CELEBRATE GRADUATION
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Contents 3. Prepare Your Student for Financial Success 6. Great Part-Time Jobs for College Students 10. A College Freshman Survival Guide 12. The Best Grad Gifts 14. Graduation Day: What You Need to Know 16. Vlog your Important Events This Year 20. What Are My Choices 21. Financing Your Future 22. Graduation Do's and Don'ts
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Prepare Your Student for
FINANCIAL SUCCESS
L
ife after graduation is something that all high school students routinely fantasize about. While they may be thinking about all the fantastic college parties they will attend, it is your duty to make them think about the financial milestones they are about to experience. According to a study by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, "most students devote about one-half or more of their earnings to discretionary spending on relatively short-term wants and needs." Aside from reckless and impulsive spending, the main danger your young adult will face during their college years is aggressive marketing from credit card companies. It is no secret that many major credit card companies deliberately target the
young and financially inexperienced. If your teenager is planning to apply for a credit card, teach them to avoid debt by never charging what you can't pay back within a month. During this age range, escalate the monetary value of their savings goal. Have them draw up a budget for any recurring funds they may receive. Prepaid debit cards are an excellent way to prepare teens for the "real world" - overdrafts are typically not allowed, you can add funds electronically, and many companies provide online budgeting resources to help track spending. Once your kids turn 18, you will lose a great deal of control over their spending habits. By planting the seeds of smart money management early in their lives, you are directly
influencing the success of their future. Even if you have subpar financial skills, it is never too late to learn and pass the knowledge on to your offspring. The key concept to remember is that you must spend less than you earn to avoid financial hardships. Everything else will eventually fall under that umbrella. Teaching your children about saving, avoiding debt and planning for contingencies will set them well on their way to a life of financial happiness.
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PART-TIME t a e r G
JOBS FOR College
Students
Most college students leave high school and discover they’ve got more freedom. And that leads to greater challenges. Where to get the money to enjoy all this independence? Like, maybe, it’s time to get a job. EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT-B)
Working as an EMT-B is the perfect job for health sciences, pre-med, and nursing majors. In most states, this role requires 120 hours of training, and many universities offer for-credit classes to get your EMT certification. Once you're recognized by the state, you can work in an emergency department or in the back of an ambulance. If you work for a private company, you'll transport elderly patients to medical appointments or home from the hospital, giving you a first-hand look at many chronic illnesses. You can pick up a few shifts per week during the school year or work full-time over the summer to earn serious cash. Either way, you'll be enhancing your studies and building credentials to seriously impress future employers.
BRAND AMBASSADOR
Companies need young, high-energy workers to represent their brands at night clubs, festivals, and concerts. Brand ambassadors hand out product samples, collect consumer contact information, and give away branded gear like T-shirts and water bottles. If you're an extrovert, this is one of the easiest ways to make money and enjoy flexible hours. You can choose your own schedule and make $15 to $30 an hour while attending fun events. Look on Craigslist and your school's job posting board for gigs or ask workers for tips on finding a job at the next big event you attend.
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COMPUTER LAB ASSISTANT
If you have a basic understanding of computers, you can enjoy a low-stress, on-campus job working in a student lab. You'll help users print documents, open emails, and access online course materials, but most of your work hours will be spent sitting behind a desk. This is a great job when you need to finish homework or study. Plus, putting this role on your resume will signal to hiring managers that you've got a high level of technological competence.
WRITING TUTOR
Most universities have a writing center for students who want an extra set of eyes to go over class papers or graduate-school applications. Working here will hone your own writing ability because you're exposed to many different levels and styles of writing. If no clients are waiting for help, you'll be able to work on your own papers or talk to other tutors. Every college graduate thinks they're a great writer; this job will show that you can back up your claims.
Look for a part-time job that's directly related to your field of study or concentrate on finding a flexible work schedule. Either way, you'll be keeping your student loans low, learning workplace skills, and meeting new friends and professional contacts. Working part-time is one of the smartest things you can do as an undergraduate student. CELEBRATE GRADUATION
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A Freshman e g e l e l o d i C u G l a v i v r u S College freshman preparing to enter school for the first time have a lot to look forward to and a lot to consider. You face a list of interesting choices and critical decisions. Much of what you do over the next four or five years will have a large influence over who you become as an adult. Be Prepared to be Self Sufficient Without parents or high school teachers guiding you, many first-year college students find it difficult to meet their commitments. It is vital that college freshmen develop good habits including taking responsibility for going to class, on time, and meeting course requirements and 10
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project due dates. It means being responsible and taking responsibility for choices. If you’re not bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 8 a.m., you should opt for an afternoon class schedule. However, keep in mind that most full-time jobs are some variation of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so if you’re working you’ll have to schedule around work.
Develop Lasting Relationships and Find a Career College is the time to build those life-long friendships. Clubs or student organizations are a great place to find people with similar interests. Participation can easily form the foundation of a future career. For example, if you’re interested in a career in politics tryout for the debate team. Or run for an office in student government. If social work is your calling, join a volunteer program. Whatever your career plans, there is likely a related association or group.
