Oh My...

I Dont Have a Clue

A High School Students Guide to a Successful College Career

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chapter 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Whats the big deal?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Responsibility is what my parents do!. . . 9 Chapter 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Is college for me? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 What do I like to do? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 What are my options? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Chapter 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 How do I get started? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Where do I look for scholarships? . . . . . 19 How do I choose a college? . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 When should I apply? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The A C what?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Chapter 4.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Im here, now what?! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 What registration; what classes? . . . . . . 24

8am its too early: class schedule. . . . . 25 Advisorswho needs them? . . . . . . . . . . .26 Chapter 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Social life or academia? . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 I want to be involved in campus life! . . . 29 I need money got to get a job. . . . . . . .30 To study or not to study? . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Chapter 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 What should I major in? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 When do I declare a major? . . . . . . . . . . 33 What is an internship? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Chapter 7... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 The end of the road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Should I go to Graduate School? . . . . . . 36 Graduation What Do I need? . . . . . . . . 37 Final Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

May I Take Responsibility Please!!!

Introduction

Imagine youre sleep and in the middle of a good dream. You know, the kind of dream you wish were real. All of sudden you are awakened by this loud alarm clock that constantly beeps in the annoying high pitched sound you hate. Six oclock am, time to get up. You, not wanting to interrupt your rest any further, turn over, hit the snooze button and try to return to your dream. Just as you are almost in utopia, the alarm sounds again. Six thirty am. You automatically hit snooze. This scene happens three more times. Then without warning, this loud, or sometimes soft, voice says, Time to get up! No its not the alarm clock talking to you. Its your mom letting you know youre about to be late for school. For many high school students, perhaps you perhaps not, this story is an accurate account of their morning each weekday. It takes everything for them to get out of bed and get to school on time. In many cases, if it were not for their mom or dad wake-up call, they would miss a great amount of school or be constantly tardy. The previous example was given to draw your attention to something that is true for many teenagers all over the country. Some high schoolers lack personal responsibility because

they have never had to really do anything for themselves. Your parents may feel that it is their duty to ensure that you are taken care of in all aspects of life and without a doubt it is. However, when the care given to you robs you of your ability to do things for yourself, something should be done to reverse this mistake. The idea that you as a high school student should learn to take care of certain responsibilities while in grade school is imperative. The truth is this: When you graduate and enter a university, you have to know how to take ownership of your college experience. Preparation for college is something that your parent can help you with. However, it should not be your parent alone making all the choices for your college entrance and so on. There are dozens of resources that can help you learn to take control of your college choices. It is important for you to understand that college is the real world. If you were one of those students who enjoyed the luxury of a human alarm clock and personal planner, the time has come for you to be responsible for your life. So where do you start? Now that you know the importance of finding your way through college for yourself, what steps do you need to take to ensure that you are successful in all areas of college life? Academia should be at the top of the list, but then theres socializing, working, volunteering and more. Can you find the proper balance? Oh My I Dont Have a Clue offers practical tips for you, the student, on how to start preparing for college. There is insight on how to pick the right college for you, where to look for scholarships, when to register for classes, when to declare a major and more. So go ahead, dive in. The time has come for responsibility to be one of the special skills you can put on your rsum when you graduate from college. At the end of your study of

this manual, your Oh My I Dont Have a Clue, will turn into Oh My I am ready for life. Ready Set Experience!

Whats the Big Deal?

Chapter 1

ountless young people have pondered this question for decades. Whats the big deal with college? Why should I go? Who needs it? It doesn't matter anyway.

While these are all typical answers and reactions from Most of you dont know what you want out of life; no

young people, the truth is college is a big deal. one does when theyre your age. In high school, you blend in with other people, you define yourself by what you wear, and you determine your future by what is going to be on television Friday night. But guess what, life is more than that! Now before we go any further, let me stop right here to interject clarification. I am not saying that you are wrong, crazy, or totally stupid if you have questions. You should ask away if there is something you do not understand. This is what I am saying: dont knock something until you have all the facts to make an honest, well educated, informed decision. So you think college may not be for you; thats fine. Another truth is college is not for everyone, but how will you know if you dont give it a great deal of thought? So back to the topic at hand - Whats the big deal? I will sum it like this: Money, time, advancement, achievement, long term goals, security, your vision and hard work. These are just some of the concepts I want you to be thinking about as you read this manual. Now we will look at a couple for example.

