While NGPF is written with high schoolers in mind, the curriculum and resources can easily be adapted to provide immense value for college students. As someone who transitioned from teaching at the high school level to the university level, here are examples of NGPF lessons successfully adapted into a workshop series for college seniors in their spring semester. 

MOVE: Your Money Values, MOVE: Your Cognitive Biases, and PLAY: The Bean Game

College seniors are just a few short months away from the real world, where mistakes often get amplified. The best way to approach your finances is by first understanding how you view money.  

CALCULATE: The Cost of Auto Loans

This little lesson packs a big punch. This was one of my favorites as a high school teacher. It was popular with 16-year-olds and just as popular with 22-year-olds. Pair this with pieces of ANALYZE: Understanding Amortization. 

CALCULATE: Completing a 1040

A common response to conducting this lesson is “can’t I just do this virtually?” Well, yes, but you still need to know what forms to use and what information to find, right? After going over all the tax forms and dates, completing a 1040 is a great life skill for these soon-to-be professionals. 

Investing Unit Lesson 10: How to Invest for Retirement and PLAY: Roll with the Market

Like many individuals, investing means the stock market.  Well, what if that isn’t the case? You are about a month and a half from the job market.  Do you know what it means when the employer tells you they offer a 401k? What about everyday investing? You have to try and time the market right?  

Compare: Choosing Between Job Offers

Less than a month before graduation, college seniors feel a lot of emotions. Anxiety about a job is usually one of them. They are certainly prepared for a job, but has anyone ever taught them there is more than salary that goes into taking a job? 

About the Author

Patrick DeRosa

Patrick DeRosa is an NGPF Ambassador and currently serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Economic Education at George Mason University. Previously, he was an Economics teacher at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, VA, where he taught AP Macro/Micro as well as on-level Economics and Personal Finance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History Education from the University of Delaware. He also earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason University as well as a Master of Arts in Economics and Entrepreneurship for Educators (MAEEE) from the University of Delaware.

More posts by Patrick