DestinationCollege2019
Crosby Scholars Senior Program Newsletter - December 2018
Food for Thought
NEW WEBSITE
www.crosbyscholarsiredell.org
Timelines for Success
The FRESHMAN 15: It’s not what you think!
By Pamela Siegfried
Everyone has told you how fun college will be, that you'll make so many friends, and why X is the perfect school for you. But eventually, those rose-colored glasses come off and things get REAL! There will be a paradigm shift from "What school fits me best?" to "How can I be successful in college?" Let’s face it, most students don’t drop out of college because they’re not smart enough. It’s because of this little thing we call life! Here are my top 15 things to start thinking about so you can finish your next school year strong.
- College may make you cry. It’s hard being away from everything you’re familiar with. It’s hard to grow up and think about all the responsibilities ahead of you. It’s hard to make new friends. It’s hard to figure out where you fit in. It will be great; you'll learn a lot and make lifelong friends but….this won't happen all at once or even quickly. You'll question your decision and some of you may be right – it’s not the one. It's okay. All paths are not straight.
- Don’t believe all the photos you see on Instagram. When you see friends from high school posting pretty pictures – many of those don't tell the truth. Change is rarely easy for anyone. Acknowledge this fact so you know what you're experiencing is NORMAL. Tough times don't last but tough people do.
- Living with roommates is trying at best. Start with strong, firm rules made together, then ease up after you figure each other out. This is much easier than adding stricter rules later.
- Find the tutoring center during your first week on campus. If you start to struggle, there will be less to stress about since you'll know where to go!
- Sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and lack of sleep all contribute to stress and anxiety – just saying.
- Learn how to be interdependent. You don’t need to handle everything on your own. The most successful people have stood upon the shoulders of giants.
- BeaYOUtiful. This is a chance to live your best life and create the future you want. Poor choices, binge drinking, and inappropriate behavior contribute to our weaknesses not strengths – use this time to figure out who you are, not someone else’s version of you. P.S. Fake IDs can be a Federal crime. Don’t plan on majoring in accounting, the medical field, or a host of other careers with a less than perfect record. You choose the behavior; you choose the consequences--ADULTING 101.
- Your room is probably small. Don’t over pack – you'll regret it.
- Contact your people. They miss you and want to know how you’re doing. They’re usually good for a pep talk too.
- Money doesn't grow on trees. Get a job. Working may help your transition, pad your bank account, help you manage your time, or help you discover a passion. Check to see if you were awarded work-study. It will make getting a job easier.
- Be open to new ideas, new people, and new challenges. Growth is hard, even painful at times, but most people would not give up the experience.
- Be grateful for what you have EVERY DAY. Make a list when you're feeling blue. Focus on what’s going right. If you have a chance at higher education you are privileged.
- READ YOUR SYLLABUS – top to bottom. Oh, maybe I'll say it again: READ YOUR SYLLABUS!
- Health matters – mental and physical. Stress, which is unavoidable, lowers our immunity. See #7. Next to Chik-fil-A, there's a salad bar and water. Go to the gym, laugh, sleep, get fresh air, and for goodness sake wash your hands often!!
- It’s okay to be undecided; it is NOT okay to stay undecided! You can’t stay here forever. Go visit the Career Center – find your superpower. Graduating in four years or less is the best scholarship you can give yourself.
Good luck on your journey! Remember… this is your story to write.
Community Service Deadline
Each Senior must complete a minimum of 2 hours of community service. The deadline for Seniors to complete the community service requirement and submit the signed form is January 31, 2019! You can submit any community service that you've completed since February. Click here for a copy of the 2018-2019 Community Service Form.
Holiday Gatherings Without the College Stress
Adapted from "Advise for the Thanksgiving Table" by Bartley Sides
In the coming days, there will be many opportunities to pause and celebrate with family and friends. However, one thing will certainly not pause during the holiday break – the nagging feeling of anxiety and worry for the millions of high school seniors awaiting college decisions. While their younger cousins play video games on the XBox, seniors may very well be cornered in the dining room answering endless questions about college from aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
I’ve had students share with me that they oftentimes dread family gatherings because of the questions, the unsolicited advice, and the comparisons between other family members, friends, and neighbors. To be fair, college is an easy conversation starter. It’s relevant, it’s important, and everyone feels like they have a little something extra to add. However, I beg of you: please allow the seniors to relax and enjoy their vacation in peace!
PARENTS: Maybe you’ve felt out of the loop on the college process or maybe you feel like you’re stuck in a loop. Whatever the case may be, now is your time to shine as a perfect example of what it means to be the parent of a high school senior. It’s your chance to intervene, to redirect the conversation, and to protect your child from the barrage of questions that will inevitably begin before the green bean casserole comes out of the oven. Here are six easy responses to questions that will earn you MVP during the holidays:
- “We’ve decided not to talk about college today and give him a break!”
- “I don’t know where he’s going to end up next fall. The possibilities are endless.”
- “I know that everyone in our family has always attended that college. She has different thoughts, though, on where she sees herself, and we support that decision.”
- “That’s interesting that you’ve never heard of that college. We visited and absolutely loved it. Plus, it’s where the school’s English teacher attended!”
- “She doesn’t know what she’s going to major in yet. In fact, did you know that nearly 2⁄3 of college students will change their major at least once?”
- “We are considering the price of the college. However, he’s applied for lots of scholarships, and his counselor is helping with that process, too.”
When in doubt, change the topic completely. Let your child relax. Offer him or her an extra slice of pie or another helping of a favorite dish. Your senior will be thankful for you.
Upcoming Senior Academies
Every senior is required to attend two academies. We'll resume senior academies once we're past the holidays and finals exams. There are five academies remaining, starting with "The Game of College" on December 27nd. If you still need to meet this requirement, please register now for the academies that best match your needs and schedule.
The Game of College -- December 27, 10am - 12 noon
Resources for Achieving Success in College -- January 12, 10:00 a.m. - noon
Destination Community College & Beyond! -- Feb. 2, 10:00 a.m. - noon
Ten Skills before HS Graduation -- Feb 9, 10 am - 12 noon
Freshman Survival -- Feb. 23, 10:00 a.m. - noon
Featured Senior Academy...
Destination Community College & Beyond!
Come and learn what community college has for you!
Application and Scholarship Essays--Need Help?
November/December Senior Advisor Meeting
November/December senior meetings are due by December 31st. You can find your senior advisor's contact information in your portal.
Senior Program Requirements
Iredell County Crosby Scholars Senior Program
Email: jjamison@crosbyscholarsiredell.org
Website: crosbyscholarsiredell.org
Location: 124 4th Crescent Place, Statesville, NC, United States
Phone: (704) 873-5005
Facebook: facebook.com/crosbyscholarsiredell
Twitter: @iredellcrosby