Why Take a Gap Year?

By: Jasmin S. 

Although gap years between high school and college are not as common in the U.S., they are very popular among students in places like Europe. This may seem surprising to us, but it makes perfect sense why one would choose to take a year off between 12th grade and freshman year of college. After spending four years balancing various extracurriculars, classes, studying, family, part-time jobs, and more, you might feel like jumping right into college is a bit overwhelming. Maybe you need a break from the constant pressure of your classes and tests, or you’re still not sure which major to choose. If this is the case, a gap year might be the perfect solution for you! 

Better Performance in College 

"Gap Year: preparati a viviere l'anno piú bello
della tua vita!" by Viaggio Routard is licensed
under CC BY 2.0

Many parents fear that if their child stops taking classes and going to school, they will become lazy. This is not the case at all. In fact, students who take gap years tend to be more mature than their peers by the time they enter college. According to 2015 research conducted by Temple University in conjunction with Gap Year Association, the six top reported outcomes of a gap year were personal, rather than career or academic-oriented. Ninety-seven percent of alumni who responded indicated that their gap year experience increased their maturity, while 96 percent said it increased their self-confidence (Writers). 

First-year classes in college can actually be easier thanks to your gap year, especially if you take that time to personally acquaint yourself with the courses you plan on taking. You’ll be able to pick up new languages much quicker if you've already spoken with native speakers. Humanities and other courses can also be easier after all those museum and historical landmark visits! 

Living Independently 

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Whether you choose to travel on your own or with a program, you will learn essential skills like grocery shopping for yourself, budgeting, healthy eating, navigating public transit, etc. All of these skills are crucial for college and adult life in general! If you choose not to work with a program, you can always do a work holiday option. Thereby having the opportunity to not only make money but immerse yourself deeply into another culture for a longer period of time than would be possible if you were merely backpacking. 

Establishing Worldwide Connections 

Image by Voy Zan from Pixabay

One of the best things about taking a gap year is the opportunity to meet new people. Building lifelong friendships with people from various countries can help you navigate unknown places and refine your language-speaking skills, and those friends will likely welcome you with open arms if you return! Learning how to make friends in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people is a skill that will come in handy in college as well. 

Endless Possibilities 

There are a plethora of activities to choose from when it comes to structuring your gap year. There are many ways to stay productive and busy, so there is no need to worry about doing nothing or playing video games in your mom’s basement all day. There is a wide range of possibilities (even on a budget) from backpacking in Asia to landing an internship in a different state. 

No Money, No Problem 

Image by Alex Strachan from Pixabay

A common myth surrounding gap years is that you have to have a lot of money to be able to take a whole year off from school. However, this is not necessarily the case. Some students use gap years as an opportunity to save up money for college and future living expenses. Others may choose to spend their time volunteering abroad with a program that helps cover living costs. That’s right, some programs pay you to take a gap year! Volunteering can help you gain a new perspective on the world. In fact, they can help students give back to their communities throughout their lives. Many gap year students become philanthropists when they are older due to their global perspective. 

Countless Traveling Options 

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

International travel might be your dream, but there are also many exciting places in the Americas you can visit! You could go to Canada and practice your French, an American national park to enjoy nature, Brazil to learn Portuguese, Mexico to eat delicious food, and so much more! Traveling to any new place is an enriching experience that will teach you new things. 

As long as you get out of your comfort zone, try new things, make new friends, and live independently for what’s likely the first time, a gap year will be well worth your time! According to GoOverseas.com, more than 90% of gap year alumni say that their gap year experiences helped them gain respect for other customs and cultures (Perez). 

Keeping It Local 

Image by Bella H. from Pixabay

If you choose to stay at home during your gap year, there are still plenty of options for you! After all, travel can be daunting and not everyone wants to do it. With more and more programs appearing online, you can do all types of jobs remotely! From teaching music to marketing on social media, you will likely be able to find a job that you enjoy, can do online, and can help you save money for college! You can also get involved in your community by volunteering for local organizations. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to learn new skills. Have you been wanting to learn how to play an instrument? How to code? Now is your chance! 

