Ep 63 | College Bound? 5 Mistakes to Avoid

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Being a little bit more comfortable talking to strangers or writing an email or being comfortable talking on the phone. I know we are in the age of texting and everything is quick, but it's a great idea for students to start learning those soft skills in high schools before they get into college, where they are going to be thrown into those situations where they have to speak publicly or work in a group and speak up.

SPEAKER_00 0:34

Welcome to the Voices United in Education podcast. Each week we showcase the teachers, administrators, and community members who go the extra mile to contribute to the success of every student in Escambi County. You'll meet the real people behind the title and learn about the amazing resources to support every student's success. One moment you're choosing daycare. And before you know it, you're picking up your child's cap and gown. Between keeping the plates spinning and the bills paid, it's easy to miss project deadlines, much less college admission deadlines. The whole thing can be overwhelming. My next guest is working to give the direction she wished she would have had. As the freshman student admissions counselor at UWF, she helps to create a clear path for parents and students. Today she's going to share the five mistakes you can avoid when preparing your child for college. Pensacola Local Admissions Sherpa, the last student to graduate from Woodham High School, Layla Zandy. Thanks for being here. Hi, thanks for having me. I feel like for those that don't get that joke, we should explain that your last name starts with D. And usually when you graduate and you walk the stage, it's in alphabetical order. Right. And Woodham High School was renamed after you graduated.

SPEAKER_01 1:53

Well, it turned into a middle school. So Woodham Middle after I graduated high school. Yeah. So I didn't get that experience of going back to high school and visiting all my teachers because they had all scattered away. But they were like, we can't do better than Layla. Right. So we're gone. Yeah, that's my that's my claim to fame. I was the last person to graduate Woodham High School.

SPEAKER_00 2:13

And when you graduated from college, you really, I mean, I feel like you could have gone anywhere, but you chose to stay here in Pensacola. Why was that? I I really like Pensacola.

SPEAKER_01 2:24

I love how the city is growing, yet it's such a close-knit community.

SPEAKER_00 2:29

And I feel at home. I mean, you don't get much better than that. Most people boomerang, but I feel like there's a little bit less of that going on now. People don't take it for granted, I think, like they did maybe 20 years ago.

SPEAKER_01 2:43

Right. All my siblings moved away except for me. I I was, I'm just gonna stay put.

SPEAKER_00 2:48

Ah, okay. Well, hindsight is usually 2020, and it's never like, wow, look at all the good decisions I made, right? Typically. And even if your college experience was seamless, it's likely that the world has changed a lot since that time. So if a parent is looking back at their college process, some of that process may be a little outdated by now. So let's talk mistakes to avoid. What's the first mistake that you would just love for parents to avoid when it comes time for their kid to become enrolled in college?

SPEAKER_01 3:25

That would definitely be procrastination. Starting early is crucial for a successful college application process. You want to make sure that you research admission requirements for the university you're interested in. All of our admission requirements are listed on our website, so it's really easy to find. Students typically apply their senior year, but we hope that they start the process at least the year before. To to be able to build a strong academic uh record of high GPA, maintaining good grades, preparing for those standardized tests, ACT or SAT, uh, make sure that they have ample enough time to submit the material, not miss any deadlines for material to be submitted, and maximizing their chances of acceptance into university.

SPEAKER_00 4:28

So when you say early, early is like junior year of high school, or should should that research process start even earlier?

SPEAKER_01 4:37

Well, I when I visit high schools, I will talk to freshmen and sophomores, but typically they feel like that's a little too early now to start researching college. So at least their junior year. That way they can plan to take the ACT or SAT, which is an admission requirement for UWF. You have to plan ahead to make sure you are you are considered for admission based on your GPA and test scores.

SPEAKER_00 5:06

So that would be an incentive to at least to the freshmen out there be thinking about what their grades are and what direction that they want to go as far as a university, so that they're not going, oh man, too little too late. I my grades aren't good enough and and that sort of thing. Absolutely. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:28

The students that I I speak to are are so goal-oriented and they're so ambitious. They they know they want to get out of Pensacola and they want to play sports, but they are not necessarily taking their academics into consideration. You do have to have strong academics to to get accepted in in most universities. So that's really important. Start preparing early. Consider maintaining your GPA, getting good grades, talking to your teachers, getting tutoring if need be. Just really build that strong academic record.

