Category: Uncategorized
COLLEGE: A Debt Sentence?
When I was applying to college in high school, I asked myself the question: “Do you really want to go to college in accrue debt? Is it worth it?” The reality is that why a high school diploma could get you by years ago, a college education has never been more important than it is today. But how can we make college more affordable? I believe that’s where the government has to come into play. Both, the federal and the state governments should work collectively to assist students and families with the increasing amount of college – and not just with loans. I would even go as far as to say that the state governments should propose a ballot measure creating a special fund which is a certain percentage of the state’s annual budget.
Student debt is paralyzing the financial future of younger generations in America – and even those that are not so young are still paying on loans from 40 and 50 years ago. The issue of college of affordability is an important issue that we have to focus on as a country, not just as community by community – it is a societal problem, not an individual one. We are better off as a country when all Americans have the ability and the access to an affordable college education. Higher education achievement is paramount to our economic success. We have to say what the problem is: college affordability is a crisis. Every day, college costs of attendance are increasing, making college a privilege. I believe in equality for all, and privilege for none.
I want every student who has the desire to attend a college of university to have access to one, regardless of economic status. That’s why during my first year at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, I organized and moderated a college affordability panel. The panel consisted of
- Jennie Hunter-Cevera, acting secretary, Maryland Higher Education Commission
- Delegate Deb Rey, District 29B, Maryland House of Delegates
- Tuajuanda Jordan, president, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Sonia Wagner, board president, College Access Network of Southern Maryland
During the panel discussion we discussed college affordability in Maryland after higher education cuts by Governor Larry Hogan, what the legislature planned to do to ensure Marylanders that they would be able to afford college, what St. Mary’s College of Maryland was doing specifically to keep its tuition and fees down, and the outreach to students letting them know about the different resources and options available to them to fund their academic career.
On a rather personal note, I praise President Barack Obama for unveiling America’s College Promise, which would make community college free for responsible American students. I know with this step, we are closer to making college affordability – at all levels – a reality.
We should all be fully committed to making college priority a top priority because too many families are already struggling, and they do not need another burden of financing their children’s future.
Cody Dorsey, sophomore, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland currently majoring in Political Science and minoring in Museum Studies. Previously served as school board student commissioner in his hometown of Baltimore City, Maryland.
Do’s and Don’ts to College Survival
You have made it to college. You have a purpose for being there. Now it is time to take initiative.
Do… Don`t…
|
1. Smile on the first day of classes! · People read good vibes · First impressions matter! |
2. Get too upset about being homesick
· It happens to everyone! · The first week is always the hardest |
| 3. Introduce yourself to your professors before/after class
· “Hi! My name is—- and I just wanted to introduce myself to you…” · Don`t worry the professor will carry the rest of the conversation for you! |
4. PROCRASTINATE ON ANYTHING!
· Know your priorities · School first, fun later · SUCK IT UP AND DO THE WORK |
| 5. Read and study class syllabuses ASAP!
· Mark up all important dates · Write them on your colander |
6. Follow the crowd…
· Don`t do anything you wouldn’t do if you were at home…in front of your parents. · Whatever it is, it is NOT worth it! |
| 7. Enjoy the first weekend on campus!
· Go out and see what`s on campus · Meet some awesome people! |
8. Skip any classes
· Yes, professors notice! · A lot can happen in one day |
| 9. Make a schedule
· College is all about TIME MANAGEMENT! · Include hw/study times/ workout times etc. |
10. Get on your professors bad sides, instead
· Participate in class · Complete work on time · GO and see professors during visit hours |
| 11. STUDY 2 WEEKS + in advance for any assessments
· Good grades take WORK. · PUT IN THE WORK! |
12. Be a loner!
· Meet a friend or two · Eat with someone at least once a day |
| 13. Accept not everything can go your way
· “Minor setback, MAJOR comeback.” |
14. OVERSTRESS
· Know that people stress about what hasn’t happened · Do all that you can with the time you have now! |
Herawe Kebede is a freshman at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She is originally from Ethiopia in East Africa and came to the states when she was seven years old. She’s interested in international affairs and plans on majoring in global studies her sophomore year. She loves to read, write, run and dance. Last but not least, she loves positivity!
A Day in the Life of a College Student
By: Angel Tse
Okay, it’s a Thursday and my day is almost to an end, Thank the Lord! Seriously, I kid you not, these past few weeks have been stressful and interesting. When I mean interesting, I don’t mean something unique or cool has happened. I mean I have seen some crazy stuff.
Anyway, I started my day by waking up at 6:15a.m. Because I needed to hit the gym. I cannot be messing with the Freshman 15, for those who don’t know what that is, it’s gaining 15 pounds. I didn’t do much today (smh…), I have never in my entire life thus far go to the gym for 35 minutes and then leave. I’m disappointed with myself. Then it was around 8:00 am, I took a shower and got ready to head down to the great room to get breakfast before my first class which started at noon. My noon class went from 12:00-1:50 pm. Oh, almost forgot, and today is the first day where I forgot my homework folder…smh. Thank god for my professor to let me go and get it. That’s the perks of going to a small liberal arts institution.