Conclusion 

Overall, taking a gap year, though not common, has numerous benefits. It can help you grow a new set of skills you didn’t know you needed for college, help build a global network of new friends, assist you in choosing the right career, and provide you with experiences that will last a lifetime. If you would like to further research gap years, there are links and resources below to aid you in your search for ideas below. 

Resources for Gap Year Programs 

• The Best Gap Year Programs 
• Gap Year Scholarships and Grants
• How to Find Grants for Your Gap Year
• Ways to Make Money During Your Gap Year 
• What to Do on a Gap Year With No Money 

Works Cited 

“Does Taking a Gap Year Increase the Ceiling for Students?” NYU Steinhardt, 23 June 

2017, counseling.steinhardt.nyu.edu/blog/gap-year-after-high-school/.

Perez, Olivia Christine. “Why You Should Take a Gap Year After High School.” Go 

Overseas, 04 June 2020, 

www.gooverseas.com/blog/why-should-take-gap-year-after-high-school.

Writers, Staff. “Taking a Gap Year: Pros & Cons and How to Apply to College.” 

AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org, AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org, 17 July 2020, 

www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/taking-a-gap-year-before-college/.

What About AP Exams?

By: Asha S.

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The NCVPS Student Research Alliance: A Platform for Innovation

By: Gracie B.

"Photo a day project: December 2005" by Jenny Lee Silver is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

In high school, coursework is often prescribed. Many students fill their schedules with classes to meet graduation requirements or to build impressive resumes for college applications. Their true passions are stifled by excessive academic and extracurricular obligations. Yet, learning becomes more fulfilling and purposeful when it is driven by genuine intellectual curiosity. Exploring one’s own interests is a crucial step towards building a meaningful life and career. This pursuit of self-directed education is at the heart of the NCVPS Student Research Alliance, a new program that empowers students to delve deeply into subjects that captivate them and share their knowledge with peers across North Carolina.

Research internships are notoriously scarce for high school students, especially in non-scientific fields. The NCVPS Student Research Alliance increases the accessibility of academic research opportunities, allowing participants to propose unique inquiries and to direct their own investigations. Student research fellows benefit from collaboration with subject-specific advisors, who help them interpret their findings and refine their reflections. Months of dedicated study culminate in a detailed research paper and an NCVPS Café session, in which the student presents their research to peers and instructors. Specific NCVPS courses serve as springboards for research projects, and students are able to utilize Research Alliance papers and presentations to enrich the content they are learning in class. Research projects are as diverse as their creators. In the 2019 summer program, topics ranged from spacecraft design to abnormal psychology to Baltic history. There is no shortage of creativity and innovation among NCVPS students, and the Student Research Alliance provides a unique avenue to express the ingenuity of online learners.

To be eligible to participate in the Student Research Alliance, students must be in high school and are required to have completed at least one NCVPS course. Participants should also have regular internet access and several hours per week to devote to research. Selection is not based on GPA or academic standing, as the program aims to give all students an equal opportunity to acquire invaluable research and writing skills that will benefit them in college and beyond. Rather, students are chosen based on experience and interest within a particular subject area, which can be demonstrated through achievements inside or outside of the classroom. Students interested in participating in the program will be invited to attend a general information session later in the fall semester to learn more about the application and research processes. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting initiative, and let your NCVPS teacher know if you are interested in becoming involved in one of the many programs the Peer Tutoring Center has to offer.

Conquering AP Exams

By: Gracie B.

Jtk13 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

AP exam season can be a difficult time, especially for students taking their first exam or juggling multiple tests. However, like most standardized tests, AP exams are highly predictable in their structure and content. By preparing diligently and employing effective test-taking strategies, you can conquer your AP exams.