SPEAKER_00 6:09

When it comes to the paperwork that you need to have prepared for that process, are there pretty standard things for each university that a parent can start collecting now? Because sometimes, especially for families that move a lot, we're a military town, things get lost. Right. And then if you have to call another organization or a hospital and for certain kinds of birth certificates or paperwork, et cetera, then it can really delay the process. So even if you do start the junior year, you can exhaust yourself just mentally, that mental load of having to get everything together, much less the physical deadlines. So are there like pretty standard things you'd recommend? Hey, put this in the safe box and don't let it get lost.

SPEAKER_01 6:58

Well, for most universities, all required documents for the admissions process have to be official. So that means it has to be sent by the institution, so the high school or the testing agency to the university itself. So there's nothing I would say that parents should to keep a hold of for the admissions process, but just making sure that they research the requirements so they can plan ahead. Because for these testing, you do have to register for them far in advance before the tests are available even a month later. So it's just really important to prepare what is required and have them once the student is ready to apply.

SPEAKER_00 7:47

I know how busy my mind is as a person who's child-free. So I'm putting myself in the shoes of parents and all the things that they have to remember in the deadlines and the dates. Thank goodness we have like Google Calendar, right? That we can put some reoccurring events. So if I was a parent of, let's say, a sophomore in high school, what would be a good calendar reminder that I can put annual reminder on for a deadline that may stay the same throughout the years?

SPEAKER_01 8:18

No deadline as it applies to universities, I would think. I would recommend researching university websites every year to make sure the requirements haven't changed because sometimes they do. They don't stay the same. And taking advantage of informational sessions that universities offer or in-person events that they can attend. But obviously every university is different. But UWF, we really start taking applications when students are seniors. But we have events, whether they're virtual or in-person, that parents and students of all grades in high school can take advantage of.

SPEAKER_00 8:58

So it might not be so much a recurring deadline to meet or to be aware of, but more so just to be in touch with the events that are going on in the universities that the kid might be interested in. Right. Yes. What's mistake number two?

SPEAKER_01 9:16

Mistake number two, I would say for students and parents to feel as they have to have it all figured out. Oh, like what do you want to be when you grow up? Right. Yeah. Or what direction you have to go to go towards. How stressful is that to think right after high school? Yeah. You have to know and you have to know everything about your future. Uh obviously you don't have to have it all figured out. Uh not not a lot of us do. But you have to remember college is about growth, it's about learning, taking chances, getting out of your comfort zone, and experiencing and embracing challenges. So you don't have to have it all figured out. You will figure it out as you move along. But of course, we have different resources for students and parents because transitioning from high school to college can be difficult. So we have different resources and we're pretty flexible with our majors as well. So if a student chooses biology as a major and then their first or second semester, they decide the the structure of a cell doesn't excite me as much as I thought it was going to.

SPEAKER_00 10:38

Wait a minute, wait a minute. This is a very specific example. Is this from your personal archives?

SPEAKER_01 10:45

I may have spoken to a student about this. And they're more interested in the business aspect of a career. So they can work with their academic advisors and change their major. They could also uh participate in um different um uh programs throughout the majors, like our high impact practices, which is learning by doing, um, programs like study abroad, um service learning, field work through different programs, research. We encourage students, their first year, their freshman year, to participate in research to see what they're interested in and broaden their horizons to what is out there. So there is lots of flexibility with majors. And also we have different uh student services available as well, academic advising and mental health services.

SPEAKER_00 11:42

I had no idea that there were so many resources for freshmen to explore kind of the world, if you will, at that stage in the game. Because in my mind, when you're a freshman, you're just doing the groundwork of getting out these basic classes out of the way, meanwhile, trying to field the question, what do you want to be when you grow up? Right. So I that's so amazing that they're able to that that exploratory process can actually actually be a part of the academic process. That says a lot. Is that normal for universities or is that UWF specific?

SPEAKER_01 12:23

Well, uh, universities do have those uh programs available to students, but UWF, we really focus on those and we really encourage students to participate for them. We also offer a fit to career assessment. This is a free assessment that students can take before they even apply to UWF to match their career interest with an academic path at UWF. So that's a great resource to utilize if you don't have it figured out and you don't know what you want to do before you even start.

SPEAKER_00 12:56

I would think that'd be almost a great check-in too, like before you apply at the end of your freshman year. Kind of see have a almost a third-party assessment of the direction of your interests.

SPEAKER_01 13:08

Yeah. And and when I speak to students in high schools, I definitely encourage them to do that before before they graduate from high school before applying to UWF.

SPEAKER_00 13:20

And I'm sure that puts parents at ease too, because I hear from parents that say, Well, my son doesn't he doesn't know. I ask him all these questions and I just get all the time. And so I don't know how to help a kid that doesn't know. But it turns out that they don't have to know, they just have to move forward. And that's really encouraging for parents, don't you think? Yes, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:42

And a lot of students coming in really don't know what they want to do. That's the good thing about UWF that you can dabble in different things and kind of figure it out in your junior year, you can really hone in on what you're interested in and go from there.

