Student Advice Blog

A Collection of Our Most Popular College Planning Advice Articles

4 Tips to Help You Choose High School Classes

Choosing high school classes can be stressful, especially if you’re getting ready to start high school or wondering which classes look best on college applications. Here are a few tips to help you choose your courses with confidence so you can make the most of your time in high school. Learn about your high school’s ... 4 Tips to Help You Choose High School Classes

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5 Questions to Ask Your High School Counselor

Your high school counselor is one of the most valuable resources at your school. They can help you choose classes, find school activities, prepare for college and a career, and even support your mental health. It’s easy to get so involved with your friends and schoolwork that you forget your counselor is available to help. ... 5 Questions to Ask Your High School Counselor

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Should You Consider a GAP Year?

You’ve probably heard about students taking a year off before starting college or even in the middle of their college journey. If you’re curious about a gap year, what it means, its benefits, and how to do it, we’ve got you covered!  Pros of a Gap Year A gap year is a period (often a ... Should You Consider a GAP Year?

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7 Tips for Choosing a Major During High School

Choosing a major while you’re still in high school can feel like a huge decision, especially if you aren’t sure what you want to study or what career you want to explore. While you don’t need everything figured out, choosing 2-3 majors you like will help you pick colleges that fit your academic interests. Here ... 7 Tips for Choosing a Major During High School

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Why Your GPA Matters

If you’ve ever wondered how much your high school and college GPA matters, you’re not alone. Let’s unpack why your GPA matters at all stages of your education. Your GPA and College Admissions While all college admissions teams look at your GPA, some colleges place a higher weight on it than others. Even though all ... Why Your GPA Matters

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What’s Next After High School?

The value of a college degree is a hotly debated topic. Whether you’re swiping through TikTok or talking to your school counselor, everyone has an opinion.  While some research shows that adults with degrees are more likely to earn more and achieve high levels of career satisfaction, no path has a guaranteed outcome. It’s important ... What’s Next After High School?

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10 Study Hacks

Ready to step up your study game? We’ve got 10 study hacks that will help you study smarter, not harder!  1. Use voice-to-text to take notes. Use the voice-to-text feature on your phone as a study tool! Instead of typing notes as you read, summarize your thoughts in your own words, and let your phone ... 10 Study Hacks

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What are the Different Types of Colleges?

Not all colleges are the same! If you’re wondering which college is best for you, here are the most common types of colleges and universities. Private College/University Private colleges/universities are four-year schools that don’t receive government funding and rely mainly on tuition, fees, and private funding sources. Private donations allow some private schools to provide ... What are the Different Types of Colleges?

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Top Summer Internships

Summer is the perfect time for an internship because you don’t have to work around school hours, and you can invest more time learning about a career or industry you’re interested in pursuing. An internship allows you to take everything you learned in school and apply it to a real-world job. Internships help you narrow ... Top Summer Internships

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5 Tips to Rock Your First Internship

Congratulations! You’ve scored an internship. You’re about to begin laying the foundation for your future as a professional, get valuable hands-on experience, and increase your chances of finding a full-time job. If you’re feeling a little nervous, we’ve got some tips to help shake the first-day jitters and rock your internship.   1. Be Prepared  Do ... 5 Tips to Rock Your First Internship

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Top 10 College Towns

There are thousands of college towns across the country. The size, ambiance, and offerings vary from one town to the next, but there’s something for everyone within these communities. Here are our top college town picks! 1. Chapel Hill, North Carolina University of North Carolina You can get a bit of everything in Chapel Hill. ... Top 10 College Towns

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Building Your College List

If you’re applying to college, you know there are a lot of options! It can be overwhelming to narrow down what you’re looking for in a college experience. Building a list of top colleges takes time, research, and patience. The first thing you should remember is this is YOUR education and YOUR choice. As you ... Building Your College List

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5 Reasons to Choose the Affordable College

If you’re experiencing pressure to choose a college, you’re not alone! When you factor in cost, the choice gets even more confusing. If you’re caught between choosing your dream school with little to no financial aid or a more affordable school further down your list, here are five reasons to choose the more affordable college ... 5 Reasons to Choose the Affordable College

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How to Embrace the Future with Confidence

Uncertainty about the future is one of the biggest stressors students face. It’s completely normal to feel anxious about the future, especially if you aren’t sure what you want to do. We all want to find that unique, tangible purpose for our lives. While it’s impossible to eliminate uncertainty in our lives, there are ways ... How to Embrace the Future with Confidence

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The Best Way to Build Your High School Resume

It’s never too early to start building your resume. A resume can be used for college applications, internships, and volunteer work. Creating a resume may sound intimidating, but it only takes a few simple steps. Start with the basics, and add to the resume as you gain more school and job experience. Here are some ... The Best Way to Build Your High School Resume

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How to Decide Which College to Atten

Choosing a college is one of life’s most exciting decisions! It’s normal to feel nervous and even a little unsure about which college is best for you. Instead of worrying, let the decision-making process empower you.  You’re in a position that puts you in the driver’s seat of your life. Your college decisions are going ... How to Decide Which College to Atten

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10 Tips for Time Management

Time management is a crucial skill with life-long benefits. If you can learn time management skills early, those to-do lists won’t take as long, and you’ll have more time for the things you love. If you struggle to get tasks done (like most humans), these time management tips will help you increase your productivity! Don’t ... 10 Tips for Time Management

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Tips for Crafting a Stellar College Application Essay

Your college essays are an important part of the college application process. While most of your application is clear-cut, the essay is one of the only places you can showcase your unique personality, goals, and passion for the college.  Some colleges have specific prompts, and others ask you to describe your story. Whatever the topic, ... Tips for Crafting a Stellar College Application Essay

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Cutting Costs in the College Search and Application Process

If you’re unsure how you’ll pay for the costs associated with the college search and application process, you’re not alone! Thankfully, there are ways to help offset these costs. We’ve highlighted some areas where you’ll see fees and some resources that will help offset the costs. Some of these resources can be utilized by all ... Cutting Costs in the College Search and Application Process

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How to Get Hands-On Experience in High School

The best way to determine if a career path is right for you is to experience it yourself. For example, you may have your heart set on becoming an attorney, but until you sit in the courtroom, you won’t know what it’s like to have this career. Expectations often differ from reality. When you test ... How to Get Hands-On Experience in High School

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