Reading news articles about life on college campuses helps high school students understand the reality of campus life. Too many students arrive at college naïve and unprepared for the unexpected situations that frequently arise with life on campus. Share news articles with students to help them explore the reality of the good and bad aspects of campus life. Help high school students form a realistic opinion about what their four years at college will be like.
Helpful News Topics for Future College Students
Date Rape Drugs
Date rape drugs are endemic on some college campuses. Campus parties may find predators (and not all of them are actually college students) attempting to slip drugs into the beverages of young women attending the party. Showing students articles about date rape drugs on college campuses will help students, female and male, maintain the caution needed to stay safe while going about their lives.
Crime on Campus
No matter how bucolic the setting, crimes do occur on college campuses. Reading news articles about college crimes will give high school students a more realistic view of the need to maintain security measure in their dorm and as they move about the campus. Too many students are very lax about security on campus. It is best to arrive at college with some knowledge of the types of crimes that may occur there; this ensures one takes every measure to prevent crime. Students may also want to view the website: www.SecurityonCampus.org which shows the FBI list of crimes on college campuses.
Activities and Sports on Campus
Media coverage of college activities and sports is extensive. Share articles with students about college events and let them start to think about some of the clubs and sports they may want to participate in.
Guest Speakers on Campus
Many colleges and universities have guest speakers appear regularly on campus.
Speakers may discuss political issues, educational issues, topics of sports, careers, literature, art, music, and many other topics. High school students enjoy reading about speeches by famous people. It gives them a feel for the larger world and helps them create their own personal world view about key issues.
Concerts on Campus
Many colleges and universities have concerts on campus. Events may feature everything from opera, rock and roll, country, and choral and orchestra performances. Articles about musical events on campus will allow students to learn about cultural events at colleges and also to think about careers in music.
Articles about Notable Alumni of Local / National College and Universities
It is very helpful for students to read about where people attended college and how they built a career. Sometimes students are at a loss of how to pick a major or start a career. Thus reading articles about graduates of local colleges, and also national colleges, gives students information about role models to emulate.
Teacher Tips
During lessons when students are sitting in groups and reading and discussing news articles, circulate the room to answer any questions they may have. Sometimes students will want to find additional information on a topic so keep a list of strong research websites handy to give out to students.
Ask students to interview a teacher, administrator, parent, relative, or community member about advice for incoming college students. They should write a 4-5 paragraph article based on the advice given in the interview. They may also add advice about college they find on the Internet. They should list the websites they used in a reference list.
Assessment will be based on critique of classroom participation during discussion. The teacher will also grade the article about college advice for writing skills and interview skills.
