Greetings!
I hope you all are enjoying a stimulating and productive fall semester--wherever you may be.
As the announcement to the right says, the College Counseling Office is hoping that this blog will provide a way for current and former THS students to connect and keep in touch--particularly with regard to issues surrounding college admissions and college life. You may not realize it, but you alums are a potentially terrific resource for this year's (and future years') graduating seniors. I hope that you will be able to check in now and then (despite your busy schedules) and report on your impressions of college life. I'd also love it if you could respond to questions that this year's seniors might have about the years ahead.
I'll start by posing the first question: If there were ONE THING you wish you knew about college BEFORE you arrived, what would it be?
I look forward to reading your responses.
Also, PLEASE take a moment and follow the link below and complete a short survey. The School Board is currently reviewing our curriculum with an eye to determining how well we're preparing our students for life in college and beyond. The information your (anonymous) responses provide will no doubt be useful. So, thank you for taking a moment to fill it out.
http://Click Here to take survey
Best wishes,
Karen Lavender
If you don't like a class or it's teacher or anything that may set you up for failure, drop it immediately rather than waiting until its too late and coming out with a grade you don't want!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about grades, the right class, or its teacher. Allow each class and each teacher (sometimes these can be students as well)to teach you something, whether its how to prepare for life after college, a menial insight, or a new bus route. College is about growing as an individual so don't be afraid to change.
ReplyDeleteIn college, time management is a very important skill to have. As much as you don't want to, put your schoolwork first and then go out. Ask question if you don't understand something in class. Be yourself but also allow yourself to grow and become someone new in a way. If you are unhappy there, don't be afraid to tell someone and remember, nothing is irreversible.
ReplyDeleteIt may not seem like a big deal to sign -up for an 8 AM class when registering for fall semester/quarter, but believe me it is. 8 AMs are some of the hardest things to sit through because you are so tired. Unless you have no other option or KNOW that you will get up and stay awake, I recommend staying away from these. First semester/quarter will be tough socially because you tend to cycle through friends, which is totally natural. Give it some time and put yourself out there- people will come to you. And if you end up still being miserable, it is never too late to transfer/defer/etc. Don't be afraid of change or different things!
ReplyDeleteCollege: For those who didnt know when i transfered to telluride I would have graduated class of 08, but I managed to graduate with the class of 07' due to some sweet guidelines in CO. Therefore I was just 17 when I went off to college. I took alot of classes i didn't think I would have much trouble with, such as; 8-am classes etc(like pat said). Before I knew it i was really burning myself out and it kinda just sucked with sports on top. One thing that I wish I had known before I went off to college would have to be not that it was just sooo much fun , but that it was alot of work as-well, and even more work if you dont have any clue what you wanna be doing. I suggest taking a semester off to work and find yourself, especially if your a younger classmen with extra time. College to me is a place where I have been able to not only find myself but find other people who are committed to alot of the same causes I am. Its been great to me because I was able to break out of alot of childish shells i was hiding behind.
ReplyDeleteIf you are thinking of going to college in a place totally different than where you live now, most likely Telluride Colorado, then you need to be ready and strong enough to "tough it out" the first few months. In college you are challenged in more than just academics. You are forced to put yourself out there and meet new people, even if it means you will not have as many friends or the same type of friendship that you had in high school. THIS WILL NOT LAST!!!!!! You will make new friends that you will love, sometimes it takes longer for some people than others but I truly believe that if you let go of our expectations of what your friends are supposed to be, they will end up knowing you better than you ever could have expected. One of the greatest ways to make genuine friends for me was through my sorority. I know what yall are thinking, "they are just a group of dumb rich girls who claim to be sisters and wont end up doing ne thing with their lives" NOT TRUE! These girls have often times become some of the most powerful women and achieved their goals. For example Condoleezza Rice was in my sorority AXO, Katie Couric was a Delta Delta Delta. Whether you decide to be greek or not, my advice is to keep an open mind to everything on campus, organizations, people, places, food, or music whatever it may be don't pass judgment because the new things may surprise you.
ReplyDeleteLife and learning are both a process. The only way someone can stop you is if they discourage you to quit attaining knowledge. High school seems like the end all be all when your a senior, but in reality, it is just the beginning.
ReplyDeleteThis year I began to really understand that in learning and creating there are two parts, executing the technique and then synthesizing the result. I really feel that these two elements feed off one another and can be applied to almost any medium of art or study. Sometimes, the technique comes naturally but the meaning is fogged over. On other occasions you have the meaning before you even begin to execute the project but struggle with the technique. Don't get frustrated if you struggle with one or the other, just know that its part of a long term learning curve. Enjoy that moment where you are immersed in what your studying.
I wish I knew what teachers to avoid... yes there are some bad ones and if you know people that go to the college you are applying to, I would highly recommend you ask them about their professors. Find out what the work loads are like, attendance policies, and whatever else you want to know. It can save you a lot of time and stress when signing up for classes.
ReplyDeleteFirst semester everyone is very inclined to party and have a good time which is fine, but dont allow that to make you do bad in school. If you are going to be spending money to go to college bust your ass, than when you have worked enjoy and party. If you dont have balance between the two college will be tough and you wont do well. Be prepared for alot of work that way you know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteIf there was one thing I wish I knew about college, what would it be?
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I really wish I wasn't so naive to think that in College there wouldn't be any drama like there was in high school. If it gets you down in high school, avoid it in college.
Sometimes that's more difficult because at school there is always an opportunity to be social, engaged in lots of different activities, and so on. However, take the time to set boundaries with your roommate at the beginning of the year so that when your roommate comes home with a boyfriend/girlfriend too late too frequently, you can address the problem appropriately and maturely. Take the time to establish a relationship with your professors outside of class at the beginning of the year so that when they say something or act a certain way towards you in class that presents a problem, you can comfortably talk to them. Make yourself a schedule and stick to it. Allow yourself to go out on the nights that you don't have morning classes following, at stick to that rule! That way, you won't have to always be nagging yourself to not stay out later, or be conflicted when you have a difficult decision to make concerning time management. (You don't want to get sick at all. Commit to your health!) If you take care of your priorities first, then you will stay out of trouble, and also stay out of everyone else's drama as well. If you have friends that consistently come to you with their problems, allow yourself to listen, sympathize, empathize, whatever. However, do not let yourself feel whatever negative emotions they are feeling. You don't need to add any negativity to your own plate, especially when it is external.
If you hate school, stick it out for a semester. If you cannot stand the way a professor teaches, and it is negatively impacting your learning, and their isn't any other solution, see if you can switch classes. Don't give up the moment you feel discouraged. Also know that you can't do everything. Sometimes you excel in one class while you are simply engaged in another. PRIORITIZE TO THE MAXIMUM! And overall, your own happiness is the biggest priority. And trust me, there is happiness in accomplishing something that seems impossible!
I wish there wasn't any drama in college, but, there is always going to be drama. If you wish to avoid it and focus on your education and personal growth, be mature about things. A few pointers:
ReplyDelete-Respect and be kind to your roommate. Take the time to set boundaries in the beginning so that when something comes up -she starts bringing her boyfriend back to the room too late too frequently- you can talk about it reasonably. That way, you don't have to deal with the drama of having a roommate you can't stand.
-Take the time to get to know your professors and tutors outside of the classroom. It shows a lot of respect and it just makes life easier.
-Make a schedule and stick to it. Allow yourself to go out on the nights when no morning classes are scheduled the next day. Then, only go out on those nights! This way you can take care of yourself, stay on top of it in school, health wise, and you will be happier!