Before the Exams

It is crucial to ensure that you have completed all pre-registration materials. If you are taking an exam for a class that is not offered at your face-to-face school, touch base with your school’s testing coordinator to make sure your test has been ordered and is scheduled for administration. Keep track of which of your tests are morning sessions and which are afternoon sessions. Morning exams start at 8:00 a.m., while afternoon exams begin at 12:00 p.m. One notable exception to this schedule is the Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam, which begins at 2:00 p.m. Prepare to arrive at your testing center at least thirty minutes before your exams and make sure you have eaten and are well-rested before testing.

One of the most valuable resources to prepare for AP exams is College Board’s AP Central, which contains free response questions from previous years’ tests. It also provides scoring rubrics and sample student responses. You will find that the College Board tends to ask similar types of questions every year, so studying past tests is an invaluable use of your review time. The College Board publishes a limited number of multiple choice questions on their website, but you can find additional practice tests in targeted prep books such as those published by the Princeton Review. These books also review course content. Khan Academy is another useful resource that provides free videos, summaries, and practice questions for AP subjects such as Calculus and Art History.

Study Resources:
College Board’s AP Central: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

During the Exams

As you take your AP exams, keep in mind how the tests are scored. On some exams, students may be able to pass by answering only about 60% of the questions correctly. You can still earn a four or a five on an AP exam without being able to solve every problem. The key to mastering AP tests is to find a way to maximize your score by focusing on your strengths. A Calculus BC student struggling with Taylor Series might skip the last free response question and focus his or her energy on answering the other questions. When you are stuck on one specific question, it is often best to make an educated guess and move forward to ensure that you have enough time to complete the rest of the test.

Another key strategy is to look for patterns throughout AP tests. AP exams, especially those in history and social science, often reinforce a series of overarching themes. For instance, you are almost guaranteed to see questions about race relations, women’s rights, and the expansion of America’s role in international affairs on the AP United States History exam. If you understand these underlying concepts, you can often make deductions that will lead you to correct answers. For example, if you know that Native Americans were treated unfairly throughout U.S. history, you can infer that a specific conflict may have been caused by the displacement of natives from their homelands. While some students scramble to memorize every last piece of information pertaining to a subject, those with a deeper understanding of the material are often most successful on AP tests.

After the Exams

AP scores are released in July. The exact date you will receive your score depends on your state. Your school should have issued you an AP number card with instructions on how to log into College Board to view your scores. A score of three is considered passing, as the College Board recommends that a student who earns this score is qualified to receive college credit. A student who scores a four is well qualified, and a student who scores a five is extremely well qualified to receive credit. College Board offers no credit recommendation for test-takers who score a one but states that those who score a two may qualify for credit, depending on the university they attend. Any AP scholar awards you receive will be added to your account in the days following your initial score release. Remember, while a stellar AP score can allow you to place out of introductory college classes, failing an AP test is not uncommon and will not ruin your prospects for future academic success. Most colleges do not require the submission of AP scores as part of the application process, and students who scored poorly may actually benefit from retaking a course in a university setting.

By applying the strategies and information discussed in this article, you can work to ensure that your AP testing season is successful and stress-free.



Sources:
“About AP Scores.” College Board, apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/about-ap-scores/.
“AP Calendar.” College Board, apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/ap-calendar.
Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam. Penguin Random House, 2018.

The Importance of Water by Hannah D.

Creating Your Ultimate College List

By: Gracie B.

Although college application season is coming to an end, now is the perfect time for juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen to begin planning for college. In fact, you can take the first step in the application process today by creating a college list. There is no perfect formula for creating the ultimate college list, but there are several important factors you must consider to create a list best suited to your individual needs and goals. 

"Main Building, University of Notre Dame DDZ_0009" by NDomer73 is

licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

 What Exactly is a College List? 

