Is a Community College Right for You?

There are some cases in which four-year residential colleges aren't the best choice for everyone. Here are some reasons why community college is sometimes the better option. Before making a final decision, make sure that you are aware of the possible hidden costs of community college.

Money
Community college costs just a fraction of the total price tag for public or private four-year residential colleges. If you’re short on cash and don’t have the test scores to receive a merit scholarship, community college can save you thousands of dollars. But don’t make your decision based entirely on money, many four-year colleges offer excellent financial aid for those with serious need. If is best to see financial aid exists before writing the possibility of a four-year college completely.

Weak Grades or Test Scores
If you don’t have the GPA or test scores to get into a decent four-year college don’t stress. Community colleges are open-admissions and you can use community college grades to build your academic skills and prove that you can be a serious student. If you then transfer to a four-year school, the transfer admissions office will consider your college grades much more than your high school record.

Work or Family Obligations
Most community colleges have flexibility and offer weekend and evening courses so you can take classes while juggling other obligations in your life. Four-year colleges rarely offer this type of flexibility--classes meet throughout the day and college needs to be your full-time employment and commitment.

Your Career Choice Doesn’t Require a Bachelor’s Degree
Community colleges offer many certification and associate degree programs that you won’t find at four-year schools. Many technology and service careers do not require a four-year degree and the type of specialized training you need is available to you only at a community college.

You’re Unsure About Going to College

A lot of high school students have a sense that they should go to college, but they aren’t sure why and aren’t really interested in attending school. If this describes you, community college can be a good alternative option. You can try out some college-level courses without committing years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars to see if it is the right path for you.

Balancing Social Life with School Work

Sometimes, if we are only focused on getting great grades, we forget our friends and our family and that there is a real world out there to have fun and discover. On the other hand, some of us don't care about our grades in high school or college because we think our social lives are more important. If you want to succeed in life, you need to find a balance between your academics and your social life. Here are some steps to help you to find that balance.

Be organized. Organize your study time and the time that you spend with people. Have an agenda, and write down what you will study one day, how much time you will spend studying, and at what time.

Get involved in social activities. If some of your classmates are having a party and you're invited, don´t think twice, just go and have a great time. That way you will be sharing time with them, and letting your mind and body relax.

Stay in touch with friends. Nowadays, we have the advantage of online social networking technology like Facebook, MSN Messenger, Skype and Twitter that you can use in order to keep in contact with your friends. Your cell phone is also with you at all times, so feel free to call to your friends whenever you want to also.

Plot out your weekly schedule on a grid. Decide for yourself at the start of the term that you won't let school work sweep you away. Chances are, you'll have small gaps between classes during the week, and longer stretches of free time on the weekends. Be sure to set aside at least one large chunk of time each week for free time - maybe all of Saturday, for instance.

Use time wisely. If you find yourself in one of those between-class gaps, use the time efficiently: read a few pages, run some quick errands or spell-check your paper.

Lastly, encourage your friends to follow a similar plan, so you can coordinate your free time with theirs.

Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year

A gap year is exactly as it sounds – postponing university or college for a year and spending that time doing something else. Some students simply live at home and work during the year, but others use the time for all kinds of adventures at home and abroad such as teaching, volunteer work, outdoor adventures or eco travel. But, is taking a gap year the right choice for you? Here are some advantages and disadvantages to help you decide what is best for you in terms of postponing university and taking a year off.

Advantages
Taking a year off may give you a chance to mature before entering university; in secondary school, you probably leaned a fair bit about how to be a good student, but on the other hand, you likely learned very little about life experience. It gives you an opportunity to regroup--secondary school can be a very stressful time for students, and between preparing for university academically and searching for the right post-secondary institution, many students feel pretty beaten up by the time they graduate. Changing course and doing something besides school for a while can be a much-needed break mentally.    
It can also give you a chance to figure out what you want. If you are not sure yet what university is exactly right for you or whether you’re intent in going at all, a year off can help you think about and sort things out. Taking a year off can also help if you have money Issues. It’s no secret how expensive funding a university education can be and depending on what you do during your year off, you might be able to save money.