you jump straight into the work pool. You apply for the jobs you really want; the jobs you dreamed of all your life. But to your dismay, all the careers you are interested in require an advanced degree in that field. You, however, keep looking and go to your plan B, apply for jobs that you somewhat wanted and could still see yourself going to everyday. Same old song. Phrases like You need a specialty in this area, Your not qualified and Dont call us well call you become as familiar to you as brushing your teeth in the morning. After a year of searching, all hope of your dream job has diminished and youre forced to work at the local factory because your parents are kicking your out. Its time for you to be a Man / Woman in the real world, says your father. Thus you are stuck in a rut of a job and working for money, not making money work for you. The list of young people and adults in this situation is endless. Who wants to work a job that he or she dreads going to every morning and cant wait to leave from every evening? Do you? According to the Census Bureau, the bureau of the Commerce Department responsible for taking the census and providing demographic information and analyses about the population in the United States, it is estimated that college graduates earn one million

icture this, you just graduated from high school. You

figure that college is a detour to the rest of your life, so

dollars more in their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma. One million dollars is an astronomical amount of money. What could you do with an extra million in your lifetime? So what is your motivation? This is just one example of the advantages of having a college degree. If you are encouraged by financial security and gain, thats great! Go for it. If you arent, thats great too and its your choice.

No Responsibility ! Get away. I dont want it!

Responsibility is What My Parents Do!

bring something to your attention that you probably have never had to face before - responsibility. This word is going to make or break you once you enter college. You are going to either take ownership of it or let is collect dust on the top shelf of your closet. What I am trying to say is Wake up and take responsibility! When youre in college, there s no one to cook for you, clean for you, wake you up or give you money. Dont wait until youre there to figure these things out. I am trying to help you now. Take a look at this list. As a college student

f you have made the decision that you are going to college, great! You are one step closer to your dreams, more money, stability, you name it. However, I want to

Youre independent and accountable for your behavior in and out of class. Youre responsible for time management.

Youre responsible for independently completing assignments and handing them in on time.

You will have an increased number of choices and decisions to make. You will have to be motivated to succeed. You will have to establish and attain your own goals. You will do more independent reading and studying.

You will do more self-evaluation - accepting responsibility. So before you go on with this manual, I want you to do a self evaluation. I want

you to look at yourself and honestly answer this question: Am I responsible enough to take care of myself in college and survive? If your answer to this question is yes, then disregard this page and go on with the rest of the manual. But if your answer is no, I dont know or maybe, keep the idea of personal responsibility at the forefront of your mind while youre reading this. Believe me youre going to need it.

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Chapter Summary
College is a big deal. You have to determine your goals for your life and then decided if this is the road you want to take. College is totally different from high school. There are things required of you that werent required before. What is your motivation? Why would you or would not attend college? The average person who has attended college earns one million dollars more in their lifetime that someone who has only a high school diploma. Responsibility will make you or break you. If you have it, it will be your best friend. If you dont have it, get it because the lack of it will hurt you in the long run. In college you will have to take care of yourself without the help of your parents. Ask yourself this questions: Am I responsible enough to handle college life and survive?

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Is College for Me?

Y
you. Can you handle

Chapter 2

ou have been introduced to responsibility, so here is your first chance to take a crack at it - is college for you? One of the biggest mistakes that young people

make is that they dont weigh their options. Just because college was good enough for your father doesnt mean it is good enough for you. You may want to go in a whole other direction. Thats okay. More on other choices will be discussed further in the What are my options section of the manual. The truth of the matter is this: College is not for everyone. How do you know its for you? Here are a couple of things to consider when determining if a university path is for

Less individual feedback Less time in classes that meet less often Less time to complete a course More academic competition More instruction given mainly by lecture More independent reading assignments in addition to those lectures More social pressures More expectation to know what you want from college, classes, life, etc These are just some of the things to consider about college. There are also more

students on campus meaning you have less interaction with your professor and an increased workload in faster paced environment. Can you handle it?

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You should also consider your long term goals. What are your dreams? I mentioned this in chapter 1, and more will be mentioned in the next section called What do I like to do? Now there are some good things to consider about college and of course I will mention those. But often times people focus so much on the good that they disregard the not so good and they become misled and miserable. The following list of items are further things you should consider when deciding if college is for you. Can you handle

The challenge of earning higher grades. The challenge of balancing a job, family, sports, activities, etc. The challenge of monitoring your own progress. The challenge of seeking independent assistance if needed. The challenge of comprehending things you didnt have to before. The challenge of being able to identify main ideas. The challenge of communicating your thoughts and ideas. The challenge of paying full attention and participating in class. The challenge of studying hard. The above list is just the top of the tip of the iceberg. You will never know what is

underneath until you go underneath to find out.

