College Awareness: The Joy and Fear of Preparation
By Ashley Campbell
When you think of your college future, what first thoughts come to mind? Is it tuition’s? Locations? Even your major? This school year, English teachers are helping and striving to prepare their students for college life and the transitions into it. Many find the awareness much easier to understand because teachers are there to help and answer questions the best they can.
Mrs. Hassett, an English teacher, has been helping to prepare students and enjoys all of the college-awareness activities that they do in class.
“It’s one of my favorite units to teach because it is one of the most immediately relevant units we teach. I enjoy helping students with their resumes because it’s something they can immediately use and it helps them to reflect back on the things they’ve done that make them stand out.”
Hassett is also continuing to learn, as much as her students, about how applying to college has changed. When Hassett started at Muscatine High, she never knew the RAI score existed and now she has to know how to understand it that way she can help her students.
“My goal as an instructor is to prepare students with information and knowledge that they can take from my class and use in their future endeavors, whatever those may be. I hope all go on to some form of post-secondary education and I know what I’m teaching them and exposing them to in preparation for that will make it easier for them in their future.”
Senior, Sharon Adasme has graduation right around the corner and wants to attend Brigham Young University. She believes that learning this college unit has really helped her about college awareness and preparation.
“Discussing college, especially in an English class, really helps me get into the thought process of “being in the real world”. It helps me prepare writing skills as well as learning about resumes and college itself, I find it EXTREMELY helpful.”
Taryn Niehaus, junior, plans on going to University of Iowa to major in pharmacy. She said, “I feel that it helps me prepare for my future, but then again I don’t know if it’s entirely true, because all of the teachers have their different opinions on college on top of parents thoughts about college.”“Preparing for college takes some planning, ALOT of planning. Take the opportunities to take PSEO or duel-credit at Muscatine Community College. Take AP and enriched classes, take the ACT/SAT early. Apply for any and all scholarships you can. No matter how much you don’t believe you need them, the seniors are right; you’ll be graduating before you know it,” replied Adasme.
“You need to start saving for college when you’re about, like, five years old. Maybe even before you are born”, Niehaus.
“I know my students benefit from this unit because previous students have come back and told me that it was one of the most rewarding and useful units we did. Many have used their resumes and college essays in their application process,” answered Hassett.
So to all students preparing for college, good luck and take a breath! Relax, but also keep your future goals in mind!