Disadvantages
For many students, the biggest disadvantage is losing momentum. It takes you away from the classroom experience, so you might be a bit rusty when you return. You will also have to remember that you will be a year behind your friends and a gap year will put you further back on what can be a long educational process. Some gap year experiences also don’t require money, like working for a year, or are inexpensive like teaching abroad for a year, but others can be quite pricey and can be an added expense to an already costly university education.

Taking a gap year is not for everyone, but neither is going directly into university following secondary school. The bottom line is that the decision is ultimately up to you. If you decide to go ahead with it, think long and hard about how you are going to spend your time. 

How to Pick Your Major/Minors

Choosing a major in college can be overwhelming, so be sure to take some time and explore available resources and gain insight about choosing your major and minor.

As the job market becomes more competitive, companies are requiring more qualifications from their applicants—this is an important reason why you should choose a college major that suits your strengths, personality, and interests. Here are aspects to consider when choosing a major in college.

• Do you work well with people and thrive in a busy, fast paced environment, or do your strengths lie in computers and technology?
• Is it important that you work in a field where you are able to help people?
• Do you enjoy hands-on work?
• Would you like to work outdoors?
• Do you enjoy working with children or animals?
• Would you like to travel?

Choosing a major in college and ultimately deciding on the type of field that you go into, so it is important that you make sure that you are choosing a major that suits you and is something you can see yourself making a career out of and doing for many years to come.

To choose your college minor, start by writing down a list of areas that interest you and areas that complement your college major. For example, if you're majoring in marketing but enjoy criminal studies or the arts, minor in criminal justice, literature or art history. Another option is to choose a minor that stresses an area you struggle with and will benefit you after graduation. If you're an English major but don't write well, tweak your writing skills with a minor in creative writing. Or, why not have fun with your college minor and choose something you enjoy that is completely different from your major --this makes the extra work seem less tedious and lets you break away from the rigors of your regular studies. Planning a minor around your future career or travel goals and picking a foreign language minor if you plan on traveling after graduation or working in an area with a high population of non-native speakers is also a great option.

Make sure to make the final decision on your own--you are the one who has to live with these choices for the rest of your life, so make them count. Choosing a major and minor in college that coincides with your beliefs, interests, and strengths is important. Good luck!

How to Pick the Right College for You

When first choosing a college, you need to divide your college choices into three categories: top-choice schools or those that are most difficult to get into, your second choice schools or ones that you have a reasonable chance of getting into and that you would be excited to attend, and finally your "safety colleges”, those schools that you will definitely get into. It is a good idea to try having 2 or 3 colleges that fit into each of the different categories.

The next step is to narrow down the college choices by doing some research. Talk to counselors, teachers, family friends and even your parents--these people will be full of friendly advice and, since they know you, they may have specific reasons for recommending a certain college to you.

When you think about schools, you need to consider what you really want in an education. A pre-professional education prepares you for a specific job and includes areas such as engineering and pre-med. Some schools like M.I.T. have very strong programs for those interested in the sciences, but might not be right for someone interested in literature. A liberal arts education, on the other hand, aims to equip you with general knowledge and reasoning skills suitable for many jobs.

You also want to ask how the college ranks in the major you want to study--some schools are stronger in some areas and weaker in others. While it may be too early for you to know whether you want to major in English or history, check out how strong the programs and professors are in the various fields you are considering. One indication of how much emphasis a university places on a major is to find out how many students are studying that major, how many courses are offered in the field and how many faculty members teach the courses associated with that major and others like it. If you want a major in a narrow field, you might have to consider a larger university.

As you explore colleges, you'll discover that some factors are not as important to you as others. Ultimately, you want to pick schools that meet your needs. As you do your research, keep in mind that your college education is one of the most important investments you will ever make in your future and it's worth spending the time to make sure that you make the right decision.

