Posts Tagged ‘prepare for college’
High School Juniors: November College Check Up
Just like you (should) see a doctor every year to check up on your general health and make sure everything’s going swimmingly–and hopefully leave with an awesome sticker or lollipop–you should have a college-bound check up to make sure you’re on track with your college dreams.
For high school juniors, it’s coming down to crunch time. It may seem like you have all the time in the world to prepare for your college applications, but with all of your other responsibilities and school work, getting everything done in time for next fall’s deadlines requires that you help your future self out by starting to prepare now!
So, if you’re a high school junior with college goals, here are some important benchmarks you should make sure you hit during November:
Meet with your guidance counselor
November of your junior year is a great time to meet with your school’s guidance or college counselor to discuss your goals and make sure you’re on track for high school graduation. Your counselor will not only be able to provide you with information for preparing for college, but they can also let you know what credits you still need to graduate and how you can make sure you will accomplish that. You don’t want to find out that you didn’t earn enough credits in fine arts the day before you walk across the stage at your graduation ceremony (remember when Zach Morris had to perform in the ballet recital in order to graduate from Bayside??? That was crazy!!!).
Prepare for testing
During your junior year, you should take time to study for the tests that apply to the school you want to go to. That may be the ACT, SAT, SAT II’s, etc. Whatever the appropriate tests are, give yourself enough time to study and then take the test over again if you did not earn the score you want.
The next registration for the SAT is today(!!!) for the December 3rd test. The next registration for the ACT isn’t until January 13th for the February test. See? It’s important to plan ahead.
Think about future recommendations
It’s still a bit early, but you should get the gears moving about which teachers/coaches/community members/employers you can ask for recommendations in the near future. You’re going to want to ask them as early as the end of your junior year. Also…it’s better to get thinking early on this because you might just realize you don’t have a good person in mind for a recommendation. If that’s the case, start forming a relationship with you teachers. Be active during class; stay after to further discuss what happened in class, etc.
Are you prepared? Or, do you have advice for juniors at this stage in the game? Leave a comment below!
5 Reasons to Relish in High School Before College
Being a teenager means wanting the next best thing–the newest Apple product, that new Ed Hardy shirt, those Uggs, a Razor scooter, a laser disk player, a MySpace account–and some of those things you wind up regretting.
Look, I basically sold my soul to my parents for three months to earn enough allowance to buy Jurassic Park on laser disk, so I understand what it’s like to want the next best thing with all your heart.
I especially understand when the next best thing is college, which means freedom, no parents, new friends, no more social cliques, and getting to be a grown up.
So let me play devil’s advocate with you because it’s likely you’re going to ignore your parents’ pleas to you to “not grow up too fast.” But hey, don’t grow up too fast. Sure high school can seem lame because everyone’s telling you what to do and you’re just like, so over it. But, let me try to convince you why you shouldn’t let yourself get too over it too quickly.
5 reasons to relish high school while you can:
1. Your friends
Chances are, you’ve made some of your best friends in high school, or even just that one in a million person who also prefers mustard over ketchup 100% of the time. Our high school years are essential in forming who we become largely because of the friendships you make. So even if you’re not popular, or you feel too popular, whatever your angst-y angle on the situation is, your high school friends are special because they’re going with you on this weird roller-coaster of adolescence that nobody else will ever quite understand. So don’t be too rushed to say goodbye to them.
2. The guidance
You’re probably sick and tired of people telling you what to do, but if you can just spin it a little and think of what every teacher, parent, or counselor is saying as suggestions that you can take or leave at the door, it might be little easier to swallow. The thing you need to grasp is that you’re not an adult, as mature as you may be. And being in high school is a unique opportunity to be around adults who have had experience in life who can guide you. Your high school is a community that is literally built to help you succeed. Get the most out of its resources and your relationships before your pop a wheelie out of there.
3. The extra-curricular activities
High school, of all places, is the place to learn how to be involved in something, to grow with a team of people, and to eventually take on leadership positions. Whether it’s sports, DECA, debate, theater, choir, student council, volunteer, or anything else, your high school activities give you the opportunity to be passionate about something and to also expand yourself as well-rounded person.
4. The fleetingness
Blink and it’s over. You’re in your mid-40s wishing you could just be back in those high school halls, high-fiving your pals as you pass them in J-Hall, stopping to chat with your crush of that moment, and leaving for biology with the delightful and exciting sense of butterflies in your stomach. High school, in retrospect, is super fun. You’re just with a bunch of your peers all day learning about things you never knew before. But yeah, then it’s gone.
5. The preparation
I know I’ve been a bit sentimental about this whole relish your high school years thing, and it’s not like I wish I was back in high school or anything–I mean, I totally do–there’s a badminton rival I’d really like to meet face-to-face with again–but here’s a non-sentimental point. High school prepares you for college. If you’re all “I’m just so over this!” and you decide to graduate high school early, for the wrong reasons, you won’t be as prepared for college as you could’ve been.
So yes, it’s okay to delete your MySpace account, but just enjoy the days you have left in high school.
