High School and College Tips of the Month
June 2009: New College Grad - and Still Unemployed? Part 1
Many communities are home to job
search groups and community career centers
where speakers educate job seekers of all ages on best practices
for researching companies, writing resumes, and practicing
interviewing. These settings can also make networking easier
for those who are just learning the skills. Job search groups
are fantastic resources, but know that age-wise, new college
grads will be in the minority. Most members will be closer
to their parents' ages. However, by learning from these mid-career
professionals, young adults will quickly become street-smart
about how to market themselves to employers.
April 2009: What Kind of Work Experience Do Employers
Want?
More than 75% of employers said they prefer to hire candidates
who already have relevant work experience, according to Job
Outlook 2009, a study from the National Association of Colleges
and Employers. High school students who identify a career
goal and related major as early as junior or senior year can
then seek out career-related work experiences during the rest
of high school and throughout college. Part-time and summer
jobs, internships and cooperative education assignments in
their career field provide a significant competitive advantage
among new college graduates vying for jobs.
March 2009: When the Financial Aid Package Falls Short
If your student's financial aid package offer is less than
you'd like, appeal immediately. The later you wait, the less
funds the college will have.
-
If your family's financial situation has changed since applying or
requires special consideration, contact the college. This includes
loss of a job, divorce or separation, and disability or death of a
family member.
-
Appeal in person…and be personable.
-
Let College A know that College B is offering more aid…but you prefer
College A. See what they might be able to add to their offer.
-
Follow up in the fall. When students who are offered
aid in the spring decide not to attend the college, their
grant money becomes available.
February 2009: What contributes to college success?
Those students who coped with their career-related choices
at the end of their senior years [of high school] had easier
academic adjustments in higher education and greater commitment
to their chosen fields of study, according to the researchers,
V. Germeijs and K. Verschueren. This finding is contrary to
the beliefs of some that career decision making and planning
should be given a more serendipitous or happenstance approach.
- Career Development Quarterly, December 2008
Basically, the research supports Career Vision's perspective
- if students go to college with a sense of direction and
have the essential Career Literacy skills, they greatly improve
their odds of a successful transition.
January 2009: Is Transferring Part of Your College Plan?
Does your student plan to start their academic career
at the local community college, and then transfer to a four-year
school? Proceed with caution! Credits for coursework are not
always accepted when transferring from one college or university
to another. Here are two resources to ensure course credits
transfer successfully:
If they know the school they will be transferring to:
Use the online resource u.Select
Illinois and the Transfer section of the college's website
to find the course requirements for the academic major as
well as general education classes. Work with academic advisors
at both colleges to confirm that the courses your student
takes at the community college level will transfer smoothly
to the new school.
If they do not know the school they will be transferring
to:
The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide
transfer agreement among more than 100 participating college
or universities in Illinois. Visit the
IAI website to find information related to General Education
Core Curriculum as well as Baccalaureate
Majors' Recommendations.
December 2008: Almost Time for Financial Aid Forms
Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, forms
have a June 30 deadline – but states and colleges have their
own deadlines, as early as February. Submit as soon as possible
after Jan 1. For more information, see www.fafsa.ed.gov.
November 2008: When Students Come Home for the Holidays
The holiday season can be stressful, especially for parents
and college students returning home. Young adults who have
been living on their own for several months may chafe at having
to be accountable once again to parents. Some actions that
will help make it an enjoyable visit for all:
Share your expectations for the visit ahead of time with
your student.
Your student will want to spend lots of time with friends.
Agree upon some times they can reserve to be with just family.
Make some time for one-on-one conversation, away from the
crowd.
Maintaining a sense of humor can keep things in the right
balance.
October 2008: Practice Effective Study Skills Before
College
For optimum academic performance, college professors recommend
two hours of studying
for every hour spent in class. Though students say they find
that standard excessive, the time
that college students need to devote to studying is more than
in high school, sometimes dramatically so.
In high school, much of the homework is assigned by the teacher
in small amounts, such as prep for a weekly quiz. Students
are not required to do much independent planning, and certainly
not for an entire semester. In college, students need to be
able to plan on their own. They need to make sure hundreds
of pages are read as suggested by the schedule on the course
syllabus, well in advance of a mid-term or final exam. Parents
who help their high school child practice the skills needed
to plan and manage their studying will see it pay off when
their son or daughter begins their college classes.
September 2008: More $$$ for Illinois College Students
Eight Illinois credit unions announced recently that they
have partnered with two state agencies to provide $100 million
in new financial aid. The program is designed to address the
funding gaps caused by lenders withdrawing from the student
loan market due to the current credit crisis. The funds will
be awarded through the Stafford loan program, offering a 6.8%
interest rate. Final approval is expected September 19 at
the Board Meeting of the Illinois
Student Assistance Commission.
