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T2C Studio Study Tips From Carina

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10 study tips for making it through college! 

Carina, T2C College Student

  1. Find what works for you: some people are early birds, some are night owls; some prefer to study with a pal, others need complete and total silence. Experiment to find what’s most effective for you, and then stick with it!
  2. Go to Class: One of the first steps to academic success is actually going to class.  If you are absent, contact your professor and make up your work immediately.
  3. Meet with your Professor: Be sure to go to office hours or schedule an appointment to ask questions. Refer to your syllabus for your professor’s office hours and contact information.
  4. Form study groups: Study groups help reduce procrastination when you have regular meetings as well as provide an excellent opportunity to fill in gaps in your notes!
  5. Know your distractions: So, put your phone on silent and avoid twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Also, know where you can study- sometimes studying at home is not the best.
  6. Take your time and space out your study time: Don not cram! We easily make mistakes or read without knowing what we read when we cram.
  7. Relax: take a break, have a snack, and head outdoors. Being in nature lowers stress and increases your creativity and brain health as well as your ability to pay attention and retain new information.
  8. Test Yourself: Use past exam papers. This is great for not only testing your knowledge but also familiarizing yourself with the exam format and structure. Use practice questions provided in your text if available.
  9. Eat Well, Exercise and Stay Hydrated: Fueling your mind is an essential element to increase focus and concentration. Make sure to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Also, water is vital to the brain and nervous system functions. If you’re the slightest bit dehydrated (even by 1%) you’re more likely to have decreased in reasoning, attention, memory, and language. So remember DRINK UP!
  10. Treat Yourself: Knowing there’s a little reward waiting for us at the end of just a few pages makes it easier to beat procrastination while slogging through a semester’s worth of notes. Take care of yourself for what you accomplish when studying, it’s not easy to make it that much more worth it! 

Senior Summer Checklist

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Going into your senior year? Here are a few things you can do to attain Super Senior Status!

  •  NARROW DOWN YOUR LIST OF COLLEGES
    • Ask yourself WHY this college or university
    • Prioritize your list 1, 2, 3…
  •  DO YOUR RESEARCH BY CONTACTING THE COLLEGES YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. Be sure to ask about:
    • Financial Aid Process
    • Admission requirements and DEADLINES
    • Scholarship DEADLINES
    • Out of state tuition waivers (only if you’re interested in an out of state school)
  •  TAKE A TRIP AND VISIT THE SCHOOLS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
    • Be sure to schedule a tour with the admissions office
    • Ask to be connected with specific organizations and departments that interest you
  •  START YOUR COLLEGE BUDGET PAN AND INVESTIGATE COLLEGE COSTS
  •  CREATE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS
    • Professional: doe@gmail.com first name. last name @yahoo.com
    • Not professional: ballerjd3000@gmail.com or crazykittens541@gmail.com
  •  CREATE OR UPDATE YOUR RESUMEStop by the T2C studio for free resume building assistance

Always remember that you can stop by the studio for one-on-one support and guidance.

Everything You Need to Know about the 2017-2018 FAFSA

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For many years, the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has been available for applicants to complete on January 1 for the following school year; and the FAFSA has required income and tax information from the previous calendar year. Recent research and the U.S. Department of Education’s own data suggest that implementing an earlier start date and using earlier income and tax information may benefit students in the following ways:

  • Alignment: For some students, the traditional FAFSA application cycle is not aligned with college admissions application deadlines, which typically occur in the fall prior to the FAFSA launch.
  • Certainty: Many deadlines for college and state aid are as early as March. If the FAFSA asks for information about tax forms that aren’t due until April 15, applicants have to estimate income or taxes paid in order to meet those state deadlines. And unfortunately, many students and parents mistakenly think they are not able to file a FAFSA until they file their tax return. This may cause students to miss certain federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid deadlines.

What’s changing for 2017–2018?