Are you “over” high school? Or do you think students take high school for granted? Leave a comment below.
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5 Ways to Pump Up Your School Spirit Before You Land on Campus
Recent high school grads are finding themselves in this strange “I’m not in high school but I haven’t started college yet” limbo.
It’s a strange place to wander. But don’t worry; you’re not alone. In fact, with a little summer downtime you have the opportunity to fit in a few school spirit pump up sessions.
Now you ask, “But Cappex, how do I implement a school spirit pump up session?’
Well, it’s just a couple reps of this and a couple reps of that and you’ll be on your way. Specifically, we have 5 answers for you:
1. Join your class Facebook page/group
What’s your college graduation year? 2015? Yikes, I feel old. Any-who, whether the page was created by the college itself or a student group, it’s a great resource to be a part of. You’ll be privy to college news, events and be able to ask questions to your peers and answer them as well.
The shared excitement of your peers will definitely get you excited for your college year to begin. Who knows, you might even find some new friends there, too!
2. Get some gear
It’s not scientifically proven, but I’d guesstimate that 90% of tangible school pride stems directly from college day wear. Want to show some of your school pride? Request a sweatshirt, t-shirt, shorts, sweatband–whatever it is–from your awesome aunt who keeps asking you, “Dear, what should I get you for your graduation?”
3. Check up on the news, blogs and vlogs
Your college or university has an entire life of its own, which includes news, events and all-around happenings. Keep yourself informed about these things by reading school blogs, watching student vlogs and of course, the student paper. Keeping up with the news around your school will get you excited to finally jump into the scene when you land on campus.
4. Research school activities and find your passion
The summer is a great time to do some preliminary research on what student activities your school offers. If there’s an activity you’re passionate about, see if there’s a student group dedicated to it and email them over the summer. If you don’t see the tight-roping club on the list, well, get pumped to start your own club!
5. Talk to alumni
This step is only for the students most serious about their school spirit. Talking to an alum of your school is like going straight to the source of school pride–it’s pure and it’s powerful. So be prepared to get really seriously excited about going to college. You can contact alumni through alumni relations at your college.
Do you have any other ways to get your school spirit up before school starts? Leave a comment!
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4 Ways to Transition from High School to College
We know we’re preaching to the choir if we tell you that college is way different from high school. You’ve heard it a million times before: college means freedom, expanding your world-view, and most of all, time-management. Before you eject yourself out of your seat so you don’t have to hear another cliché piece of information about college, the following 4 pieces of advice are things that have actually come as surprises to incoming freshman.
So, here are 54ways to transition from high school to college:
1. Check in with your advisor every semester
In high school, it’s pretty clear what classes you have to take to graduate, and somebody’s more or less holding your hand along the way–and no we’re not talking about your homecoming date. Whether or not your high school sweetheart heads to the same college as you, you have to take your graduation requirements into your own hands. Too many college students coast through 4 years of school, assuming they’re on track to graduate and are unfortunately road blocked when they learn they never took that quantitative reasoning class they needed to graduate. How can one circumvent this? Meet once a semester with your advisor to make sure you’re on track. Requirements can get tricky and you want to make sure you fill them. Otherwise, it can cost you more time and worse, more money.
2. Find study buddies
Since you’re eventually going to major in a study, you’ll have the opportunity to deliberately take classes with certain students within your major. Instead of finding yourself lost and confused at midnight before an organic chemistry final, have your trusty study buddies by your side who can help you and vice a versa. Your peers are a great resource–so surround yourself with some study buddies you trust.
3. Mark test dates clearly in your calendar
In high school, if you were sick, no problem–you could make the test up at a later date. In college, this gets trickier. It really depends on the professor and the course. Never assume you’re going to be able to make-up an exam. Instead, you can usually find out early on what the exam schedule is, and if not, bug the teacher. If you have a conflict you can foresee early on, like a religious holiday, a wedding etc, talk to your teacher at the beginning of the semester. If you wait, it might look like you’re just trying to get some extra study days. Most of all, you don’t want to miss an exam you don’t have a conflict with just because you didn’t realize when it was scheduled!
4. Give everybody a chance
This goes under the umbrella of “expanding your horizons” but we figured it was too important a part of the transition from high school to college to leave it off. In high school, you could probably walk into the cafeteria, point at each table and say which clique sat where. In college, you have the freedom to completely avoid the clique mentally. Part of this is not prejudging everybody you know. Give people the chance to prove themselves as a friend before you brush them off. An open mind will turn college into a journey instead of closed off island.
Do you have any pieces of advice for transitioning from high school to college? Comment and share!
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5 Things You’ll Want to Know Before Starting College
Heading off to college is very exciting. You’ll be entering a whole new world, as our magic-carpet-riding genie-conjuring friend would tell you. And, as with what happens when becoming part of any new world, it’s nearly impossible to know all the in’s and out’s from the get-go–a certain red-headed mermaid-gone-human could tell you that.
