Over a year ago, I started this blog without a clear picture in mind. Sophomore year I had written a personal blog, and so on a whim I suggested using Blogger for college help. It was a way to provide information to the whole class, WITHOUT the work of talking to the entire class. Thus, College Corner Blog was born.
The best teachers are the ones who continue to learn. Throughout this year, as I provided blog posts, I learned so much about the college process myself. While I learned of recommendations, division sports, applications, and essay writing, I also learned of celebration, stress, rejection, triumph, realism, and perseverance. This college process takes a tremendous amount of work, heart, and patience to make it through. Like life, your plans will change, some dreams will not be realized, and you mature through trials and tribulations. I have to say, where I am now and who I was when I started this process are two completely different Celindas. So, thank you for allowing me to blog. It helped me help you, and it changed me. In about three weeks I am moving into my college dorm, ready to begin a new stage in my life. It's terrifying, and wonderful, and unbelievable all at the same time. This fall, sophomores will become the new juniors, the new audience. Revathi, Stef, Ashley, Katy, Sheela, Will, and I will relinquish our PCC titles to the new PCCs. Chris, Joey, Hannah, Annie, Tahar, Robbie, Joseph, and Elena will carry on the tradition, and I can already tell they will do wonderfully. I have to say, of all the things I did at Uni, being a PCC was one of the very best. If any of you need help this fall, please don't hesitate to message me, or even call me at college. I will be your PCC until the day you send in your enrollment fees :D
I will end as I began, with my final thoughts and tips on the college process:
-Remember to build strong relationships with teachers. Don't be afraid to ask the teachers who know you work hard, despite the grades you might get.
-Show, don't tell when writing an essay. You can say it made you happy, but it's going to make more of a difference to create a picture for the reader
-Scores matter, but they don't define your college process
-Encourage your passions by volunteering or getting involved with extracurriculars
-In ten years, it won't matter where you went to college, just what you did in those four years. Choose the school that brings you joy.
-Be on top of deadlines, because colleges are less forgiving about being late.
-Be respectful of your peers and their college processes.
-At interviews, ask the standard questions in subjective ways. Instead of "Is there a Greek life?" ask "How involved are students in Greek life? Does it dominate the campus?"
-Don't be afraid of colleges you have never heard of. There are hidden gems everywhere.
-Don't overstress, you will get into college. I promise.
-Try to avoid senioritis as much as you can! Colleges are going to get senior grades!
-Follow your passions, find schools that make you excited for your future, help each other out, and remember there IS an end to the process.
And now, 56 blogs later, I will say my goodbye...
Goodbye Uni, for five intense years. Goodbye Lisa, you are an angel on earth who works tirelessly to ensure that this process is managable. Goodbye Lisa's office, with your chocolate and peace from the crazy first floor hallway. Goodbye all the teachers that provided support and recommendations to the Class of 2011. Goodbye Kathy and Ellen for helping us get those forms completed and out the door. Goodbye Class of 2012, best of luck in senior year and the applications. Goodbye Uni parents for coming to meetings and being the support behind the college process. Goodbye to the many college reps that came to visit during Brown Baggers (sorry I didn't go to as many as I should...). Goodbye all the members of the Class of 2011 who helped with blogs. Goodbye (again!) to all the members of the Class of 2010 who helped with blogs. Goodbye Revathi, Katy, Stef, Ashley, Sheela, and Will, and thank you for being the best PCCs to work alongside. And finally, goodbye College Corner Blog.
All the best in the world to you Class of 2012, and THANK YOU for allowing me the pleasure and honor of being your PCC. Reach for the stars, because you are all amazing,
Celinda Davis <3
