5 Tips All Colorado Students Should Use When Choosing Their College

It’s that time of year when prospective students are eagerly awaiting acceptance letters into their favorite schools. No doubt you have applied to more than one college and if you have several attractive offers, you want to make the right choice. It can be really difficult to decide between schools, so here is a little guide on how to go about making the right choice.

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Make a list, check it twice

Write down all the things that you are looking for in a school in order of importance. The most important option should be the course you want to take so that should go on the very top of the list. Follow this with other factors and facilities that you find essential to the success of your academic career.

The second half of the list should contain the considerations that you would like to have in your future school. These could include things like size; some students prefer the intimacy of smaller colleges while other students like big schools because they can meet new people.

Take a holistic approach

When finding the best fit for you, consider not only your academic needs, but also your personality and interests. You need to find a school that suits you in order for you to excel. You should include factors like location, sports, your budget, the facilities provided by the school, the lecturers who will be giving your chosen courses, course requirements, etc.

Now you can compare schools in terms of how many boxes they tick on the ‘essentials’ list and on your ‘wish’ list. This helps you to accurately select the best school for you.

Ask all the questions

By the time you are ready to make your choice, you should have visited each of your colleges and you should know everything you need to know in order to make your decision. Do your research on each school so you know exactly what you will be getting.

Set a deadline

There’s nothing worse than waiting in limbo, so set yourself a deadline for making your final decision. Take enough time to carefully consider your options, but don’t get bogged down in indecision. Set a date, make a decision and then more forward with your planning.

Communicate

Your family, friends and teachers are all excited and invested in your decision. While you may feel pressure from different quarters to make a decision, don’t shut down communication. Listen carefully to advice, then take time to make your own decision. Communicate with your councillors, parents and teachers so that they can help you come to the right decision for you.

Choosing the right college is a tough decision and it will affect the next four years of your life, so take your time and trust your instincts.

If you find this list helpful, please pass it on . . .

Good Luck!

If you have any further questions, please give us a call at 720-638-1373

4 Cherry Creek School District Students Earn Perfect ACT Score of 36

Four Cherry Creek School District students were among 17 students statewide who were honored Nov. 14 by the Colorado Board of Education for earning a perfect score of 36 on the ACT taken by every high school junior in Colorado last spring.

Those students are:

•    Rick Laoprasert, Cherry Creek High School

•     Nate Gibby, Cherokee Trail High School

•    David Mathews, Cherokee Trail High School

•    Susan Niederhoff, Smoky Hill High School

Students in the Cherry Creek School District consistently score above the state and national average on the ACT. The district average ACT composite score for 2013 is 21.6. The Colorado average is 20.1 and the national average score is 20.9.

Cherokee Trail seniors David Mathews and Nate Gibby both took the test more than once, but didn’t do any other significant preparation.

“I took the test twice before and got a 35 both times,” said Gibby, who hopes to attend Stanford and study finance and investment banking. “Once I got a 35, I set my goal for a 36. I knew I could do it.”

Mathews, who plans to study business at Stanford, said he was “kind of surprised” by his score. “It was great! The best part was the odds of getting a perfect 36,” he said. “There were 788 students who got a perfect score out of 1.6 million students who took the test.”

The ACT is a standardized exam taken by high school students to gauge their college and career readiness. Students are assessed with four multiple choice subject tests in English, reading, math and science. All four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the ACT for the college admissions process. Students often see an increase in their score the more times they take it, but few attain a perfect score.

If you would like to know how we can help increase your score. Please give us a call for a free consultation today! 720-441-2772

The 7 best New Year's Resolutions for Colorado High School and College Students

Knowing how to start the New Year is important, especially as a high school or college student in Colorado. Here are the 7 best New Year's resolutions to make this your best year of school.

1. Learn to handle stress.

Don’t spend all day in the library, depriving yourself of social contact. Go out for walks, take short frequent breaks, and talk to your friends. Remember that there is more to life than college, and it will soon pass. Do something that makes you happy every once in a while. If you’re feeling overwhelmed because of your course load, take a look at the number of units you’re taking and talk to your advisor.

2. Stop procrastinating.

Set a weekly study schedule and stick to it. Write down everything that you have to do in order of importance, and complete tasks accordingly.  You can break down large tasks into smaller parts and set a deadline for each, which also works when studying for an exam. Once you divide a large project into more manageable parts, it will seem less stressful and easier to do. Also, consider joining a study group, which will hold you accountable for studying on time and help you understand the material better.

3. Meet new people.

College is the perfect time to meet new people and try new things. Take the initiative to hang out with the people you seem to click with. Put yourself in places where potential friends are, and then meet and talk to them. By keeping an open mind, you can make some lifelong friendships. You can meet people at the dining hall, your favorite study spot, or any other place that you continuously go to where you begin to see the same people. 

4. Talk to your professors.

Go to their office hours, or talk to them before or after class. You can talk about anything covered in class that you’re struggling with, or something that you loved. This will show your professor that you care about the class and are making an effort, and you may end up with a higher grade. Plus, you never know when you might need a reference letter from them in the future.

5. Sleep more.

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for your grades. Use earplugs and sleeping shades if you need to, and make sure to turn off your electronics. You might also want to start studying early and space it out so that you can avoid pulling all-nighters. Also, take 20 min. power naps if you need to between classes. 

6. Get moving.

Remember to add a workout to your schedule. Physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain and helps you stay focused in class. It is one of the best stress relievers and can help keep you sane during finals. It can also help you sleep better at night.

7. Keep your resolutions.

To ensure that you keep your resolutions this year, write them down and keep them in a place where you can easily see them every day. You can also tell your friends and family about your resolutions so that they can give you moral support.

-Abigail R