Do Something!

This will seem so simple, most people will wonder why I'm even going to post about it.  It's common sense really, they'll say.  But my question is:  if it's common sense, are you doing it?  Because if you're not doing it, then you need to start.  And by "it", I am talking about doing something...ANYTHING...that correlates to what you're interested in, especially an academic interest.

The reason I say this is that many students fail to translate an academic interest to something more.  They also think they have to wait until college to figure things out.  I'm not advocating that you have to decide on your career at age 16, but I do think it's wise to explore your academic interests more than the classes you take in high school, and definitely to do more than the bare minimum requirements.  Why?  Because you'll be sure if you've romanticized certain fields of study--or if it's the real deal for you.

I meet with a ton of students who tell me they are interested in Engineering, students who feel relatively at home in math and science classes, and have earned good grades (usually a B or higher).  Most of these students are going into their senior year in high school, and I expect that they've done something to explore this interest.  Science Fair?  Job Shadowing?  Science Club?  ATC Classes or certificate?  And 99% of the time, the answer is:  Nope.  Nada.  Nothing.  Apparently, their interest looks mostly like a nice thing they say, without any idea of what Engineers actually do.  

Here's my advice:  be the one that isn't just talk...do something!  Join the Robotics Club.  Figure out how to get a job shadow (talk to teachers, mentors, Mrs. Krim--we'll help you!).  Continue on with Science Fair during the years it REALLY counts:  grades 9-12.  And follow the positive trend to take some hands-on courses at the ATC and find out if you actually like the sort of work Engineers do.  (By the way--courses at the ATC don't just translate to a great pre-Engineering career--there are loads of classes and careers for every interest!  Check them out:   OWATC and DATC

Extending your interest might also entail other ways of building your expertise beyond the classroom.  For someone interested in English, don't just say, "I want to be a writer"...begin by doing some writing that isn't connected to your required classes.  Start a blog.  Write a story.  Enter a writing contest.  For art, enter an art competition in the community.  Go to the art walks.  Take a tour of the art college at Weber State.  Simple stuff.  Common sense stuff.  But sadly, it's the simple stuff that gets overlooked 9 times out of 10.  Be the 1 student that does it.

Now, that being said, I am NOT advocating joining 10 clubs in 1 year, and becoming so overbooked that you don't really show up to anything with an invested mind.  I am advocating finding a way (even one way at a time), where you do something outside of your school load to extend an academic interest.  There is no magic answer here--but there is one wrong answer:  do nothing.  The wrong answer is to sit and wait for the stars to point you in the right way on that first day after high school graduation.  You don't have to pick your career now, of course, but you can explore options which will not only help you be more prepared in the future.

Yes, I know that this sort of extra-work looks great on a scholarship application, and that these students actually have something to write about on the essays that ask, "Tell us what you've been involved in during high school".  In addition (as if you needed another reason), students do better in school when they're able to connect the classwork to something that isn't graded.  Ironic, isn't it?  But it's true--if you want to do better IN class, find a way to do something OUT of class--but still connected to your academic interests.  Suddenly that English assignment on strengthening your voice or that Physics lesson on velocity takes on meaning if you're connecting it to something besides the homework assignment.

Repeat after me:  if you're interested in something--do something!  Posting this today because Club Rush is tomorrow (Wednesday, August 31st) and we have GREAT clubs that are fun and academic--and you should check them out and join one!  If, after attending Club Rush and talking to the reps at a few of the tables, you still have no idea how to translate the interest into action, email me to make an appointment.  In fifteen minutes, we can figure out the first step together.

The Big 10: Fall Scholarships, Scholarship Listing #1

Every year, there's a host of scholarships that repeat themselves.  The requirements are roughly the same each year:  same deadlines, same requirements, same amount of money.  So, for seniors--this is the year you apply.  For all the other grades:  read up about the scholarships, and do what you can to prepare...and make sure to apply for the ones that are open to younger grades.

DEADLINE ALERT:  Most of the deadlines not only have a specific date, but also a time.  Most of the times are listed in EST (Eastern Standard Time).  My suggestion is to mark your OWN calendar with the deadline being 5 days (minimum) before the actual deadline, so you don't even come close.  That way you won't miss it by minutes, and end up crying all night...or all year (seriously, this has happened).

1.  Coca Cola Scholarship  Open to  H.S. Seniors.  Deadline:  October 31, 2016.  Amount:  $20,000 to 150 students.  Minimum GPA:  3.0 cum.  They are looking for students who excel academically, give service, and have overcome a trial.  Application currently OPEN.

2.   Voice of Democracy: Essay Scholarship  Open to 9-12 can enter by writing and recording a speech on a specific prompt.  Check it out--there are state winners and a national winner, ranging from $1,000 - $30,000.  Deadline:  November 1.
***Also--for students in grades 6-8, check out the Patriot's Pen program.  It has multiple awards between $500 - $5,000.

3.  Horatio Alger Scholarships  Open to H.S. Seniors.  Multiple Scholarships available--for those interested in a 4-year college OR a Tech College.  Money ranging from $1,000 - $25,000 (multiple awards given of each amount).  Click on all the different tabs--you can apply for MULTIPLE awards from the Foundation.  Earliest Deadline:  September 25, 2016.  Application currently OPEN.

