Expense, social pressure, academic needs...There's a million reasons to pursue something other than a "traditional" campus experience.  Come explore some of them and discover some of the coolest alternatives with The U Experience.

Going off to college is a rite of passage, a teenager’s moment to leave the family nest and launch into semi-adulthood in the name of higher education. It’s a wonderful and exciting time, full of possibility!  And it can also be scary and stressful. Expectations are high. Competition can be fierce, and emotionally, this emerging adulthood brings a whirlwind of new experiences.  New independence also means that college is a time when eating behaviors are inevitably thrown for a loop.  The National Eating Disorders Association estimates that between 10-20% of female-identifying college students and 4-10% of male-identifying college students suffer from an eating disorder.  Join the Renfrew Center to discuss this important topic and learn the warning signs of disordered eating as well as ways to seek balance, better nutrition and a healthy body image during the college years. 

Students in college fall within the age range most likely to experience relationship violence and also just unsatisfying hook-ups; the first semester of college can be the one in which students of all genders experience the most harm which can impact their whole college experience. It is crucial for college-bound teens to have real, honest conversations about what they are expecting when it comes to romance, partying and sex in college, and how to prepare themselves to have more joy and less regret and harm. In this session, we will learn from leading research conducted at Columbia University into college intimacy, sex, and sexual assault.  Join us to reflect, learn and prepare yourself for the healthy, safe and fun college experiences you want and deserve.  Note: Parents and teens will be in separate breakout groups to ensure the teens have the safe space they need for this conversation.     

With so much to do to get ready to send your teen away to college, don’t you wish someone would just make you a list! Join this interactive webinar to help you be ready for everything you need at this exciting time.

Everyone says that college is supposed to be the best 4 years of your life. And they're not wrong - it's a time for learning, meeting new people, being exposed to new ideas. But that doesn't mean that the struggle isn't real!  Research shows that most college students will feel challenged at some point during their journey.  Join us to learn how to prioritize your social/emotional wellbeing during this time in your life.

There are many ways to discover and deepen your identity during the college years. In this session we'll hear from a panel of LGBTQ+ identifying students who have found diverse Jewish places to call home. Students will share their experiences of diversity, acceptance, and equality on campus and how to prioritize these elements in your college search.

Take your road trip to the next level by paying it forward! Repair the World will lead us in a virtual service project to help support the Yleana Leadership Foundation, an organization working to close the opportunity gap by building confidence, self-efficacy, creativity, and SAT exam skills for high school students. Teen volunteers will be assisting in some vital research to help make Yleana’s mission possible during the pandemic. Training will be provided.

The college admissions process can be one of the biggest sources of stress and anxiety for high school students and their families.  You might be worrying and wondering, what do college rankings really measure?

Are students who attend more selective colleges better off later in life? What is “fit” and why does it matter? Grounded in significant long-term research, Challenge Success will address these and other questions about college admissions and finding the place where you can thrive.

Perhaps you’ve discovered your voice in high school, been part of a great change-making program or been inspired to help make the world a better place.  Are you curious how you can continue to fight for justice as you transition to college?  Colleges and universities have been centers of social change for decades.  Want to know what to look for during your college search so you can really make the biggest difference during those 4 years?  Join Repair the World as they highlight individuals and campus organizations that are speaking up and speaking out through the Jewish lens.