September 6, 2012

10 Effective Ways to Empower Students During Fall Semester

Sep. 6, 2012 at 10:15 AM | By Emily Kissane | Comment Count

Keeping students on the right path to college will pay off throughout the entire student lifecycle. Creating a college-going culture at your school develops awareness of the habits and motivations leading to post-secondary success. School administrators can build knowledge of the college admissions process and empower students to shape their futures by exploring any of these 10 Effective Ways to Empower Students During Fall Semester.

Get everyone involved in college-readiness. It’s as simple as sponsoring a “Rock Your College” t-shirt day to spark meaningful conversations with students about their top college choices.

Develop partnerships with community organizations. Whether for learning or mentorship opportunities, get the community involved to help establish deeper relationships with students and their families.

Encourage idea exchange. Websites like College Confidential help students learn more about individual schools, campus life, financial aid and scholarships, and connect with peers.

Make sure every student is “reaching” academically. The beginning of the year is a great time for students to review course plans. Ensure students are on track with graduation and admission requirements. Candidates for advanced placement or college credit classes should be encouraged to take advantage of those opportunities.

Review the college admissions process with each student so they know what lies ahead and what preparations they need to begin. Action plans are great tools to facilitate the college application process.

Encourage time for reflection. Revisit learning styles, career interests, and use other assessment resources to keep students aware of their post-secondary goals. Investing time in these activities creates focused exploration of colleges and universities that are the “ right fit.”

Promote college exploration. If possible, organize a community college fair to raise funds for a local scholarship or participate in an overnight campus visit. This provides students one-on-one time with admissions representatives and gives them an idea of what campus life entails.

Encourage students to keep their lists of colleges up-to-date. As students explore their options, their choices will most likely change. A current list helps with organization and maintaining deadlines.

Demystify financial aid. Host financial aid workshops for students and parents to provide an overview of the process and discuss payment options. Consider setting up a FAFSA Center on-site for families to ask questions and submit their applications for federal aid.

Support students with resume “How-to” learning sessions. Teaching students how to create effective resumes encourages organization and keeps track of extracurricular activities, awards, volunteering, and work experience. This not only aids in college applications but also scholarships and letters of recommendation.