4.  Daniel's Fund    Open to H.S. Seniors.     Deadline Window:  September 30 - November 30.  Requirements:  ACT score of 17 or higher, U.S. citizen, demonstrate financial need, high school senior.  Amount:  Remaining amount of money needed to pay for college (whatever college the student is accepted to).

5.  Doodle 4 Google  Open to K-12.  Window:  OPENS September 14 (no deadline listed yet).  This is a fun scholarship!  Simply 'doodle' the 'google' logo, according to the year's prompt.  (Each year a different prompt / theme).  It's such a fun scholarship--AND it's open to all students K-12!  In fact, most years, younger students win, because I think they have fun with it and enter, while the older students overthink it and convince themselves they don't have a chance.  Don't make that mistake!  Pick up some drawing pencils, some brushes--whatever medium you want--and get to it!

6.  Elks Most Valuable Student  Open to H.S. Seniors.  Window:  OPENS September 1 - November 30.  Requirements: U.S. citizen, high school senior.  Judged on scholarship, leadership, financial need.  500 awards are given per year, ranging from $4,000 - $50,000.

7.  Quest Bridge  Open to H.S. Seniors.   Another BIG scholarship.  It matches students up with colleges, and grant full-tuition, room and board scholarships.  Basically--if you get this--college is paid for.  They are looking for students who have "achieved academic excellence in the face of economic challenges".  The application window is open NOW and closes September 27.

8.  Prudential Spirit of Community  Open to Grades 7-12.    Deadline:  November 8.  This is a Service Award.  They are looking for individuals who have made a difference in the community, and the application covers these areas.  Awards range up to a $5,000 award.

9.  Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program  Open to H.S. Seniors.  Application Window September - Mid-November (check the website once it opens).  This isn't just a scholarship--although it starts with that (giving up to $40,00 PER YEAR for 4 years)--it's also a mentoring program to help students succeed in college, helping them with internships, advising, and college success.  Minimum requirements:  3.5 cum GPA, 26 on the ACT, financial need (they define financial need as having a family gross income below $95,000...well above the standard for most scholarships).  Check out their other programs, including the young scholars program or how to receive a scholarship when you transfer from a community college to a 4-year college.  Jacke Kent Cooke ALL programs link

10.  Sterling Scholar  Open to H.S. Seniors.  This is a program that begins at the high school level, and ends at the Wasatch Front Region (for our school, at least).  It awards students who excel in one particular academic area, as well as involvement in leadership and service.  The deadline for DaVinci Academy Sterling Scholar Applications is October 7, 2016.  Applications will be available on September 22nd for the high school level.  Be sure to attend Advisory during College Prep Thursdays for more information.

New School Year: Make a Goal

At the beginning of school, the desire to make goals washes over everyone.  You can't help but write a beautiful page of goals for the year with grand statements written in calligraphy:  "Get a 4.0!"..."Get all As and Bs!"..."Make the High Honor Roll!"  And yes--these are great goals, but I've got to ask--are these goals great for everyone?  The reason I ask this is that not every student has the same baseline to begin with.  If a student has only earned Cs and Ds in the past year, a goal of "Get all As and Bs" is not just lofty, it's virtually out of reach not because the student doesn't want it, but because it's too far of a jump for anyone besides Superman to make.  

In the past two weeks, we've seen some great Superman moments from Rio 2016.  And although it's easy to focus on how many medals Michael Phelps has won in swimming, I'd like to point you to a different example of making and meeting goals from the U.S. Rowing Team.  Listen to the excerpt from an NPR Interview with Andrew Campbell, Jr.  (listen from about :55 - 2:22)

                                                          Rowing at the Rio Olympics

Did you catch that?  He placed 5^th at the Olympics.  He won’t stand on the Stadium.   He won’t be spotlighted on the Nightly ReCap of great moments.  He won’t be recognized on billboards or cereal boxes, and yet—did you notice how genuinely happy he was with his performance?  I love that as a team, they made a specific goal that would push them and be attainable…simultaneously.  And when they made the goal, he recognized it as a good thing.  The U.S. team had never even made it into the final round in this specific sport, so the goal was based upon past performance and future growth.  Again--reasonable and difficult at the same time.  

This probably can be applied to at least half our students.  Take stock of where you are NOW.  Make a goal for the term, the semester, even the year that will push you to do a little better…but also that is attainable with consistent work.  For example, if you are earning Cs and Ds in every class last year—making a goal of earning As in every class is not a good goal.  Why?  Because it doesn’t just push you to do a little better—it pushes you beyond your abilities, and by midterms, you'll feel like your Bs aren't good enough--and then give up, landing yourself right back with Cs and Ds.  Instead, make a goal that is a little bit of push, but not so much that it overwhelms you into doing nothing.  

An Example of a Reasonable Goal:

Last Year:  Cs and Ds

This Year:  All Cs (even a C- is fine!  Just get out of the D range)

Last Year:  Ds and Fs

This Year:  Ds

Also--instead of just focusing on "grade" goals, make some performance goals, and the grades will take care of themselves.  Make a goal to work on homework in class if there is extra time, and to turn in all homework on time.  Just doing this one thing is usually enough to bump a grade up one whole letter grade. 

