It’s that time of the year, folks! Well yes, Christmas and being with family, but as well as getting those college acceptance letters! There’s a new college graduating class cohort, the class of 2019. That seems so far away, but trust me, it will be 2019 in no time. I can’t believe I graduate in 2011, and 2015 is only a few days away. Sooner than later, I’ll be in my cap and gown at graduation! Anyway, listen up class of 2019! You may have got into your college of your dreams which is great! If you didn’t, THAT’S OK! Keep an open-mind, opportunities will come. It sounds too good to be true, but life moves on and it won’t stop.
For many of you, you may have applied to several schools and were accepted at several. Now that you’re in, what comes next? Reflecting back on this time when I was a senior in high school is fun and I want to share what I did with you. It is an exciting, yet stressful time. Hopefully, this can ease some of that stress. But at the same time, it’s definitely time to start planning ahead. Before you know it, the high school graduating class of 2015 will be freshmen. Time creeps up, and it creeps up fast.
1. CELEBRATE!
After all of those hours spent on ACT studying, college apps and essays, and waiting, your time is here. CELEBRATE and breathe! Getting into college is only the first step, but is a milestone. Share with your family and friends, this is huge! Once you’re all celebrated out, choices will need to be made, including narrowing down your choices. If you really loved these schools, maybe a second visit wouldn’t hurt. One great way to experience college is doing an overnight stay. Then, you can get the sense of what that particular school is like! Talk to people that go to that school, do more research on your school options! You’re eventually going to have to pick one, so make sure its the right one. Affirm your thoughts!
2. Be Realistic
College is expensive. There, I said it. You may have been accepted to your dream school, but is it a feasible option? Check out the scholarships you’ve received, apply for more scholarships to bring the costs down, and definitely fill out your FAFSA to see if you qualify for financial aid. These are great ways to make the college selection process more realistic, for both you and family. Figure out how finances will work because they play a HUGE factor in your college career. Other than establishing finances, identify if that is the school for you in terms of size, location, and distance. And make sure your motives are your own, not that of your friends. College is a huge chapter in your life; you need to write that chapter, not others!
3. DO WELL
Just because you’ve been accepted into college doesn’t mean you can slack off the rest of your senior year. Your college will still look at your academic standing during your senior year. They too have the power to withdraw scholarships from you if. Heck, if you completely slack off, they can withdraw your acceptance. So my advice to you high school seniors is to continue doing well! Senioritis is real. You want to go to college now and you want to graduate. Don’t let that get in the way of your studies which are still important!
4. Make your choice!
Picking the right school doesn’t have to happen overnight. For some, it will, but for many, it won’t. Once you’ve identified which school is the most practical in terms of scholarship and financial aid packages, location, distance, and size, and if that college is the one for you, make your choice! Being accepted to school is exciting, but choosing my college was even more exciting. The next big chapter of your life will be there, and to just know that is exhilarating. Make sure you make your decisions by the school’s deadlines. I would play it on the safe side and make a decision before then to give yourself some leeway! Once this choice is made, keep up with that school’s news through social media. It will let you know what’s going on around campus.
GIF sources were found using Google.