A college list is a plan of which universities you will apply to your senior year of high school. Most students interested in attending a four-year university should apply to at least three colleges. Your list of colleges should include safety, match, and reach schools. Safety schools are colleges that will most likely offer you acceptance. When choosing safety schools, look for colleges that have high acceptance rates (generally over 50%). Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor should significantly exceed those of the average students accepted into your safety schools. For instance, a school with a 70% acceptance rate, an average SAT score of 1200, and an average unweighted GPA of 3.4 would be a great safety for a student with an SAT score of 1450 and a 3.9 unweighted GPA. However, the same school might be a reach for a student with an SAT score of 950 and a 2.5 unweighted GPA. Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor may be below those of the average students accepted into your reach schools. Additionally, schools with acceptance rates under 15% tend to be classified as reach schools for all students because their applicant pools are filled with high-achieving students, making their admissions extremely competitive. Nevertheless, low acceptance rates should not discourage you from applying to reach schools. Keep in mind that colleges also consider your background, extracurricular achievements, and unique personal characteristics. Any one of these factors might impress admissions committees enough to earn you acceptance into one of your reach schools. Due to the unpredictability of admissions decisions at selective colleges, it is also important to apply to match schools. Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor should be roughly equivalent to those of the average students accepted into your match schools, and the schools’ acceptance rates should exceed 15%. Choose these schools carefully, as most students will end up attending one of their match schools.

How to Choose the Right Colleges

Once you understand the basic components of a college list, it is time to start creating your own application plan. A college bound student may have hundreds of potential safety, reach, and match schools. The difficult part is choosing which universities are are best suited to your own needs and interests. One important factor to consider is cost. How much can you afford to pay for college? Do not be deceived by the high sticker prices of some private colleges. For example, Ivy League universities are known for their high tuition and fees, which can be more than double the cost of public state universities. However, these private colleges are also known for their extremely generous financial aid packages, and some qualified low-income students can attend top schools for free. Most universities have official financial aid calculators. You can fill in your family’s financial information to estimate what it will cost you to attend a particular college. Another factor to consider is location. Do you want to attend a college close to home? Do you prefer an urban or a rural environment? Do you prefer cold or warm weather? If you’ve lived at the beach your entire life, you may regret attending a college in a town that receives more than sixty inches of snow per year. Also consider college size. Would you prefer to sit in a large lecture hall or a small classroom? It is important to ask yourself all of these questions when deciding which schools to add to your college list. The next factor is perhaps the most important: you must consider the individual programs each college offers for your intended major or field of study. While one school might have a very prestigious engineering program, it may be lacking in the performing arts department and would be a poor choice for a student interested in majoring in theatre. Some majors, such as financial engineering and actuarial science, are only available at select universities. If you are committed to a specific field of study, it is very important that you apply to colleges with strong programs in your intended major.

 To Apply Early or Not to Apply Early?

Once you have created the ultimate college list, you must decide when to apply to colleges. For four-year colleges in the U.S., there are three main application plans: early action, early decision, and regular decision. Applying to a college early (usually in the fall of your senior year) often increases your chance of admission. Be cautious when applying to a college on an early decision plan. Early decision applications are binding contracts. When you apply to a college under this plan, you make a commitment to attend that school if you are accepted. This means that you can only apply to one college on an early decision plan: you should be sure that this college is your top choice. Note that some early decision programs at selective schools will allow applicants to also apply to public colleges via the early action plan. Early action plans are non-binding. Some early action plans are restrictive and prohibit students from applying early to other schools. Regular decision admission plans are non-binding and are great backup plans for students who have already been released from early decision contracts at other schools via deferrals or rejections. Regular decision applicants apply in the winter of their senior year and receive their admissions decisions after early decisions are released. A general rule of thumb is that non-restrictive early action is usually superior to regular decision. It increases your chance of admission and thus gives you more options. Only apply to a college via early decision if you are sure that particular university is your top choice. Once released from any binding contracts, you may apply to other colleges on your list via regular decision.

As you can see, creating the ultimate college list requires a significant amount of research. However, if you have read this article, you have already taken the first step towards earning admission to your dream college!

