Look In Your Own Backyard
Far too many students are on a wild goose chase in search of a scholarship at a big name university that will suddenly make them happy and successful. With all of this searching, more and more of us are getting discouraged when these opportunities don't appear. They feel as though if they don't attend a big name university they just won't be successful and happy. The answer is to stop looking outside themselves and start looking inside to find what a successful college search is really all about.
Today, with faster communications and transportation, instant access to information and people, it is easier to look at the fact that the grass may appear greener on the other side. Yet what really counts is what is going on in your own backyard and what is going on in between your ears.
The old saying is true, success is like a butterfly – the more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you relax and focus on the task at hand, it will come and softly land on your shoulder. So unpack your bags, bloom where you are planted and find the success, joy and satisfaction that are waiting for you, right where you are – in your own backyard.
Finding the right college for you is just that, it’s for you! Not anyone else. As you move forward through this process don’t ever lose sight of that fact. This recruiting process is all about what you want and never get off track by following the path of your friends or someone other than you!
Get Informed
Your odds of getting your son to read about the college process are slim to none – but that doesn’t mean YOU can’t look ahead.
Colleges take freshman grades into consideration, so be sure to study hard.
Participate in Class
Most students think that grades are the bottom line in school. They are, for the most part, but when it comes time for teachers to write letters of recommendation, grades are often less important than how much you have contributed to class. Do yourself a favor and speak up.
Begin researching possible colleges, its never too early!
Jeff Fallon can help you find a good working list of colleges -
Get involved with your extracurricular activities; be a leader in and outside of school
Find a few activities
The things you do outside the classroom can be just as important as your school work.
Think about the activities that you like best, with each year of high school your life will get busier.
It’s better to do a few activities well than try to do everything.
Learn how to type and write appropriately
Start to learn about financial aid
Attend a family financial aid night at your school or in your area.
Use a financial aid calculator to get an idea of how much money you may receive
