Tips of the Week July 16, 2012

For students with the graduation year of:

2008: Look back at notes from your college courses. If you’re struggling with “what to do now”, take a look back at your notes – all the way back to your freshman year. This can refresh your memory on some of the content. See which subjects you enjoy reviewing. Perhaps it will shed some light as to what you may want to pursue next.
2009-2012: Find your school’s day planner and buy it! Your college may publish a day planner/agenda book for the school year that you can use to plan your appointments, classes and assignments. Using the one your school makes can be especially helpful because it will mark special days or weekends at school, holiday breaks and campus events.
2013: Compare your SAT and ACT scores. If you have already taken an SAT and an ACT, try to determine which score was stronger. (Let us know if you need help with this). If one score was significantly stronger than the other, you might consider only retaking the test on which you scored higher in your first round of testing. The vast majority of schools throughout the country accept both tests. This allows you the opportunity to pick one test to concentrate on instead of trying to find time to study for both tests.
 2014:  Don't feel pressured to make a hasty decision about a career or a major. It doesn't matter if it seems as though everyone else seems to know what they're doing with their lives. The next few years are a time for you to really discover who you are, what you enjoy doing, what you're good at, and what you want to be. It's not a race; take your time and enjoy exploring your options. Know that many students do not select a major until sophomore year of college and can still graduate on time.
2015 & Above: Learn to assess your own aptitude and skills. You’re well aware that people have differing strengths. Recognize your own strengths by assessing your skills in a given area. Those who take self-inventory can make better decisions for themselves.
Sincerely,

Your Friends at Ensphere College Planning Services

Tip of the Week - July 9, 2012

For students with the graduation year of:


2008- 2011: Brush up on your grammar. More and more employers are stressing the importance of their employees’ proper usage of grammar and the English language. Some companies are even requiring that prospective employees whose desired position requires little to no writing pass a grammar test to qualify for the position. While our society becomes more lax about proper usage, you will stand out as a candidate who speaks and writes correctly!
2012:  Participate as much as you can at your college orientation.  Some sessions at orientation may be optional.  To gain the most knowledge and information about your college, take part in as many sessions as you can.  The more familiar you are with your college, the more comfortable you will feel when classes begin.
2013 and 2014:  Find out the dates and times of college fairs taking place this fall.  Mark these dates on your calendar so that attending them does not fall by the wayside.  College fairs can be a great opportunity to learn more about schools that interest you, or discover new schools you haven’t yet considered.
2015 and above:  Begin learning how to implement time management, organizational, and study skills in your life.  By implementing these skills now, you will develop good habits that will help you succeed in high school and college when your classes begin to increase in difficulty.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Ensphere College Planning Services