Sources:
Pippen, Carolyn. “Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision: What's the Difference?” Vanderbilt University Undergraduate Admissions, 13 Aug. 2013, admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2013/08/early-action-early-decision-and-regular-decision-whats-the-difference/.

 

Community Service: How and Why

By: Angelina N. 

Although it is important to study intensively, discover your interests, and pursue your aspirations in high school, it is also crucial to acknowledge the significance of giving back to the community. It is undeniable that the quality and welfare of the community depends on the individuals within it. If the members of a community readily contribute to it, then the community will have a thriving and healthy environment, but if the members of a community only focus on their own individual pursuits, then the community will have a much more distinguishable characteristic of inequality. To prevent this, you can begin at a local level by doing community service, which will not only benefit numerous members of your community but will also increase your appeal to college committees. 

So, what exactly is community service and how can you acquire volunteer hours? Community service encompasses all activities relating to benefiting the community. Due to the countless possibilities of community service, it is a great way to not only improve your local area but also a great way to exercise your strengths and spend time doing your hobbies. Below is a presentation providing a list of options for community service hours depending on your hobbies and strengths: 

The choices for benefitting your community are endless, and you can view it as a way to spend time doing your hobbies while spreading your passion to others. Community service hours make your college application stronger, serve as an exemplary opportunity to exhibit leadership skills, and have a direct positive impact on those around you. 

Advice on Taking AP Classes

What Do Colleges Expect in Application Essays?

By Angelina N.

One of the major constituents of a college application is the essay. Although it only accounts for a small segment of the total application, it is the only medium through which college committees can connect with an applicant on a personal level. Universities also substantially consider academic achievement and community contributions; however, essays provide insight into the personality of the student and allow for them to determine whether he or she will be beneficial to the school’s objectives. Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure that these brief pieces of writing leave a positive impression on their audiences. 

All colleges require for applicants to respond to a simple question in detail about their personal lives. This may range from an extracurricular activity that impacted the student’s development in a significant way to a difficulty that he or she faced and was able to overcome. There are often word limits that restrict the extent to which a student may describe a situation as well. Different colleges have different requirements, but all have a general objective: to get to know the student better as an individual. How exactly can this be accomplished? Other than using sophisticated vocabulary terms and varying sentence structure, below are a few tips that may aid a student in constructing an effective college essay. 

Brainstorm and Organize 

Prior to commencing the writing process, it is crucial to know what you want to express through your writing and how your essay will reveal important personal characteristics. You should take a short period of time to analyze the prompt question and determine the purpose of the question. If the prompt is about one of your interests, the college may want to learn about your hobbies and, through your descriptions of them, derive some personality traits that you may possess. For example, if you choose to write about a musical instrument that you have a passion for and spend much time with, the college committee will be able to deduce that you have an artistic side, as well as persistence and patience-- two character traits essential to playing an instrument well. You should always keep in mind the specific points that you want to communicate through your essay and ensure that all components of your writing are conducive to expressing those points. 

Photo by TeroVesalainen on Pixabay is licensed under CC0 1.0

Use a Short Story 

After focusing your writing, it is important to decide how you want to convey your personality to the audience. Although this can be achieved through a multitude of methods, a universal rule holds through all college essays: show, not tell. It is much more effective to give real-life examples in which you exemplified certain personality characteristics rather than to explicitly state them in your writing. A great way to attain this quality in your essay is to use a brief anecdote about yourself that is extremely valuable to you. For example, developing on the instrument scenario introduced in the previous tip, you could write a short story about the first time you tried the instrument, your first performance, or some other turning point that still resonates within you. By doing this you are able to express yourself much more credibly and are able to support your claims without ever having to directly state those claims in your writing. This actually leaves a much deeper impression on the audience of your essay because they are able to vicariously live through one of your experiences instead of being presented with bland assertions about a person that they do not know anything about. 