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do that. Figure out what it is you like to do and that should be what you get your degree in. Countless people have gone to colgree and hated

What Do I like To Do?

fter you have decided to go to college, next you should find out what you want to do. Many people go to college to become a doctor, a lawyer or a teacher because thats what their parents want them to be. You dont have to

lege, earned a dewhat they have bedidn't do what they best feeling in the you do and do it Take Teresa a lady I have known now. In school, Testudent. She earned and graduated in the her high school

come because they like to do . It is the world to love what ever day. for example. She is for several years resa was a great outstanding grades top 5 percent of class. Her mother father was a teach-

was a teacher. Her

er. When she entered college, she made up in her mind she was going to be something different. Teresa decided to be a lawyer. She didnt know anything about law nor did she really care for it, but as long as it wasnt teaching, she was okay. Her first semester in

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college she received 3 Fs in all of her intro to law classes and low grades in her math and english classes. Teresa decided to give teaching a try and took education classes her second semester. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Today Teresa is married and has four boys. Five days out of the week, she stands in front of a classroom full of children with special needs. She shares an office with a lady who complains, gossips and is rude. The pay is not enough, the hours are long, and the parents are difficult. If you asked Teresa if she regrets being a teacher, she would answer a resounding No. After 25 years of teaching, she loves her job. Teresa cant wait to get to work each day. She even gets home most nights after 7:00pm because she volunteers at an enrichment program for elementary thru high school aged children where she is on the board of trustees. She is happy in her career today because in college, she found what she liked to do and majored in it. Teresa discovered that although both of her parents were teachers, teaching what not only something she was good at doing, it is her lifes calling and she enjoys every aspect of her job. Why did I tell you the story about my friend Teresa? According to a recent poll done by Harris Interactive Survey, only 20 percent of American job holders feel passionately about their jobs. Thirty percent believe they have reached a dead end in their careers and 21 percent are eager to change their present careers. Do not be one of these statistics. You have the power right now before you enter college and while you are in college to make the choice to do anything you want to do. Why not do what you like?

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What Are My Options

he number one thing I want you to remember is that you have the power of choice. I dont just mean whether you will pursue a college degree. You have the choice of other educational options besides going to a university. College is

not your only avenue for post secondary education once you are finished with high school. One option is to attend a community college where you can earn your Associate degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, some students who choose a community college do not have a bachelor's degree as their primary goal. Also high school students and their parents may choose a community college because it is more affordable. Both reasons are okay. Community colleges have various occupational education programs and offer general education opportunities. A second option is a technical college. This type of college focuses on teaching work skills and is different from a university, which centers more on the theoretical understanding and research of a certain field of study. This is more hands on training and ranges

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from a variety of fields. Some professions you can attend a technical college for are

Message Therapy Engineering Cosmetology Graphic Design Medical Assistantship You are not limited to these fields of study. Research technical colleges on the Inter-

net and then decide for yourself. A third option is military service. There are great benefits to entering the military. Along with the service and aid you provide to your country, you have medical benefits, paid housing or housing allowances, certified training in a certain field of operation, assistance with buying a home, life, home, and auto insurance and the Montgomery GI Bill which pays for you to attend college. This avenue is great if you want to see the world and gain discipline, integrity and character. There are several branches to choice from including

Army Marine Corps Navy Air Force Visit your local military branch office which you can find through your local phone

book, or see your guidance counselor for more information. No one option fits every person. You have to find what you like, and go from there. Keep your mind open to all of your options. You never know what may come your way.

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Chapter Summary
The truth of the matter is this: College is not for everyone. You have to look at yourself and decide if this is a course you even want to pursue. Consider that

There is less individual feedback. There is more academic competition. There is instruction done mainly by lectures. There are independent reading assignments in addition to those lectures. There are new and increased social pressures. What do you like to do? If you decide you want to go to college, you should seek a

degree in a field that you are good at or something you like. There is no worst thing in life than to have a job or career that you hate to go to everyday. Keep in mind that whatever you major is in college, that is what you will do for the rest of your life. Remember Teresa. She entered college as a pre - law student and flunked her first semester. In the end she found that being a teacher, like her parents, was her desire and has been happy with her career for 25 years. Consider these statistics - 20 percent of Americans feel no passion for their job. - 30 percent feel they have come to a dead end in their careers. - 21 percent are eager to change their careers. You have options!

