By Rachel Lau Senior Editor Only a few months remain until I graduate and leave high school behind. It seems like it’s a long, long time from now, but I know it isn’t at all. When I started my senior year, I was so excited to finish it. And now, here I am, wishing it would all slow down a little. I’ve been accepted into the college I want to go to and I picked out my dorm with my soon-to-be roommate. But I think what really made me realize I’m transitioning into an adult is the fact that I’m now making a list of what I need to get for my dorm room. When I saw the words microwave, detergent, and plunger, it hit me-- everything is changing. My parents won’t be there to make dinner, do my laundry, or clean, it will be my job to do all of those adult chores and more.
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By Shayla Scallorn Social Media Editor We learn, we work, we live, we die. That’s it isn’t it? That’s the natural order of things. Sounds a little cut and dry when you think about it. I’m going to let you in on a little secret and it’s pretty cliche so bear with me. Amidst the humdrum of everyday life, opportunities will always arise. Don’t ever pass them up. For those entering college there is one opportunity that I urge you not to overlook: studying abroad. Study abroad programs are growing in popularity and are offered at more and more colleges nationwide. For a few weeks, a semester or even a year, students can earn credits towards their degree while continuing their education in a foreign country. Common destinations include Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia, and France. The air is still as the absent-minded class stares blankly as the period slowly slides by. What has come over this small class? The answer is senioritis, and it seems to get the best of almost all seniors this time of year. For some, however, it happens much sooner. “School just seemed to get less and less important,” Red Lion senior Jaiden Graham said. This so called “disease” is the result of students struggling to balance school, work, time with friends, and finding that perfect college and getting in. This stress can cause seniors to become lazy, acquire a dismissive attitude toward school, and often have an excessive amount of absences throughout the year. However, seniors are not the only ones affected by these huge amounts of stress. It also can be very irritating to their teachers and classmates. The lack of attention can cause a class to be very unproductive and cause lessons to drag on much longer than they normally would. “Students obtain this mindset that graduation is the end, but in reality it is the beginning of a new chapter in their lives,” Mr. Blackwell, an executive council advisor for the class of 2015 said. “Students should not become lazy when the end of their high school career is nearing its end, rather they should keep pushing and finish strong because its so close to being over.” This mindset can also have an effect on students getting into the college of their choice. What many seniors don’t realize is that this last year is very crucial for colleges. It is important to keep trying in school in order to show that you are willing to learn and that you are dedicated to finishing what you have started. Although senior year can be overwhelming, there are ways to avoid the stress and affects of this hectic period of life. Here are some tips for upcoming seniors on how to avoid senioritis and its destructive nature. Plan ahead, have a calendar were you write down deadlines and scheduled events and activities. Secondly, do not become obsessed with getting into college, just focus on what is going on right now and do what makes you happy. Also, discuss your feelings with the people close to you. If you try to make all decisions by yourself, it can be very overwhelming. It is good to see what others have to say and to be open to suggestions. Finally, make sure to have fun. After all, it is your last year here, so you may as well enjoy it. By Helen Zeidman Staff Writer A table lined with multi-colored papers dominates the Career Center. These papers come in every color of the rainbow, from neon orange to fluorescent pink, advertising the latest job and volunteer opportunities. Countless posters occupy the space above the table, with even more information. All kinds of jobs, from S & S Produce employees to FedEx workers, are available and waiting to be filled by high school students. There are also many job opportunities over summer break. Summer jobs are a good way to make some saving and spending money, but there are other benefits too. “Summer jobs are setting yourself up for down the road when you need a job.” Mrs. Morris, the Career Awareness Coordinator at the high school, said. “Networking is always good.” Going for a job might be overwhelming, but Mrs. Morris, the Career Awareness Coordinator at the high school, has some tips to make the process easier. Before anyone applies for a job, they must be aware of the rules. For teenagers, this includes limited working hours. According to the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act, no one under the age of 14 can work with the exception of a few jobs. Also, students under the age of 16 can work eight hours a day, and no more than 40 work hours a week during the summer. Teenagers over the age of 16 may work 10 hours a day, but not exceed 48 hours in a week. Also, a work permit is necessary to apply to any job. “You need to bring your Social Security card and birth certificate to the ladies in the office and they will get a permit for you.” Morris said. After the paperwork is taken care of, the application process can begin. Morris’ first tip is to “do it ASAP.” College students tend to get out of school earlier, so they have more time to snatch all of the jobs. Being prepared is also very important. “Even if you are just asking for an application, dress nicely. That first impression is so important.” Morris said. “They say that people judge you in the first five seconds. You do not even have to open your mouth.” Morris also had a few tips to ace the second and third impressions. “Shake their hand. Introduce yourself. Answer honestly to the best of your ability. Thank them for their time. Ask when they will contact you.” Morris said. “The last piece is a vital piece of etiquette--write a thank-you note. It really makes you stand out.” Morris last tip is perhaps the most important. “Don’t work so hard that you can’t have fun. Summer is for rejuvenation. Remember that you are still a teenager.” By Bella McCarey