Be Genuine 

Finally, it is crucial to remember that the essay is about you. Therefore, the ideas in the paper should come from you. Your audience can distinguish between genuinely-felt writing bursting with originality and feeling as opposed to stereotypical generalizations about the topic that you chose. It is crucial that you avoid falling into the trap of writing about what you think others want to read; the best way to capture the attention of the college committee is to actually write something that you would want to read. There is a significant difference between honest writing and writing whose purpose is to go by conventionally accepted standards and opinions. Continuing on the instrument example, here are two possible excerpts from an essay on this topic: Notice how the first excerpt incorporates stereotypical ideas about instruments, such as how they can produce “beautiful music” and have the ability to teach people the value of important character traits like persistence. However, through the second excerpt the reader is able to obtain an idea about a unique reason as to why the writer has a passion for piano playing. The writer of the essay wrote about interesting concepts, such as how playing the piano is like mastering control over an inanimate object. 

The piano is an instrument that has always inspired tremendous fascination and awe in me because of the beautiful music that it can produce. My passion for it originates from the way that it has not only developed my musical capabilities in remarkable ways but has also taught me persistence and to not give up even when faced with seemingly unconquerable tasks. 

The nearly supernatural ability of the piano to translate my innermost thoughts and vivid images into a flowing piece of music with innumerable nuances and subtle inflections has never failed to fascinate me every time I play. Through it, I have been able to experience what it is like to have an inanimate, yet extremely difficult to handle, object under my control. Piano, to me, is about forming an unbroken connection between the mind and the hands, the goal of which is not to achieve perfection, but to become progressively closer to truly expressing the figments of one’s own imagination and creativity to others. 

As you tackle the daunting task of writing a college essay, remember to brainstorm and organize, use a short story, and be genuine. 

Standardized Test Preparation

How to Make Summer Productive

By Marco A.

Summer is often regarded as a time to relax, sleep in, and be with friends and family. Recently, however, summer has become a time for many high schoolers to learn new things, improve college applications, and prepare for the future.

In reality, summer should be a combination of both relaxation and productivity. Summer is a time to relax and unwind after the stresses of the recent school year, and it is also a time in which students should seek ways to improve themselves. It is important to find the right combination of both, while not spending too much time on either.

Effective use of time, especially in the summer, has become increasingly important in college admissions. Many colleges seek to understand if their applicants make good use of their time. With that being said, here are five ways to make your summer more productive and beneficial:

1. Study for the SAT/ACT

Although this may not be the most popular option, it may be the most beneficial one. Either way you go, it's a good idea to study for these tests at some point. Many studies have shown that a significant amount of studying for the SAT or ACT correlates to significant score increases. I can personally attest to this, as my SAT score increased 200 points after studying during the summer. These score gains will be well worth your time when it comes to applying to college.

Furthermore, Many colleges report that besides GPA, standardized testing is the most important factor when considering admissions. This means that you should be putting significant time into these tests!  Additionally, there are many low cost options for study materials, including websites, books, and videos. A simple search for “how to self study for the SAT/ACT” results in millions of resources.

So not that you know you should study, why study in the summer? Well, summer is the time of year when most students do not have to worry about other classes, extracurriculars, or  homework. As a result, students can spend much of their free time on the SAT/ACT without detracting time from other important events.  

2. Volunteer or Get a Job

One of the things colleges love is volunteer work. However, this should be something more than just another thing you can list on your resume. Volunteering should involve something you are passionate about and want to help others with. Find this activity for you, and pursue it over the summer while you have time. If you are truly passionate about it, it guarantees to be a rewarding experience (so rewarding that it may even make a great college essay!). It is also important to make sure that while you do this, you keep track of how many hours you volunteer as it may be asked later on.

Getting a job can have both personal benefits as well as monetary ones. Work can help you gain experience in the professional world, a skill that colleges will appreciate. Also, working in a professional setting will teach you the value of hard work. This will give you much more respect for those who work everyday of the year. Finally, the money that comes from the job may come in handy later down the road.