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How Do I Get Started?

Chapter 3

o you want to go college? Great. Where do you start? One of the first things you should do is see your guidance counselor. Joy Huggins has

worked in the Tennessee Public School System for over 19 years. She is currently the senior counselor at Rossview High school in Clarksville Tennessee. Huggins suggests that you start in the fall of your sophomore year thinking about schools that you would like to attend. You should research these schools thoroughly. If your father went to Michigan State, you should look to see what they have to offer before you decide to make that your alma mater. Huggins says that by the end of your 10th grade year, you should have narrowed down your college choices to about 3-4.

Where Do I Look For Scholarships?

Money. Everyone needs it, most people dont have it. So how do you get the funds you need to make your future happen? There are many places you can look to find money to attend the school of your choice. There are a plethora of online sources for you to search such as www.fastweb.com and www.monster.com. These sites are the leading scholarship finders on the Internet. The other places you can look are www.scholarships.com, or you can just type the word scholarships into a search engine like Google or Yahoo.

19

One of the recommendations given by Huggins is for you to see your school counselor. Many scholarships are available from the community and other local organizations. These opportunities are sent to your school and are forwarded to the students that best fit the qualifications. You can also check the business your parents work for. Many times they give money to children of their employees. Other places to find scholarship money are

Company websites State / Government funding Professional associations such as the Rotary and the Kiwanis clubs, and field associations for teaching, engineering and others One of the greatest resource is something called the Free Application for Federal

Student Aid or FAFSA. This is the official application every student must use to apply for federal aid. Every college and university uses this form to determine the eligibility of those applying for federal money. You can fill this out online or you can fill out a paper copy and send it in. By your junior year you should have started researching and applying for scholarships according to Huggins. Because the largest number of scholarships come from schools, it is very important to know what college you plan to attend or have an idea by your junior year.

How Do I Choose a College?

The best way to know which college is best for you is to research it as much as possible. If you are an English major and the

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College you are looking at dont have the English major you want to specialize in, then you should look some other place. In other words, dont pick a college because it has a cool band or a large recreation center. These are important factors, but by no means should they outweigh what is better for you academically.

When Should I Apply?

The most ideal time to apply for a college is by the end of your junior year according to Huggins. Most of the Ivy League universities will have early application deadlines or their deadlines will be in segments. For example, Harvard, an Ivy League school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has a Common Application and a Harvard Application Supplement that are both due by October 15th for Early Action and December 15th for Regular Action. Which action do you think would give you the upper hand? Keep in mind however, that early does not always mean better. There are some colleges that dont want you to apply until you are in a certain grade, and if you apply before that time, your application will not even be reviewed. Whatever you do, dont wait until your last semester in high school. By this time, most scholarship money given by that school will be distributed.

The A C What!
The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in: English Mathematics Reading Science

This test assesses your general educational development and your ability to complete college-level work.

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The ACT is a timed test that you can take several times throughout your high school experience, although the more times you take it doesnt mean the better you will do. You are scored on a point scale of 1-36 with 36 being the highest score. The higher you achieve on the ACT the better. Many colleges have special scholarships for students who do very well. You can even opt out of certain math, english and science classes in college if you score very high on those individual parts. This test is important and every high school student will have to take it. The best time to take it is in the beginning of your junior year. By this time you would have had most of the subjects and the different levels in each. For instance in the mathematics section, there are questions about basic math skills, but then there are questions about geometry, algebra and calculus. Some of those subjects you will not take until you are in the 11th and 12th grades.

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Chapter Summary
Remember to start your college search early. Joy Huggins, who has worked in the Tennessee Public School System for over 19 years and is the senior counselor at Rossview High school in Clarksville ,Tennessee, suggests you start your search in the 10th grade. By the start of your 11th grade year, you should have narrowed it down and started looking and applying for scholarships. Some of the places to look for funds are

Company websites State / Government funding Professional associations such as the Rotary and the Kiwanis clubs, and field associations for teaching, engineering and others

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. This is the official application every student must use to apply for federal aid

www.fastweb.com www.monster.com www.scholarships.com When looking for a college remember that what that school offers academically is

more important than what it offer socially. Every high school student will take the ACT, which is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in: English Mathematics Reading Science

This test assesses your general educational development and your ability to complete college-level work. You are scored on a point scale of 1-36 with 36 being the highest score. The higher you achieve on the ACT the better.

