College Success=College Degree=Good job

School is getting ready to start soon and very soon.  It will be a numbing feeling for the Class of 2015 as their classmates head back and college has not started, yet.  That will be one of many feelings to deal with as change and transition happens in life.  You’ve selected to pursue college for yourself and now you must be sure to chart your course to be successful over the next few years. Here are few things to keep in mind and achieve your goals:

1.     Always  keep your graduate requirements in mind as you are choosing your courses.  Staying balanced is key.  You don’t want to take all hard courses so be sure to enroll in a topic that you have been wanting to explore

2.     Connect with your professors and advisors-they are there to help you and make sure you succeed.  Professors want their students to be engaged and contribute to the learning environment-so ask questions to understand and share answers for discussions. 

3.     Is choosing a seat in the classroom important?  Studies have shown over and over that students who choose to sit toward the front are more engaged learners and tend to stay focused.  Get to class early enough to have a seat closer to the front.

4.     You get to reinvent yourself to be different than what you were in high school-if you desire to do so. You get to hang with whomever you choose.  Still choose wisely.

5.     College brings together all types of people from all walks of life. So have rich discussions and listen and learn so you can form your own thoughts and opinion.  There will be people from other countries who have had different experiences culturally, economically than you-learn from them.

6.     Be caution with alcohol-you are still underage and being in  and around it can mean you are guilty.  Be wise.  There are all kinds of ways to have fun that don’t involve alcohol.

7.     GRADES-GPA your freshman year stays with you.  It is difficult to bring up your GPA so start strong.  You may choose only 12 hours your first semester just so you have a strong GPA

8.     Roommates will teach you more about yourself than you may want to know.  Be open. Try not to have expectations with roommates that you will be the “best of friends” etc. Don’t be afraid to make a change if you need to in order to get enough rest.

Parents: The transition is new to you, as well.  Some points for you to keep in mind that may help with this transition:

1.     Do LISTEN to your son/daughter-don’t try to solve all their problems just help them solve it for themselves.

2.     Do remember your role has changed from manager to consultant.  Embrace it-they are moving toward total independence. Your goal all along.   One area to encourage is to make sure the student does not overcommit to too many activities. There is so much to do and to be involved but they have plenty of time. 

3.     Don’t let you college-bound student get overwhelmed.  They are dealing with a lot emotionally. Talk to them about time management and balance.

4.     Do encourage access to  the University’s counseling center.  A lot of college students need these services-Have them take advantage of it while its affordable. 

5.     Don’t be a helicopter parent. Letting go is not easy.  Set up a time that is great for all parties that you can look forward to facetime, skype or just a phonecall. Write your questions down to ask. You may want to set up texting boundaries about questions etc.  Students really want their parents to trust they can do this and we need to let them know that we know they can.

Good luck on a fantastic journey of new friendships and new memories.  It is definitely and exciting time.  Embrace it and make those memories. 

School is Getting Ready to Start-Are you Ready?

It's important for you to have a plan as you begin a new school year. If you are starting your freshman year you have 48 months to make the most of high school but to prepare for life after high school, as well.  It is difficult laying down tracks for your future but just like railroad tracks you must lay down on both sides-one side for now and one side for the future.  It must be done at the same time.  You must look long range and then place short range goals to achieve those goals.  List your goals for the year in each area: physical, spiritual, academic, and emotional.  What steps will you do to achieve those goals?  It is important to write those down so you can look at them and check those off as goals are achieved.  This gives a sense of accomplishment and energy to keep moving forward.  Have people in your life that can hold you accountable as you share your goals with them.  Good luck.  The world is yours!

May 1

Today is the deadline to let your college choice know they are the one.  Please take the time to let the other schools that offered you admissions that you will not be attending next fall.  Sign up for your summer programs at the college so you can register early for classes.  Do you have your roommate? Start gathering items for your dorm life and talking what you can share.  These last few days of high school will go by in a blur.  So, pay attention, stay involved and finish strong!

Prepare to Ask Questions and Take Notes on College Visits

Spring time is a great time to take college tours-especially with spring breaks. Scheduling them can take time but preparing for the visit takes time,too.  Do both!

