Senior Tips
It is the beginning of your senior year and the rest of your
life is creeping up fast. While it may seem like you have all year, the
deadlines are fast approaching. You may be focused on having fun and enjoying
the last of you high school career, but there are decisions to be made and
applications to be filled out. With all
this in mind, here are some tips to getting this year off to a good start.
- Choosing the right college for you is very important, but is
hard when there is very little you can truly learn from just websites. By the end of the first quarter you should
have your list down to 5 colleges you will actually apply to. To come up with
your list check out websites, talk to friends who are off at college, ask
teachers and mentors about their alma maters, and ask the questions that are
important to you.
- Ask about the programs you are interested in. Ask about the
undergrad course you will have to take. Ask about professors and homework. Ask
about student life, sports, and clubs.
Ask about the area surrounding the school, restaurants, night
life, movie theaters, and other forms of entertainment. These are all things
that will matter to you in the long run.
- There will also be opportunities to tour college campuses
with TSIC and other organizations. Even if you have gone before, go again.
Things at colleges change constantly. New buildings, educational programs, and
new students can make for an environment that you didn’t experience last time.
Also take advantage of the college representatives that come speak at your
school. Listen to watch they say and ask questions (Hey, even if you don’t end
up liking the school you can get out of class for a bit).
- After you have made you list of 5 schools start looking into
their admissions requirements. Make sure your GPA and SAT/ ACT scores are where
they need to be, and if they aren’t figure out how to bring them up. Make sure
your academic resume is diverse enough to grab the attention of the admissions
board and if it is not figure out what needs to change.
- Your applications to the colleges or universities that you
choose need to be filled out and turned in before the first semester of school
is over. They will be accepted for a short time after Christmas break, but
turning them in early gives you an entire semester to focus on getting extra
scholarships. These will be important because TSIC will only cover your
tuition. We do not cover books, materials, room and board, or
transportation. These will all be costs
that you will have at college.
Most importantly, I want you all to know that you will not
be alone in this process. I will be there every step of the way, guiding you
and keeping you on track. You will also have your parents, mentors, guidance
counselors, and teachers to help anytime you need them. This is a big step and
it can weigh heavily on you, but if you take it one step at a time and don’t
put things off it will fly by and you will have plenty of time to enjoy your
senior year.
- Jonni Kitchell
Student Advocate Coordinator
Cell Phone: (941) 961-3365
Fax: (941) 358-4410
Available Monday- Friday 8am- 5pm