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Im Here... Now What?

Chapter 4

ongratulations! You are on your way to college. So what do you do now that you are here? Stay with me. We are about to put your mind in full gear.

What Registration...What Classes?

Remember in chapter 1 I said life in college is very different from life in high school? When you are on your own, responsibility is your new best friend. It will make or break you. Your first lesson as responsible college student is registering for classes. The registration process at many colleges takes place on the date of freshmen orientation. This is the day that you visit the campus for your official new student introduction. There are current students who serve as hosts as well as faculty on hand to show you around, make you feel comfortable and help you with the registration process. You are paired with a faculty member according to your major declaration. If you didnt declare one, you are still paired with a professor. This faculty member serves to help guide in what you should take for your first semester. Most of the time he or she will suggest starting with your core classes like english and math. It is in your best interest to take his or her advice being that he or she works at the university. Once you have registered for classes, it will more than likely be the end of your freshmen orientation. Make sure you print a copy of your schedule and keep it for your first day of classes. It is a good idea to look over it a few times before the semester begins.

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8am Its Too Early: Class Schedule.

A
can do is study.

s a college student, you have many choices. You can choose things like what you want to eat for dinner,

your own roommate and what time you will go to sleep. With your new found power of choice, be sure you are making informed, smart decisions. For instance, if you are not a morning person, it is not a good idea to take classes that meet at 8am or earlier. Chances are you will be late to every class. Tardiness is disruptive to other learners as well as to the instructor. You also run the possibility of over sleeping causing you to miss classes. Martin Golson, an Instructional Specialist in the Academic Support Center at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee says the second most important thing a college student should do is Go to Class. He stresses Dont party, go to class! The number one important thing you

There are several times for classes. Choose the time you know you will be able to meet. Your class schedule can be catered to your personal schedule. You may have math, english and theatre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and have biology on Tuesdays and Thursday. Oh and by the way, if you didnt know, you dont go to each class everyday. Classes are alternated by day so you can have time for all of your studies.

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Advisors Who Needs Them?

guide you through decisions about your major and help you get ready for graduation. As your first semester is coming to an end, there will be a certain date that you can register for the next semester. This is determined by the amount of credits hours your have . Those with more credits hours will register first. Before you can sign up for classes you have to meet with your advisor to receive your run number, or identification number. This is a sequence of numbers or letters that you must have in order to register for the next semester. This serves as a way to ensure that you have met with your advisor, and have been given advice about the classes you should take. Each semester, until the semester you graduate, you will have the same advisor, unless you change your major. The only thing that changes each term is your run number. It is a good idea to utilize your advisor for more than just receiving what you need to register for classes each semester. Throughout the year, make appointments to meet with him or her so that he or she can know the progress of your classes. If you are having problems, let him or her know. The advisor is there to help you.

our advisor plays a key role in your college experience. Once you have declared a major, you are assigned to a professor in the department of your degree. This person is meant to

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Chapter Summary
Remember you are responsible for registering for your classes. Make sure to pick classes that can work with your personal schedule. At your freshmen orientation, you will be helped by a university faculty member to register and pick your classes. Keep in mind that if you are not a morning person, dont take 8am classes. Excessive tardiness is disruptive to other learners and the instructor. You are in charge of your class schedule and you dont go to each class everyday. Certain classes are on certain days which gives you flexibility. Remember to attend classes. This is one of the most important things you do as a college student. Your advisor plays a key role in your college success. Once you have declared a major, you are assigned to a professor in the department of your degree. This person guides you throughout your college career. You must meet with him or her toward the end of each semester to register for classes for the next semester. Utilize your advisor for more than just registering for classes. Talk to him or her throughout the year about the progress of your semester. The advisor is there to help you.

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Social Life or Academia?

Chapter 5

kay we have talked about the serious stuff - responsibility, choosing your classes, going to class. Now on a lighter but just as serious note. Having a social life is a vital part of college. You will

meet new people and garner new relationships. The problem is, most students dont know how to balance both and still be successful. So how is it done? Here are some tips 1. Dont lose sight of your goal. College is a place where you find yourself and shape who you will be in the real world. But remember, you are there to get a degree and that is more important. Dont stay out too late on weeknights and even weekends. Divide your time evenly between your friends and your academics. 2. Be disciplined. Learn when to say yes to a party and when to say no. Heres some help - if you have a major exam on Monday and it is Sunday night, it might not be a good idea to go. Put first things first. 3. Set time aside . All work and not play does make you a little crazy. But all play and no work makes you a failure in your classes. Give the proper time to your studies as well as to your extra curricular activities.

