For Students Preparing for College / Wisdom from Your Peers

Last week I attended a 3-hour parent/student meeting (high school juniors) required my son's school.  I really hate long meetings especially when everything you hear is printed for you or could be emailed.  The most outstanding thing at this particular meeting though was hearing two students, both seniors in high school, read essays that they had thoughtfully prepared.  I'm glad I attended the meeting after all even just to hear them read their essays.  

We, like most families with junior high school students, are in the midst of SAT / ACT testing, intense study, college applications, and all the rest.   It was good to hear from students who realize that these things while important, are not THE most important thing in life.  It also made me more thankful to have homeschooled both our sons and helped give them a solid spiritual foundation before entering the college world.

Here are the two essays in their entirety.  I hope you find them encouraging if you are a student preparing for college or a parent about to send one into that adventurous stage of life.  My personal favorite is the first one.

I am Found  by Sarah Delk

In light of my senior year and the impending transition to college, I've found myself questioning the ideas the world is throwing at me about college. To name a few: college is..."the first time in the big world," "the most defining time in your life," "the most important decision I will ever make."

I've been cautioned to be careful where I choose, because it's going to shape who I am and who I marry and what I do. The culture has warned me not to live at home or have ties at home with relationships because it will inhibit me from "figuring out who I am and finding myself."

I honestly don't think that's biblical. From my understanding, there's not a verse in scripture that instructs us to go out into the world and find ourselves. I sincerely think the gospel instructs us to do the opposite. Isaiah 43 has been on my heart lately and it speaks to this - Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. You are mine.

That's so far from a call to find myself it's ridiculous. It's a call to believe that I've been found. I am His. I already belong. I already fit in. I already know who I am. I am a daughter of the king. No more searching has to happen. No more fretting or worrying that I've "lost my way" or "don't know what I'm doing with my life." Because I've been found by the One who's never going to un-find me. I know that's not grammatically correct, but God holds me in the palm of His hand and so I'm going to be found today, tomorrow, the next day, throughout my 4 years of college...for all eternity.

Phew. That takes such an incredible weight off of my shoulders. I'm not going to college to find myself. I've already been found. The search is over. The price is paid. The battle has been won. Oh praise the One who raised this life up from the dead.

Because of this realization, my mindset about these decisions and this next stage of life has changed. I'm not trying to find myself anymore. Instead, I'm praying God will teach me how to rest in the fact that I am found. Soli Deo Gloria.

Certainty Amidst Uncertainty by Leslie Robinson

As juniors, you probably know that you are at the age when the first thing people say to you is, “Oh, you’re almost a senior, so, where are you going to college, and what do you want to study?” If people haven’t been saying this to you, let me warn you, it is coming. It’s almost as popular as the phrase when you were younger, “Wow, haven’t you grown!” or more recently, “You are driving? You are not old enough to be driving yet?!?”

The reason that I am here to speak to you today is to give you some encouragement that has helped me go through what you all are experiencing right now. Even though I have done many things to help me figure out what majors and careers I might like, from shadowing professional in their jobs, talking about college with my parents and people that know me well, and even doing extensive research on different jobs that I could possibly be good at, I am still unsure where God wants me. I can relate with you; I know it can be a stressful time, especially if you do not yet have answers to those questions about college. I have to share this really hilarious email that I received from a little scholarship website that I had signed up with on the computer, because I think it perfectly describes my situation.

Thank You, Leslie! Based on your responses to our post-secondary planning questionnaire here at Scholarship Matches, I am happy to send you a report showing you the many opportunities available to you after high school, particularly in the field of Undecided/Other.

That is a wide open field, isn’t it?

Still, it is crucial to know that, in the midst of all the preparation for college, it just as important to think about our spiritual future as well as our academic future. Because, if you think about it, our spiritual future has greater consequences than our academic future.

I read that it is roughly estimated that 50 percent of professing Christians in high school will renounce their faith after college. Now, why is this? Do people just go to college and become too smart for God, able to explain the world around them without God, or finally understand that religion is for the uneducated people? Of course not! Our God is the author of all Wisdom and Truth! We will never grow “too smart” for God. The reason for this is that in college, there will be distractions and temptations and so much false thinking to pull you away. Satan is just waiting for the time when you are in college and are vulnerable. Right now is the time to strengthen yourself to resist this temptation. You must, in a sense, put on God’s armor so that you can live in this world, but not of this world.

