Pack Your Bags- Traveling in College

Photo credit: huffpost.com

When you arrive at college, you realize the world’s so much bigger than your hometown. And then you step into class or the student union and realize it’s even bigger than this. You’re surrounded by students from across the country and around the world, learning from professors and faculty that have seen and done more than you could imagine. You may start to wonder when (or how) you’ll get to see the national parks, state capitals, and international cities that textbooks detail and teachers bring alive in class discussions. College is the perfect time to travel domestically and internationally, expose yourself to different cultures, and have some of your own adventures. These opportunities are definitely in during your next four years. Here are some options to consider when thinking about traveling in college:

• Study Abroad- what could be better than spending three months in a foreign country, taking your typical college classes with a view of international cities outside your classroom window? Studying abroad allows you to explore and immerse yourself in another culture, learning its values and gaining a global perspective. Many colleges have programs in Europe and every other continent. Contact your school’s study abroad or external programs office to learn what options they offer and how to participate. In many cases, tuition and room and board remain the same whether you’re on campus or in another country. Extra costs come through travel fees set by the school to get you back and forth and any traveling you decide to do on your own (hello summer job!) Hint: if your school doesn’t have a program to your dream destination, there’s often an option of transferring to a different school’s program as long as you work it out with your college. (And if you need any other reasons to convince you to study abroad, this HuffPost article gives you six more!)
• Alternative Spring Break- while we all want (and deserve) a break after the agony that is midterms, volunteering your time through an alternative spring break program is a worthy and fulfilling reason to skip relaxing. Alternative spring breaks started in the 1970s at Georgetown University, though the term for the program was born at Vanderbilt University in the 1980s, according to The Washington Post. Spending the week rebuilding homes, teaching English, or working on conservation projects will give you a fresh perspective on issues you may have discussed in class and connect you with the people dealing and working to solve these problems every day. While these trips are hardly glamorous, participants leave gaining more knowledge about their world and developing a sense of community and understanding with the people they work with. Trips like these are usually funded through your school or through fundraising, so students typically pay a small fee (or no fee at all!). In many cases, it’s cheaper than buying a plane ticket home to see family, and an important and worthwhile cause to put the money towards! If your school doesn’t have a program in place, this list fromYahoo! provides several sites to help you start your journey.
• Volunteer Abroad-if you decide after an alternative spring break program that volunteering is your passion, spend your summer volunteering abroad! Plenty of opportunities exist outside of the U.S. to do similar projects in communities in South America, Africa, and Europe. They’ll provide you with insight into the lives of people around the world and may change the way you think. Read this USA Today piece by a college student of what he discovered while teaching in South Africa.

Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/16/AR2010031603834_2.html

The Ins and Outs of High School Leadership

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We know a good leader when we see one. They’re enthusiastic, focused, and ready to take on anything with the help of their team. These traits aren’t just in famous CEOs or policy makers though—your class presidents or basketball team captain have them too, and so do you. You can be a leader in your high school or community, helping to make change or putting on a great school concert! Although you may hear friends talking about leadership positions in terms of how they look on college applications, there’s more to taking on a leadership position that will benefit you long after graduation. These helpful reminders and research from Study Point will guide you toward a leadership position that fits your goals and away from the pitfalls some high school students make.

Taking on leadership positions, according to Study Point, will help you discover passions and build self-esteem. Actions associated with leadership (hard work, accomplishment, recognition) boost positive self-image and increase self-esteem. By leading your school softball team, youth ministry, or school newspaper, you’ll put in hard work and see the amazing results you and your group have achieved, showing your unique capabilities as a leader. In addition, one study showed that students who held leadership positions in high school were more likely to hold managerial positions as adults, according to Study Point. By participating now, you could set yourself up to guide people in whatever career path you choose!

When looking for leadership positions in high school, it’s important to know what your passions and skills are. If you don’t like public speaking, you shouldn’t run for class office, but if you love art you could become president of the art club. And while you’re dreaming of the big title now, know that in order to get there, you have to work your way up from the bottom. This will make you a better leader though, providing you with valuable experience and knowledge about the organization. As a leader, you’ll also have to know how to work well with others and listen to their ideas, which you can get while working as a club member! Other important traits to have as a leader are optimism and the ability to take action. Seeing the positive in every situation and knowing when to step up and make a decision will let your peers see you as a leader and rely on you in tough situations.

While it is tempting, resist the urge to have multiple leadership positions just so “it looks good.” Pick areas you’re interested in so you can dedicate more time to them. Leadership isn’t just about the title—it’s about demonstrating those qualities in everyday life! So be a leader, whether you’re captain or a great team member.

Transitioning from Middle School to High School

Upon entering high school, you’re faced with many challenges. You leave old friends in middle school or just outgrow them; you get serious about your future, more homework, first jobs, and new friendships. You just want to learn where you fit in with all of this confusion and be your confident, happy, high school self.  Let TGHT give you a few ideas on the transition from middle school to the high school lifestyle!

Make a good first impression: When transitioning to high school, first impressions are important. Get to know your classmates and be eager to learn in any situation. Reach out to other students, be kind and polite, and keep in mind that they are in the same position as you. Don’t be afraid to meet new people; if you feel someone in your class shares the same interest as you, be friendly and get to know them.

Be YOU: Don’t get carried away with growing up too fast. Yes, you have four more years until college, but enjoy your high school years. Find your interests and join organizations that you feel can help you express yourself. Don’t get caught up in appearances and being with the “popular crowd” if that’s not who you are. Focus on your grades and how you can become a better you—not anyone else’s efforts. Above all, remember not to judge others—especially when you haven’ t gotten to know them.

Listen: In high school you have a little more independence than you did in middle school. You’re given your homework and a due date with a little more creative freedom. Make sure you’re taking in everything you’re being taught. If you have questions in class, don’t be afraid to ask them because someone in your class is probably confused about the same topic. If you show your classmates that it’s okay to listen and ask questions, you may give them the courage they need to participate as well.

 Make new friends: In high school you’ll more than likely split from old friends, whether you attend different high schools or simply just outgrow each other. Don’t worry; with age comes maturity, and you may not always mature at the same pace as the friends you had in middle school. You must be more independent and explore your new environment, and while it may be hard seeing your old crew but not having that connection, it will get better with time.  Be open to new friends and new opportunities; join clubs, find new interest and be open to new experiences!

Photo Credit: www.ccsuvt.org 

The transition from middle school to high school can be very confusing, but adjusting and making the best of your experience is the best option.  Remember that meeting new people and having to study hard is not a bad thing, it’s preparing you for the next step. So enjoy your high school years, join organizations, create relationships with your teachers, and have fun!