A Different "College Experience"

When you see this picture, what do you think of?  It should make you think of moving away to college.  This can commonly be the only thought on someone's mind when a student is reaching their senior year of high school.  Of course, going away for college can be an interesting experience, but that isn't everyone's dream.  Some students can't stand the thought of living away on their own, and that is okay.  Some students don't have the money to go away to a four-year school, and that is okay too.  Community college is okay.

There is also the major stereotype that 18-year olds should know what they want to do for the rest of their lives.  This can be very stressful on seniors and even sometimes college students.  At this point, we are all at a very young age, and it is okay to not know what you want to do for your life.  If you feel this way at the time college applications begin, you actually should think about community college.  This will make the decision of a major a little easier as you begin your college career.  Community colleges can also have more classes to choose from as an undecided major, unlike a four year school. 

If you are thinking about going to community college when you graduate high school, it is okay.  Community college will still give you the "college experience" that a lot of people wish for, just a different one.  Everything will be okay. 

College Applications

While senior year can be described as only fun, it also requires a lot of decision making and responsibility.  You are making the biggest decision in your life thus far.  With saying this, I have compiled, in my opinion, three of the most helpful tips that can help make the college application process a little easier.

1. Apply Early
• If you think about it, the earlier you apply, the sooner the admissions team at that college sees your application.  This can mean you have more of a chance of getting accepted.  
• If your school has rolling admission, then you can find out their admission decision sooner rather than later.
• If you apply early, then that means there is less stress later.  You can get all of your stress out of the way and then just wait.
2. Establish a manageable pace
• The worst thing you can do is wait until the last minute to crank out an essay the night before the application is due.  This will mostly have no good outcome, because the people who are reading your essay will most likely be able to see that you did write it out at the last minute.  That may not look the best when they are making the decision on whether or not they want you at their school.
• Instead, a smart idea is to set deadlines; this is especially if you are applying to a lot of colleges.  Make sure you know when the applications are due at each college.  Again, this is all about being responsible.  This will help in the long run with the stress and the work load overall.  
3. Be honest
• This is mainly to help with the essay part of the application.  This essay is what distinguishes you from the thousands of other applicants that are applying to this same school.  You want to be original and make it personal.  This is the very small glimpse that the college will receive of who you are, and will most likely be the biggest decision in the admissions team's decision making process.
• Also, keep in mind that there are so many ways that someone can figure out if information is true or not.  Don't make the decision that forces someone to look up that information.  Also, if there is any false information on your application, there is a major chance that you won't be accepted in to that school.

Yes, college applications can and will be stressful.  However, keep in mind that once they are completed, you will feel so much better and you can start having fun.  Everything is going to work out and it will all be okay.

Introduction

Seniors, it’s finally here.  What you’ve been waiting for for the past four years has finally come. Senior year is great, but it can also be very stressful as you’ll make probably the biggest decision in your life thus far.  There can be a lot of emotion too, as you go to your last football game, last homecoming dance, last prom, etc.  However, despite all these emotions, senior year can be great. The excitement builds throughout the year as you near graduation, and of course, senioritis kicks in. As you walk across that stage on graduation day, you may feel a complete happiness that only you and your peers can understand in that moment.

Throughout this blog, I will write to high school seniors about what to expect in “the best year of your life.”  I will also take some of my experiences from my senior year to help explain some of the situations that will happen throughout this time of your life.  As of right now, stay happy and don’t stress.  Everything is going to be okay.