SPEAKER_00 13:58

You obviously in your position see a lot of parents and a lot of students. So what is the third mistake that you wished that they knew before they came into your office?

SPEAKER_01 14:11

Third mistake, I would say, not necessarily a mistake, but maybe a gentle nudge from the parents would be would be great if they had their students work on their soft skills a little bit more. Being a little bit more comfortable talking to strangers. Or writing an email or being comfortable talking on the phone. I know we are in the age of texting and everything is quick, but it's a great idea for students to start learning those soft skills in high schools before they get into college, where they are going to be thrown into those situations where they have to speak publicly or work in a group and speak up. So it's great to have that under their belt a little bit, being comfortable with their soft skills before they go out into the world.

SPEAKER_00 15:05

I think soft skills are the unsung hero of our society, right? Because it's one one of those things, that set of things we take for granted. But when we see it missing, oh man, is it does it stand out? Right. And it can be the decision factor between getting a job and not getting a job, working successfully with your classmates or not. But I think a lot of parents struggle in, especially those of us that grew up analog, right? Who struggle with how to support kids in developing those soft skills. Do you have any insights into maybe what other parents have done or maybe how what your parents did to help you that a parent listening now could be like, okay, I can implement that tomorrow?

SPEAKER_01 15:55

Yeah, I I think um a lot of it can start at high school with joining clubs or organizations and being active in high school. Maybe the student makes their own doctor's appointment on the phone. Yeah, you know, something as simple as that, just getting comfortable with standing on their own and calling and discussing things even with the admissions process. I speak to a lot of parents that they say, Oh, well, my child isn't comfortable talking, so I will talk for them. So maybe, maybe just that little nudge of you can do it, you got this, this is this is your your future, uh, you can handle it. But really, clubs and organizations that would be beneficial in high school, sports even, if they're able to get into that.

SPEAKER_00 16:47

I know that's really character building. I like the example that you gave too of just calling to make your own doctor's appointment. My my mom did that. Yeah, I think at 16 I had to uh not just make the appointment, but I had to do all of the talking while in the doctor's office. And I mean, before the doctor would leave, she'd be like, okay, repeat back what the doctor said to me. And it was very helpful because I moved out pretty early on my own and I had those skills, and I was so excited to put them to use as opposed to being a person that doesn't have those skills and you're horrified of the real world. That's not that's not a fair position to be in. Right.

SPEAKER_01 17:29

And it it really doesn't get easier as you get older, it gets harder. The more you get used to not talking to people, the more you get used to not talking to people.

SPEAKER_00 17:42

I feel like I'm talking to a fellow introvert right now. Yes. We have our own club, but we all meet separately in our own homes. Right. Yeah. We text each other only. Yeah. No phone calls. No phone calls, yeah. Those are those are really great tips. I think that whether the kid is inclined to join those clubs or not, you've given a parent a good way to make those changes early and often and see those opportunities early and often so that they are confident. Because I think that's what parents really want. They want their kids to be confident and happy, right? Successful is a part of the equation too, but success is a pretty broad umbrella and confidence and happiness hopefully live under it.

SPEAKER_01 18:25

Yeah. And we encourage that at EWF too. We have plenty of different student organizations that students can participate in. We have offices to assist students with mock interviews so they feel comfortable going in for a job interview. So lots of opportunities to work on those skills, but students have to feel comfortable seeking those out.

SPEAKER_00 18:48

That's so cool that that's built into the university. Okay, what's the next thing that next mistake that parents can avoid?

SPEAKER_01 18:59

Um, the fourth mistakes that parents can avoid, it's pretty important. I don't think it deserves the fourth spot. But not looking for funding for college. College can be expensive, but if you start early and you do your research, uh it can be affordable and accessible to everyone. In previous years, UWF has awarded over nine million dollars in funding, and over or just about 89% of incoming freshmen coming to UWF receive some kind of financial aid funding. We offer academic merit scholarships for incoming freshmen for the summer and fall semesters. They are merit-based, so it is based on a soup student's GPA and test score. So it goes back to prepare with a strong academic record and and test scores, take those tests and take them seriously so you can be considered for a scholarship. Um I uh spoke to a student about Storytime. Student, this was I think two years ago, and uh he was adamant that he was going out of state. He just knew it, so he wasn't even going to apply to UWF. I encouraged him to apply to meet the the December 1st scholarship deadline. He didn't. Well, about a month before classes start, he gave me a call and uh we had a a long conversation and he had a strong GPA. He had a strong test a strong test score, so he would have he would have been considered for a merit scholarship. But he didn't plan well. And it's it's great to know where you want to go, but it's important to keep other options available as well. Of course, he he did come to UWF and he did receive some funding through uh the FAFSA, which is the free application for federal student aid, which is federal funding. That application opens October 1st. So students and parents definitely don't want to delay applying if if it's time for them. And other funding through community organizations are available as well. Always seek those out through churches, different community organizations, and even high schools. Um students can go talk to their counselors because counselors, I work with them so closely, they know of a lot of uh available scholarships.

