Seniors in High School Share Tips About College Apps and More

It’s not too late to get your scholarship applications in for college!  Our Girls With Dreams team got together to share some of their tips about college applications and scholarship applications.  Check out what they have to say about their senior year, applying for college, and scholarship opportunities.

A few Big Dreams…What’s Yours?

I love talking our Girls With Dreams, “What’s Your Dream?” board to every event we go to.  This weeked I had the privilege of talking with 250 amazing teens and their moms at the Southern Illinois Teen Women’s Conference near Carbondale. 

Here are just a few of the dreams the girls posted on our board.  We’d love to hear your dreams too!

• To be a kindergarten teacher with a master’s degree
• To become a NCIS agent
• To be a fashion designer
• To think better of myself
• To become a sports commentator
• To become a historical professor
• To get a good education, go to a good school, become a doctor, change the world and travel
• To help people in need and sing
• To make a difference in the world and have fun doing it
• To recycle and become a Rock Star!
• To become a veternarian, go sky diving, and for my parents to be friends
• Save the world from global warming and become an orthodontist
• To be a pilot
• To travel around the world as a journalist

So, what’s your big dream?  Let us know!

Getting Ready For College

If you are a senior and are worried about preparing for college, I made a few tips for you. This past week it just hit me that college is right around the corner and I still have so much to do. I am a little bit freaked out but scared at the same time so here are some tips you could go by.

1. Pick out your top favorite schools. A great website to help with this is College Board.

2. Sign up for a day to go visit the college with your family. Your school will probably even let this be a field trip day if you fill out a form. It’s best to visit a college during the week when classes are in session.

3. Apply to the colleges you think you like the best. You will get accepted =] if not it’s ok!

4. After you have gotten accepted sign up for the dorms. Be careful cause some colleges first group for the dorm deadline is this month. Most colleges all you have to do is put a down payment down. (you don’t even have to be sure that is where you want to go to college).

5. You should be able to pick your room in the end of the year. So to prepare for it I would get everything for your dorm ready. Talk to your room mate to make sure you guys don’t both bring the same things!

This is all I have for now. I just went through the first couple steps myself recently. I have visited Mizzou and am getting ready to sign up for my dorm =] EXCITING. As it gets closer to going off to college I can do more of these when more deadlines approach!

P.S don’t forget to apply for scholorships. =]

Louder Than Words Online Show Part 5

Have you ever wanted to be a teen author? Don’t miss tonight’s conversation with the editor of the new teen memoir series, Lounder Than Words, edited by Deborah Reber. Here are the details for the Louder Than Words Online TV show.

Friday, August 14, 7-8 p.m. CST - Deborah Reber - How to Break Into Publishing for Teen Writers
On Friday, series editor Deborah Reber will answer questions about how teen writers can break into publishing. We are excited to be able to bring you this live series here at Girls With Dreams!

Louder Than Words Video Chat

Apply for College Without Going Crazy

Many of us are going to be seniors this upcoming school year. Along with the title of “Top Dog” and college prep courses come so many important decisions. Sure it might seem like no big deal, but it’s really not a time to goof off. Preparing for college can be stressful and overwhelming. I’ve even found myself worrying about what I’m going to do after high school is over. I’ve gotten some great advice from teachers, family, and friends to share with you:

1. Don’t Procrastinate! Putting something as important as applying for colleges off until the last minute can really hurt your chances of getting into the school of your choice.

2. Study. It might be summer, but that shouldn’t stop you from pulling out those dusty books or brushing up on new material. If you can learn a few things now, understanding the same information will be easier during the year. This will give you more time to focus on applying for scholarships or doing well in challenging courses.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The saying, “The only dumb question is the one never asked,” holds true even for college. It’s not the college’s job to nurse you through the process of applying. Remember you want to go to their school. Don’t be afraid to ask about courses, class size, scholarships, and financial aid programs. Colleges won’t beg you to take advantage of their aid packages, so you might miss out on a lot of opportunities if you don’t ask questions.

4. The ACT is not a death sentence. The ACT is important because it helps colleges assess your general knowledge in a particular field or subject. It is also proven to accurately judge how well a student might perform in school. There are a few exceptions, though. Some people are just not good at taking tests, while others might be having an off day. These exceptions have prompted colleges to look more closely at the whole person, not just their ACT score. This isn’t a free pass to blow off the testing, though. Just try not to stress out about it too much.