So, as you look over the year—push yourself.  But also, be aware that if you make and actually MEET a small goal, it is better than if you had made a large goal and completely missed it.  Take a leaf out of the book from the U.S. Rowing Team:  make a goal specific to YOU, and then be happy when you've got it, even if that means that you aren't on the Wheaties Cereal Box (High Honor Roll list).  It's a step upwards, and for that, you should be proud.

Apricot Jam + Scholarships

Have you ever seen a picture like this?

Or maybe this?

Super cute, right?  The jam looks amazing--the jars look like they belong on a boutique shelf--and the whole image conjures up images of homemade bread slathered with apricot goodness.  Yum.

Well, until today, I have never, never made jam.  I have, frankly, been intimidated by the whole process.  Make jam?!  No, thank you, I'll buy the store stuff.  I have tasted homemade jam though, which is why when my mom loaded me up a few days ago with shoe boxes full of apricots from her tree, I started to scan the internet for a good jam recipe.  As time went on, I became more overwhelmed and confused by all the differing opinions of what made a 'good' jam.  But still, those apricots kept ripening.  Finally, I went to the grocery store and bought a crazy amount of sugar, and a couple boxes of "Sure Jell" which seemed the basic way to guarantee good jam, according to countless recipes and opinions of jam-making experts.

And so it began.  I pitted apricots and put them in my giant Ninja and pureed them.  Oops!  Only after I read the recipe again did I realize I should have chopped them.  Well, there you go.  I had about 5 cups of pureed apricots which all the articles said wouldn't make a good jam.  But I had enough Sure Jell and sugar to make multiple batches so I blazed on.  Honestly, I couldn't make sense of the directions, and felt confused throughout the process.  I made one batch of "pureed apricot jam", and one batch of "normal apricot jam", and it was so simple when I was making my second batch!  I couldn't believe that I had been confused by the instructions the first time around--this was simple!    Here's the result:

Yep--I put them in little tupperwares and old gelato containers.  And I agree, it's not the best presentation.  I'm proud of them because they are the first time I've ever made jam, but it wouldn't compare to the other jams in adorable little jars.  Obviously, I didn't spend much time thinking about the presentation of the jam--and though the jam inside is great, the presentation wouldn't necessarily "sell" my jam.  Does my jam taste good?  Yes-good enough that one jar may never make it to the freezer, I'm simply eating toast and jam by the hour.  But to any other person--it's the packaging that usually determines whether they'll buy or not.  To another person--the pureed jam doesn't really meet the expectation of what an apricot jam should be.

Now--why in the world am I posting this on my college blog?  Because most students have one common question about scholarships:  when should they apply for scholarships?  And my answer usually shocks them:  Now.  I don't care if you are in 8th grade--begin now.  If you are in 11th grade--begin now.  If you are in 12th grade--you should have started.

Why?  Because the more you apply for scholarships, the more you learn.  Your first scholarship application will be confusing and frustrating, and you'll probably do some of the things wrong.  You'll figure out things that will make the process easier, and you'll also figure out things that are weak in your experience--so you'll fix them before you apply for another one.  It's just like my apricot jam--the difference between making my first and second batch was night and day. I felt flustered for the first batch, and totally in control for the second batch.   I'm guessing that as I continue, it will just get better:  I might actually have a product worth gifting by the 10th batch.  You'll probably feel the same--flustered with the first scholarship, and more in control for the second and subsequent scholarship applications.  And there is absolutely no way to jump past this hoop--you just have to say, "It's my first time--I'll learn what I can, and I'm going to finish...and then I'm going to do it again."

You are not going to win every scholarship, but you should be applying for scholarships.  There are things that I can tell you and explain to you and help you try to understand about scholarships--but until you actually complete a scholarship application, it will all sound like "Blah, blah, blah..."  Once you've completed the application, it will be less of "Mrs. Krim says I have to do this..." to "I know that I want to focus on this for my application."  It's the switch from feeling that you have to do something to wanting to do something.  And that's why I suggest that students begin to apply as early as possible, and to keep on applying.  That's the only way the applications get better.

You'll learn how to package your application so that it looks appealing:  it will be the equivalent of those pictures of boutique-level apricot jams...NOT the recycled gelato containers (as clumsily cute as they are).  You'll figure out that there are certain patterns to most scholarship applications, and that certain essay questions repeat on multiple applications.  You'll get better and better at this, and your chances of winning will increase.  That's the point, right?  To win money!  So, if you actually want to win money, you've got to put in some practice on the real thing.

Be proud of yourself when you finish the first application--even if it's not perfect or you don't win.  Even if it's the equivalent of my pureed-jam in a gelato container.  You'll learn valuable lessons that you can put towards your next application, and the better your applications become, the higher chances you have of winning.

So, get out there and apply!  Be willing to take some feelings of frustration as part of the learning experience and road to winning.  Let me know by email which scholarships you're applying for and how I can help :  krim.scholarship@gmail.com