What Students Can Do to Avoid Murphy’s Law

There are lots of trick to keep on track at school or in life. Using electronic or paper planners and establishing routines are both helpful. But how can you prevent a disaster before it happens? After all, we all mess up from time to time. We don’t listen; or we look down when we should look up. Then the moment is gone. You’ve missed the information you need. If you’re lucky, your teacher has a website and posts all assignments and deadlines daily. Of course, even if this is the case, there’s always the Murphy’s Law moment. The power goes out. Your computer crashes. You know. You’ve been there.

Smart students, however, protect themselves from whatever can go wrong. In the first couple of days of the new school year, these students ask for contact details from at least three others (not the teacher) in each of their classes. They explain the reason for asking, and exchange numbers. Then, when the worst happens, they’re able to call or text and ask for the missing assignment or due date. As time goes on, they often help each other over the phone.

This is a simple, but valuable routine to establish. Who knows, besides being helpful when you need information, you might make a new friend.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

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How Can Having a Good Life Hold You Back?

One Thing Freshmen Can Do Today to Earn More Scholarship Money

When doing research for my scholarship book, I discovered one thing each student who earned a Full Ride Scholarship did as a freshman other students didn’t do. Each student introduced himself/herself to the high school counselor who was the resident expert on everything "college" the first week or so of their freshman year. Although it wasn’t difficult for them to do, it surprised me. It shows long term thinking. That’s what impressed the counselors too. Not many new freshmen are thinking about their senior year or beyond. So counselors remember those who do.

Students could take a little time to find out which high school counselor on their campus is the one other counselors go to when they have questions about college requirements or deadlines. Learn this person’s name and what he/she looks like. It’s not hard; the names are usually listed on the school’s website, often along with photographs. If that’s not available, asking a teacher or upper class student should do the trick.

The next step is to find a moment to approach the counselor. You could make an appointment or keep it more casual by arranging to bump into the person on campus. Both approaches are equally effective. Have a short comment ready. Here’s an example:

“Hello, Mrs. Cortez, I’m Dylan Johnson, and I plan on going to college when I graduate in four years. I’m hoping you can help me earn lots of scholarship money to pay for it.”  Then shake his/her hand.

If this doesn’t feel natural to you, come up with your own short introduction. Just be sure to say the counselor’s name, your name, and that you want his or her help to reach your college scholarship goal. You’d be shocked how effective this is. Remember, all the Full Ride Scholarship winning students in my study did something like this the first couple of weeks of their freshman year. After that, they were friendly and remained in contact with this Very Important Person on campus. Try it, what have you got to lose?

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming this fall from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images

The Secret of Decision Making

Actions Are More Powerful than Words

Yikes, Back to School Ads on TV!

You know summer vacation is over when Back to School ads start showing up on TV. When I was a kid, they made me nervous. I knew my family would soon be dropping my siblings and me off at the local department store, and we'd be expected to buy a year’s supply of school clothes. It would have been less traumatic if our schools had uniforms, but they didn’t. We were also taken to the “dime store” to buy school supplies. Teachers didn’t give out lists in those day, we had to guess what we should buy. I never liked back to school ads or the start of the school year because of this anxiety.

School wasn’t scary for me though. I knew I would have a new teacher (or several in secondary school), but they were usually friendly and helpful. My schedule was never a problem either. My school planned ahead, and we had an idea of our new courses before we left school in June. School lockers, however, created some concern. I had a recurrent nightmare in which I forget my locker combination over the weekend and had to go to the main office to ask for help. How humiliating.

I liked the routine of going to school. There was a place for everything and a set of rules that made learning easy. Home life wasn’t as simple. I had no place to study. What I needed was a desk or table in a quiet, well lit location in my home. Without this, I was left to study on the living room floor or on my bed in my bedroom.  Neither spot was quiet or very bright.

I did create an after school routine for myself, however. When I came home I made myself a snack while my mother readied herself to go to work, I started my homework, but had to stop at 5:00 to begin making dinner. It had to be on the table when my father came home from work. My siblings, my father and I had dinner together during the workweek. After we finished, one of us kids did the dishes. I went to finish my homework or study. I watched TV after my school work was complete.