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I Want to Be Involved in Campus Life!

T
food.

here are many organizations you can join. From Greek fraternities (males) to sororities (females) you will find something you like. Fraternities and sororities do a lot of things for the campus community as well as the local communi-

ty. They adopt highways, collect cans, feed the hungry, conduct clothing drives, sponsor blood drives, throw parties, and some offer scholarships to its members. If you are interested in student government, run for an office. If you like planning events, get involved in student life and leadership. There are many things to do on a college campus. Various campus organizations will host different activities during the week and on the weekends. Most of the time these are free to students and include entertainment and

On weekends and some weekdays, there are sports games. Depending on the time of the year, you can attend a home football game, or watch a basketball game courtside. There is also the traditional stay at home movie night where you and some friends rent videos, microwave popcorn and stay up all night. Your entertainment and social options are limitless. There is always something to do. So dont worry, your life outside of your studies will be well taken care of.

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I Need Money Got to Get a Job.

M
college student.

any college students will have to get a job to support themselves. That is okay. The fact that you acknowledge you need a job and are willing to get

one screams I am responsible! But what kind of job should you get? If you are a full-time student, the reality is it would be hard to balance being a student full-time, having a full-time job, maintaining a social life, studying, and still graduate in a ideal time frame. The best thing for you to do is determine your need. If you have to get a job, how much money do you need to survive. From there, determine what kind of part-time job would be best for you. Ten - 20 hours a week is a typical part-time workload for a full-time

At most college campuses, there are job opportunities for students. On campus jobs are convenient because they are in an ideal location for you so travel time would not be a problem. Theyre also more willing to work with your schedule. Campus jobs are a great way to earn the extra cash you need and still have time to focus on other responsibilities. Here is a list of other part-time jobs outside of campus

Retail Clerical work

Fast food Dine in restaurants

Baby sitting

Remember that getting a job is okay if needed, but reconsider if your work starts to hinder your academics.

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To Study or Not to Study?

his part is going to be very short and to the point. Study! There is no way to do well in school without studying. Those who tell you otherwise are not looking at reality. You cannot recall what you do not

know. You cannot know what you do not retain. You cannot retain what you do not put in. And you cannot put in what you do not study. If a student learns nothing else, study habits are a factor, said joy Huggins senior counselor at Rossview High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. Mark Golson of the Academic Support Center at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee says students have to allow for sufficient time for studies and a full time job is going to be hard.

Need I say more?

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Chapter Summary
A social life is important, but it should not outweigh your studies. Studying is important but it should not consume everything you do. Here are some tips 1. Dont lose sight of your goal 2. Be Disciplined 3. Set time aside There are many things to do on a college campus. From joining a fraternity (male) or sorority (female), to getting involved with student government, you will find something for you. Before you decided to get a job, determine your need. How much should you earn to make ends meet. If you are a full-time student, part-time work is better for you. There are on campus jobs that will allow you to earn extra cash and still maintain your other responsibilities. The number one thing you should do in college is study! Need I say more?

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What Should I Major In?

Chapter 6

like to help people, maybe consider social work. If you like literature, think about English. If you are a talker, perhaps communications is a good field for you. Find what you are good at doing, perfect it and make that your lifes work.

n chapter 2, I asked you to consider what you like to do. If you answered that question, you already know the answer to this one. You should major in whatever you like to do. Dont think about what will get you the most money or the most prestige. Those things cannot give your genuine happiness. If you

When Do I Declare A Major?

Some people will tell you that you have to know what you are majoring in as soon as you enter college. This is not true. The truth is a typical college students major will change at least one time. If you are in the first year of college and you dont have a major, you are okay. However, if you are entering your third and fourth year, you should be working on completing your major. The best time to declare is as soon as you are certain and you should know by the end of your second year. As you are entering your third year, your major should be picked and you should be registered for classes in that field. The longer you wait, the longer you will be in college. If by your third year you still have not decided what you want to do, thats your choice,

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but know that your chances of graduating in four years are reduced every day you wait. Take responsibility and declare your major.