How to Pick the Right Courses for Your Future

The main reason you're in school is to earn your degree, so picking the right courses at the right time and in the right order, is critical to your success.

To help you choose your courses, talk to your adviser. No matter how big or small your school is; you should have an adviser who helps make sure you are on track to earning your degree. Check in with them, no matter how sure you are about your choices. Not only does your adviser most likely need to sign off on your selections, but they can also help alert you to things you may not even have considered.

Make sure to balance your schedule and try not to set yourself up for failure by thinking you can handle more courses than you usually take. Make sure your schedule has varying levels of difficulty. If possible, vary subject matters so that you aren't using one part of your brain all day and choose courses with varying due dates for major projects and exams. When you choose courses, think about your learning style. If, for example, you learn better in the morning, you may want to schedule your more difficult courses for earlier and save electives for the afternoon or evening. See what options you have within a department or course section and pick something that matches best with your learning style.

Do you know of a professor in your department that you have heard has a great teaching style? See if you can take a course with them this semester, or if it would be better to wait until a later time. If you've found a professor with whom you intellectually click, taking another class with them can help you get to know them better and may lead to other things like research opportunities and letters of recommendation. If you're unfamiliar with professors on campus but know that you learn best from a professor’s particular teaching style, such as one who engages a class instead of one who only lectures, ask around and see what experience other students have had with various professors and their teaching styles.

Finally, when choosing classes, consider your work schedule and other commitments. If you know that you will need to have an on-campus job or need to do an internship for your major consider taking a class in the evenings. Planning around your commitments can help to reduce your stress level once the semester is well underway.

Going Away to School vs. Staying at Home

Should I go or should I stay? The dilemma on whether to go away for college or whether to stay locally can be a tough one for some. It’s a big decision that can determine the rest of your life, so here are the benefits of both to help you make the decision just a bit easier (or harder!).

STAYING HOME
One of the biggest benefits of staying home is the convenience--it can be helpful to be able to continue to live at home, rent-free and to not worry about moving your entire life to a dormitory in a new city.  This is quite beneficial if you’re looking to save some money.

Another bonus of staying home is that you get to stay close to friends (at least the ones that also chose to stay) and family.  You already know the area, and if you have friends who haven't gone to college, it's also easier to keep in touch with them.

One of the downfalls of living at home, however, is the possibility of missing out on the “campus experience”. Most colleges have societies and other events going on, and if you're going home every day, it takes a lot more conscious effort on your part to get involved with them. Also depending on how far away the college is from where you live, you can spend a lot of time and money travelling to and from college every day.

GOING AWAY
Leaving home and starting over in a new city is an adventure—new city, new place to live, new friends, new people! Starting over makes you gain a greater sense of independence and is great practice for when you finish college and want to move out. Your friends and family will still be around, and are most often just a phone call or email away, but going away to college helps you test your own ability to make it in the world.

If you go away to college, you will also have a lot of experiences that you probably won't have if you stay at home. There is generally a real feeling of community at colleges, because you're all in the same situation together. It's a great opportunity to try out hobbies and join clubs that you've always wanted to try. No matter how excited you are about going away to college, you will get homesick--everyone does. It may not be in the first week, it may not be in the first month, but there will always be a point when you want to see your family or friends. It is important to know that there will always be someone feeling the same way, and there will always be someone who can listen to you and help you.

The final decision is ultimately yours, and whatever decision you choose, it is important to make the best of it and have fun--after all, these are the best years of your life.

Critical Dates for The College Bound Senior High School Student

August
*Write important dates down so you do not miss any deadlines
*Meet with your guidance counselor to go over college plans and make sure your classes meet the standards of your college goals
*Sign up for the ACT or SAT

September
*Find out when the admission counselor to the college(s) or university(s) you selected is visiting your high school and meet with him/her.
*Ask teachers, high school counselors, employers and others for letters of recommendation for your college and scholarship applications. Be sure to give them at least a two week’s notice!
* Finalize your college application essay. Have a teacher look it over and give pointers and tips
*Make a list of scholarships in your community for which you wish to apply

October
*Finalize the list of colleges to which you wish to apply.
*Submit your applications for any scholarships you may be eligible for
*Re-take the ACT or SAT if you feel you can improve your score

November
*Finish submitting your college applications. Many guidance counselors kindly ask that you have all your applications submitted by Thanksgiving.
*Make a file on each school you applied to with a copy of your application, essay, and letters of recommendation you may have sent and all materials they have given you.

