What to Do When You Aren’t Ready for College May 10th, 2013
Don't Waste Your Summer
Your parents have been pushing college since you were a kid. You’ve always thought you would go, but now that you are finishing up your Junior year, you just aren’t sure you will be ready for college in a year.
What do you do? You’re not alone! Check out our tips to feel confident about going away to college!
What to Do When You Aren’t Ready for College
After years of watching your grades and staying on top of extracurricular activities, maybe you feel like four more years is four too many! Before you write off college altogether, we want to share with you a few ways to help you make the best decision.
First of all, college is not like high school. You have so much more freedom!
You get to choose from so many amazing college classes. You decide when and what you will eat, which activities you will participate in, and college professors don’t (usually) treat you like a kid.
How to Prepare for College
Use your summer wisely! Don’t just sit there and do the same old thing you do on the weekends. Instead, consider a summer camp.
Camp isn’t just for kids! It’s for college-minded teens just like you. They have camps available for all sorts of things and it may help you feel a bit more excited about taking that next step.
Or try a precollege summer program! It can give you a taste of college before you graduate from high school. You may sleep in an actual dorm, eat in the college cafeteria, and take some sample courses. Some even count for college credit! At the very least, you may gain confidence in your ability to survive without your mom and dad.
College Prep
If you still aren’t jazzed about four more years of school, maybe you need a gap year. A gap year is more than just taking a year off and lazing around. It’s a way to grow as a person!
There are all sorts of organizations with amazing gap year programs. You may do a lot of travel or community service or a bit of both!
Either way, a gap year can help you discover hidden talents and skills you never knew you possessed.
Go, Explore
Don’t write off college just yet. You’ve worked so hard! Summer pre-college programs or gap years or summer camp — there are a lot of options out there.
Look around and see what will fit who you are and who you want to be!
Image Credit: Flickr, Weed Whacker
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
Related posts:
- Step Away from the TV: Pre-College Summer Programs at the University of Rochester
- Pondering a PreCollege Summer Program? Get the Facts
- Not Ready for College? Consider a Gap Year
College Scholarships that End in May 2013 May 6th, 2013
Find College Scholarships
It’s that time again! Time to check out this month’s assortment of fabulous college scholarships.
As usual, they are all very different and will appeal to a wide variety of students! This month’s scholarship targets include first generation college students, military dependents, and Jane Austen fans.
May 2013 Ending College Scholarships
Samsung High School Student Scholarship Program — Tech-minded students will want to submit an essay in response to a tech related question. And don’t forget to snag a teacher sponsor for this ,000 scholarship prize.
Brower Youth Awards for Environmental Leadership — Are you environmentally aware and eager to share that knowledge with others? Six winners will receive a ,000 cash prize, a professionally produced video featuring their work, and a week-long trip!
Kevin Dare “Life…Back on Track” Scholarship — Are you an athlete that has experienced a major setback such as a serious illness or injury? Share your story and fulfill your dream of attaining a college degree with a little help from this memorial scholarship.
Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest — Do you love to read Jane Austen? Now is your chance to put that love of the written word to good use. Apply for this 00 scholarship that’s perfect for any Jane Austen fan!
ThanksUSA Scholarship — Is your mom or dad in the military? That’s all you need to win up to 00 toward the cost of your selected college program. Easy, peasy.
I’m First Scholarship — Will you be a first generation college student? First of all, congratulations! Now just fill out the electronic form, make sure you have a letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor, and that’s it!
“Launch Your Dreams” Scholarship Competition – Is there a United States military veteran in your home? This scholarship contest wants to know about your dreams for the future. What do you want to achieve? Winners snag prizes including ,500.
Apply Today
Don’t wait! There are so many college scholarships out there, yes, but you can’t win if you don’t even try.
So many of these are simple to enter. Why not try your chance at winning a great scholarship prize? Just don’t forget to secure other more traditional ways of paying for college, too.
Image Credit: Flickr, aaron13251
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
Related posts:
- College Scholarships that End in April 2013
- College Scholarships that End in April 2013
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College is Almost Here! Are you Prepared? May 1st, 2013
Know Your Laundry
As your senior year is winding down, your life is probably full of graduation parties and tearful parents.
But in the middle of the hustle and bustle, you might want to devote some time to preparing for college life!
Preparing for College
We don’t mean you need to start packing, but it will help if you don’t save every little thing for the last minute. And if you can, get into the mindset that even though a lot of things are going to change, you are gearing up for an amazing time of your life!
Learn to Do Laundry — It sounds so silly, but many college freshmen don’t have too much practice doing their own laundry. If your whites are suddenly pink, you might want to take over your own laundry duty to make sure that you are prepared later.
Set Your Own Alarm – Are your parents still waking you up in the morning? It’s time for you to take control and get used to getting up on your own. Once you get into that dorm room, your roommate will not appreciate your alarm going off fifteen times every morning. Get up and get going!
Time Management — How are you juggling your time right now? Do you have a hard time handling multiple things? Figure out how to group your day and your tasks into manageable chunks. It will really come in handy later when you need to balance writing research papers, studying and long-term projects in your college classes!
Keeping in Touch – Friendships are going to change and that’s okay! Thanks to social networks and email, you can still stay in touch with friends. It might be a good idea to get a head start on creating a phone book full of the addresses, phone numbers, and emails of close friends and family so you have a hard copy just in case you lose your phone or your computer crashes.
Boil Water — Okay, we are guessing you know how to at least boil water! But can you cook any easy meals? Even if you have already decided on a college meal plan and know you will hit up the cafeteria most days, it’s still a good idea to know how to whip up a few simple meals before leaving home for the first time. You just never know what the future holds!
Moving On Up!
There are plenty more tips where that came from! Stay tuned as we share more useful ideas to help you get ready for college as painlessly as possible!
Image Credit: Flickr, Average Jane
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
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Volunteer Your Time, Gain College Admission (Maybe) April 14th, 2013
Volunteer Your Time
You may not have straight A’s in high school, and you may not get a gold star on each assignment, but there’s something else that college admissions officers are searching for: well-rounded students.
They don’t want just anyone. They want future leaders! For some students, that can mean active involvement in the community. My College Guide has tips on why you may want to consider volunteering your time, especially when it comes to getting into college!
Volunteer Your Time, Gain College Admission
So many students look alike when comparing ACT / SAT test scores and GPAs, but the thing that sets them apart is extracurricular activities and volunteering! You may be involved in your school, but are you involved in your community?
When it comes to volunteering, there are many options! The key is to choose something that you will enjoy, so you can stick with it!
A few common volunteering options in most communities include: the library, food pantry, church groups and activities, after school programs, and groups like Habit for Humanity.
This isn’t a magic fix it if your grades are severely lacking. But it can certainly help enhance what you’ve already got!
Other Reasons to Volunteer
Besides the obvious — that it’s really nice to help others and feels pretty good, too — did you know that volunteering can land you new college scholarship opportunities?
When it comes to actually getting into college — and paying for college — there are a lot of college scholarships solely for community-minded students just like you.
You may want to start your scholarship search locally as many organizations look for students in their immediate area that are actively making a difference. From there, branch out into national organizations looking for the same thing!
If you are considering a job in public service, there’s something you should know about: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Under this program, federal education loans are forgiven after ten years of full-time employment in public service. Of course, you have to have made 120 payments, but that can really help out!
Community-Minded
There are as many reasons to volunteer as there are places to do so! Think about what you can fit into your schedule and what sounds interesting to you.
Who knows, this could lead you into a whole new career option that you never would have considered before!
Image Credit: Flickr, planeta.
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
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5 Tips for Tackling Online College Classes March 27th, 2013
Mastering Online Classes
If you are at a college that allows students to combine online and on-campus courses, you may be wondering how it will all work out.
Have no fear. My College Guide is here to give you the advice you need to successfully manage an online course.
Taking Online Courses
Organization — As an on-campus student, you’ve got a lot on your plate already. You are probably involved in your campus and you’ve got clubs, activities, and volunteer work on top of your regular college coursework. When you enroll in an online course, there isn’t anyone to remind you to turn in your work or complete your reading. You need to be organized. Whether you turn to your smartphone for organizational help or you go “old school” and write it all down, you need to find a method that works for you.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread — This goes for your on-campus classes, too! Always take the time to proofread. Whether you are typing out an answer to an essay question, writing a long term paper, or just sharing your thoughts on the class message board, take the time to correct your errors. For those major assignments, many colleges have writing centers where you can get a second opinion on your work. Take advantage of the help! Don’t miss points because you used “their/there” wrong.
Don’t Procrastinate — When you’ve got a packed schedule, it’s easy to push things aside. But in an online course (like many on-campus courses) there is no extra credit or make-ups. If you miss the deadline to turn in an assignment, you won’t get another opportunity.
It’s Not a Blow Off Class — You might think that “online” equals “easy” but don’t fall into that trap! There is a whole lot of work involved in an online course. There can be a lot more reading, weekly essay questions and follow-up student responses, as well as term papers and even Powerpoint projects. Treat it like you would any other college course and be prepared to work hard!
Creating Community – It can be difficult to feel like a part of the class and not just a number on a screen. Many online courses have a forum area where you can shoot the breeze or discuss the course with other students. It can be very helpful to get involved. It helps you connect to the course and, since you probably aren’t the only on-campus student taking the class, you may share a class in the future with some of these same students. And it’s always nice to know someone right off the bat, right?
Online College Classes: The Truth
It’s a whole different experience to jump from a traditional on-campus course to an online course.
Keep our tips in mind, however, and you are sure to stay on top of everything and make your GPA shine!
Image Credit: Flickr, tamburix.
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
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College Scholarships that End in April 2013 March 21st, 2013
Sharpen those Pencils; You've Got Scholarships to Do
If you were looking for alternate ways to pay for college, you will want to check out this unique assortment of college scholarships!
Some of these are very unusual college scholarships. One may be essay, another may be video, and another you read and take a quiz. We think it’s safe to say there is something for everyone here.
College Scholarships that End in April 2013
College JumpStart Scholarship — This annual merit-based college scholarship is open for those in 10th – 12th grade (and beyond). If you are committed to your school and you want to share your commitment in an engaging and inspiring way…you could win first prize of ,500!.
American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship – Fire sprinklers save lives. Winners have a chance at 1 of 10 ,000 college scholarships! You don’t even need to write an essay this time. Read the requirements, then read the essay, then take the quiz! Score points for each correct answer–and a shot at winning!
The Craziest Thing I Did to Save Money Scholarship -- Have you been saving money like a pro in order to pay for college? Have your extreme couponing ways or penny-pinching instincts netted you money in the bank? This contest wants to know the strangest way you’ve learned to save money and will reward the winner with a ,000 scholarship. There is no minimum GPA required, either.
Project Yellow Light Scholarship – This college scholarship is open to high school seniors (and undergraduate college students). This video contest has one very important purpose: change the way students think about driving. Motive and inspire other students to put down their cell phones and pay attention–and you could snag the ,000 prize and make a difference!
Eye on the Prize
Keep your eye on the prize: free money for college! Don’t lose hope. There are a multitude of options out there you just have to know how to find college scholarships.
The key to winning is to apply, apply, and apply! It’s not the only way to pay for college–but it is one of the more fun!
Image Credit: Flickr, 24orange.nl
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
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College Scholarships that End in March 2013 March 13th, 2013
March-Ending College Scholarships
If you’ve been searching for free money for college, get to work on this big range of college scholarship prizes!
They all have one thing in common: a March ending date. So dig in, get busy, and apply, apply, apply.
March-ending College Scholarships
DLG Viral Video Scholarship Contest — Create a viral video about driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The film student or video production student with with the best score and the most views can win one of three prizes.
17th Annual Pasta Tales Essay Writing Contest – “How would you help end hunger in your community?” That’s the topic of this essay-focused scholarship opportunity. At a maximum of 250 words, you will need to keep it short and to-the-point! The winner receives more than just a ,500 savings bond. We’re talking a trip to New York and a grant to help end hunger in your own community!
American Academy of Chefs High School Student Scholarships — Students on a culinary track should take notice of this scholarship! Receive points for your kitchen involvement, complete the application, write an essay, include letters of reference, and away you go!
Shire 2013 ADHS Scholarship — Diagnosed with ADHD and planning to pursue a degree from a college, university, vocational, or technical school? Then you may qualify for this ,000 scholarship prize.
Go Daddy ME Scholarship — How has the internet — you know, blogs, social media, forums, and then some — helped you to become a better scholar? Write a 500 word essay for your chance at snagging one of ten ,000 scholarships!
Dazzling College Scholarships
Who doesn’t like the thought of free money for college for simply writing an essay or creating a video? When it’s something you already enjoy doing, that makes victory that much sweeter.
Keep your eye on the prize, be mindful of due dates, and apply! Just remember not to get so caught up in the thought of winning a college scholarship that you neglect the other ways to pay for college.
Image Credit: Flickr, 401(K) 2013.
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
Related posts:
- 5 Marvelous March Ending College Scholarships
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You Aren’t in High School Anymore — 5 Unusual College Classes February 23rd, 2013
Are You Ready for Tree Climbing Class?
After years of taking high school courses with names like “Algebra I” and “Intro to Chemistry,” you may be worrying that college is four more years of the same.
We’re here to tell you that in college, all the rules change! Check out five very unusual college classes and prepare to be amazed!
Unusual College Classes
Basic Slot Math — What happens at the University of Nevada’s Basic Slot Math class stays at the University of Nevada’s Basic Slot Math class. Kidding, kidding. While it may seem like a fun way to pass the day, this course is aimed at uncovering the secret behind the question, “How does a casino game make a profit?”
Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse: Catastrophes & Human Behavior — Are you always planning how you’ll survive the zombie apocalypse? Do you eagerly anticipate every episode of The Walking Dead and ponder how you could have handled things better? The School of Social Work at Michigan State University may have a class that can finally help you answer just how well you would do. The center of the course, according to the coursebook, is this: “How do humans behave in catastrophic times?”
Tree Climbing Classes — Want to get away from it all? For a PE credit at Cornell University, you can escape to the treetops while learning about tree climbing safety in the process. The class ends with an overnight in a hanging tree hammock! It’s like being a child all over again–if you ever wore a safety harness and gear while climbing trees, that is.
Stand-Up Paddling Board Class — Summer school was never so fun! For the first time, the College of Charleston offered a two credit hour class in this unusual water activity. Picture it: pushing yourself along on a surf board with a long paddle. It’s supposed to be an amazing workout and a really challenging time!
The American Vacation — It’s the social history of vacations at the University of Iowa! The “why” and the “where” behind our family vacations. This class may delve into how the experience is shaped by gender, race, and class. Sounds like a great time!
Unique College Courses
College isn’t all work and no play.
Did you know that incorporating a fluff course into your college class schedule can actually free up your time for your harder courses and improve your GPA in the process? While we can’t vouch for each of the courses above, we welcome the change of pace!
Image Credit: Flickr, Ella’s Dad.
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
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Style Remix: The College Sweatshirt February 21st, 2013
The classic college sweatshirt | Photo Credit
You asked — we answered! This week’s Style Remix is the classic collegiate sweatshirt. Today, we’ll show you how to wear a college sweatshirt without just resorting to the old jeans-and-sweatshirt uniform.
About the College Sweatshirt
Often, one of the first acts of a new collegiate is to buy their university’s logo sweatshirt. While not typically the most fashionable item in the school store, it is one of the most spirited.
When choosing a college sweatshirt, keep in mind that a crewneck style is more versatile than a hoodie – it gives you room for scarves, big earrings, long hair, etc. Crewneck sweatshirts are also great for that little extra retro vibe. That said, all the styles below could easily be modified for a hoodie if it’s your favorite! These looks also work for Greek letter organizations or other on-campus groups.
Here, we’ve put together three ways to wear the basic college sweatshirt (we opted for the crewneck style). Style Remix is all about showing you new potential in classics you already own, so style away!
1. Classic Collegiate
Product Details: Shirt, Sweatshirt, Earrings, Watch, Shoes, Pants
A little bit scholarly, a little bit preppy, and a little bit trendy, this look is great for looking polished in a sweatshirt. (We never thought we’d say that on a fashion blog!) Classic elements like the oxfords and watch take a trendy chambray shirt and college crewneck to a new level.
To get this look, wear the chambray shirt (or any collared shirt) under your crewneck sweater — fold the arms of your crewneck up, and roll the chambray sleeves once or twice. Put your collar over the crew, add accessories, and you’re good to go!
2. On-Trend Jewel Tones
Product Details: Scarf, Sweatshirt, Earrings, Socks, Boots, Pants
Who says a sweatshirt has to be drab? This look, in fact, is all about color! Trendy jewel tones are a great way to brighten a winter ensemble: Here, we mixed rich magenta jeans with a teal scarf and navy sweatshirt. For a little flair, tan lace-up boots add some wonderful contrast. We’ve paired them with a deep purple knit sock, perfect to just peek over the top of the boot.
3. Pushing the Envelope
Product Details: Sweatshirt, Necklace, Earrings, Booties, Skirt, Tights
If we had told you that a sweatshirt and heels could, in fact, look awesome together, most of you probably would have given us the side-eye. But it’s totally possible to pull them off! The key is to choose a cozy, casual ankle bootie for balance.
While a college sweatshirt itself will never be dressy, we’ve paired it with dressier elements for days you want to show school spirit while still feeling glam. Of course, there’s still room for trendier pieces, like subtly patterned tights and a flirty skater skirt. By still using cozy knit fabrics, we don’t depart too far from the crewneck’s informality, but a little gleam and sparkle from contrasting earrings and a simple necklace go a long way!
What do you think?
It’s your turn — tell us how you rock your college gear in the comments below! What’s your favorite way to wear your crewnecks? What would you like to see next time in Style Remix? Would you wear any of these looks? We love hearing back from you!
Websites that Rank College Professors February 13th, 2013
College Professors: How Do You Find a Good One?
It wasn’t easy getting into college: you’ve worked long and hard and want to make sure that you can find professors who are the best in their field…at least at your school.
My College Guide has discovered websites that rank college professors so you have some idea of what to expect before you ever set foot inside the college classroom.
Ranking College Professors
Rate My Professors – This established site is super popular for a reason: it’s chock full of student reviews! They boast over 7,500 schools and more than 14 million student-generated comments and ratings. It’s easy to use and easy to rate.
MyEdu(formerly Pick A Prof) – Though this site has undergone a name-change and a bit of a reformat, it’s also less focused on the attractiveness of a professor and instead covers the really important stuff, like how good of a professor he or she is based on student-submitted reviews! You may find out what the average grade is in the course (among those who visit the site, of course) as well as any professor recommendations that can include study tips or exams.
Professor Performance – It’s a college professor review site with a twist: verified students actually leave reviews! Okay, anyone can leave a review, but knowing that a student is actually for real can be a big bonus! They may be more likely to stick to the facts and not let their emotions run rampant. In other words: we wonder if it may lead to more credible reviews.
Your Professor, Graded
At the end of the day, it’s all up to you. Take into consideration what others say, but also remember that it’s far easier for some folks to complain than it is to post something nice. Everyone has his or her own definition of what makes a great teacher.
Without knowing the back-story, it’s not always easy to tell if a review is written because a student slacked off and their grade suffered for it or if a professor truly maintains a difficult course schedule. At the very least, you can always switch classes that first week if a course is not what you thought it would be.
Image Credit: Flickr, pasukaru76.
Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores and another edition just for high-achieving juniors! Check out our participating colleges.
Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!
Related posts:
- Great College Professors: How to Find the Best Professors at School
- 7 Tips for Finding the Best Professors at College
- Online and In-Class: Campus Options at a College Near You