Incoming freshman, you’ll be surprised at how different college might be from your initial expectations. But, to help ease the transition from high school to college, here are 5 things you’ll want to know before you start:
1. Major change
Yes, college will be a totally, crazy, incredible, major change. But, more importantly, chances are you’ll actually majorly change your major. One semester you’ll be all about horticulture and saving the environment, and the next you’ll want to transfer to the business school to get an internship at some huge oil conglomerate. The point is, just expect the unexpected.
2. Always be on your dream job search
Whatever dream job you’re working for at the moment, always keep it on mind. You never know when an opportunity might just be passing by. It’s never too early to network, talk to professors or local businesses. They could have the perfect internship for you during the school year or job waiting for you after you graduate.
3. How to microwave popcorn in a dorm room
Pro: Your college dorm probably has very high quality, sensitive smoke detectors. Con: Burning a bag of microwave popcorn can lead to 250 students in their pajamas (and there’s always one in a towel) waiting outside in the cold at midnight. Don’t be the culprit. Watch your popcorn pop carefully–don’t leave the room while it’s going.
4. You’re paying a lot of money, get the most out of it
If you’re not sure that you’re getting the most out of your education, think about the number of nights this month you spent partying, and then look at the number of zeros on your tuition. This simple exercise will most likely lead you to the conclusion that you definitely need to use the resources more that you’re paying such a steep price for. This includes the libraries–the books, study areas and computer labs–professors and research opportunities.
5. Independence –the double-edged sword
By the time you leave for college, you’re probably dying to get away from home and live on your own. Just remember these things still need to happen: grocery shopping, laundry, household chores, and overall taking care of yourself. Without a 24/7 caretaker (aka mom and dad), you might be surprised just how tedious these little thing can be.
So, before you head to college, we just want you to be prepared–a certain murderous lion would definitely want you to know that.
Do you have any other tips? Comment and let us know!
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6 Things High School Freshman Should Know About the College Search
When freshman enter high school, college is probably the last thing on their minds. There are just so many other important things to think about, like, where it’s okay to sit in the cafeteria, and which teachers check homework every day and getting from X hall to J hall before the 3 minute bell!
It’s a crazy world in those high school halls, especially for a newbie. What’s even crazier is that it’s actually not that crazy to start thinking about college once you catch your breath. It may seem unnecessary at the time, considering you still got 4 more school years to go, but in the long run, it will actually ease the stress your college search.
Here are 6 things college-bound high school freshman should keep in mind:
1. Start Early
Freshman year of high school seems early to to start your college search. But, it’s more about mental preparedness than anything else. The college application process is like a 3-ringed circus that you have to run while keeping up with your high school classes. The more you can prepare yourself for it, the smoother time you’ll have.
Sit down with your high school counselor. Make sure you’re on the path to graduate on time and that you’re taking classes required for most colleges. Discuss your future with your parents so you can all be on the same page about your goals. College is a big deal–financially and academically–and will have a huge impact on your life. So, how could it hurt to start thinking about it?
2. Find a Passion or Hobby
There are too many students out there who just phone-in volunteer hours so it will “look good” on their college application. Yes, extra-curricular activities, leadership and volunteer services will make your college application appear more well-rounded. But, college admissions folks weren’t born yesterday. They can tell the difference between surface-deep involvement in an activity and a heartfelt one.
A passion or a hobby can be anything. Sports, birdwatching, an after-school job, tutoring, etc. Find or continue doing what you love and what interests you. It will be easier, and far more fun and motivating to grow and find leadership positions doing something you love versus something you think will look good on a resume.
3. Reach Out to Teachers
Your teachers are probably the most underused resource you have. If they’re teaching at your school, they went to college and can offer up words of wisdom. Ask questions about how they discovered they wanted to become teachers or if they know any field of study that you’d be interested in. Just because it’s not on the syllabus doesn’t mean you can’t ask.
It’s also great to keep up a healthy relationship with a couple teachers because you might need a letter of recommendation in a few years.
4. Every Year Counts
Certain colleges will tell you that they disregard Freshman year from your transcript and GPA. For the most part, this is not the case. Do not throw away your freshman year out of the belief that “it doesn’t matter”. All of your grades go into your GPA, so keep up with your schoolwork.
Also, if you get involved in activities your freshman year, you’ll have more flexibility to move up and take on leadership opportunities that a person who starts in a club their sophomore or junior year won’t have.
5. Plan Your Summer Smartly
The summer going into your sophomore year can really set the pace for the rest of your high school career and college search. Think about your priorities. What do you want to be able to tell colleges when you apply to them? If you want to show them your work ethic, perhaps taking on extra hours at your summer job is key. If you want to show them you’re passionate about volunteering, volunteer! Apply for an internship at a local charity. Use your time in the summer not only to have fun, but to keep yourself growing as a college-bound student.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Scholarships
Paying for college is no small feat. In fact, if it were feet, it’d be huge feet. There are tons of scholarships out there. Some are small. Some are huge. The earlier you start looking and applying for scholarships, the more likely are you to acquire some scholarship money before you head off to college.
The sooner you start, the more ahead you’ll be in your college search.
Do you have tips for high school freshman about beginning their college search early? Comment and let us know!
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