December
*Continue to apply for different scholarships and grants
*Enjoy a relaxing Winter Break—you’ve earned it!

January
*Complete your taxes as soon as possible

February
*Submit your completed FAFSA online if you haven't already. Valentine's Day (February 14) is a good target date to have your FAFSA completed!
*Schedule follow-up visits to your top three schools that have offered you admission. Make sure to schedule an appointment with each school's financial aid office. Consider an overnight visit to get a real feel for the school and student life.

March
*Compare your top three schools and prepare to make your final decision
*Apply for a summer job and save some of the money for college

April
*Decide what college you will be attending. Remember to consider all factors, including academic offerings, student experience and cost. Don't underestimate what feels like the best fit!
*Submit your enrollment fee as soon as you make your decision
*Notify the schools you will not be attending.

May
*Enjoy your last month of high school!!
*Sign up for a summer orientation
*Graduate!

June
*Make sure your high school has sent your final transcript to the school of your choice.
*Take your Math Placement Test before you attend Orientation
*Get a physical and fill out your important health documents as soon as possible.
*Attend Orientation.
*If needed, decide which loans you will need to take out
*Make sure you save some of your summer earnings for college.

Congratulations, you did it! Welcome to college!!

Fall College Planning Tips for High School Seniors

In the fall of your senior year in high school, it is a good time to start putting your short and long term goals for going to college into place. A good basic plan is as follows:

Fall Term of High School Senior Year

* Make a list of potential colleges and school, a max of 8 and a minimum of 5

* Discuss your choices with parents and the high school guidance counselor

* Obtain applications forms for each college on the list and inquire about scholarships and financial aid; review all requirements because some of them may take some time to obtain and/or complete

* Narrow down the list of colleges to between 3 and 5

* Request letters of recommendation from pertinent individuals; these can be from neighbors, employers, teachers, the guidance counselor, and sports coaches

* Start working on application essays early so you can ask teachers to review them

* Make sure all student aid and scholarship applications are submitted by their due dates

Important Considerations

Because most college applications require an application fee, it is important to have the most accurate list possible as applying to numerous schools you may not even be interested in attending can be costly.

Universities and colleges have scholarships offered specific to them and will require individual applications. You can view most of these online. Your high school guidance counselor can also advise you of other scholarships that are not specific to a school but are local scholarships offered only in your area.

If you are planning to apply for early college admission, many schools will need your SAT/ACT scores as early as November. You must research to find out testing dates in your area and register in advance. Allow sufficient time for test results to be calculated and delivered; this usually involves weeks so don't wait until the last minute.

Your senior year will pass quickly so it is important to start early in your preparations for the many tasks that must be completed in order for you to enter college after you graduate. Don't wait until the last minute; start getting organized early.

Avoiding the Senior Slump: Staying Motivated in Your Final Year

After all the hard work of Junior Year, and with all the distractions of enjoying the final year of high school, Senior Year students often find themselves sliding a bit, resulting in the Senior Year slump – with dropping grades and a lack of enthusiasm for life after high school. Here are three tips for rising Seniors to keep on track and stay motivated.

Take the Long View

It can be hard to see beyond the life at high school and imagine what your college life will be like, let alone life after formal education. Take a few minutes to visualize what you’d like your long term life to be, how you would like to live, what career you’d like to succeed in, and what goals you’d like to accomplish, whether they be as simple as trying skydiving or as complex as owning your own business. Being able to see what your longer term goals are can help you place in context all the work you’re doing right now, and enjoy each step you complete.