August 2008: Fall application frenzy starts September
1
This month, seniors can begin working on college essays and
some application forms. When they return to school, students
can plan to run their essays past their high school counselor,
but they should make this request as early as possible to
respect the counselor's hectic schedule this time of year.
Build in plenty of time to allow for unexpected delays or
doing some revisions
July 2008: Make Writing Well a Top Priority
Students today communicate at lightning speed through text
messages. But all those abbreviations used in texting do not
prepare them to write a coherent research paper or essay.
Strong writing skills are also demanded for the writing section
on the SAT test and college application essays, assessing
a student's ability to handle college-level work. During high
school, English teachers or private tutors can bolster a high
school student's ability to write well. On a college campus,
head immediately to the writing center to see all they offer
- before you need the help. Trained staff, top English majors,
and peer tutors offer free coaching with all stages of the
writing process, from formulating a topic to preparing the
final copy. Tap these resources early and you'll see the payoff
in academic success!
June 2008: Volunteering: You'll get more than you give
If your summer job isn't giving you enough hours, consider
a volunteer position a few hours a week to introduce you to
career options. Colleges and prospective employers look for
leadership and volunteer experience in the backgrounds of
applicants. Grab a friend and seek out a volunteer opportunity
that you both find interesting. Identify organizations to
approach or find some ideas at www.chicagovolunteer.net
or www.npo.net/volunt.htm.
For those who live outside the Chicago area, search on www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do.
May 2008: Save Gas, Earn Credit
This summer, consider getting a head start on your college
coursework by taking an online course. Though there are designated
start and end dates, coursework can be completed at any time
of the day – or night! This makes it easy to fit around a
work schedule. Students submit assignments, receive feedback,
participate in discussions with other students and complete
testing – all online. These courses are just as challenging
as classroom-based courses. If you are self-motivated, and
can set up and stick to a study plan, you are a great candidate
for this method of learning!
April 2008: College 101 Finale
Spring reminds us that there can always be new beginnings.
At college, it is never too late to begin following these
success tips:
Set priorities, don't skip classes, procrastinate, or let
your study habits slip.
Feeling homesick or overwhelmed at times is completely
normal. Call family or friends, send an e-mail, journal,
or reach out to your support network on campus.
Don't overspend or get caught in the credit card trap of
debt!
Decide now that a bad class or professor will not change
your academic or career goals. Keep your eye on your goals
and persist!
March 2008: More College Success 101
Making a successful transition to university life and
enjoying your experience in college includes practicing some
these "basics":
Understand course requirements and assignment due dates,
and clarify instructor expectations early in the term.
Set realistic academic goals and grades for yourself and
strive to attain them.
Get involved in fun campus activities and (if living on
campus) resist leaving on the weekends.
Exercise and eat right to maintain your physical and mental
health. A healthy student is a student who learns better
and faster.
February 2008: College Success 101
Unfortunately, 50% of students entering college never
earn a degree. Stack the odds of succeeding in college in
your favor by following these tips:
Determine your best career paths and supporting college
major(s) as soon as possible to avoid changing majors or
spending extra semesters in school.
Get to know and build a support network of peers and mentors
on campus (students, classmates, academic advisors, professors,
tutors, counselors).
Get and stay organized!
Understand course requirements and assignment due dates.
January 2008: Networking
Social networking sites, like Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn
have now become the latest trend in employment. Students
are finding internships, summer jobs, and full-time employment
through these sites. Individuals are able to use their network
of influential contacts to introduce them to potential employers,
increasing their odds of being considered for a position.
Thousands of recruiters and employers (including all Fortune
500 companies) peruse these sites for talent. Be professional
in your profile content and communication, and also be aware
that an increase in connections can lead to an increase
in spam, raising the possibility of identity theft.
For comprehensive information on protecting your privacy,
go to: privacyrights.org
and www.scambusters.org
December 2007: Parents of High School Seniors
Check with your student's guidance counselor to determine
if there are any remaining scholarships or grants for which
your student might apply. Note: Seniors who have determined
their college major may be eligible for additional scholarships
through the college they plan to attend, associations, foundations,
or businesses. January is the month to file your FAFSA forms
(go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/).
For additional scholarship and financial aid information,
check out these websites:
BankRate.com
The
College Board
Federal
Student Aid
Peterson's
Princeton
Review
Direction.
Decisions. Satisfaction.
|