However, don't focus exclusively on peers. It's important to get to know your academic adviser - the primary person who can help with class conflicts or with selecting a major – and your professors. These are the men and women who can help when things aren't clear in a class or if you need leads on future employment opportunities. Be Sure To Strike a Balance When you’re away from home for the first time you can easily fall into bad habits. That may mean eating too much fast food, not getting enough sleep or exercise, underage drinking, or any number of other problems. What are the top five obstacles to academic success? Stress, colds/flu, sleep problems, concern for friends/ family members and depression/anxiety.
Ever heard of the "freshman fifteen?" It’s really easy to pack on additional weight. You need to find the right balance between taking care of their mental, physical, and emotional health. Keep an Eye on Spending Never had a debt? Never had a credit card? Never had to worry about a budget? All that can quickly change when you’re on your own. College students are easy targets for credit card companies because most figure that if a student defaults the parents will pick up the slack. Instead, while students are busy budgeting their time, they need to make sure to budget their money wisely, too. You should avoid credit cards and only spend what you have. That may mean forgoing a favorite item, but with less debt on graduation day, it will be worth it.
Q: Considering Study Groups? A: Do It! Q: Invited to Orientation? A: Do It! Q: Campus Tour? A: Do It!
Take Advantage of All Opportunities
It is important to become involved wit campus activities, too. To avoid feelingh homesick, join a student organization club, or sports team. To meet new frie , nds you could pledge a sorority or fraternity. , Through these types of opportunities, you’ll make new friends quickly.
College is about learning, not just from books, from new friends and the overall experience. This requires you to put in the effort. For the uninitiated, - those college students just starting out - that means being prepared and utilizing these five guidelines. CELEBRATE GRADUATION
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The best grad gifts
Graduating from high school is a pivotal moment in anyone's life. Whether the graduate is continuing with their education or moving out on their own, they're ready to begin a new life. When it comes to buying a present, the key is to find a happy medium between utilitarian and whimsy. Consider these options when picking up a gift for your recent grad.
A Bag of Quarters Ah, the joys of doing your own laundry. A bag of quarters and some laundry detergent will keep your grad in clean clothes for a while.
Gas Card
Keep them coming home to visit with a bit of money on a gas card!
A Tool Box
This gift may sound a bit too pragmatic, but that's where the charm of it kicks in.The truth of the matter is that most up-and-coming college students (or young adults moving out on their own) don't have access to a good set of tools to assemble furniture and hang pictures and decorate.
NetBook
In today's high-tech world, it's absolutely imperative to have access to the internet.This is especially true for students who do a lot of research. Instead of spending lots of cash on a laptop, opt for a netbook, a smaller, less expensive version that works just as well and is a cinch to carry around.
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GRADUATION DAY: What You Need to Know
The big day is finally here. After this, you will embark on the journey of a lifetime, and high school will seem like a distant memory. That’s why it is important to live in the moment on this day of friends, family, and celebration. If you’re the oldest sibling or an only child, you probably don’t know much about graduating. And who could blame you? No need to worry though. If you follow these steps, everything will be fine: 1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR CAP AND GOWN. That seems obvious, but these are the items we leave behind most when frazzled. 2. PRINT OUT DIRECTIONS. Stress can cause issues on every level. Print out or memorize directions to the ceremony location beforehand. Make sure your family knows where they’re going too. 3. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. This applies more to women. You will be standing and walking more than you think. If your high heels are
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too steep, you risk face-planting on stage in front of everyone. A solid wedge or cute flats provide the most stability.
gown while taking pictures after the ceremony. Wear something you love, because you’ll see it for the rest of your life in these photos.
4. YOUR HAIR WILL BE UNDER A CAP. If you hit the hair salon up graduation morning, keep in mind you will be wearing a cap at the ceremony. Bring it to your appointment so that the stylist can work around any inevitable issues.
6. TAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES. Duh. I mean did we really even need to tell you that? Consider getting a nice digital camera for this life event. Smart phones tend to take blurry photos with low resolution which are hard to see, let alone print.
5. WEAR SOMETHING YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED IN. More than likely, you will unzip or remove your
7. RELAX. You made it here because you worked hard. Remember that and enjoy the day with your friends and family.
Vlog Your Important Events This Year
Photos are great at capturing the moment, but how much do you really miss behind-thescenes of a still picture? Vlogging, aka video blogging, is a great way to capture every moment of your senior year and easily share it with the people who care most.
So, like, how do I get started? All you really need is a smart phone that records and stores video. This means you’re finally going to have to make some storage space on that iPhone or risk losing your videos mid-recording. You can also invest in a nice camera for high quality videos. Next you should decide what platform you want to be on. YouTube is a good/free choice if you just want to post videos. You can interact with friends and family through the comment section. With WordPress, you’ll have more tools at your disposal, and the option to post photos as well as blog posts, however, you’ll have to buy a package to host a video on this site. You can also link your YouTube videos to a blog post. Instagram, which lets you record and upload pictures, videos, and captions, is another popular vlogging platform. Lastly, try to capture as many special moments as you can, so you can look back on this time in your life. Interview your friends, play practical jokes, have a discussion with your bestie about where you think you’ll be in 10 years, and most importantly––live in the moment!
