As a junior with only one more year of high school left before I graduate, one of the most important things that I have to begin concentrating on is finding the college that’s right for me. However, with so many different options available, things can get pretty overwhelming. There are many factors that go into finding the right college, and managing them all is not an easy task. Continue reading
Extra, Extra!
Like countless others my age, I become bored easily, and believe me, attending the same seven classes every day becomes boring. To alleviate some of this treacherous boredom, I chose to get involved with a few extracurricular activities—some that would enrich my life and the lives of others. I am a proud member of the National Honor Society, the National Beta Club, Game Changers—a newly founded mentoring program at Westlake—and Healthcare Occupations Students of America, better known as HOSA. These activities contain similarities, but they do not fail to improve me in different ways. Continue reading
What to Consider When Looking at Colleges
At this point in time, you should be considering the colleges you might want to attend. Do tons of research regarding location, tuition, ACT/SAT score requirements, and financial aid. Also, be sure to check out universities’ websites, read student reviews, and watch online campus tours. Those will give you a much better idea if you are truly interested in a college. You should be well informed about everything so you can make the best decisions and cross out the ones that no longer seem to fit. Continue reading
Choosing the Right College
Hello everyone! I enjoyed writing my last blog with some tips for you to consider when taking the ACT, but now it’s time to focus on a different subject—choosing the right college. Choosing the right college may be the first or second toughest decision you will have to make during this process, equivalent to the decision of selecting your major. Both decisions have so many variables and options that it can be overwhelming at times. My choices and “wish list” are going to be completely different from anyone else’s because we are all unique. Continue reading
Spring Break
Spring break is here, and that brings two immediate things to mind for me. First off, I get to take a breather and relax for a while, which is great. I’ve been very busy as of late, and having some time to unwind is definitely appreciated. It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I get an entire week off of school, but I’m still really excited. I don’t have many plans yet, but I’ll probably just get some tennis in and hang out with friends. I don’t think I’ll be doing much traveling over break, which is sort of nice because I get to sleep in more and just lounge about the house. The second thing that spring break means to me is the transition into the fourth quarter of the school year. Things are about to get pretty serious. Between keeping up with daily classwork, preparing for AP tests, college entrance exams, and semester finals, as well as balancing extracurricular activities, I’m going to be pretty busy for some time. Continue reading
You Win Some, You Lose Some
We’ve all heard the saying, “You win some, you lose some.” It’s the inescapable truth that reminds us that everyone will undoubtedly have disappointments thrown their way at some point in their lifetime. It is important to understand that although these happenings may be discouraging, there is a lot to learn from them. Continue reading
Getting Involved
Time for filling out college applications is coming very near. Each one of us wants to show off who we are and make ourselves seem great for the universities we are applying to. However, in order to do so, not only should you excel academically, but also participate in extracurricular activities. Showing that you were involved in sports, numerous clubs/teams, and volunteering shows that you’re well-rounded. It makes a great addition to your application and makes you seem more valuable. Being involved in extracurricular activities shows that you are capable of juggling multiple things at once. If you maintain good grades, it indicates you are responsible and have good time management. Continue reading
ACT Prepping
Hello again! I hope you guys enjoyed my previous thoughts and comments as much as I enjoyed writing them for you in my last blog . . ., but now it’s time to get down to business and talk a little about ACT prep. Currently, I am planning on taking the ACT on April 13. In preparation for this test, I decided to take an ACT prep class that is offered at my school. This class has helped me prepare for the ACT in ways that I could never imagine. This class is nine weeks long and it has taught me so much about the ACT in such a short amount of time. I understand that some people who have taken this prep class have seen their ACT scores shoot up 2 to 3 points! Continue reading
Prioritize and Organize
Hi guys! Boy, have I been keeping myself busy. On March 1st, the Wa-Hi Wind Ensemble took a trip to the annual Central Washington University Wind Festival, and we have another trip coming up soon as well. Tennis also began recently, and it’s great being able to get out and practice again. I’m having a blast, and I’m sure we’ll have another awesome team this year. However, between band, tennis, studying for classes, and other assorted activities, I’ve been having some pretty packed days. Sometimes it’s hard keeping up with all of my schoolwork, with both long- and short-term assignments piling up. However, with a few easy steps, I’ve mostly fixed my issues with organization, balancing my workload between extracurricular activities and academics. Continue reading
Start Your Engines…
The road to college is indeed a long one and it may seem like an impossible journey, but this, I say, is simply not true. Outside factors like budget cuts and tuition increases, or inner conflicts such as the fear of failure, all present themselves as road blocks—obstacles that could prevent you from achieving your goals—but with a dependable vehicle, some of these obstacles can be overcome. Starting up your “college cab” requires a nice set of tires, a tank full of gas, and a clear map to guide you through it all. Continue reading