Like it or not, most kids aren't the top of their class. In most high schools, the academic pecking order allows for approximately 25 students to lead the class, with the remainder of students falling in the middle-and an even smaller portion being at the very bottom.
College is fast approaching, and students sometimes have the misconception that they must have a 33 ACT with a perfect GPA to get funded for school.
Not true.
There are an abundance of scholarships that require VOLUNTEER WORK or COMMUNITY SERVICE as the focus for funding. A great way to begin serving is to contact your local Volunteer Center or City Hall and ask about volunteer opportunities. I will post great websites to research scholarships specifically geared towards volunteering. Just a few hours a week can turn into thousands of dollars in scholarship money!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Timeline for High School Students Preparing for College
Planning for college takes time and effort. I believe that no one should have to pay for college with loans and with proper planning, any student should be able to succeed in getting into college.
This is a timeline I've created that will give you an idea of what you should be doing as a high school student to prepare for college:
-1st yr: Take the hardest classes that you can handle.
-1st yr: Get that GPA as close to a 4.0 or better as possible. Open a savings acct.
-2nd yr: Begin major involvement in school activities, community service, etc.
-3rd yr: Begin visiting schools that peak your interest. Begin writing personal
essays and taking the ACT as often as you can.
-3rd yr: Start selecting mentors to write you letters of Recommendation.
-3rd yr: Start researching requirements for various scholarships and colleges.
-4th yr: Begin utilizing resources, securing financial support, and applying for
local scholarships.
-3rd & 4th yrs: enroll in a college prep program. Find a mentor ALREADY in college
of choice.
-4th yr: Sit down with your parents and discuss your financial and academic future.
-4th yr: Make sure you have your 4 English, 3 Math, etc requirements. Find out college requirements and enroll in junior college summer school if necessary.
By following these basic guidlines, the transition into college will be much easier and less stressful!
This is a timeline I've created that will give you an idea of what you should be doing as a high school student to prepare for college:
-1st yr: Take the hardest classes that you can handle.
-1st yr: Get that GPA as close to a 4.0 or better as possible. Open a savings acct.
-2nd yr: Begin major involvement in school activities, community service, etc.
-3rd yr: Begin visiting schools that peak your interest. Begin writing personal
essays and taking the ACT as often as you can.
-3rd yr: Start selecting mentors to write you letters of Recommendation.
-3rd yr: Start researching requirements for various scholarships and colleges.
-4th yr: Begin utilizing resources, securing financial support, and applying for
local scholarships.
-3rd & 4th yrs: enroll in a college prep program. Find a mentor ALREADY in college
of choice.
-4th yr: Sit down with your parents and discuss your financial and academic future.
-4th yr: Make sure you have your 4 English, 3 Math, etc requirements. Find out college requirements and enroll in junior college summer school if necessary.
By following these basic guidlines, the transition into college will be much easier and less stressful!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Getting What you Want from Authority: 5 Tips to Make your Life a Whole lot Easier!
Have you ever wondered how certain people seem to have personal skills that allow them to maneuver through just about anything without breaking a sweat? Or better yet, known a classmate or coworker that could seemingly blow up the office/classroom, commit a double murder and slap an old lady-yet still receive a promotion on the job or an A+ in the class?
These people hold a certain charisma and state of mind that gets them through doors and I’m going to show you how to do the same thing!
1. Cultivate Relationships with Authority.
When I was in high school, I was a really good student. I was involved in a ton of activities from athletics, to mentorship, to marching band. I would get to school at 7am and not get home until 7 pm. I hated my high school so why did I stay there for at least 12 hours a day? I was Cultivating Relationships. I realized a long time ago that when people in authority could “put a name to a face”, they were more likely to show you favor in the long run. I’ll give you an example; I had a physics class in high school that I would get kicked out of for poor behavior at least twice a week for an entire school year. The instructor clearly had a bad taste in his mouth when it came to me as he would kick me out every time I asked him to “be my friend”. I guess he had enough friends.
He kicked me out one particular day and instructed my dean to suspend me from school for a week. I went to the deans office, and he disagreed with the suspension, and simply gave me a pass to roam the halls (library pass). This was the toughest dean in the district, but he showed me mercy because he knew what kind of kid I was. He knew how involved I was in school. He knew ME. Making that connection with authoritative figures has the potential to make your life a whole lot easier in the classroom and in the workplace.
2. “The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil”
My dad used to always drill this phrase in my head! It basically means that if you want or need something, open your mouth and tell someone about it. You’d be surprised who will help you if you’re in need. All throughout college, I experienced major family deaths and illnesses. Instead of just sitting at home and hurting emotionally, I opened my mouth and begin talking about my experiences. I told anyone who would listen what I was going through, what my family was experiencing, and how times were really tough.
After about a week of my professors and deans hearing about my struggles, DePaul University gave me over $3000.00 dollars in “Feel better” money. Thanks guys! Open your mouth when you’re going through hardships as you never know who is there to be your guardian angel.
3. Be Friends with the Lames, Nerds, and Geeks.
I love this tip! Bill Gates once told an audience of students to “be friends with geeks”, and I’m going to tell you a story that shines a bright light on this idea. When I was in high school, there was a girl who transferred in. She was very sweet, but as quiet as she wanted to be. Seriously, if you would have blinked, you might have missed her. Well, one day, I approached her and became her friend. Now we were not best buds, but she was a cool kid and I enjoyed her friendship.
