THE FIRST 30

You are entering your freshman year of college so here are four things you should do during the first 30 days to ease the transition.

1. READ: Thoroughly read your class syllabi. The book, Listen to Me and College Will Be Easy explains that your class syllabi will discuss everything that’s expected of you. In addition, crack open your text books and start reading. Get Ahead.

2. STUDY: Even though the semester is just beginning, start it off by studying. This will help you start the semester off on the right foot. It’s like running a race, if you start strong it’s easier to finish strong.

3. NETWORK: Meet and greet as many of your peers as possible. They may have the same problems or concerns as you. You’ll be able to help each other. Your network is your net worth. Utilize your peers. Some of your peers will go on to start companies or run Fortune 500 companies. Also, introduce yourself to your professors. Make sure they know who you are. The book explains why your professors are a great resource and how to utilize them.

4. EXPLORE: Get to know your campus. Learn where the library is. Find out if your campus has a tutorial center because you may need it at some point. Know the ins and outs of your campus. That’s where you will spend the next two to four years. Learn how to contact campus police should you have to.

Don’t forget to order your copy of Listen to Me and College Will Be Easy on whatsupwithcollege.com or Amazon.com

IS YOUR CHILD SEEKING A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP?

IS YOUR CHILD SEEKING A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP?

Search these places…

• Check with your high school counselor first
• Check with the college/colleges you want to attend to see what they have available. Incoming freshmen with a certain GPA and SAT score are eligible for some type of funding
• Check scholarships in your area of study. Minorities often receive scholarships in certain sectors such as engineering, mathematics, etc. The internet is your friend. Research, research and research some more. For instance, the Woods Hole Undergraduate Fellowship for Minorities offers scholarships to minorities interested in marine sciences, oceanographic engineering or marine policy
• Check with your church. Many churches have scholarship funds
• Check with organizations/corporations (McDonalds, Best Buy, Bill Gates, Chick fil A, etc). Also, check educational organizations in the community

Next, your child has to write CONVINCING ESSAYS to get a scholarship.  There are millions of dollars in scholarships, but most students don’t take the time and energy to write the essays needed to obtain them.  Think about if you were on a scholarship committee, what would make you give a student a scholarship? Here are four things your essay must have…

FOUR THINGS YOUR ESSAY MUST HAVE

1. It needs a hook.

You need a hook.  Every song has a chorus or hook.  It should be catchy and memorable.  The hook is what draws people to the song.  The hook for your essay should draw readers in.  Consider the hooks for the following songs…

• OMG-Usher
• Single Ladies-Beyonce
• Baby-Justin Bieber

2. Feel Them.

You are writing an essay to be critiqued by people who may be thousands of miles away.  That shouldn’t stop you from feeling them.  No, you can’t feel them physically but you can emotionally.  In order to feel them, you need to know more about them.  You need to research their history, mission statement, core values and etc.  By feeling them, you can appeal to their mission and values.

Real life scenario

Jacob applied to a company who required a written essay.  He researched the company’s mission statement, which was centered on great customer service.  In the essay, he wrote how his excellent customer service skills fell in line with the company’s mission.  Not only did he hook the reader, he was able to feel them.

3. Make Them Commit.  Show your loyalty.

You will have a higher rate of success if you make them commit to you.  Consider this example of showing loyalty in an essay for entrance into law school.

Greetings Admissions Council,

My name is Jane Doe.  Since I was 8 years old, I dreamed of attending the University of…. My dad and I watched your football team play every Saturday.  He has been waiting on the day when I was accepted into your prestigious university.  Your law school has ranked in the top 10 law schools for the past 15 years and I want to help continue that tradition.  Being accepted into your institution will not only be a dream come true for me but for my father also.

(The beginning of the section is showing loyalty to the university.  It states how long the applicant has been interested in the institution.  To finish strong, it should include why you want to attend the university, why they should accept you and how you plan to use your degree)

4.  Keep It Simple.

Most writers make the mistake of trying to over complicate things.  People don’t want to read intricate/complex stuff.  Make it easy for them to read, which will make it easier for them to make a decision.

TIP:  If a scholarship deadline is in June, be sure to submit all your materials in February.  The early bird gets the scholarships!

REMEMBER: Be sure to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) fafsa.ed.gov for free money!

PICK UP A COPY OF THE BOOK LISTEN TO ME AND COLLEGE WILL BE EASY FOR IMPORTANT COLLEGE TIPS on http://www.collegecanbeasy.com or amazon.com

COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS

IS YOUR CHILD STARTING COLLEGE OR RETURNING TO COLLEGE? HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW….

• Make sure they are comfortable. He/she will perform better if they are
• Make sure they have all of the supplies (including books) that they need
• Make sure they have adequate funds. It may only be a little but it will ease the transition
• Make sure they have their class schedule and are taking the right classes. You may need to talk with their advisers. TRUST ME-TAKING THE WRONG CLASSES WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD
• Make sure that they attend classes during the first week. If they miss any classes during the first week, they may be dropped from the class
• Ask to see their syllabi (every class will come with a course description)
• Help them or try to find them help if they are having difficulty with the transition
• Purchase of a copy of “Listen to Me and College Will Be Easy” by L.M. Bedell (www.collegecanbeasy.com)
• Let them know that you are with them every step of the way
• Tell them that you love them
• Be proud that you have a child who is attending college. Pat yourself on the back! 

WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS FALL?

Do you need help deciding on which college to attend; here are 10 important factors that should influence your final decision.

1. Does the college have your major/area of study? Please check this out before deciding.
2. What is the latest graduation rate of the college?
3. Is the college located in a good area? Have you checked the crime rates?
4. When you visited the campus, did you and your parents get a good feel about the school?
5. Is the college offering you a full or partial scholarship? Another school may.
6. Are the students friendly? Are the professors/administrators friendly and helpful?
7. How is the campus life at the school i.e. sport teams, civic organizations? Do you think you will fit in? Does the school meet your size requirement…not too big/small?
8. If you decide to further your education, does the college offer graduate degrees i.e. law, medical degrees?
9. What is the latest job placement rate of the college?
10. Does the college have excellent resources..i.e. access to computers, libraries, tutoring services?

 

LEARN IN LESS THAN 4 DAYS WHAT TAKES 4 YEARS TO LEARN! WWW.COLLEGECANBEASY.COM