Co-Editor-in-Chief As most high school seniors will come to realize, life is all about making investments. Whether it is buying a stock, investing in a company, purchasing a starter home or opening up a business, everyone at some point will have to organize their assets. However, one of the most overlooked investments is gaining a higher education after high school. An investment has many costs added into it, generally requiring an upfront payment Depending on where a student plans on attending college determines the varying tuition costs that a student may have to pay. Websites for state schools such as Millersville, East Stroudsburg or Indiana University of Pennsylvania state that costs range from $8,000 to $10,200. Those price tags do not include the cost of room and board,that can tack on an additional $7,000 to $9,000. Private colleges, such as locally located York College to Drexel University can range from $15,000 to $50,000, according to the numbers on their websites. Public universities tend to be cheaper than private colleges because public universities are partly funded by the state, whereas private colleges rely on tuition in order to make a profit. When it comes to paying for college, the first step is to fill out a FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). By completing the form, a student can find out how much he/she qualifies for financial aid. Even if you know your parents make too much money to qualify, it is still worth applying. You can still earn money if you are a minority, are a first generation college student, or one of your parents is on disability or is laid off. In addition to financial aid, many students hope for scholarships from the college or from an outside source. A scholarship doesn’t exactly mean that a student has to be a scholar, be as it may seem. There are thousands of different types of scholarships, some for being a race or religious minority, for what elementary school you went to or simply for what your gender is. Taking the time and effort to research what is available is worthwhile, along with networking within your local community. Many local businesses and organizations, such as the Rotary Club, offer free money to college bound seniors. The actual payout may only be $500, but every bit counts. If you’ve applied to every scholarship and grant under the sun and you are still short a couple thousand or even most of the tuition, student loans may be the last option, however not a last resort. According to the American Student Assistance statistics, every year 12 million out of the 20 million that attend college take out student loans, so it is a popular form of payment. As soon as a student hears the words “student loans”, panic automatically settles in. Debt is a big fear for anyone fresh out of college looking for a job or an internship. However, the bills don’t start arriving for at least 6 months after graduation. The cost of college should not be a venue for turning away students, however the high costs should be taken into consideration. Sitting down with your parents, especially if they have gone to college and are in your shoes, can help you and your whole family get on the same page. College is a huge risk, but the return on your investment (ie the job of your dreams) will make the whole hassle worth it. By Nick Stoneham
Staff Writer As we start the second semester at Red Lion, many seniors are preparing for college and trying to process what college will be like. It is important to be informed and know what to expect during this transition from high school to the next chapter in life: college. A good way to start is by talking to someone who has been attending the school you are going to for a year or more. They can provide you with information that could be extremely beneficial to know. That person can also show you around the college so you know exactly where your classes are and how the college operates. Buy all of your school supplies before the semester starts, that way you are organized from the very first day and you won’t have to worry about anything. Make sure you have a folder for each class, a planning book (or planning app downloaded on your phone), all of your books, and a stable bag to carry it all in. It may also be very beneficial to have a reliable laptop or desktop for writing assignments and internet research. If you are living on campus, make a list of everything you will need to bring in order to live comfortably. Create a savings account. When you’re in college, chances are you will be spending lots of money. Whether it be going out with friends, needing to get a new car, buying books, etc, it is necessary to have money saved that you can fall back on. If you put some money in your savings account weekly you could have thousands by the time you graduate. Most importantly, relax and avoid getting stressed out. As long as you stay organized and have everything you need, there is no reason to be stressed out. Just enjoy the rest of your senior year and summer and by the time August rolls around you may be excited! |
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