Lots of mashed potatoes. And boxed mac and cheese. It\u2019s what got Dan Scanland (SAR\u201915) through his undergraduate years. But with age comes wisdom, so the tip sheet he handed out at the spring 2013 session on nutrition reminded students, \u201cInstant ramen and a multivitamin is not a healthy meal.\u201d Although Life after BU was founded by Patrick as part of her independent study, the intention is for a new set of Sargent College students to take the helm each year. Scanland was one of those chosen for 2013. In the session on eating well, he co-led discussions about a recipe for heart-healthy cookies, the secret to grocery shopping on a budget\u2014buy the colors of the rainbow to get a balance of fruits and veggies\u2014and on-campus resources for nutrition consultations<\/a>.<\/p>\n By getting new students to head the program each year, Patrick hopes the material retains its freshness and relevance. She adds that much of the course is also useful for life at<\/em> BU and recommends freshmen, juniors, and sophomores consider attending. She\u2019s even piloting a spin-off program for high school students preparing to transition to college.<\/p>\n Clinical Professor Karen Jacobs, a faculty advisor to the program, agrees that it\u2019s more effective to have students, rather than the University, directing the program: \u201cI think there\u2019s going to be a lot more buy-in when there\u2019s student involvement; students relate to each other.\u201d And she sees another benefit, too. Students are just more aware than parents or professors of the challenges faced by the Class of 2013. Jacobs (SAR\u201979), who has been at BU for more than thirty years, the last eight as a faculty in residence<\/a>, says modern students are confronting situations that their parents\u2019 generation may not have: a new student loan environment, a sputtering economy, and Facebook, among others. \u201cTime management has gotten more challenging. Many students are spending a lot of time on social media and that makes it problematic for getting some things done.\u201d<\/p>\n That may leave some parents feeling left out. Patrick acknowledges that treading the line between encouraging and nagging can be \u201ca tough balance.\u201d So, in recognition that seniors aren\u2019t the only ones preparing for life after BU, here\u2019s some advice for parents:<\/p>\n Mandy Patrick, student:<\/strong> \u201cOnce you get to college, you start to listen to your parents a little more. My mom used to ask me, \u2018Are you getting enough sleep?\u2019 and I\u2019d say, \u2018Well, of course not!\u2019 But she\u2019d encourage me to try to, and it\u2019s in the back of your mind. Parents can provide resources\u2014give your kids a recipe or send them a gift card for the grocery store so they can buy some vegetables instead of hitting up the vending machine. Things like that can be really helpful. Just listen when they\u2019re frustrated or trying to figure things out\u2014sometimes just having someone listen is really helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n Dan Scanland, student:<\/strong> \u201cParents could definitely try to teach their children how to prepare some simple meals, maybe a little bit of money management\u2014have them open bank accounts, possibly even a credit card with a low limit so they can get used to using it and then paying it off. And definitely laundry. At least have them do their laundry.\u201d<\/p>\n Karen Jacobs, professor:<\/strong> \u201cEncourage your children to be as independent as possible in as many areas as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, for any college seniors reading this, Lindsey Parker (LAW\u201913), a graduate of the program, has one last message. \u201cIt\u2019s the big time now.\u201d Life after BU is almost here, so embrace it and enjoy it. And don\u2019t forget: wash light clothes separately from dark ones.<\/p>\n Students interested in Life after BU can visit their Facebook page<\/a> to learn more about the program and sign up for events.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"lifeafterbu_quote\"](\"\/parentmagazine\/files\/2013\/02\/lifeafterbu_quote.jpg\")
\u201cIt\u2019s not that your parents didn\u2019t try to teach you, but maybe you didn\u2019t pay attention or maybe you just didn\u2019t have any interest until you had to do it on your own,\u201d says Mandy Patrick (SAR\u201911,\u201913), the founder of a program that helps undergraduates prepare for the world beyond college. Life after BU<\/a> covers finances, r\u00e9sum\u00e9 preparation, nutrition, stress management, and other topics billed to teach \u201cthe skills you need to live your life to its fullest.\u201d The seven free workshops, offered on campus in the fall and spring semesters to all interested undergrads, are led by occupational therapy graduate students and they feature contributions from outside experts, such as bank managers and career advisors.<\/p>\nWorldly Wise<\/h3>\n
![\"12-4717-lifepostbu-020\"](\"\/parentmagazine\/files\/2013\/02\/12-4717-lifepostbu-0203.jpg\")
There are no lessons or lectures; the Sargent students and outside advisors come with prepared recommendations, but the sessions are informal, with peers trading pointers. \u201cIt\u2019s someone who can understand where you\u2019re at and give you practical and realistic ideas,\u201d says Patrick. \u201cI tried not to recommend things that I wouldn\u2019t be able to do myself.\u201d So, no exhortations to be tucked into bed by 10 p.m., but plenty of discussion about the best time of day for a half-hour nap or the quietest on-campus spots to catch forty winks (the comfy couches on the third floor of the Student Union, apparently).<\/p>\n![\"caption](\"\/parentmagazine\/files\/2013\/02\/12-4717-LIFEPOSTBU-167.jpg\")
But What about Parents?<\/h3>\n