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What are my choices? Your high school graduation will be the beginning of your adult life. Planning your future is important and the decisions you make now can help you be successful in the future. What will be your next step?
1. Get A Job.
Your high school diploma qualifies you for some entry-level jobs. Ask your family, friends or school counselor about opportunities in your community. Increasingly, jobs require some education or training after high school. Those jobs that don’t require education or training usually offer low wages.
2. Learn A Trade.
Increasing your skills will make you an attractive job candidate for the rest of your life. On-the-job training programs, apprenticeships, vocational and technical schools as well as community and junior colleges can help you gain new skills. With the right training, you could qualify for some of the fastestgrowing careers in today’s market.
3. Go To College.
A college education increases your knowledge and sharpens your reasoning skills. You can concentrate your studies in your area of interest. You will learn more about your favorite subjects. In college, you will have the opportunity to meet new people and expand your horizons. A college degree is required for most higher-level and better paying jobs.
The Interview A PERSONAL INTERVIEW ALLOWS AN EMPLOYER OR SCHOOL ADMISSIONS OFFICER TO GET TO KNOW YOU. ALSO, IT IS A CHANCE FOR YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EMPLOYER OR SCHOOL PROGRAM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE WELL-PREPARED FOR AN INTERVIEW. THAT MEANS DRESSING PROFESSIONALLY, ARRIVING IN A TIMELY MANNER AND ANSWERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS APPROPRIATELY. FOLLOWING ARE SOME COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS. HOW WILL YOU ANSWER THEM? ❶ Tell me a little about yourself.
❷ What were your favorite subjects in school? Why?
My preferred career choice after high school would be:
❸ What extracurricular activities were important to you in high school?
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❹ Why did you apply for this job (or to this school/program)?
❺ What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
❻ What would you say is your greatest accomplishment so far?
❼ What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?
❽ Tell me about your last job (or school).
❾ What skills have you gained in high school? If you’ve had a job, what skills have you gained on the job?
Financing Your Future You can save on future college costs while you’re still in high school. If you score well on advanced placement tests, you may qualify for college credit before you even start.Advance placement tests allow students to get a jump start toward a college degree. Research can save you a lot of money. Find several schools with strong academic programs in your interest areas. Then compare their tuition costs. The less expensive schools may have just as much to offer. Aggressively look for scholarships. Ask your counselors, teachers, family, friends and professionals in your community for suggestions. Many students never realize the great amount of money available. You may find a scholarship through a minority program, a local alumni chapter, a corporation or even a non-profit group.The time you spend researching can really pay off. Save your money. Start putting away money whenever you can. Save any money you make from after school jobs or working during the summer to help pay some of your college costs. Remember, your education will help you for the rest of your life.You are investing in your future. Speak with your family about money. In addition to your immediate family, many students have grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles that help them pay for some of their college expenses. Plan a college strategy. You could take your initial college courses at a community college or state university, and later transfer to another school. One note of precaution: not all colleges and universities accept credits from other schools. Most students receive some form of financial aid. Work closely with the financial aid office at the college of your choice. Don’t reject a college if you think the tuition cost is too high.You may be able to afford even the most expensive school with financial aid. But remember you will have to pay back any and all loans you obtain after you graduate. Get a job while attending school. Many students work their way through college. Most colleges offer employment to students on campus. If your finances are really tight, consider going to school part-time while you are working.
INTERNET RESOURCES
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay www.2ed.gov/parents/collegepay/edpicks.jhtml www.fastweb.com
Graduation ’ D o n’ts d n a
Do s
It’s here. The night you’ve been looking forward to since, like, forever. After 4 years of high school, 13 years of learning and 18 years of living, it’s finally here. Your high school graduation. It’s not like it’s a big deal or anything. And, in an effort to make your evening as perfect as possible, we wanted to offer you a few helpful dos and don’ts to keep in mind while wearing the cap and gown. 22
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Don’t drink or do anything that will
alter your attitude, your behavior and your ability to remember every moment of your amazing night.
Do take pictures. Lots of them.
Take them with mom, dad, your sibs, your grandparents, your BFFs and whoever else is willing to stand next to you and mug for the camera. You’ll be glad to have them.
Don’t be late. The last thing you
need is a tear in your gown from where you tripped after trying to sprint across the parking lot in a flowy garment.
Do wear comfortable shoes.
You’ll be on your feet a lot that day and presumably, at some point, you’ll be walking across a stage with all eyes on you. And you don’t want to recreate Jennifer Lawrence’s famous fall at the 2013 Oscars.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Bad hair
day? A pimple? A broken nail? It’s all small stuff that you likely won’t even remember in the future. Just remember, right after Jennifer Lawrence fell on the stairs, she was handed an Academy Award.
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