3. Learn Something New

School may be out, but that does not mean the learning should end! With all the free time you now have on your hands, use it to learn something you have always wanted to know. Many websites such as Coursera and edX offer free classes on interesting topics from top universities. If you have ever wondered how to code a website, write great poetry, take breathtaking photos, or how chemistry affects cooking, the summer is the time to learn it do it. Not only will this be enjoyable, but it could also help you discover what you are passionate about. If you think you may be interested in being a journalist, taking a journalism class on edX could let you know if it’s the right fit for you. Furthermore, this will keep your brain active so you’re ready to learn when school starts up again in fall.

4. Take Some Time to Read

Reading can be extremely enjoyable and relaxing if you find a book you are passionate about. Time spent reading has also been shown as the best way to increase standardized test scores in reading. In order to do this, try to pick out books that you enjoy, but are also well written and respected.

Reading can also expose you to new ideas and can subsequently cause you to change your world outlook. As an added benefit, reading will keep you thinking throughout the summer months.

5. Discover What You Want to Do in Life

Although this may sound cliche, summer is the opportune time to find out what job you want to pursue, or what college you want to attend. Research the possible career fields you are thinking about, and the colleges you are interested in. Don’t hesitate to contact someone in these positions to ask them about their personal experience. More often than not, people are willing to help you learn more about their career field. If you are really interested in one, see if it's possible to spend a day on the job or if there are any related internships available. As far as college goes, try to figure out what each university wants to see in an applicant. Additionally, consider visiting a campus if you are interested.

Keep these 5 things in mind during the summer! They will be very helpful and beneficial in making it more productive. But remember that it is also important to relax over the summer, as we all need some down time. Don’t let any of these activities consume your whole summer! Be sure to enjoy it while you can.

Keeping College In Mind

By: Charlotte P.

A message to all high school students:

Every day of your high school education contributes to your future: college, career, and income. Such things appear remote and far away, but you must plan for your future success in addition to maintaining your happiness during high school. It is difficult to balance the present and the future, but such a skill is necessary…those who live for tomorrow have nothing for today, but those who live for today have nothing for tomorrow.

A message to all freshmen:

You just finished middle or junior high school and hopefully you have reflected over your mistakes and successes during the last three years. Remember that sense of regret and do your best in high school in accordance with your goals and dreams. Graduation and college may seem distant, but how well you do in freshman year will impact your GPA, class rank, and record of school involvement. You want to reap awards from your hard work during high school, so please keep one eye toward the future this year.

A message to all sophomores:

Are the mistakes of your freshman year haunting you? You still have time to bump up your GPA and academic performance. As a sophomore, you have completely settled into high school life and will find balancing social life and academic life easier. Start preparing for the SAT and/or ACT and researching colleges and universities (do you need to take any SAT Subject Tests?). Begin to focus more on your studies.

A message to all juniors:

Besides continuing your high school education, set up a plan for college admissions. When will you take your admissions tests (SAT and ACT)? What colleges will you consider? What experiences and/or commitments can you write about in college essays? If you have no or a few answers for the last question, start planning on making some experiences and commitments this year. Also, open your eyes to the world around you; sometimes, the best college essays are insightful observations of the most mundane events and surroundings.

A message to all seniors:

Presently, I am at this stage, and I bet that you have (as I have) self-diagnosed your condition as senioritis. Well, you must persevere and keep an eye on your academic performance. I wish you luck in completing your applications and receiving decisions later in the school year. Hopefully your performance in the last three years has not negatively impacted your chances of attending your dream college. After being accepted to a college, continue to do well in school. Colleges keep an eye on their incoming freshmen’s performance during the second semesters of their senior years. No one wants to receive that letter saying you have been denied admission due to poor performance.

A message to all high school students:

Keep the advice given to your grade level close to heart while still having fun in high school. Make friends, attend football games, party, and go to prom; just remember to keep an eye on your future and your dreams.