Finally, something I have found to be extremely helpful to my spiritual growth right now is reading books that explain God’s Word and help us understand who God is and who we are in that light. Plus, Paul the apostle tells us in Scripture that we should be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. So, what are you going to do when you are in college, and someone asks you, “Why are you a Christian?” Or even yet, what will you do when a professor tells you that “Science has disproved God” or that “The Bible is full of errors and false claims.” You can’t just say, “Well, I feel that Christianity is right.” We must study God’s truth so that we can explain why and what we believe. It is very important that we study this now, and not later.

For those of us who are Christians, we need to be excited about living for our Savior in this dark world wherever we go to college. We read in 1st Peter that We are a chosen race, a people for His own possession, so that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness. How can we lose hope when we know that the God we serve is the Alpha and Omega, and that he knows that beginning from the end? It is so relieving to know that our life is ultimately in the hands of our Father in Heaven, and not in our own hands. So, when our future may seem a bit unclear, we know that our God is an all-knowing God, and that by trusting in Him, He will direct our paths.

I put together a small book list with some books that I found most helpful. I wish you all the best in your college preparations.

Book List

A Heart for God, by Sinclair Furguson 

Every Thought Captive, by Richard Pratt, Jr.

Don’t Waste Your Life, by John Piper

Know What You Believe, by Paul Little

Know Why You Believe, by Paul Little 

The Reason for God, by Tim Keller

The Enemy Within, by Kris Lundgaard 

Truth for All Time, by John Calvin

Knowing Scripture, by R.C. Sproul

A Praying Life, by Paul E. Miller

The God Who Is There, by Francis Schaeffer

God Centered Evangelism, by R.B Kuiper

PSAT SAT ACT Test Taking for College Entrance

October 13, 2010 is the big day...time for my 11th grader to take the PSAT / NMSQT (Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).  He had the PLAN test  for college readiness last year at this time in preparation for the ACT.    SAT means Scholastic Assessment Test and is referred to as the SAT Reasoning Test.  This is NOT the same as the SAT which students from grades 1-10 take.   That is the Stanford Achievement Test.  (I know, it's confusing.)  


If you and your student(s) are about to begin the adventure of meeting the requirements for college admission, be sure to go to THIS LINK to begin practicing now and make sure your student does a little on it EACH DAY.

The 2010 PSAT/NMSQT test dates are:

 Wednesday, October 13, and Saturday, October 16.

Homeschoolers, click on THIS LINK for more details if you are registered with the county in which you live rather than an umbrella school.  The cost is about $13 to take the test although we are paying  a little more since it is being administered by a school.

We are doing an SAT Prep class ourselves as part of our homeschool curriculum  this  year using the book Cracking the SAT put out by Princeton Review. There is also one for the ACT.   Don't wait.  There are many scholarships available to high school students headed for college.  We neglected to search them out for our older son who received 100% scholarship to his college but with the tuition increases over the years, is now beginning to pay a portion for education.  Our state keeps raising the tuition so even the 100% scholarship is not covering all the costs.  Thankfully our son has only about three semesters left.


Our registration packet included practice tests as well as a list of sponsoring corporations from whom we can apply for additional college $$.  We will be beginning that process soon.


Study hard and prepare!  We have had some young friends who opted out of  taking  any of these college entrance tests when they were in high school and they (and their parents) regret it now.  Tests are generally  priced at about $60 for each test you take (SAT / ACT) but it is SO worth the cost if you get several thousand $$ in scholarship money.  The differences between the two tests are outlined below.

ACT Facts

• What you learn in class will help since this college entrance exam is curriculum-based. That means you'll be tested on grammar, trigonometry, science reasoning, etc.
• The ACT exam is in four sections -- English, math, reading, and science. The writing section is optional.
• There are no "ACT IIs" -- the ACT is one test for all.
• The ACT is popular among students in Midwestern and Southern U.S. regions.
• Unlike the SAT, there is no guessing penalty, meaning you're only scored on correct answers.

Top score = 36

SAT Facts

• The SAT exam is based on logic, critical thinking, problem--solving, and it tests vocabulary level.
• Math, verbal and writing are the three main sections of this college entrance exam.
• You may be required to take additional subject tests (called SAT IIs) for some colleges.
• The SAT is most popular among students in Eastern and Western U.S. regions.
• You are penalized for wrong answers, so wild guessing won't help you.

Top score = 2400


You are allowed to combine the scores for the various portions to achieve the required score for scholarships (75% or 100% funding in most cases).  Our older son who is now a senior in  college took each test while in high school.  He scored 100 points below the requirement for 100% scholarship on the SAT; and 1/4 point below the requirement for the ACT.  He took the ACT a second time.   He took the Language score from Test #1 and combined it with the math score on Test #2  to get the required score needed for the 100% funding.  :)  So, basically $180 in testing = several thousand $$ in college funding.