Fast forward four years: I graduated from DPU with a degree in Sociology-which will basically allow me the privilege to live in a cardboard box as it isn’t a big-ticket, money-making foundation. So I start putting out applications (at least 250) all over the state of Illinois. I’m living off of graduation cash so to my sheer disappointment, no one is interested in hiring me. After about 2 months of searching for a gig, I get a phone call from a friend of mine just checking on me/ seeing how life after graduation was coming. I explained to this buddy that things were alright, I was just having a tough time finding a job. Mind you, this was a Monday afternoon. On Thursday of that same week, I had a corner office with my name on the door. Can you guess what happened?
Turns out, that quiet little girl I became friends with in high school was an HR Manager at a non-for-profit organization. Always attempt to create and sustain friendships as you’ll never know who you’re gonna need down the line.
4. Be Humble
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but nobody likes a no-it-all. So you graduated from high school in three years and won a full ride scholarship to the college of your choice? No one cares in the real world except your parents and they only show concern because they don’t have to pay for you to get an education. Authoritative figures LOVE humble kids. They already think we students are good for nothing bratty kids! Professors and employers notice humbleness and tend to show favor when they see it. Your attitude determines your altitude so adjust it to make your life better.
5. Say “Thank You”
This may be the most important tip we’ve gone over. The simple gesture of thank you in the form of a card, note, or verbal response has the ability to change a person’s perception of you for the better. Don’t you love it when someone says “thank you”? It almost causes a euphoric response when you hear it. Showing your appreciation to authoritative figures can give you the favor you need when the time comes and you need them the most. This doesn’t mean suck up to your superiors as they can always tell when they are people are being disingenuous to them. Just make sure you show your appreciation to people when they do something nice for you as that gesture goes a long way in the long run. So go out there and GET WHAT YOU WANT FROM AUTHORITY!
These people hold a certain charisma and state of mind that gets them through doors and I’m going to show you how to do the same thing!
1. Cultivate Relationships with Authority.
When I was in high school, I was a really good student. I was involved in a ton of activities from athletics, to mentorship, to marching band. I would get to school at 7am and not get home until 7 pm. I hated my high school so why did I stay there for at least 12 hours a day? I was Cultivating Relationships. I realized a long time ago that when people in authority could “put a name to a face”, they were more likely to show you favor in the long run. I’ll give you an example; I had a physics class in high school that I would get kicked out of for poor behavior at least twice a week for an entire school year. The instructor clearly had a bad taste in his mouth when it came to me as he would kick me out every time I asked him to “be my friend”. I guess he had enough friends.
He kicked me out one particular day and instructed my dean to suspend me from school for a week. I went to the deans office, and he disagreed with the suspension, and simply gave me a pass to roam the halls (library pass). This was the toughest dean in the district, but he showed me mercy because he knew what kind of kid I was. He knew how involved I was in school. He knew ME. Making that connection with authoritative figures has the potential to make your life a whole lot easier in the classroom and in the workplace.
2. “The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil”
My dad used to always drill this phrase in my head! It basically means that if you want or need something, open your mouth and tell someone about it. You’d be surprised who will help you if you’re in need. All throughout college, I experienced major family deaths and illnesses. Instead of just sitting at home and hurting emotionally, I opened my mouth and begin talking about my experiences. I told anyone who would listen what I was going through, what my family was experiencing, and how times were really tough.
After about a week of my professors and deans hearing about my struggles, DePaul University gave me over $3000.00 dollars in “Feel better” money. Thanks guys! Open your mouth when you’re going through hardships as you never know who is there to be your guardian angel.
3. Be Friends with the Lames, Nerds, and Geeks.
I love this tip! Bill Gates once told an audience of students to “be friends with geeks”, and I’m going to tell you a story that shines a bright light on this idea. When I was in high school, there was a girl who transferred in. She was very sweet, but as quiet as she wanted to be. Seriously, if you would have blinked, you might have missed her. Well, one day, I approached her and became her friend. Now we were not best buds, but she was a cool kid and I enjoyed her friendship.
Fast forward four years: I graduated from DPU with a degree in Sociology-which will basically allow me the privilege to live in a cardboard box as it isn’t a big-ticket, money-making foundation. So I start putting out applications (at least 250) all over the state of Illinois. I’m living off of graduation cash so to my sheer disappointment, no one is interested in hiring me. After about 2 months of searching for a gig, I get a phone call from a friend of mine just checking on me/ seeing how life after graduation was coming. I explained to this buddy that things were alright, I was just having a tough time finding a job. Mind you, this was a Monday afternoon. On Thursday of that same week, I had a corner office with my name on the door. Can you guess what happened?
Turns out, that quiet little girl I became friends with in high school was an HR Manager at a non-for-profit organization. Always attempt to create and sustain friendships as you’ll never know who you’re gonna need down the line.
4. Be Humble
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but nobody likes a no-it-all. So you graduated from high school in three years and won a full ride scholarship to the college of your choice? No one cares in the real world except your parents and they only show concern because they don’t have to pay for you to get an education. Authoritative figures LOVE humble kids. They already think we students are good for nothing bratty kids! Professors and employers notice humbleness and tend to show favor when they see it. Your attitude determines your altitude so adjust it to make your life better.
5. Say “Thank You”
This may be the most important tip we’ve gone over. The simple gesture of thank you in the form of a card, note, or verbal response has the ability to change a person’s perception of you for the better. Don’t you love it when someone says “thank you”? It almost causes a euphoric response when you hear it. Showing your appreciation to authoritative figures can give you the favor you need when the time comes and you need them the most. This doesn’t mean suck up to your superiors as they can always tell when they are people are being disingenuous to them. Just make sure you show your appreciation to people when they do something nice for you as that gesture goes a long way in the long run. So go out there and GET WHAT YOU WANT FROM AUTHORITY!
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