Be sure to do your research ahead of time so you will be certain where you want to visit on campus.  Also, bring a camera -those snapshots will come in handy when you want to recall;  a notebook and a pen-make notes of those dates and deadlines;walking shoes- you will walk the entire campus; your appetite- plan to grab a bite in the dining hall.  You will taste the food and observe the student body.     Do you know any students from home that attend there? Be sure to have their contact information so you can visit with them and ask questions! Leave at home- headphones and a negative attitude. Most of all enjoy and take time to watch the  student body's interactions. Can you really see this place being home? You want to be certain because it is your home for four years!!!

Goals for 2015

With a New Year always begins a new, fresh start. Woohoo? Self reflection is good-where is it that you need to improve? What is your plan of action to improve in these areas? List steps-baby steps-to help you attain our goals.  Here are some NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS  to keep in mind as you are preparing for your transition eventually out of high school.
GRADES
You know they matter; but, if you didi not do well your freshman year--that is OK! The admission's team looks for you to make improvements from that time in your life.  What does that mean? They want to see an upward trend in your grades.  Sure, you may have messed up but did you learn from it and grow? Did you improve and get better?
OUTSIDE READING
Sure, none of us read as much as we should.  It is hard ot fit it in when there is always other things pulling at us.  Sit still and read! Really? It is good for you to read others insights.  It is good to have a goal of one extra reading each month.  That's not too huge to accomplish but think....once each month that is 12 books you read before you begin 2016.  Plus outside reading makes you a great conversationalist.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
If you are a sophomore or a junior - it is a great time to focus on these entrance tests.  The longer your runway is to do well then the less stress you will have in attaining your goal.  Remember just one or two extra points can mean several thousand dollars.  There are several FREE test prep sites.
ACTIVITIES
Extra-curricular activiites-how do you involve yourself in the community? Where are you making a difference? Community service is of value to you-you grow and receive so much more but you also are making a difference.  So make a plan to get involved.
COLLEGE APS
It is not toEo early for you juniors to start deciding which schools you want to apply to--start visiting those schools. This helps you decide more of what you want in your college experience.  Where is it you want to spend after high school.
New year-new you.  Let's make it a good one!!

Social Media-Does It Help You or Hurt You for College Admissions

Is your on-line presence questionable? Are you easy to find? Is your presence clean and polished? While you are searching out a college on facebook/twitter, the college admission's office is checking on you! They are looking to see how your projected image fits in at their institution. Here are some stats from IVYwise.com

27% of admissions officers surveyed said they Google prospective students.

26% said they look up applicants on Facebook.

35% said that when checking up on a student's online presence, they found something that negatively impacted an applicant's chances of getting in,nearly tripling from 12% last year.

HOW to HELP yourself?

"De-tag" yourself from any questionable photos or content. Be careful of posting too many party photos. We tell students, "We don't want to a picture of you with a cup in your hand." Always use the "Grandparent Test." If you wouldn't want your grandparents to see it, don't put it online.

Post content that underscores your interests. Share interesting and relevant articles, upload your music and artwork, and share photos or videos from your sporting events or performances

Follow the schools you are applying to in order to stay informed about campus events and any other important news that may be relevant to your application or admission decision

College Admissions-Are They Really Looking for the Well-Rounded Student

We have all heard it before...colleges just want a good well-rounded student; a student involved in a variety of activities-the "complete package". However, college admissions does not want a person that is involved in everything but not deeply involved in any one thing.  This type of personality can come across as unfocused, uncommitted-not a goal achiever.   Colleges real goal is to build a WELL ROUNDED INCOMING CLASS!!
Colleges have needs: they want students who will contribute and make the campus a better place. Colleges have different majors, minors and they need students who will be successful in each of those fields. For instance, if there is a shortage of economics majors at the school for a particular year--then they will admit more economic students.  When one develops an area of interest deeply then it hows the ocllege the student has clear, defined goals and a plan to achieve them.  This shows maturity and that one can handle the rigor of college.
To develop a strong special area for yourself-search what you are interested in-what are your passions?strengths? Music? Fashion? Learn all you can about it by outside reading and spending time with others that have a similar passion. It's okay to test the waters your freshman and sophomore year but by junior year choose and develop one or two chosen areas-by senior year develop your leadership in this area.
Remember, it's all a learning experience. So, there is really no room for a mistake. By taking time to be diligent and truly explore yourself and interests you will love life and make a strong impact on your world.