More More From You - We asked, “What’s your family’s philosophy on paying for college?” You said:

My father has given our boys CDs ever since they were born. We are saving all that money to pay for their college educations. My parents paid most of my way through college, and I know the sacrifices they made to do that. I really appreciated not having a ton of student loans to pay back once I was out of school. I also had quite a few scholarships to help me out. My parents told us kids they would only pay for four years. My sister was in school longer than I and had to finance her additional years.

I hope we can pay for our boys’ college educations so they can come out of school with both feet on the ground. I think we will keep the four-year philosophy of my parents, and if our boys want to live off campus, they will have to come up with their own money for that.

It is a fine line—you want them to appreciate their education, so to have them contribute a little I think helps, as well. I used my summer income to pay for books and part of my room and board. Once my scholarships were used up, my parents helped with tuition. I was never forced to work during college, just in the summertime, so I could take a full load and complete my degree in four years.
—Sarah Leverenz
Rocklin, California

The best help you can give is encouragement to study and work hard toward getting a scholarship. When a person works for something they appreciate it more.
—W.G. Mangels
Polso, Montana

Students expend a great deal of energy thinking about which university to attend and how to get into the school of their choice. They don’t think about what they will do when they get there. In many universities, only a third of the students complete their studies in four years. Delaying finding a major can cause a student to spend a fifth year in college, causing them to pay one year’s additional tuition, room and board, and books. It also costs them a year’s salary.

What to do? Spend time researching majors on sites like MyMajors (www.mymajors.com) and The Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com). Talk to counselors and advisors. Attend orientation sessions. Take personality tests that suggest appropriate areas of study.
—Fritz Grupe
Reno, Nevada

We asked, “How do you make time for togetherness?” You said:

Togetherness is truly a heart matter. I feel that once a person has decided in their heart to spend time with their loved ones, then no schedule, meeting, etc. can stand in your way.

My idea of togetherness and the way that I make time for my family and friends is to occasionally send cute cards just to say hello. I also send e-mails on a regular basis; this includes e-mailing pictures of memories we’ve shared together.

The most common thing that I do (on a weekly basis) is calling loved ones to find out how things are going. Togetherness to me does not necessarily mean that you have to be physically present. It’s about intent. If your heart and spirit are in the right place, then the connection will be there.

There is nothing quite like the joy and laughter that spending time with a loved one brings. In fact, what would this world be like if we couldn’t spend time together with those we love the most?
—Lolita Buck
Chicago, Illinois