For years now, the public has been educated on the realities of bullying in American schools. Everything from real-life situations such as the Columbine shootings to movies like Mean Girls, have illustrated a growing trend toward mental, verbal and physical intimidation on the playground, in the classroom and around school campuses across the nation. Now, we can add cyberbullying to the list.

Although the term might be unfamiliar to most adults, cyberbullying has been a growing threat for students aged nine to 14 for some time. According to i-SAFE America, a non-profit group that educates parents and kids about using the internet responsibly, more than 40 percent of kids have been bullied online.
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It’s that time of year again. The trees are sprouting leaves, the grass is slowly turning green, flowers are blooming and high school graduations are in the air. The question that weighs on every senior’s mind is, “What will college be like next year?”

This is a hectic time for high school guidance counselors as they help with applications, letters of recommendation, financial aid applications, college visits and a host of other responsibilities related to helping high school seniors prepare for college. Another responsibility that many high school guidance counselors take upon themselves is helping students make the transition from high school to college.
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News headlines have been flooded in recent years with tales of wild college parties, underage drinking and alcohol poisoning resulting in death. As a high school guidance counselor, how do you successfully prepare students for college by helping them make responsible choices about alcohol and drugs?

It’s a question that parents often ask themselves. Christine Noble, a mother of two Colorado high school students struggles trying to find a balance. “I consider myself moderate,” she said. “But, what’s okay to get your kids prepared for the experiences they are going to have in college?”
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