Have no fear,
these are nowhere near the best years of your life.
- Brad Paisley, Letter to Me
High school is hard, especially in Middleofamerica, Oklahoma. College gets better. But first, it takes work. I loved growing up at MHS, but the reality is that it did not prepare me for college. I had to do a lot for myself. I you want to truly be successful, you'll have to as well. Here's my short list of tips for getting into a good school enjoying your time there:
1. Study for the ACT.
No, really. The reason you don't like your current score is because you aren't working hard enough to change it. Most of your class, yourself included, can't afford college without financial aid. A good ACT score is, in my opinion, the best way to get scholarships.
2. Volunteer
There are so, so many great reasons to volunteer. Because we're called to give, because you recognize the need, because it makes you feel good. Middleofamerica has countless opportunities, you only need to look for them. Remember what I said about needing scholarships and financial aid? Community service hours make up a HUMONGOUS amount of scholarship criteria, just in case you needed another reason.
3. Lead
When you get to college, you're going to want to get involved on campus. In order to do this, you need to be involved now, especially in leadership positions. Middleofamerica is small. MHS has about 500 students. To get leadership roles in college, you'll be competing against people who served as student body president in high schools larger than our town. If you want your resume to to even be read, it will need to be full of activities, awards, and leadership roles. But let me clarify this. You should still be passionate about the things you do, because that passion will always shine through. Just don't be afraid of doing too much. As a side note, LEADERSHIP IS ALSO A MAJOR COMPONENT OF MOST SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS.
4. Start the Common App early.
That thing is scary. It takes time, and early admission deadlines will be here before you know it. Devote yourself to filling in one section a day, and you'll have it done in no time. You can have a week to do the optional essays. But please, don't think that because they're "optional," you don't have to do them. They determine whether or not you get scholarships from the specific university you're applying for.
5. APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
If you don't do anything else while preparing for college, do this. Do it. Apply for every single one you see. It's free money, and college is expensive. Scholarships are the difference between you going to a university, or community college. There's absolutely nothing wrong with staying at home, but you're capable of anything, and you should want the best for yourself. Apply for scholarships so you can have it.
But Please, Love the Skies You're Under at the Moment
You can say goodbye, and you can say hello,
but you'll always find your way back home.
- Hannah Montana, You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home
(Yes, I did just quote Hannah Montana on my college blog, but in all fairness, Taylor Swift wrote the song.)
Anyway, please understand the point I'm making here. You might be the person who grew up saying you hated Middleofamerica and would never come back after graduating, but you will. You grew up there, and the town made you who you are. Cherish what might be your last year there. I promise, senior year will be your best year to date. The memories are clearer, the people are nicer, the classes are easier, and it's just a great time to be alive. Prepare for college, but don't forget to enjoy the time you have right now.
But Also, Try New Horizons
Home is wherever I'm with you.
- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Home
If you plan to live in the dorms, you will be tempted to room with someone you know. You'll justify this to yourself by saying that you already know this person, you'll be comfortable around them, they'll remind you of home. Realize that home is wherever you make it. And by rooming with a friend, you run the risk of bringing unhappiness into your home. The reality is that many pairs of roommates who knew one another before college do not remain friends after freshman year. Before deciding that you want to room with a specific person, ask yourself if a little awkwardness in the first few weeks of getting to know a know person is worth risking a friendship. Don't be afraid of signing up for a random roommate; the experience will be good for you. You'll make new friends, and you'll be surprised to find that they feel like home too.
I ask that you at least consider this. I know what it's like to room with a friend, until everything falls apart. It's a hassle, and it hurts. Honestly, the situation darkened my metaphorical sky for a while. But I'm on my way to sunnier skies now, and I want the same for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment