll on a patient’s mental health, especially those diagnosed with early onset IBD. Nicholas discusses the gaps within IBD treatment and offers his own solution, an app focused on improving patient quality of life through positive nutrition.
At 14, Nicholas was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. He fundraises to find a cure and organizes events to bring his community together. Nicholas also enjoys playing golf with his dad, and with his free time, he explores ingredients and creates new and friendly recipes that spice up the culinary delights of IBD patients.
Spice, Medicine, or Both?: Turmeric & Health by Neha Surendar
Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old holistic healing system, focuses on balancing bodily systems to maintain health. A critical ingredient in Indian cooking and medicine, turmeric has a long tradition as a versatile spice. As Western healthcare becomes more focused on pharmaceuticals, Neha Surendar believes turmeric and its antioxidative properties should be part of the conversation about treating a variety of conditions. Her talk challenges the audience to consider how turmeric can impact their health.
Neha Surendar is a high school senior who lives in Texas. She competes in Speech & Debate, ranking among the top 25 students in Texas. Neha embraces her Desi culture and recently took an interest in learning about its culinary traditions. Upon graduation, Neha intends to study neuroscience and pursue a career in healthcare.
Using Technology to Address Homelessness by Aidan Levan
In 2022, San Jose spent $116 million on homelessness. As the homeless population rises, action must be taken. Aidan Levan created an app called Loved Ones Are Found to help connect the homeless with their loved ones. Through crowdsourcing, this app can locate the homeless and reconnect them with their families while also getting them off the streets. Whether families are looking for their lost homeless loved one or a homeless person is looking for their family, people can reunite through the app.
Aidan Levan is the creator of the app, Loved Ones Are Found. He is fascinated by mechanical engineering, guitars, and cars. He plays lead guitar in his band, and he enjoys to play rock music. Aidan just came back from South Africa and Vietnam. He loves to travel with his family and play with his two poodles. He hopes to become a mechanical engineer and design cars.
Track a Gun: A Crowdsourcing Solution to Active-Shooter Violence by Kiran Sunil
Over the past 9 months, there have been over 25,000 deaths by gun violence. Kiran created Track A Gun, an app that empowers communities to prevent gun violence. Through crowdsourcing, this app can help people share what they see and hear in real time so victims can decide to run for shelter, hide from the shooter, or protect loved ones during an active-shooter incident. Join Kiran to learn how innovation and the power of collective action can foster safer, more connected communities.
Kiran Sunil is a high school senior from San Jose. He enjoys playing tennis and basketball, as well as participating in programming and robotics competitions. He aspires to continue studying computer science, and pursue a career in software development. He is determined to leverage technology to reduce gun violence.
How Vaping is Affecting More Than Just Your Lungs by Mehtaab Dhillon
Vaping is this generation’s new medium to consume nicotine and weed, and like cigarettes, users are getting more than just nicotine and weed. A concerning portion of the youth is falling victim to the propaganda of Big Tobacco who has framed vaping as a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes. New research shows that this is the case. With the recent global pandemic, it is important to understand vaping’s effects of vaping on our immune system and with the help of controlled research, expose Big Tobacco’s lies.
Mehtaab Dhillon is a high school senior from the Central Valley. He aspires to become a physician and master communication to become the most effective physician possible. Along with effective communication, Mehtaab wishes to create a healthier society fueled by his passion for Biology and Chemistry. For fun, Mehtaab enjoys distance running and spending time with family.
Trauma on the brain by Daisy Payton
The neurobiological effects of PTSD can vary based on personal touch. PTSD is caused by extreme trauma and is seen most in women and people of color. Research shows that long term experience of traumatic stress has drastic impacts on specific structures of the brain, like the prefrontal cortex. These disruptions can affect the ability to regulate emotion, learn, and form new memories and it looks different in every gender, demographic and stage of development. It is treatable.
Daisy attended the University of San Francisco and received her degree in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience. Currently, she runs her family’s ranch and cares for her hoard of animals. She’s applying to Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience PhD programs this fall and plans to research genetics, neural basis of emotion, and psychopathology.