Some “Before College” Tips
These are some great tips if you’re going away to college!
Before College Tips
Tips and Information a college freshman should know before college
Don’t Miss Orientation
Orientation will be your first chance to meet new people, and at some schools find a roommate. It will be your first experience to see the major parts of the school, and understand the rules. This is very important so you know what you have to do to stay in school.
Contact Your Roommate
Freshman typically are assigned roommates the first semester of college. It may not seem important at this time, but this is critical to get in touch with your roommate as soon as possible. Moving in (you will find out soon) is a very stressful and annoying time. By talking to your roommate ahead of time, you can find out what kind of person they are, what you have in common, and you can figure out who should bring what.
Figuring Out What To Bring
Make sure you contact your roommate before you start this step. Trying to figure out what to bring from your oversized room in your parents house to your new cramped dorm room will be tough. See our What freshman should bring to college page for more information.
Get In Shape
Now is your opportunity to get in the best shape of your life, and have one of the hottest body’s on campus. Try to eat right and work out regularly so you are in top shape for your first appearance at college. Note: if you are attending a school in a warmer climate, this goes double for you. Most schools have warm temperatures during at least the first few weeks of school. Girls will lay out in bikinis to get sun, guys will play basketball and volleyball (if available) and most people will be showing lots of skin. Being in shape will put you at an advantage for meeting people on warm sunny days.
Save your money
Did you get a lot of money for graduation? Save all of it for college. If you are going to spend any of the money, make sure its for college (clothes for college, etc.) Don’t spend it on anything that is not college related especially your car (see forget your car section below). A Freshman does not need a lot of money in college, but having it in the bank will definitely help. If you plan on joining a fraternity or sorority, or going on spring break, or going to the local mall, all of these things cost money, and you will be able to take advantage of more opportunities if you have some extra cash in the bank.
Forget your car
At most colleges and universities, your car means nothing. Most schools don’t allow a freshman to have cars on campus, and if they do, chances are no one in college cares what kind of car it is. All college kids care about in college is a form of transportation. So forget your chrome rims, your $2,000 stereo, your tinted windows, exhaust… all worth nothing at college. All these things were cool in high school, now you are in college, let it go, buy some nice clothes, and meet some people. You may not believe this now, but a few years from now you will realize this information was right on.
Back to school: School is Starting September 7th!!
“He who fails to plan, plans to fail” -Ancient Proverb
We are about to start a new year, and with that new year comes new opportunities and challenges and successes. I wanted to provide a very basic overview of a potential plan for 9th-12th graders going into this new year. The importance of a plan is hard to stress in a short article, you either understand the value of a plan and do it, or you don’t. Another quote that has meant something to me is:
“Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.” –Thomas Edison
Here is a quick list of grade specific strategies you can employ this year:
9th Grade-
– Make an appointment and meet with your school counselor to map out some challenging classes in your core academics.
– Start establishing relationships with your teachers and counselors; they may turn into your biggest fans when you’re planning to go to college.
– Get involved in your school or community or church activities. Starting early in your commitment to service and community involvement is the best strategy, but do not neglect your studies!
10th Grade-
– Sign up for the PSAT or PLAN. These practice tests will help you get oriented to taking these tests and show you areas you may be weaker or stronger.
– Consider taking on leadership roles in some of the activities you are involved in.
– Start doing research on colleges you may be considering. Go see a basketball game, or a concert at a local university; get yourself on campus and start to see what college life looks and feels like.
– Find some local scholarships and scholarship opportunities at local colleges.
11th Grade-
– Sign up for the PSAT; it counts toward the National Merit scholarship.
– Register for the SAT and/or ACT. Start studying!
– Attend Fall college fairs.
– Schedule a road trip with your parents, youth leader, coach, or older brother or sister- GO VISIT SOME COLLEGES.
– Find scholarships you are going to apply for and note the deadlines and requirements (probably around 50-100, this depends on your need and drive).
12th Grade-
– Get your recommendation letters in EARLY.
– Finalize your college essays.
– Decide on your top 4-5 colleges and finish your college applications
– Register to take the SAT and/or ACT in EARLY fall. Be sure to take the SAT subject tests if your college choices require them.
– Pay attention to scholarship deadlines; being late is a sure way to disqualify yourself from the money!
Nathan Cornett
If you need help with the college planning process, contact me directly at (619) 823-5974 or visit: www.collegelifeplanning.com
10 Jobs for People Who Want To Work With Children
Take special note of the education required for each job AND the average annual salary of each position. Then do the math, is a college education going to pay off in the field you’re interested in working in. If you have questions about how to determine your major’s ROI, just ask me 🙂
for more information: www.collegelifeplanning.com
10 Jobs for People Who Want To Work With Children
By Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder writer
Those looking for a rewarding career in which there’s never a dull moment might consider a job working with children. Although we’ve highlighted obvious careers like teaching and child psychology, a few of these kid-focused careers may surprise you.
1. Teacher
Becoming a teacher is one of the most oft-chosen paths for those wishing to pursue a career working with children. Teaching requires patience, flexibility and an even temper, but for those who can handle it, teaching can be a highly rewarding career.Education: Teachers are required to hold bachelor’s degrees, often in education. Secondary school teachers usually hold bachelor’s degrees in the subject they wish to teach. Because salary increases in correlation with a teacher’s education level, many teachers pursue master’s or other higher-level degrees.
