Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, December 2, 2017

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 2, 2017 EDUCATION & YOUTH 7 Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 2, 2017 EDUCATION & YOUTH 7 
GOLDENWORDS: 

Dr. Dan’s College Corner 

MAKING THE MOST OF BEING A 
COMMUTING COLLEGE STUDENT 


Most of my columns have focused on the life oftake credits with youstudents who live away, either in dorms or off-to a final two years atcampus. But what of the many thousands of a UC or other 4-yearstudents who commute to their campus, both fullinstitution). And, ifand part-time? These students often continue to you’re planning on 
live in their family homes, frequently continuestaying at this samewith all kinds of family obligations and part-timeschool, you need 
jobs, and need a few strategies to make the most ofto build a portfoliotheir commuting college experience.of grownups, your


You look like your high school self, but you are“adult influencers” as we call them--to help youchanging every day.extract the best experience from the school and

If you live at home and continue to be aroundplan for life after graduating.
family and friends, most people mightn’t noticeCultivate an “influencer” or two by going to theyour growth in intellectual power, focus andoffice hours your professors post in their syllabi.
social development. But you know it’s happening,Almost nobody ever visits, I can tell you from myand will want your perspectives and behaviors toown years as a professor.
reflect your journey to young adulthood.Come with questions about your class, advice

Smarter isn’t smarty-pants, of course. So don’t about courses for future terms, about a possiblebe too quick to flaunt your new knowledges andmajor in their discipline. Ask them if they ever takeperspectives, especially if they fly in the faceon student workers to help with their scholarship,
of your familial or cultural traditions. You areterm-time and during summers. 
redefining your relationship with this family, andwith your old friends, too. Watch more, listen Save Money. Lots.
more, talk less. You may be commuting because the live-away

And in terms of those friends, don’t be surprisedcosts of residential college seem too staggering.
if your interests have changed and high schoolYou may be commuting because you need abonds and times seem kind of dated to you, or atmore reasonable price for general coursework toleast up for redefinition. If you have a significantexplore and experiment with areas of study andother already, or if you strike up a college romance,careers. You may be a first-gen student and theone thing you’ll need to figure out is how to get theonly primary English-speaker in your household.
privacy you need to let that romance grow.You’re the one who takes your Aunt for her Chemo,

Stick around your campus as long as possibleyou’re the one who goes to teacher conferences forevery day, and take advantage of its resources.your kid sister, and you’re the one who also has

Invest in an insulated backpack and a goodto do well in classes and plan your future. Protectthermos, put together food and snacks to savethat future as jealously as you protect the healthtime and money, and try to be on campus bothand lives of your loved ones.
before and after classes. It’s hard being a commuter student, but easier

If you are a full-time commuter to local CSU, UCif you find ways to spend more time on yourand most private colleges, inquire at the Office ofcampus, avail yourself of the enrichments andthe Dean about Day Student Lounges, where youfacilities you’re paying for anyhow, and buildcan crash and recharge yourself through the day.alliances with helpful grownups. And if you canConsider staying late at campus at least one nightsalt away some of those thousands of dollars you’lla week, perhaps keying your decision to stay to anbe saving, you’ll have a small financial nest egg forevent or club group you want to attend. If you areyour subsequent years in college. 
eligible, get a campus job--another excellent wayto bond with your school.Dr. Dan Golden was the founding director of Life

Go to Advisement Offices and visit yourPlanning at the Vistamar School in El Segundo.
Professors during their Office HoursHe was a professor, program director and Dean

If you are a commuter who plans on possiblefor Work & Service-Learning at Wheaton Collegetransfer to another institution after two years,(MA), and now consults with individuals, schoolsaccurate and wise advisement is crucial (doubleand educational districts on college access, post-
this advice if you’re at a Junior College and hope to graduate study and career planning issues. 


SCHOOL DIRECTORY 
Alverno Heights Academy200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-3463 Head of School: Julia V. FanaraE-mail address: jfanara@alvernoheights.org 
Arcadia High School180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.net 
Arroyo Pacific Academy41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca, 
(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil ClarkeE-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org 
Barnhart School 
240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 446-5588 Head of School: EthanWilliamson 
Kindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.org 
Bethany Christian School93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 355-3527Preschool-TK-8th Grade 
Principal: Dr. William Walnerwebsite: www. bcslions.org 
Clairbourn School 
8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA 91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172 
FAX: 626-286-1528 
E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org 
Foothill Oaks Academy822 Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010 
(626) 301-9809Co-Principals Nancy Lopez and Diane Kieffaberinfo@foothilloaksacademy.orgpreschool@foothilloaksacademy.org 
Frostig School971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107(626) 791-1255Head of School: Jenny Janetzke 
Email: jenny@frostig.org 
The Gooden School 
192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 355-2410Head of School, Carl Parke 
website: www.goodenschool.org 
High Point Academy1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road Pasadena, Ca. 
91107 
Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989 
website: www.highpointacademy.org 
La Salle High School3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 
(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org 
Principal Mrs. Courtney Kassakhian 
Monrovia High School325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin JacksonEmail: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us 
Odyssey Charter School725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001 
(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neillwebsite: www.odysseycharterschool.org 
Pasadena High School2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 
(626) 396-5880 Principal: Roberto Hernandezwebsite: http://phs.pusd.us 
St. Rita Catholic School 
322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
Principal Joan Harabedian (626) 355-9028website: www.st-rita.org 
Sierra Madre Elementary School141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-1428 Principal: Lindsay LewisE-mail address: lewis.lindsay@pusd.us 
Sierra Madre Middle School 
160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us 
Walden School 
74 S San Gabriel Blvd 
Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166www.waldenschool.net 
Weizmann Day School1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107 
(626) 797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of School 
Wilson Middle School 
300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107 
(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.us 
Pasadena Unified School District 
351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109 
(626) 396-3600 Website: www.pusd@pusd.usrcadia Unified School District 
234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net 
Monrovia Unified School District 
325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016 
(626) 471-2000 Website: www.monroviaschools. 
net 
Duarte Unified School District 
1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010 
(626)599-5000 Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: