Now What? A Guide to College Preparation

I am currently in my third and last year in college, and as I look back on my senior year of high school, I realize that I (along with most college seniors) made way too big of a deal about the whole collegiate affair. While hard work is a necessary factor (sorry to all of the slackers out there), the application and beginning college experience should really be savored and enjoyed without being marred by the constant feeling of breathless panic that accompanies SATs, final GPAs and acceptance letters.

For all of the parents out there, I realize that you want your darlings to go to a good school and get a good education so that they can then get a good job and support you during your retirement years. Although, some of you may be happy enough to think that your child just might graduate from the local community college. Still, before you begin to pressure your son/daughter into following your dream path for them, take a few minutes time out. Step back, sit down, stand up and BREATHE. The more pressure you place upon minds, the more likely it becomes that they will panic, fail and resent you. If your child is serious about college, then they will do their part and all you have to do is pay the bill. Simple really.

Now, for the nitty gritty details. Future college students – RELAX. Despite what your parents may have told you, the world will not end if you do not get accepted to Harvard, Yale, Stanford or some other dream school. The good thing about America is that accredited colleges and universities are in abundant supply and range from the expensive to the less expensive, the prestigious to the beer halls, the conservative to the liberal. Chances are fairly good that if you actually do the work and put in the time, you will get accepted to at least one decent school of your choice. And, to help you with all of the prep work, you have ME.

Most high school seniors looking ahead to college get trapped in the final GPA and SAT rush (between senioritis and the senior parties that is). Many have the perception that only the really smart kids are in the top ten percent or have outstanding GPAs and SAT scores. Well, guess what. That is absolutely FALSE. While it does help to be a genius, let’s face the truth. Relatively few people are absolute geniuses. If you are one, GREAT! However, for those of you who are like me then there is another way. It is commonly called hard work, but that phrase sounds so depressing that I call it “doing what needs to be done” or DWNTBD.

First I will tell you that DWNTBD does not mean that you have to be in constant study mode. On the contrary, I actually became valedictorian by completing most of my homework at four am the day it was due. The trick is to learn to estimate how much time an assignment will take you and go from there. If you like to work at night, then sleep during the day. If you like to work in the morning, then wake up early. Know yourself. Put in the work. Occasionally, an exam or a major project will take some extra time, but overall just do the work. I can guarantee that I was nowhere near the smartest person in my class. However, I put in a few hours a couple of mornings and made sure that I completed every assignment in some form or fashion. While higher GPAs will help you gain a spot in your dream college, colleges do look at more than grades. If you have decent grades rounded out by extracurricular activities and/or volunteer service you will look fairly good.

As for the SATs, don’t freak out about them. Panic only leads to blank minds and black outs. If you pay attention in your classes (at least half to three quarters of the time) throughout the years, then you will do okay. Remember the different parts of speech; do one or two practice essays if your writing skills are weak; ask your math teacher questions. Simple things like this can make a big difference in your scores and keep you from putting in several crash-study hours.

So now we move on to selecting the college and major.  This section shouldn’t be too difficult if you are serious about attending college for yourself and not your parents, so I’ll try to keep it brief. 

            1. Apply to colleges in which You are interested.  Remember that you will have to live there for four years and not your parents.  Pick out two or three different ones that offer classes that interest you.

            2. College essays are nothing to freak out about.  Most essays have similar, cheesy prompts that will ask you about your influences or why you want to attend their school.  The trick to passing these questions is two-fold.  First, make sure that you can write an essay.  If you cannot write a decent essay without help from your parents, then you really should not be applying to college.  Two, think outside of the box.  These essays are supposed to give insight into your soul.  While you need to take them with a decent amount of seriousness, you do not want your essay to be boring and like everyone else’s.  If you want your question asks you about your influences or the people who have affected your life, then feel free to eloquently describe how your fairy friends have forever changed your lonely life by lifting you out of deep despair and by showing you the world through their fairy-flavored enchantments.  Yes, some make think you are crazy or high, but you will stand out and be unique. 

            3. Don’t worry about your major.  While some applications may want you to put down a proposed major, your future college advisors and teachers will understand that it is not written in blood (if it is you have serious problems).  It is expected that most college freshmen will eventually change their majors up to three times throughout their college careers.  College is a time to explore new alternatives and experience different facets of life.  So what if you were a jock in school?  You may find that you like doing graphic design work or Family and Consumer Sciences.  Just because you were a math whiz in high school does not mean that you have to major in math in college.  Try the drama department.  They always have the cool people. The simple truth of the matter is that your whole life is in front of you.  Don’t try to fit it neatly into one box because it won’t fit. 

If you do the work and do what needs to be done, you will get places.  In fact, you will travel to places you could never have imagined.  Work, Be Creative and LIVE!