Salary: The median annual salary is $49,370 for elementary school teachers, $49,740 for middle school teachers and $51,230 for secondary school teachers. *
2. Camp director
A great option for those who consider themselves “kids at heart,” camp directors spend their days planning camper activities and schedules, communicating with parents and managing camp staff.Education: Although formal education is typically not required for part-time and seasonal camp positions, most administrative-level roles in camp organizations require a bachelor’s degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 there were 89 bachelor or associate-level college programs in parks and recreation in the United States.
Salary: Annual wages for workers across the recreation industry average between $17,680 and $28,810, although those in supervisory positions can earn substantially more.
3. Librarian
For bookworms who want to pass their love of reading on to younger generations, working as a children’s librarian is a great gig. Youth librarians may work in schools or local library branches.Education: Librarians at public or university libraries are required to have a master’s degree in library science. In some states, school librarians may not need an MLS, but are instead required to be certified as teachers.
Salary: The median annual salary for librarians across all industries is $52,530.
4. Day care owner
Working parents trust their children in the hands of day care providers, who typically care for children in their own home or at an established child care center. In addition to bearing responsibility for the children in their care, day care owners are also responsible for the overall success of their business. Responsibilities may include ordering supplies, managing employees and determining fees.Education: Day care owners often hold a bachelors degree in child psychology, human development or education, though not required. Day care owners are required to obtain a certification, the details of which vary by state.
Salary: The pay scale varies greatly for day care owners, depending on factors such as fee per child, number of children and whether the center is in the owner’s home or at another location. In 2008, the median salary for child care administrators across all sectors was $37,270.
5. Pediatric nutritionist
With childhood obesity at epidemic levels, pediatric nutritionists are increasingly in demand. Responsibilities may include working with school districts to develop a balanced lunch menu or helping overweight children and their families make more healthful food choices.Education: Nutritionists must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and certification or registration is required by most states.
Salary: The median salary for nutritionists and dietitians is $50,590.
6. Child psychologist
Child psychologists observe and analyze the behaviors of children. Those who work in schools may spend time sorting out behavioral issues with students, while those in a solo practice may provide family counseling or treatment for specific mental disorders and illnesses. Child psychologists also may hold research positions, conducting studies on child development.Education: Child psychologists go through extensive education and training, usually beginning with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, followed by a doctorate program. School psychologists, however, can begin their careers with a master’s degree.
Salary: Counselors and psychologists average around $64,000 per year. For those employed in schools, median salary was slightly higher, at $65,710.
7. Coach
For those who love their full-time job but want to spend more time working with children, coaching is a great option. As a coach, you’ll work in the evenings and on weekends — when children are not in school — so you can get your kid time in without quitting your day job.Education: Coaches should have demonstrated interest or experience in the sport they are coaching. For some positions, coaches may be required to complete training courses.
Salary: Coaches employed by schools have a median salary of $25,740. Part-time coaches employed by local recreation leagues are often paid hourly.
8. Speech language pathologist
Speech pathologists most commonly work in schools, hospitals or private practices, and help children to overcome speaking and communication difficulties, such as stuttering and vowel pronunciation.Education: Employment requires a master’s degree from an accredited speech therapy program, plus at least 300 hours of supervised clinical work. Before beginning practice, speech pathologists must also pass a nationally standardized test.
Salary: The median annual wage for speech language pathologists across all industries is $62,930. The median salary for those employed in schools is slightly lower, at $58,140.
9. Pediatric registered nurse
Pediatric nurses specialize in caring for children in hospitals and doctors’ offices. They provide routine screenings, diagnose illness, perform acute care on sick children and check-ups on healthy children.Education: The registered nurse distinction is acquired by completing an accredited bachelor’s degree program in nursing. Nursing school is typically divided between time spent in the classroom and hands-on learning in the field. Board certification is also required.
Salary: The median annual salary for a registered nurse across all disciplines is $67,217.
10. Juvenile justice attorney
Attorneys in the juvenile justice system specialize in legal issues applying to minors. Juvenile laws often differ from those that apply to people over 18. Juvenile justice attorneys work to protect the rights of minors who may have fallen victim to a crime or suffered an injustice. Juvenile justice attorneys also defend minors who have been accused of committing a crime.Education: Like all lawyers, juvenile justice attorneys must hold a law degree and pass their bar exam.
Salary: The middle 50 percent of lawyers earn between $74,980 and $163,320.
*All salary information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is based on figures reported in May 2008.
Kaitlin Madden is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Read more at msn.careerbuilder.com
Early Bird:
I am a huge fan of catching the worm. I don’t do it often enough, but early mornings are when I am at my best! When I have been staying up too late and I edge further into the morning with dreams and sandy eyes, my life is truly drained. This doesn’t happen over night however, it takes time for the toll to be waged. Waking up early gives me the chance to do things no one else in the world can do. I can read, write, take walks, think in peace. It is a huge challenge to find time in the day to simply quiet my mind long enough to think, the morning helps me to do that. I love to write. In fact, I find that if I do not write, I simply am not myself. I may even move closer to insanity the longer I go without writing. I do not believe that I am a good writer, but I love to do it.
This begs the question, when are you at your best? And, are you living in it now? So often we allow others in our lives to dictate what we will or will not do, and while I am a huge fan of wisdom and advice, sometimes you just need to know what works for you and then DO IT! College is a lot like that. Unfortunately, so many of us went to college out of sheer obligation; little thought was given to how I do things best, or how can I live in my strengths using a history degree…
So do you know? Do you know when you are at your best and when you are simply going through the motions? I challenge you to uncover “the best” you, find your strengths, discover your passions. This will unleash a flood of innovation and creativity. This will benefit you now in your current situation (at work, home, school etc) AND in your future.
Nathan: President of CLP
ME :-)
College Life Planning 