5. Make a List. Listing your priorities has been proven to improve thought processes and output. Start simple. First, jot down a checklist of ways to prepare for applying to colleges. Once you’ve mastered that list, move on to making a list of colleges you might want to attend. Put your first choice at the top of the list and your last at the bottom, ranking them from the most desirable option to the least desirable. Include side notes that serve as small reminders, such as financial aid options, available scholarships, distance from home, and if they offer your major.

Preparing for college can be extremely stressful and mind-boggling. So take a deep breathe every now and then, and enjoy yourself. Junior year is a great time to start picking your schools. You should also take test such as the ACT and SAT. Invite your parents to talk to your guidance counselor about the schools you’ve chosen and the application process. The best time to apply to your colleges is the end of your junior summer. By the beginning of your senior year, you should be awaiting responses from your schools. The key to staying calm is to surround yourself with positive friends and family. They will support you throughout the preparation and application processes. So take a deep breathe and get to it!

Financing College

If you’re not getting ready for college this year, you’ll be gearing up for it in the next few years. Most of the teens we talk to are worried about how to pay for college.

Either way, make sure to sort through all of your options before deciding you don’t have enough money to pay for college. There are many resources out there to guide you through the process. Start by asking your high school guidance counselor or even a librarian to help you research different options. Don’t be shy about it. You could even contact the college you’re considering. 

We found a great article that shares how to find cheap student loans, and we hope it helps! If you want to hear more from teens who are deciding how to pay for college, check out these videos.

Striking a Balance

After reading a quick blog, I discovered someone who managed 37 A’s and 3 B’s in college. He claims that he would have been much happier if he would’ve appreciated the college life more than working himself to the bone.

Though school is a major part of life, there’s more to it than meets the eye. You need to be able to use your knowledge in different environments. You can learn anything, but everything depends on how you use it!

Don’t overload yourselves. Take on what makes you happy while also fulfilling your responsibilities! It might be hard to strike a balance at first, but it will become like second nature before you know it.

Live Life with a Purpose.

Life can throw anything at you that might make life easier or more difficult than it already is. Being prepared emotionally and physically can make a big differnce in how you handle these types of obstacles. Prepare yourself by bringing more purpose into your life.

I like to complete an everyday “To Do List”. The list could be for a week’s worth of projects or enough simply for a day. At the end of each day, whether you had a horrible day or a good day, you’ll be able to reflect upon how productive you were that day. You may not get everything done, but there’s always tomorrow and the rest of your life to keep working at it.

Do not let any day pass you by. There is always a way to make life easier on yourself, improving your time management for example. You always want to have more free time with your friends, right? Well create your own list and start living life to the fullest and with a purpose. Every day should be an adventure met with a smile. Never regret anything you do, and make tomorrow a better day by being productive.

College Survival Tips: Freshman Year

Hi Dreamers!

It’s been too long since I’ve taken time to write a post. I’ve been really busy submerging into college life at full speed. I’m hoping that once things slow down a bit, I will be able to update you all more frequently.

So here’s what’s been going on:
I moved into the dorms at Webster University less than a month ago. Let me tell you, move-in day is crazy. Make sure you buy everything you need beforehand because the time you thought you would have to do it disappears fast! It was nice because the students leading our orientation moved in all of my stuff and I didn’t have to lift a finger! How cool is that? Then, my roommate and I spent a good chunk of time finishing our room and getting ready for classes the following Monday. Read more

Juggling School and Work

I’m finishing my last year at Texas Tech University. I’m thinking… my last year? Where did the last three years go? I learned and matured a lot during those times. Considering how things have turned out for me, I wouldn’t ever go back and change a thing. I have enjoyed life and am grateful for everything that has made me the mature person I am today, good or bad.

A lot of young girls go through similar stages that help them arrive at a mature point in life. But how do you know when you’ve made it? I asked myself the same question. I am taking 17 hours this semester and still working at least 33 hours a week. I just moved back to Texas to finish my last year, and let me tell you, it’s going to be a challenge! As long as we women set goals, however, we will reach them. Read more

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