  • You’ll be able to submit your FAFSA earlier. The 2017-2018 FAFSA will now be available and you can file as early as October 1, 2016 rather than beginning on January 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling you to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year.
  • You’ll use earlier income and tax information. Beginning with the 2017–2018 FAFSA, students, and their families will be required to report income and tax information from the federal tax form from two years prior. For example, on the 2017–2018 FAFSA, you—and your parent(s), as appropriate—will report your 2015 income and tax information, rather than your 2016 income and tax information.
  • The chart below shows the changes when a student can submit a FAFSA and the required year’s income to be provided:
WHEN A STUDENT IS ATTENDING COLLEGE (SCHOOL YEAR)WHEN A STUDENT CAN SUBMIT A FAFSAWHICH YEAR’S INCOME INFORMATION IS REQUIRED
July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016January 1, 2015 – June 30, 20162014
July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017January 1, 2016 – June 30, 20172015
July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018October 1, 2016 – June 30, 20182015
July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019October 1, 2017 – June 30, 20192016

How will the changes benefit me?

  • No more tax estimates. Because the FAFSA will ask for older income and tax information, you and your parents, if applicable, will probably already have done your taxes by the time you fill out your FAFSA, and you won’t need to estimate your tax information and then go back into the FAFSA later to update it.
  • Import tax information directly from IRS. You and your parents, if applicable, may be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to automatically import your tax information into your FAFSA. (Learn about the IRS DRT at StudentAid.ed.gov/irsdrt.)
  • Improved ability to meet state and college financial aid deadlines. Because the FAFSA is available earlier, you may feel less pressure due to having more time to explore and understand your financial aid options and apply for aid before your state’s and college’s financial aid deadlines. Also, you will likely receive financial aid eligibility information in advance of college admission decision deadline, encouraging more thoughtful and informed enrollment decisions.

Will state and college financial aid deadlines be earlier since the FAFSA is launching earlier?

  • Most state and college deadlines will remain approximately the same as in 2016–17. However, several states that offer first come, first served financial aid may change their deadlines from “as soon as possible after January 1” to “as soon as possible after October 1.” So, as always, it’s important that you check your state and college financial aid deadlines so that you don’t miss out on any aid. State deadlines are on fafsa.ed.gov; college deadlines are on colleges’ websites.

Since the 2017–2018 FAFSA asks for the same tax and income information as the 2016–2017 FAFSA, will my 2016–2017 FAFSA information automatically be carried over into my 2017–2018 renewal FAFSA?

  • No. Too much could have changed since you filed your last FAFSA, and there’s no way to predict what might be different, so you’ll need to enter the information again. However, keep in mind that many people are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to automatically import their tax information into the FAFSA, making the process of reporting tax information quick and easy.

Can I choose to report 2016 information if my family’s financial situation has changed since our 2015 taxes were filed?

  • You must report the information the FAFSA asks for. If your family’s income has changed substantially since the 2015 tax year, contact the financial aid office at your college about your family’s situation.

Note: The FAFSA asks for parent marital status as of the day you fill it out. So, if your parents are married now but weren’t in 2015 (and, therefore, didn’t file taxes as married), they’ll need to add their new spouse’s income to your FAFSA. Similarly, if they filed their 2015 taxes as married but they’re no longer married when you fill out the FAFSA, they’ll need to subtract their spouse’s income.

Will I receive financial aid offers earlier if I apply earlier?

  • Not necessarily; some colleges will make aid offers earlier while others won’t. If you’re thinking of transferring to another college, you might want to look at the College Scorecard at CollegeScorecard.ed.gov to compare costs at different colleges while you wait for your aid offers to arrive. Note: You should be aware that the maximum Federal Pell Grant for 2017–18 won’t be known until early 2017, so keep in mind that even if you do receive an aid offer early, it could change due to various factors.

How will I know what colleges to list on the FAFSA if I haven’t decided which colleges I’ll be applying to?

  • List any colleges you’re considering applying to, and the FAFSA processor will send your FAFSA information to them. Later, if you decide to apply to additional colleges that you didn’t list on the FAFSA, you can log back in at fafsa.ed.gov and add those colleges.

Where can I get more information about—and help with—the FAFSA?

  • Download Edvisors free pdf version of its revised, best-selling book: Filing the FAFSA 2017-2018 Edition on or after October 1, 2016. This new edition can help you and your family increase eligibility for student aid, avoid common errors and complete the FAFSA quickly, easily and accurately.
  • Visit StudentAid.ed.gov/fafsa; and remember, as you fill out your FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov, you can refer to help text for every question and (during certain times of day) chat online with a customer service representative.

For the original post please visit https://www.edvisors.com/blog/2017-2018-fafsa-06-2016/ .

