The Senior Scoop
September 18, 2020
High School to College: Thoughts From a College Freshman
By Shelby Salisbury (Co-Editor ℅ '20) | Photo by Daniela Paris
High school has finished for the Class of 2020 and for those who wish to continue education, college tends to be the next step. I would consider high school and college to be two very different places. A large gap exists between the two with different responsibilities, environments, and people. This can be very daunting for those who have never gone through a big change or have never been on their own. College really does test a person.
By the time one starts college, high school can feel like a world away, but some may expect college to be high school part 2. For those who think this they will be surprised. High school goes along with a structure schedule that stays the same everyday, college does not do this. In college most classes do not occur every day, many classes happen only two or three times a week, with a ranging length of class time. These classes also do not just appear on the schedule, they must be chosen, with the thought of time, class and date in mind. College students have the responsibility of setting up their schedule....
Another aspect of college that differs from high school would be homework. In high school homework usually has a due date of the next day and occurs almost everyday. Homework does not seem to be a steady everyday part of college classes. It does depend on the professor, of course, but most college classes (for me so far) have lacked homework. The classes have lectures, projects, quizzes and exams, not daily homework, and those make up your grade. Some classes may only have 10 assignments or less, so every assignment counts. The due date for these assignments rarely changes and if they do not get turned in be prepared to drop a letter grade. High school has been more forgiving than college in my experience.
Also, most professors put all work with dates on a document known as a syllabus which they expect the student to have read through before class even starts. THE SYLLABUS HAS GREAT IMPORTANCE. Don't read the syllabus, don't pass, simple as that. The syllabus usually has course introduction, format expectations, assignments, due dates, late assignment information, repercussions, attendance, and more. I am not kidding, syllabi tend to be more than 3 pages with answers to every possible question a student may have.
A major transition from high school to college can cause many students to feel homesick. Most college students do not live at home if they attend a four year university. Even for those who live in a dorm it will be a big responsibility. Cleaning, laundry and meals all fall onto a student at college. Most students live with another person in a very small space. Students must take care of themselves and take care of their responsibilities. Yes, RAs (resident assistants) and advisors exist on college campuses, but they will not check in with you everyday and if a student has a problem the responsibility falls to the student to go ask for help.
At college students do not get treated like children as much as they do in high school. The big picture would be that students get treated like adults. All responsibilities ranging from self to classes all fall on the student. Teachers do not forgive easily, students should ask questions, need help get it yourself, reminders don't exist and have fun. College can seem daunting, due to its large difference from high school, but try not to stress. Try to stay on top of school work and spend time with good people, then college won't seem as difficult.
May 27, 2020
Finding Scholarships From Home
By Daniela Paris | Photo by Daniela Paris
After weeks of uncertainty, students all over Wake County have finally been pushed out of their slump of inactivity by the start of distance learning on Monday, April 13th. Cue groans of despair. Still, online learning doesn't mean the end of all the newfound free time. With most extracurricular activities canceled in hopes of stopping the spread of COVID-19, students need only spend a small portion of their days on schoolwork. Teens will still have time to go on their phones, binge watch The Tiger King on Netflix, and, miracle of miracles, sleep. On the other hand, students-juniors especially-can be productive and plan for their futures through one activity that hasn't been canceled by the coronavirus: scholarship hunting.
Most scholarships can be found online, eliminating the need for students to leave home. Scholarship.com, just one of the many scholarship-finding sites available, boasts thousands of scholarships to choose from. Don't be confused, however. Many of the scholarships listed come with extremely specific guidelines dictating what types of students can apply. A good amount can only be attained by graduate or undergraduate students in college, and many limit applications to select minorities.
First, students should spend time combing through available scholarships and selecting ones they qualify for and find interesting. Scholarship.com has a great tool for doing this, but other fantastic sites include Cappex, Fastweb, and Niche. Make sure to be realistic with time constraints-don't try to add scholarships to a to-do list with due dates less than a day or two away.
Once they complete a list of scholarships, students should start to fill out scholarship applications. Work on one at a time, and attack the scholarships with the closest due dates first. Most scholarships out there will revolve around writing some type of insightful (or not, see this scholarship which involves writing about ice cream) essay. Create a plan of action for writing these scholarship essays and polishing them as much as possible. As The Princeton Review writes, "Take the time to brainstorm your ideas, create an outline, and edit your entry as you would for any essay writing assignment for your English class."
First, open a blank document, copy-paste all relevant prompt information, and commence the brainstorming stage. US News advises that students include specific, personal details to make their essay stand out: think of topics and personal anecdotes the essay could benefit from. Take this time to read essays from past winners of the scholarship-finding out what these have in common could be the key to writing a focused essay that judges will love. Use this to create a rough outline of the essay in bullet points.
Next, type out a rough draft of the essay. Try to do this in one sitting, without stopping or switching tabs. Go through and make writing clear and concise, checking that the essay remains within the word count, and as scholarship.com advises, "read the [prompt] again and then read your essay to be certain that the essay addresses every point." In the first edit, focus on big picture elements, such as organization, voice, and flow. Then, go through and edit once more to clear any grammar or spelling errors. Finally, have a trusted adult read over the essay to catch any last-minute errors before sending in the finished essay.
Quarantine can feel like a waste of time, but by staying focused and following these tips, any student can take advantage of the stay-at-home orders and possibly win scholarships to help pay for college.
NC Community Colleges
By Shelby Salisbury
Choosing to go to community college in NC can be a great alternative to four-year universities for those who can not afford traditional college or do not wish to go. Community colleges offer many specific courses on top of their general education classes. Students can also transfer with their Associate's degree from a community college to a four-year school to obtain a Bachelor's degree. Community colleges even provide classes for learning trades. The list below shows several North Carolina community colleges and the unique opportunities they provide.
Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh)
This community college remains close to the area which students at AFHS call home. Going here means that a student could stay at home and commute to Wake Tech. Many students in the area have already taken classes there or have some familiarity with it, making the transition process easier. According to the Wake Tech website, they offer over 200 programs ranging from Associate's degrees to Certificate Programs. They offer many of these courses through online learning which can be helpful for those trying to balance a full time job while seeking higher education.
Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington)
Wilmington would be an ideal location for those who want to visit the beach, enjoy city life, and continue their education. They also have many programs for degrees. Their website features several programs such as visual fine arts, automotive system technology, welding technology, and chemical technology. This college would be a great choice for someone who does not need a degree, but needs to be certified, and who may want to go into one of these fields. They also have nine areas of job training to help someone get a job without a four-year degree.
Blue Ridge Community College (Flat Rock)
Found in Western North Carolina, Blue Ridge Community College has many opportunities for further learning. Even though some may worry about missing out on the "college experience," this college has clubs, organizations, and events that students can take part in. These can help students make friends and create a close-knit community at the school. According to their website, a large number of students study surgical technology and basic law enforcement.
Community college can be a viable choice for many students. It can work best for their finances, living situation, or future job aspiration. North Carolina has over 50 public community colleges. Although one may not have the desired educational program, another might. It also can be a great stepping stone for someone who wishes to go to a four-year school afterwards, while helping to save a lot of money.