Keep Your Balance

High school Seniors often find it difficult to find a good work/life balance, swinging to one or the other extreme by studying too hard or socializing too much. Finding a balance with study time and achieving academic goals and also spending time with friends and activities you like is important to keep your motivation high and avoid burnout. Further, learning how to maintain this balance in high school puts you one step ahead in college, when the pressure for studying and the increase in distractions can make it even more difficult.

Celebrate Small Successes

With the looming goal ahead of you of getting into your ideal college, it can be easy to forget celebrating small successes as you strive for the future big success. However, constantly deferring celebration can be demotivating and you may feel as though you’re not really making progress in your Senior year. Take time to reward yourself for getting great grades on tests, winning events in your extracurricular activities, or even simply hitting timelines as you complete your college application process, to stay motivated.

Four Study Goals for High School Seniors

It’s back to school season! As you get ready for your final year of high school, you’ve being stretched in multiple directions – pushing your academic progress to the max to prove that you’re an excellent candidate for your ideal college, but still enjoy the last few months of high school life.

With so much going on, it’s important to set a few goals for yourself, which, when achieved, will help you as you go into college as well.

Get Ready to Read

In college, you will be reading not only more than you did in high school, but also facing more difficult and various resources. Learning to read and absorb material quickly can help you shorten the amount of time you have to spend studying, as well as help you develop more focused and critical reading skills. Consider taking a speed reading course, if necessary.

Learn to Love the Library

In college, you will be expected to do more studying and more research than ever before. Get into the habit of working in the quiet, concentrated environment of a library, and learn to use the research and organization systems of modern libraries.

Brush Up On Your Note Taking Skills

Lectures in college often happen at break-neck speed, with professors delivering material quickly and exploring new concepts in rapid discussion. Be prepared by learning to write quickly and develop shorthand terms that will help you take notes at a fast pace without sacrificing comprehension.

Get Technical

Gone are the days of submitting hand-written assignments, papers and reports. Your professors will expect you to submit all work in properly formatted and annotated form, often submitting digital files. Learning common word processing software such as Microsoft Word and data analysis/graphing software such as Microsoft Excel will ensure that you’re able to turn in well-presented work without stress.

Summer Jobs for High School Seniors

As students wrap up their Junior year and prepare for their last year of high school, the long summer months may seem like an excellent reprieve from testing and studying. While I recommend that students take time to enjoy their summer vacation, it’s worth noting that these months provide an opportunity to not only earn money for upcoming college expenses, but also to round out your fall college applications. Here are some job ideas that can help you on both fronts:

Tutoring

Tutoring is an excellent way to keep your studying skills fresh and demonstrate that you are committed to education. With three years of high school under your belt, summer may be a good time to offer your help to younger students and make some extra cash. Consider which subjects you’re especially good at (B+ or better) and which you have a passion for (as it can be difficult to teach subjects that you don’t enjoy yourself), and then post your name in your high school guidance office or around the neighborhood to offering tutoring.

Sports Training

Are you a particularly good athlete, or have an interest in kinesiology?  Consider offering sports training or joining a sports league that allows high-school aged coaches or officials. Being involved in sports demonstrates to college officials that you’re a team player and you have demonstrated leadership skills – both positive attributes in a college applicant.

Internships

If you’ve narrowed down your focus to a particular industry or job area, internships are a great way for you to get a true taste of what your future career may look like. Don’t be afraid to approach companies in your community which match your interests and ask about paid summer internships – often businesses are looking for summer students to help cover vacation time taken by full-time employees.

Service Jobs

It may not sound glamorous, but taking a service-oriented job such as retail customer service or waiting on tables can still round out your skills and demonstrate that you can be relied on to be a good worker. Larger corporations such as McDonald’s often have student give-back programs including grants or scholarships that you may be able to apply for as well. Additionally, service jobs are more likely to be able to be carried part-time through your final year of high school (and beyond!) which gives you an additional few months to make money for college.