Choose Right College 15 Mistakes to Avoid

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Choosing a college is stressful and making sure you make the right decision can often feel like a daunting task. To help out with the process, here are some common mistakes to avoid along the way:

1. Rushing the process. Finding the right college takes time and effort, not to mention research and an often lengthy application process. Waiting until the last minute or just “falling into a college” is never a good idea. It takes the most important factor out of the equation—you.

2. Being a follower. Following a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend to the college of their choice may seem like a good idea at the time because you want to be near them, but this is one of the most pivotal points in your life, too. You need to remember to make the best decisions for yourself and, if your relationships are strong, they will outlast time and distance anyway.

3. The legacy lure. We’re aware the commandment states “Honor thy father and mother.” However, only considering colleges your parents, siblings or other family members went to in order to follow in their footsteps may not be in your best interest. It’s always better to explore your options and find the right fit for your personality.

4. Rebellion. In contrast, only considering colleges your parents DON’T want you to go isn’t beneficial either. Sometimes, they have some good insight that may help you decide on what may be best for you. Don’t choose—or not choose—a college out of spite. This is sure to lead you down a path of regret. Choose a college based on what you want, not based on what someone else doesn’t.

5. You’re a die-hard fan. We’ve all got our favorite teams, but let’s remember that just because they have a great sports team does not mean it’s the right educational fit for you. After all, you’re there to learn, not cheer them on. You can be a fan anywhere, but you can’t learn everywhere.

6. The temptation to party. So, it’s a great party school but is it a great learning environment? While you may be itching to get out on your own and party like a rock star, that’s really not what college is about. Remember, when choosing a college that you want to choose somewhere what you can have a healthy social atmosphere but a setting that’s conducive to the real goal at hand—learning.

7. How a student body looks. You’ve heard the student body is attractive. So what? Maybe you like this, maybe you’re worried you won’t fit in, either way, you should ignore these stereotypes because they probably are just that. Also, the attractiveness of a student body shouldn’t really make a different in your decision on where to get an education.

8. Assuming the worst. Not applying to certain schools because you assume you won’t be accepted underrates your potential and potentially limits your future. Come on, you guys, we have reach schools for a reason. You never know what you can achieve if you don’t try, so at least make an attempt.

9. Location, location, location. Whether you’re a homebody who wants to stay close or an escape artist who wants to get as far from home as possible, the location should be a factor in choosing a college, not the sole decision maker.

10. Cost obsessions or carelessness. Forgetting to consider the cost or only considering the cost as a factor are two major issues to avoid. While cost is a huge hurdle, there are many other factors to consider as well and students should not be blinded by this one aspect. Reversely, students who are applying for financial aid or whose parents are paying for college should not neglect to think about cost completely, as costs can add up quite quickly.

11. Not visiting. Experiences are relative and one person’s dream college could be another’s nightmare. This is why going by what you’ve been told is never a good idea. A person very different from you could have had a positive or negative experience that you likely would not have had. Also, only looking at the website or relying on a college’s advertising is a mistake because they tend to idealize college life and students get unrealistic expectations of what campus is like. It’s always better to visit and experience the college—or one very similar to it—for yourself.

12. Relying on reputation. Just because it’s a “highly-ranked”, “prestigious” or a “designer” school doesn’t mean it’s the right school for you. Don’t always assume that the difficulty of getting into the school equates to the quality of education you’ll receive. Some students need smaller classes and more one-on-one interaction to thrive in a learning environment.

13. Pushy parents. Letting your parents decide which college is right for you, or being forced by your parents to attend a certain school is not healthy. You need to think about what you want out of a college. After all, you’re the one attending the school.

14. Having a one-track mind. Maybe you’ve wanted to go there since you were little and you’ve already decided there is only one right school for you. But not investigating all your options is a huge mistake. You can still attend you’re number one, we’re just asking you to check out the others, too. Just because you think it’s what you want doesn’t mean you can’t ask questions and, believe us, you can never ask too many!

15. The college specializes in your current major. That’s right, we said current. Choosing a college solely because of a specific major or career path is a major (pun intended) issue because, odds are, your major will change several times. There’s nothing wrong with that, we just want you to be prepared with a school ready to accommodate all your dreams, whatever they may be.