SPEAKER_00 21:34

That's really an interesting, probably underutilized resource is the school counselor, because the school counselor is presumably present all the time. And so they might have a better feel of the student's personality, inclinations. I remember in high school, those career assessment tests they were distributed through the school counselor. And so to be able to have some. Someone that you know you're comfortable with and talk to about to kind of guide you in that direction would be amazing. Talk to me about the Argo Spirit Scholarship, because I found that really fascinating because it's so different.

SPEAKER_01 22:12

Yeah. So the Argo Spirit Scholarship is a full ride scholarship and is not academic merit-based, it's more character-based. So if a student has overcome some obstacles or contributed greatly to their community or family, they would be a great candidate for that scholarship. The the deadline for that is different. So I encourage everybody listening to look that up and the requirements, but that is a very unique scholarship, and a lot of great, great students apply to that. What's the final mistake to avoid? The final mistakes I would want parents and students to avoid is thinking that they are alone in all of this. And that the situation that they're going through is only unique to them. And in some cases it may be, but you are not alone in the process. We are here to help you every step of the way. We have resources available. Our Argo Central office with admissions of financial aid, our staff are always ready to help whoever comes in or calls in. And of course, I'm here for all Escambia County School students and parents as well.

SPEAKER_00 23:27

I can kind of see how the resources that you've mentioned, both the actual people and the programs, that they all kind of work together to help the kids. And it just takes a little bit of forethought and planning and space. You need some space to figure these things out. But with those two things combined, you can really set your kid up for a successful future.

SPEAKER_01 23:49

Absolutely. And in time, it takes time. That's why it's so important to start the research and exploring early. You can again schedule a campus tour to get a feel of the campus. Come to one of our offices if you have any questions, reach out to me. But it does take time to apply for the application to get processed, for all materials to be submitted and get processed. So my biggest takeaway is that just start early. And we're here to help every step of the way.

SPEAKER_00 24:26

Yeah, I think if you start early, there's more margin for error, right? There's a higher number of kids experiencing anxiety now, which is tragic. But it it but we can still doesn't mean we exclude them from these processes. We just need to give more space because if you're a parent of a student in that who has a meltdown, right, we got to give some space for that meltdown. And that happens. I I was one of them. And so to be able to provide that space and then connect to those resources can allow that student not only to get plugged into the right academic path, but also, as you mentioned, plug into those soft skills of um executive function and communicating on their own, advocating for themselves, et cetera.

SPEAKER_01 25:11

Right. Absolutely. And the college process is can be overwhelming, but it's it's less overwhelming when you have help and when you're not up against a deadline.

SPEAKER_00 25:24

Exactly. Well, as a product of Escambia County Public Schools yourself and and now kind of on the other side of things and reaching out a helping hand to help others up into the collegiate side, what would you say that you would want people to know about Escambia County public schools?

SPEAKER_01 25:43

Well, being a product of Escambia County public schools, I I feel like we're very fortunate. We have great counselors, great teachers. But as as it relates to UWF, I would recommend starting early. Our application for the summer and fall 2024, so for incoming freshmen, current seniors, opens August 1st. We encourage students to apply early, give them time to submit all required documents, meet that December 1st academic merit deadline, take advantage of all the opportunities we have for you to find more information. We are scheduling Argo information sessions, which are virtual, in our in-person event, our Explore UWF, where you'll come and hang out with us for a little while, eat lunch, explore all the majors, um, which are all free to students and parents for all grade levels in high school, and schedule a campus tour, come see our campus culture. And of course, I'm always here to assist. And if you don't need me, I will connect you with the person you do need. And I will be making visits to to all I scambia county high schools very soon. So look out for me there. Oh, I love that.

SPEAKER_00 27:04

Well, thank you so much for coming in and sharing all these today. I'm sure parents are very grateful to have someone in the future telling them the mistakes to avoid now. So thank you for that. Of course, thank you. Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe and share. Voices United in Education is a production of Scambia County Public Schools.