After my first class which was my CORE class, I had Psychology from 2:00pm-3:50pm which I actually enjoy but it can get very boring…After Psychology class, I decided to go and get lunch/early dinner with my roommate. I ate a lot of course. I’m currently in a food coma with a food baby, it feels very uncomfortable. Lastly, I have a lot of homework but debating if I should do it or not…? HAHA, of course I’ll get it done, just not at this moment I keep telling myself. And of course I have a Biology TA review session which starts at 8:00pm-9:00pm. Anyway, that’s my typical day as a college student. Not all that fun or interesting.
Angel Tse is an incoming Freshman attending St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
She is in the DeSousa Brent Scholars Program, she enjoys singing, She is planning on creating her own major incorporating Psychology, Nueroscience, Biology, and Chemistry. (Major: The Natural Sciences), following the pre-med track. She is in the Maps club, and her goal is to become a nurse practitioner in the Neuroscience field within the future!
What I Wish I Knew Before College
By: Valerie Gregorio
There were only a couple of things that I did not know before college: that I would have to share a bathroom with everyone else in my hall and the amount of work and studying that I would have to do. They were huge changes for me.
At first, when I came to St. Mary’s College of Maryland on move in day, I was shocked when I found out that I have to share with the girls on the third left of Queen Anne Hall. I am not use to sharing a bathroom with other girls because at home I had a bathroom all to myself. I usually take an hour in the bathroom to get ready. Since I have to share a bathroom with many of the girls I knew I have to get ready and fast.
After the first two days at St. Mary’s, I actually felt comfortable sharing a bathroom with the rest of the girls. When I came to my hall’s bathroom for the first time, there was no one there. It was only seven o’ clock in the morning and I thought many girls would be in the bathroom already but apparently not. When I was about to wash my face after I brushed my teeth, there was this one girl who came into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Surprising, she said hi to me. It felt weird to me because I was not use to see other people in the morning saying hi to me. After she was done, she left. I knew from there on that sharing a bathroom with the other girls is not bad after all. Right now I actually feel comfortable going to the bathroom getting ready with other girls in there.
Another thing that I did know before college was the amount of work and studying that I would have to do. With the work, I was shocked that there were not many assignments during the semester. Some of them are long term and they take a while. This motivated me to do well on every assignment that was thrown at me because if I screw up on one of them, then it is going to be hard for me to bring my grade back up. With the studying, I was shocked with that as well because back in high school I either study at the last minute or I do not study at all. This was a huge slap on my face like, for example, after my first day of classes were done I ended up studying and reading chapter one for biology for two to three hours. And the day after that, I spent three to four hours reading and studying chapter one for sociology. This was new to me. I had never done this much studying and reading before. Due to not many assignments and the exams in college count a lot, I have to push myself to strive better. Just doing the work is not good enough. My high school habits do not work in college. I kind of wish someone told me about this before going to college so this would not have been a slap to my face when I went to classes on the first day. Right now I am getting into the routine of studying every day for my classes and yes I get to still have fun. It is all about time management, which I actually picked that up in high school.
If I knew beforehand, then I would not have been such a worrywart during my first few days in college. Good luck to all high students going to college next year. You will need it.
Valerie Gregorio is a first tear student at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She graduated Leonardtown High school, which is only 10 minutes from her college. She is planning to go into either Computer Science or Economics. She is currently a part of the College Ambassador Connection, Art Club, Cultural Dance Club, and American Sign Language Club. Her favorite hobbies are surfing the web, exercising at the gym, and shopping.
FAFSA is Changing!
In the past, FAFSA has been an intimidating process. The application would open with the new calendar year, putting everyone who needed to apply in a rush to submit the application before the financial assistances ran out for the upcoming school year. Since taxes are not typically due until around April 15th, people would usually have to estimate what their tax information would be for the previous year. However, since estimations are not fool-proof, it could lead to errors causing people to get the wrong amount of financial aid.
However, for those going to college in the Fall of 2017, these problems will soon be going away. For students entering or going to college during the 2017-2018 school year, the FAFSA application will be opening months sooner than in the past. FAFSA application forms will be available between October 1st, 2016, and June 30, 2018. This will allow students a longer period of time to submit the FAFSA application.
As well, the tax information used will be changed. For students currently enrolled in an institution of higher education during this school year, they would have had to use the income information for 2014 when filling out the FAFSA application this past spring. For students who will be in college during the Fall 2017 semester, they will use the income information from 2015. Since that tax information has to be completed by April, there will no longer be a need to estimate on the FAFSA information, allowing better accuracy in the financial aid packages.
So, to summarize, here is the information you need to know:
- For students who will be enrolled in college during the 2016-2017 school year, the FAFSA application form will be available January 1st, 2016 and will require the 2015 income information.
- For students who will be enrolled in college during the 2017-2018 school year, the FAFSA application form will be available October 1st, 2016 and will require the 2015 income information.
- For students who will be enrolled in college during the 2018-2019 school year, the FAFSA application form will be available October 1st, 2017 and will require the 2016 income information.
College Ambassador Connection 