My parents expected me to do well in school, but never encouraged me. They didn’t help set up a place for me to study, or ask if I needed any help. I remember asking my father for assistance in algebra once, but he was unable to explain it to me. I was on my own. I wasn’t urged to prepare for college either. This was a time when girls were secretaries and boys went into the military. My parents thought these options would provide steady employment. I had to argue when it was time to enroll in college.

It was different at school. I knew I wanted to be a high school teacher from a very early age. My teachers told me what I needed to do to prepare for college. I’m grateful they showed me the way. They gave me the support I didn’t have at home. Students of all ages need to know what to do to reach their goals. They need supplies and a quiet place to work or study. They should have access to technology for research. They'll do much better with encouragement. If you're a parent, you could make this happen. If you're a teacher, you're aware some kids don’t have this at home. You should know what you do to support these kids can make all the difference. It did for me and the thousands of students I taught throughout my teaching career.

For more information on how to get to college and earn scholarships, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming this fall from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Pixabay 

How to Ensure Success When Looking for Scholarships

What Sparks Creativity?

Investing a Little Time and Money Now Could Pay Off in Scholarships Later

This morning, the fall catalogue from one of the colleges in my area arrived in my mailbox. I scanned it from cover to cover. I was looking for something for myself. Instead, I found a large section listing college enrichment courses for Pre-school through 17 year old children. This is a wonderful resource for families who want to avoid taking out college loans.

When conducting research for my upcoming book, Free College Awareness, I discovered a significant factor differentiating students who earn major scholarships from those who receive far less money. The first group enrolls in college enrichment courses. The subjects vary, as do the ages of the children taking the classes. The second group of students doesn’t take these courses, and receives fewer scholarships.

In the catalogue I just received, I found 20 courses being offered this fall. They’re in Arts, Foreign Languages, Music, Sports, STEM, Study Skills, Parents and Me and Toddler Time. The age requirements range from eighteen months to seventeen years, depending upon the course. The fees are from $79 to $275. Many of the courses are offered after regular school hours, some on the weekend. A few, especially those for pre-school children, are offered on weekday mornings.

These courses are enrichment in nature. They aren’t for remediation purposes. As with any enrichment course, be sure to keep good records. Include the name of the course, the content, the instructor’s name, and the name and location of the college or university where the course is taken. It’s also wise to ask for a letter of recommendation from the instructor at the end of the course(no matter the age of the child taking the course). These will all come in handy later when filling out college and scholarship applications.

Students and families who do more to prepare for college often receive more scholarship money later. It’s funny how that works out. I’m sure my local college is not the only one sending out fall catalogues this week. If you’re not sure you’ll receive one, call up now and ask to be put on the mailing list. Don’t stop at one college; call all those within a reasonable driving distance from your home. It’s better to spend a little on enrichment classes now, than to have to come up with tens of thousands of dollars for college later.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images

How Big Should We Dream?

How to Get Ahead in School, College and Life

How Can Teens Have Fun While Aiming for College?

It really isn’t all that difficult to make time for hobbies, friends, and other leisure activities while working towards college scholarships. It just takes a little planning. Organized students set aside twenty to thirty minutes during the weekend to plan the week ahead. It doesn’t have to be a complicated process. You don’t need an electronic device, but if you prefer to use one, then that’s fine too.

I find it simple to use a pocket sized weekly planner or print a blank weekly calendar using an online template. Then I write down all my “have to’s”. For students, these would be mostly homework assignments and time to study. But be sure to include time to work on long term school projects, like book reports or term papers. During the week, you’ll need time for day to day assignments, but also for working on those not due for weeks or months.

The next step is to record appointments or after school activities. This might include a dentist appointment, band practice, your little sister’s concert, or other events that have a set time. After all of the activities over which you have little control are scheduled, make a list of the things you really want to do. Some examples could be hanging out with friends, seeing the latest movie, listening to your favorite music group, or the like.

Fit these plans into your schedule being sure they don't interfere with your more significant activities. Always make room for family time. If everyone agrees, a weekly family game night could be fun and help maintain closeness. Be sure to make time each day to do something physical, if not involved in sports or some other energetic interest at school. This will keep your life in balance. You’ll be working towards your goal of winning major scholarships for college, but you’ll also have friends, stay close with your family and remain in great physical shape.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images