Students, do your best and prepare ahead of time; parents, help them prepare and encourage them along the way. Be sure not to neglect the WRITING preparation as this year, I believe, is the first year that an essay is required to qualify.   Not everyone is meant to go to college but, in my opinion, ALL high school juniors and seniors  should try taking both the ACT and the SAT at least once to determine this.   There is no better time than this to max out on generous funding to defray the costs of college which are ever increasing.  Once you graduate high school, you are ineligible for these two particular sources of funding.

Proverbs 21:5 

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage...

Back to or First Day of School and/or College

Jeremiah 29:11

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope..."

Ah, the first week of college classes. And the first week for school to begin in our area.  For my younger son who is homeschooled (with three group class sessions a week), we began 11th grade last Monday.  For my older son, Monday was the beginning of his senior year in college.   We have other young friends who have their very first day of college life today, some via dual-enrollment while still in high school. I remember when I began. It was bittersweet leaving high school although my college (as well as my son's) is in our hometown.  Lots of changes in college, both fun, exciting and a bit scary, too...

• New responsibilities--no one to remind you to do your homework or projects, choosing your own classes and making sure that two don't occur at the same time, budgeting your money, working part-time, paying bills on time, taking charge of your bank account
• New friends--many of them several years older and most do not live in your neighborhood
• New instructors who are called professors, not teachers
• New course requirements--blue-book essay tests, online classes, one test can sometimes determine   your grade, and their strange letter/number format (AR101)
• New grading system--it is more difficult to get an A (93-100)
• Finding your way around campus and getting to classes on time

Every large group (student enrollment) needs its share of smaller groups so students can really feel a part and make solid friendships to encourage you during this stage of life. Some choose fraternities or sororities as I did (I was not a Christian during my college years); some choose athletics / intramurals; some choose clubs based on personal interests and others choose religious non-profit groups i.e. Campus Crusade for Christ which my son and many of his friends participate in. Whichever group you and/or your students find themselves a part of, be careful of the company you keep. If you make a mistake and choose a group that later you discover is not for you, by all means, be bold and leave that group. Make decisions ahead of time as to what you will do when the temptations come--going along with the crowd, drinking, skipping classes, taking drugs, having premarital sex--to name a few.

Nowhere is it more apparent than in college, that bad company corrupts good morals, so do not be deceived. 1Corinthians 15:33

My thoughts and prayers are with all who are beginning this initiation into adulthood and time of testing called college life. It can be a wonderful adventure as long as you make wise choices. More than likely, loving parents are on their knees constantly during this time in their child's life.  Often this is a time when children/young adults begin to appreciate home more than they may have in the past.  For parents, let them go, struggle and learn; for students, no one loves you quite like your parents do and they are always there to help when needed or asked.   :)   THIS SONG says it all. 

Sending Children Off or Back to College

Today I hosted a baby shower for a friend.  This was so much fun and a great distraction for me since...

...also today, my 21-year-old moved out to a house with three other young men near his college.  

Home

Packing up

New home away from home

Yes, I cried. But only  for about 5 minutes which is amazing since this time last year I was a wreck for weeks (it was the first time).  See previous blog #1 and #2.   For us, thank the Lord, our son's college is in our area and he lives only about 25 minutes from our home.   Even so, the good-byes are still hard as we are close and I just simply enjoy the company of our son.  We are blessed that he also enjoys time with us as well.  

For all you parents out there sending your "child" off for the first time, especially those whose students are moving far away or out of state, you'll get through this and next year will be better.  I promise.  We raise them to be out on their own one day and this is good training for them to begin that stage of life--making choices, paying bills, making new friends, etc.   It's also good for us moms to begin releasing the young arrows one at a time.  They cannot stay in the quiver forever...but we will always welcome them home no matter how long or brief a time that may be.  :)

Psalm 127:3-5 

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, 

The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one’s youth. 

How blessed is the (wo)man whose quiver is full of them... 