What is An Internship?
An internship is a work-related learning opportunity for those looking to develop hands on work experience in a certain occupational field. Most internships are temporary and last three months to a year. Internships provide you with a full realistic view of the workplace and its expectations. You are able to integrate the theory you are learning in college with professional challenges. They also help you build professional networks which could lead to a full-time job after graduation. One of the reasons you should or would do an internship is because it is required for graduation by your major. Many departments have put in their degree completion requirements that a student completes a internship in his or her field of study. Without it, you may not be able to graduate. Besides the requirement of an internship there are other personal benefits such as these:

Gives you confidence in your own abilities Enhances your application for a job and Graduate School Opens doors to job offers

The many place you can look for an internship are online at the following:

www.careerbuilder.com www.monster.com www.fastweb.com

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www.internships.com Other places to find internships are your campus career service center, your field of

study department office, a company website and Google by entering the word internship.

Chapter Summary
When deciding on a major, go with what you like to do and what you are good at doing. Dont just look for careers that pay high salaries because a lot of money does not equal happiness. You should declare a major by the end of your sophomore year. Going into your junior year of college you should be taking classes in your major. Remember the longer you wait to declare a major, the longer it will take you to finish school. Internships are important experiences that help prepare you for the real world. They are work-related learning opportunities to develop hands on work experience in your field of study. Many universities departments have made internships graduation requirements. Personal benefits to internships are the following:

Gives you confidence in your own abilities Enhances your application for a job and Graduate School Opens doors to a job offers You can search Google key word internships or visit the these websites:

www.careerbuilder.com www.monster.com www.fastweb.com

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The End of the Road

Y
your career goals.

Chapter 7

ou have reached the point in life that so many before you have met. This is where one road ends and another road starts. But before you

get off, consider one more thing - Graduate School. Depending on the field you go into, you may want to pursue a Masters / Graduate degree. If your goals are to get as much education as you can, then you should go for it. If you want to wait and get some professional work experience under your belt, you should go for it. You have to determine for yourself if Graduate School is for you. You can do this by deciding

By attending Graduate School, you are earning an advanced degree in a certain field. A Graduate degree is higher than a Bachelors degree. Some professions, like institutional teaching and certain executive titles require it. Other professions are more interested in your work experience. In the end, it boils down to what is best for you.

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Graduation What Do I Need?

raduation is what you have been building everything up to. However, it is not the final step. You have to make sure everything is taken care of. They include the following

All degree requirements are met (meet with advisor to ensure this) All exit exams, university and departmental, are completed All fees and holds are paid for and resolved All graduation forms are turned into the proper offices by deadline All items for graduation are secured (robe, hat, ribbons, etc.) All transcripts are obtained and or forwarded to Graduate Schools or prospective employers These are the main things to remember to ensure a smooth transition into Graduate

School or into the workforce.

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Chapter Summary
At the end of the road (undergraduate school) you have one more choice to make, will you attend Graduate School or enter the work force. The choice depends on your career goals. Upon graduating, make sure

All degree requirements are met (meet with advisor to ensure this) All exit exams, university and departmental, are completed All fees and holds are paid for and resolved All graduations forms are turned into the proper offices by deadline All items for graduation are secured (robe, hat, ribbons, etc.) All transcripts are obtained and or forwarded to graduate schools or prospective Employers

All meetings concerning the day of graduation are attended by you.

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Final Thoughts

o how was it? Did you learn a lot? Everything in the manual can help your life be a little easier if you let it. Follow these tips and helpful insights and watch how your college experience can be an easy transition and an enjoyable feeling.

Remember responsibility. If you get this concept, everything else will fall in place. Dont be afraid to pick up Oh My I Dont Have a Clue, while youre going

through the process. It can be your best friend. It may not speak to you or gossip about other people, but it can give you great advice and lead you down a successful path. Now you have what it takes for a successful college experience Congratulations!

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Resources
Is College for Me? www.ccdanet.org Job Satisfaction Statistics www.careervision.org Students Broaden Their Knowledge: Postsecondary Education Options www.findarticles.com Postsecondary Options: Military www.military.com Harvard Application Deadlines www.harvard.edu ACT testing Information www.act.org Joy Huggins Senior Counselor Rossview High School Clarksville, Tennessee Martin Golson Instructional Specialist Academic Support Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee Chapters 1 2 3 Chapter 2

Chapter

Chapter Chapter Chapter

2 3 3

Chapters 3 5

Chapters 3 5

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