College tips from The Siren’s peerless advice columnists
Now we know you young people have cabin fever and you can’t wait to get out of school, but for you juniors, don’t take this summer too lightly. This is the time to start your first look at colleges, if you haven’t already. But don’t rush: there is a place for every single one of you out there, and make sure you don’t settle. Find that perfect place and you won’t have any doubts about your future.
Because we worry about you young folk, we’ve got some helpful pointers on how to ace any interview — which’ll come in handy when you’re trying to score a summer job to help pay for your perfect college. We’ve also rounded up some tips on writing college essays, which are an important part of the application process. So let’s get started!
Interviewing Tips and Techniques
“When you walk into a job interview, the first impression is made in three to seven seconds,” Mary Dawne Arden, an executive coach and president of Arden Associates, says. A study even found that a first impression is based on seven percent spoken words, 38 percent tone of voice, and 55 percent body language. So kiddies, practice your presentation in front of the mirror and tape record your presentation to check your tone of voice. Also, pay attention to little things, like posture, sitting up straight, planting your feet squarely on the floor, hand positions, and eye contact.
Here are the basics of what your body language says about you:
• Having your arms folded across your chest is often seen as defensive, reserved, and uninterested in the conversation.
• Standing with your hands in your pockets suggests a lack of confidence or unease.
• Sitting with your legs crossed while shaking one leg or foot suggests nervousness or severe discomfort.
• Staring blankly at the floor suggests a profound lack of interest in the conversation.
• Rubbing or touching your nose during a response suggests you’re not being completely honest. Unless your nose does truly itch.
• Rubbing the back of your head or neck suggests you’re bored by the conversation.
• Pointing your feet toward the door or leaning in that direction suggests that you want to end the conversation quickly.
• Slouching in the chair suggests you’re unprepared for the interview or that you know you’re not the right candidate for the job.
Those are the basics of body language, now it’s time to focus on the specifics:
• Ensure a strong first impression through a handshake. Nobody wants to shake a weak, light, sweaty palm.
• Use your eyes to communicate. Eye contact is important, but remember, it can work against you if you stare at the interviewer like a zombie.
• Keep your hair under control. If you need a haircut or a new hairdo, get it at least a few days prior to the interview.
• Smile! It’s your biggest secret weapon.
• Use positive facial expressions to convey interest and to further emphasize important comments or opinions.
• Use hand gestures to emphasize points. Beware though: use hand gestures sparingly. Don’t look like you’re trying to use spirit fingers.
• Dress appropriately. Young ladies, although it is proper to wear pants, if you choose to wear a skirt, it is always best to sit on the edge of your chair, with both feet on the ground, and make sure your knees are together. You can cross your ankles though. Obviously, the young men are going to wear pants (we hope), but it’s also not a good idea to cross your legs because it makes you sit back in your chair oddly.
• The most important thing: Be likeable. A friendly, confidant person beats an insecure, unsure person any day. Make sure your body language conveys an energetic, fit, honest, and likeable person.
Just remember, kids, working is an important step in a high school life. But don’t let it get in the way of your studies. School always comes first.
How To Write a College Essay
The first thing to do is brainstorm for a unique and compelling topic, because the most important part of any college essay is the subject matter.
Here are some things to consider when brainstorming for a topic, if the college of your choice doesn’t provide you with one:
• What are your major accomplishments?
• Does any attribute, quality, or skill distinguish you from everybody else?
• What was the most difficult time of your life, and why?
• What is your strongest, most unwavering personality trait?
• Of everything in the world, what would you most want to do right now?
• What have you done outside of the classroom that demonstrates qualities sought after by colleges?
• What are your dreams/goals for the future?
If you still have difficulty selecting a topic, consider the following things:
• Ask your family of friends for help. They are the people who know you best and they may be able to point out something that you’ve never seen in yourself.
• Consider your childhood. What happened while you were a youngster shaped what kind of person you are today.
• Consider your role models. Why do you admire them? Do you possess their traits?
• Read sample application essays. www.collegeboard.com has sample essays accepted by various colleges.
• Determine your goals. Why do you want to attend a particular college? How is the degree you want to receive going to further your future? When you consider your goals, think broadly.
So have fun with the brainstorming process. You never know when you could discover something interesting about yourself. But lovelies, Doris and Madge want you to know: never let college stress you out!
Information courtesy of Ms. Potts’ 12th grade English class.