To view the original article please visit: http://www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/top-15-mistakes-to-avoid-in-choosing-a-college

Parents Checklist

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First Generation College students need support more than ever before! Use this checklist to help them on the path to making it through College

  •  CHALLENGE YOURSELFHold your student accountable to their checklist and plan. Make sure your child is staying on task and completing all necessary steps to make it TO and THROUGH college.
  •  MAKE A PLAN WITH YOUR STUDENTFigure out the necessary steps your student needs to take to make it TO College. Become familiar with your student’s plan and make your own plan with similar timelines.
  •  GAS UP THE CAR AND VISITAfter your student calls and schedules a visit, gas up the car and go! Make sure your student is coordinating their visit schedule with your availability. If you are experiencing transportation challenges, contact the Studio so we can connect you to someone who can assist.
  •  FILL OUT FASFAParent information is essential to fill out FASFA. Be sure to gather your necessary financial information to help your students complete their FASFA application. Financial information includes annual income, completed tax documents, social security numbers, marriage/divorce dates, etc.  Check out the FASFA parent site for more information. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/resources/parents
  •  SUPPORT, SUPPORT, & MORE support now, more than ever, your student needs your help and guidance. Keep the conversation open about college choices, funding, etc.  Continue to be there for them as they complete their final year of high school and take the strides to secure their steps into postsecondary education.
  •  ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS GROWTHWith every experience comes growth! Your student’s college experience is going to be an opportunity for them to grow into a responsible and independent young adult. They will gain knowledge and acquire skills that will allow them to be successful in the world we live in today. Learn to let your child go in a healthy way using these tips.

Sign up for parent workshops at the Studio, and check out some of our community partners for more assistance around the City of Grand Rapids.

Senior School Year Checklist

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You’re almost there! Now is not the time for senioritis; stay focused on this checklist.

  •  CHALLENGE YOURSELF It is your senior year; keep it up! Challenge yourself with your class selection by looking into AP courses and dual enrollment courses that can count as college credit. Good grades, in challenging courses look extremely well on your transcript when you’re applying to colleges and universities.
  •  GET INVOLVED & STAY INVOLVEDExtracurricular activities look great on your resume and your college applications! Be sure to look into teams and organizations that you can join at your school and in your community. Also, volunteering in your community is a great way to stay involved and build connections with community organizations. Continue to browse our webpage for involvement opportunities throughout Grand Rapids!
  •  MAKE A PLANYou have so much to do as a senior! Making a plan will help you stay organized as you conclude your last year in high school and prepare for your future as a college student. Check out this website on collegeboard.org for assistance with making your plan. You can always stop by the Studio for more support!
  •  RESEARCH AND TRACK DEADLINESDeadlines are extremely important when applying to postsecondary education. Connect with an admissions counselor to figure out your deadlines for the application, scholarships, financial aid, housing, etc. The Studio has great college research resources for colleges and universities in West Michigan. We can help you look up any school!
  •  FIND SUPPORTIdentify those who are going to support you throughout your last year of high school. Stay in contact with your supporters and openly communicate your needs. The T2C Studio can support you throughout your entire college admission journey.
  •  TAKE YOUR ENTRANCE EXAMS (SAT)Register for your entrance exams! Get prepared for the SAT or ACT! Talk with your counselor about test preparation classes or workshops at your school or in the community.
  •  FILL OUT FASFAVisit https://fafsa.ed.gov/  to fill out your FASFA application. It is very important to track your state deadline for FASFA. Take a look at our blog section to learn more about the recent changes in FASFA starting with 2017 graduates.
  •  Apply with your deadlines in mind to complete your college applications in fall semester. Take a look at the different types of applications:
    • Early Decision: Binding application. Once accepted, the applicant must go to that college. Only for first-choice colleges.
    • Early Admission: Non-binding application. Once accepted, the applicant still has the choice to attend another college. Only for first-choice colleges.
    • Regular Admission: Non-binding application. Once accepted, the applicant still has the choice to attend another college. For any college application.
    • Wait-List: Neither acceptance nor rejection. Wait-listed students need to see if the school has a spot open up from accepted students choosing not to attend.
  •  FIND THE MONEY!!! There are different ways to pay for college and it is important to start finding funding sources early. Check the scholarship links on our site. Contact the Studio and we can help you with your search.
  •  FINISH STRONG! Did we mention, you’re almost there! Keep up the good work and remember you get out of it what you put into it. Maintain your GPA, communicate with your counselors, and stay committed to your extracurricular activities. The T2C Studio is here to assist you along the way!

Always remember that you can stop by the studio for one-on-one support and guidance.