College Advising: Start Writing Now? You Must be Crazy!

Rising juniors are on the brink of their college futures and yet many  are intent on doing nothing this summer. While some are motivated to start essays, others see the summer as time to recover from academics, hang out, and just relax. This is the time of year that I hear from anxious parents who attack their students with threats because they haven't started their college essays yet. And so the disagreements begin…

 

While the summer before senior year is an ideal time to start applying to colleges, the energy must come from the student.  Students who can imagine and plan their futures are the ones who are wonderful to work with in these early months.  There are also students who know they need to use this time to bolster their resumes and leadership. Others have a different plan.  Parents can help by asking their student what that plan is.  So the discussions begin...

 

Now is also a great time for incoming 9th graders to have a quick tour through the factors that will help them shine in four years. 10th and 11th graders will also benefit from case studies of students who achieved everything they wanted from their college applications by following a few directives.

 

Seniors still have time to improve their “acceptability” over the summer and many make serious efforts to work, volunteer, or learn something new during these months.  Students who are worried should have a sage counselor look over their future application profile to make suggestions action as needed. Otherwise, swinging in a hammock while sipping a frothy drink might be just  right for preparing the “college blast off” in the fall.

 

I find that students who are top achievers come in two varieties:  those who allow their very active brains to rest, and those who start early to produce aggressively superior college essays.  Both are self-motivated and, by virtue of their on-going successes, know what it takes to be light-years ahead of other applicants. The lovely, but less ambitious student can benefit from doing something interesting over the summer, or maybe something to help others.  You might have to go back to the hammock to think about that idea…

 

Student energy needs to come from the student. I’ve known anxious parents who have made the situation either better or worse by sharing their worries. If you are an anxious parent or an easy-going student, try your best to wait a bit.  If you don’t start thinking seriously while it’s still June, maybe you will in July, or August.  Sometimes serious thinking comes on strongest after a very serious rest!

 

All the best for your college future from www.Perfectfitcollege.net