AP Capstone Hones Academic Skills

US News: "The College Board launched the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma Program in 2014, giving high school students the chance to develop research and argumentative skills needed to succeed in college and beyond ... The program is comprised of two yearlong required courses: AP Seminar, which is taken during sophomore or junior year and allows students to thoroughly investigate different areas they are interested in, and AP Research, where the following year students focus their research on a chosen topic and prepare to write a scholarly paper. Upon the conclusion of AP Seminar coursework, students sit for an end-of-year exam."

"The first AP Seminar performance task involves a project to be completed by a group of three to five students. The project and a related presentation account for a combined 20 percent of a student’s final grade ... For the task, students work together to select and research an issue either in academia or the real world. Each student creates an individual research report of 1,200 words and later, as a group, students create a multimedia presentation lasting eight to 10 minutes ... Following the presentation is the oral defense, the duration of which may vary. The teacher generally asks each student one question about the research topic and collaboration experience, but it is also common for the instructor to pose multiple follow-up questions."

In addition: "Each year in early January, the College Board releases several reading texts in which various perspectives across different disciplines such as math, natural science, linguistics and art are given about a common theme. Some texts contain multimedia and quantitative data, as well. From the release of these materials, students have at least 30 days to conduct research, write a 2,000-word essay and prepare a presentation. They should use the sources to help them formulate an original inquiry for research. In the research paper, they must cite at least one source from those provided."

CollegeBacker: An App for Your App

Yahoo Finance: "Saving for college could start on your phone. Higher education firm CollegeBacker, which helps students and families save for school, has developed a new mobile app that lets parents set up 529 college savings accounts. CollegeBacker: College Savings guides users through the process of creating a tax-free investment fund, letting them seamlessly link their bank accounts for one-time or automatic contributions, and allowing them to track the progress of their nest eggs. CollegeBacker said users save 43 percent more than traditional savers through gifts."

"The app also gives investing advice: 'Answer a few simple questions and CollegeBacker will help you choose the college savings plan investment option right for your child,' the description reads. "We only recommend a low-cost, highly-rated 529 plan and will help you choose a portfolio that automatically reduces risk as your child ages.' The rate of return on 529s depend on factors like where you live and the type of account you open but could hit around 7 percent annually and grow interest in the background."

"Another feature: no fees. The app makes money through voluntary tips instead of through the mandatory monthly fees that some other apps employ. Apps like CollegeBacker are becoming a big draw as college costs continue to rise. One year at a four-year college averaged $19,800 in 2018 and could nearly double by 2036. The outstanding student loan debt in the United States: more than $1.5 trillion."

Homesick Freshmen: Is There a Cure?

US News: "Leaving for college is typically a time of excitement for students, one that represents new opportunities and, for many, their first venture out on their own, living away from family. But with that newfound freedom may come feelings of homesickness ... College students may also experience homesickness around the holidays or after returning to the college campus from winter break ... The good news: Students can beat feelings of homesickness."

"For students struggling with homesickness, here are suggestions for how they can create their own sense of home on campus: Recognize that feeling homesick is normal and temporary ... Reach out to others for support and share your feelings ... Create new traditions that make campus feel like home ... Volunteer for community service projects ... Find a spiritual or religious community."

"If college students can't shake feeling homesick, they may consider campus resources available to them, such as a counseling center."