Sorority Reunion College Friends

UPDATE 8.27.12:  As my youngest begins college today, I'm reflecting back on my days in college and this reunion 2 years ago with my sorority sisters...some friendships made in college are truly life long...time for another reunion!
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Original post from 2010:

Yesterday was such a delightful time for me.  I was able to visit several of my friends from our college sorority.   We belonged to a local sorority of about 50-60 young college women called TYES  that has since become the national sorority Pi Beta Phi.   Local sororities are much less expensive than the national ones that require quite extravagant annual and monthly dues to be  active members and/or alumnae.  However, they are just as much fun!

is now

A few of us had even gone to high school and carpooled to college classes together since we lived in the same neighborhood.   Some people think that sororities are full of cookie-cutter Barbie girls. Ours were certainly attractive but different in so many ways, both then and now.   

We all played sports--softball, basketball, flag football, water polo--and were very competitive, winning lots of awards in college intramurals.    I'm glad I did since I have two sons.   :)  We do clean up rather nicely, too--see photo above.   We also won many awards for community service on campus and off.  Some were very athletic, some fashionistas, some liked to party hard, some musically gifted, others scientifically gifted...the list goes on.  Grade requirements kept most everyone's academics in line.  


As in all large groups or clubs there are always a few who are closer than others but what joy to be reunited with so many of them after 30+ years.  We're definitely not kids anymore.  I graduated from college  in 1977  so you can do the math. :)   Some Christians, some not.  Some have never married.  Some married young (some married older, like me) with children of all ages, some with grandchildren now.  Some have suffered through divorce, the death of a parent(s), spouse and/or children, sickness or other ways.  Some are moms at home, others have full-time careers. Many live out of state.  Facebook has helped us reconnect and touch each other's lives.  Amazingly, the friendships we had back then are still in tact, for the most part, even today.  

The college years from 18-22 years of age are such a growing up time of life as I can see now watching from the outside in my own son who is in college now (the same one from which I graduated).  :)  We made mistakes and hopefully, learned from them.  We learned how to get along with different personalities and how to appreciate those differences.  We comforted those with broken hearts, family struggles and rejoiced in each other's  accomplishments, engagements, weddings...

There was a reunion dinner on Friday night which was well attended (I couldn't go that night).  Saturday was another dinner and a tour of the university (which is in our city).  I had already done a tour a few months ago so I hosted a smaller gathering in our home--kind of a pre-reunion time of catching up.  

We chatted and laughed just like old times.  A dear friend to us all is in the midst of a battle with cancer (her husband of 34 years has myelenoma and begins the bone marrow transplant process this week).  They live in North Carolina.  We talked to her and met her whole family--kids, grandkids, her mom and also got to talk to her husband-- on SKYPE which was a first for me with VIDEO!    You've got to do this if you haven't already.  It's a free internet site that you can talk (audio) and/or have video at the same time.  It's almost like being there in person.  We were as glad to see her as she was to see us.  At the end  of our talk she put her arms around the computer and so did we for an internet hug.  :)  

Afterwards we headed over to a local restaurant where a room had been reserved for us.   About 20 gathered there to eat, share photographs, scrapbooks and albums, take even more pictures, laugh and talk more--mostly, a different group from Friday night.  We met at 7 p.m. and closed the place down at 11:00 p.m.  I have been hoarse all day from talking practically non-stop from 4:30 - 11:00 p.m.!  :)  

Many posted their photos on Facebook right away.  One of the organizers (thanks, Bobbi) set up a data base to help us keep current as to where everyone is, emails, phone numbers, etc. 

One of the women was headed back to New York so a few of us got together for one last lunch together.  :)

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of friends, particularly the ones who have known me the longest.  These women  are a treasure and I am blessed to know them and to be a part of their lives and them a part of mine, both in our youth and now into mid-life and beyond.  I love you, Ladies.

Philippians 1:3 

 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you...

is now

FAITH: Letting Your Children Grow Up

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that He may exalt you at the proper time,

casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

I Peter 5: 5-6

Today was a big day at our house. Our older son announced that he will probably be moving out this weekend to share a house with some other guys at his college. He attends a local state university so it's not like he's moving to Ohio, but a big change for us. Nor was it a huge surprise... I have told him all along that in his junior or senior year it would be good for him to do this before he's on his own after college. He and I have been counting the costs for a week or so now. I helped him with his budget, set him up with Quicken Online to keep track of expenses, even got boxes at Sam's today for him to start packing. The Lord has been preparing me for this day by having him be accepted for a 5-week mission /arts trip with Campus Crusade over the summer. Still, it's a bit of an adjustment (plus I'll miss out daily talks together) and trust in the Lord that we have prepared him well and that the Lord loves him even more than I do. :) That in itself, is a huge comfort. Plus, he'll be back next Friday night for dinner (if not before) when his cousin's wife and kids from St. Louis come to visit us. :) :) :) Baby steps...(for me).