| Article Index |
|---|
| LIFE 101: Beyond High School with Joanne Barnard |
| August: Making the most of your Senior Year |
| All Pages |
September: Getting to know you
High school seniors are often asked what they will be doing next fall. Some have a clear answer, most are still searching. To aid in developing that clear answer use September to gather information about you.
Last month (August 12 issue) you were set off to “make the most of your senior year” by getting a copy of your Report of Graduation Requirements and your transcript. These documents are the first step for this month’s task: finding out who you are.
WHO ARE YOU?
You are a student, an athlete, a leader, a volunteer, a hard worker. All the things you have done comprise your character, your identity. Did you work on the Lyons yearbook? Did you attend a science competition? Did you win something or perform on stage? How many hours a week do you work? What type of work do you do?
All of these statements and answers reveal who you are.
Your devoted parents have stashed your certificates of achievement somewhere. Pull these out and compile a list of your accomplishments. Put this list and all your other findings in a computer document (save it early and often). At the very least, gather it all together and put it in one place. Things like: your transcript, statistics you have earned in competition; scores on the ACT, SAT, or Advance Placement tests; and hours you have spent in community service.
WHO CARES?
Both college admissions departments and perspective employers will request this information. Scholarship applications also ask for similar details.
Taking the time to collect all this data and putting it in a document will make filling out these applications effortless, especially with the wonderful invention: ‘cut and paste’.
In addition, going over your past accomplishments will also drum up emotions and personal insight. This is helpful for the essay section of college or scholarship applications.
You can also hand deliver or email this document to the individual you have asked to write a letter of recommendation. They will appreciate the assistance.
NO COLLEGE FOR ME PLEASE
What good is all this data-collection to me? I’m not going to college. You can use this information to compile a resume. Furthermore, prospective employers ask all sorts of questions during an interview. If you have this ‘cheat sheet’ in the back of your mind you can weave your accomplishments into your answers and set yourself apart from your competition.
What you have done to this point will help you understand what makes you tick. Collect this data for next month’s search of where you are going.
FYI
College fairs are a great opportunity to view several colleges all in one location.
Poudre High School in Ft. Collins will host a fair from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5.
There is a fair from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Monarch High School in Louisville on October 6 and at John F. Kennedy High School in Denver on October 7.
On Saturday, October 9, there will be a fair and workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village. Go to www.collegefairsdenver.org for more information.
