Higher Education: Part 1

Ms. McDonald
Professional School Counseling Intern
Chapman University

12/1/15

Field Trip: CSU Fullerton

Before the field trip:

Arrive to school on time.

Bring your bag lunch or enough $ for lunch. If you ordered food from the
cafeteria, we will have that ready for you.
We will send a call slip for you in first period for where to meet.
Wear good walking shoes
You dont need to bring a backpack!

CSU Fullerton
During the field trip:
CSUF rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Respect your Titan Ambassador (campus tour guide).

No running or shouting during the tour.
Students should not leave to play in the games area or go to
the bookstore to purchase items while the tour is in progress.
Students will be held responsible for their conduct and any
damage to CSUF buildings, grounds, and equipment.

Wear your name tag

Ask questions to the tour guide!
Be respectful.
Low voices while on the bus, stay seated.
All school rules still apply!

Sample Questions:
What are the extracurricular
activities that are offered?
How is college different than high
school?
What are some of the popular
majors?
What grades do I need to go
here?
What makes this college unique?
How much does it cost to go to
school here?
How can I begin to prepare
myself for college?

CSU Fullerton
After the field trip:

Return your name tag to one of the counselors/interns.

Get a pass from one of the interns to return to class.
Ask your teachers what you missed in class/turn in assignments.
Talk to your parents and friends about what you learned and what youre
thinking!
Consider talking to your counselor or intern about what your next steps
might be: using Super match on Naviance, career inventory, community
service opportunities, planning a college visit, starting a resume, how to
get a work permit, etc.

What does higher education

mean to you?

November 12, 2013: First Lady Michelle Obama gave a speech to sophomores
at Bell Multicultural High School in Washington, D.C. about the power of
higher education.

Key terms
North Star Goal: By the year 2020, the President Obamas goal is for the US
to have the highest amount of college graduates in the world. In 2010, we
were #12 in the world.

Key Terms
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid, submitted
by January 1 of your senior year. It is used by colleges to
determine grants, work study, and loan amounts you are
eligible for.
Ivy League: 8 private universities in the Northeastern U.S.
Known for having academic excellence and selective
admissions. Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard,
Univ. of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Yale.
Vocational school: Also called a trade school or technical
school. Teaches skills related to a specific job: electrician,
mechanic, dental hygienist, etc. SCIT is located in Anaheim.

Questions to consider
Why is higher education important?
Who is the person with the biggest impact on your education?
Rather than your circumstances, what defines you?
What are some barriers you might have to a higher education?
What can you do to overcome barriers?

Thoughts?

Why is higher education important?

of all jobs will require training beyond a high school degree!
Continue your education to develop skills:

Vocational/technical school
Community college: 2-year program
4-year college

According to FLOTUS, who is the person with the

biggest impact on your education?

You!!!!
Take control of your education: study habits, friendships, relationships
with teachers/staff members, courses you take, etc.
Be responsible: turning things in on time, following rules, learning from
mistakes
Fulfilling your potential--what are you truly capable of doing?

The Road to College

Barriers she discussed:

Her family did not have a lot of

$--couldnt afford to visit college
campuses & get special
tutoring/help
Not a lot of help from her
counselor: too many students
Told she was not going to get
into Princeton by her teachers:
negativity
Neither her mom or dad went
to college: first generation
college student

Chart my own course

Needed to get the best grades she

could
Found leadership opportunities within
her school
Network! Developed relationships with
teachers and administrators
Stayed up late to work on her college
applications and essays
Applied for financial aid because she
knew her parents couldnt afford
college: FAFSA
Used the negativity to fuel her instead
of bringing her down: prove she could
do it

Continuing your education

You might be dreaming of becoming a doctor or a teacher; maybe a
mechanic or a software designer. Or you might not know what you want to do
right now - and thats fine. But no matter what path you choose, no matter
what dreams you have, you have got to do whatever it takes to continue your
education after high school - again, whether thats going to community
college, getting a technical certificate, or completing a training opportunity, or
going off to a four-year college. And once youve completed your education,
you will have the foundation you need to build a successful life. --Michelle
Obama
Continuing your education to acquire job skills is important!

Attitude
... it is not your circumstance that define your future -- its your attitude. Its
your commitment. You decide how high you set your goals. You decide how
hard youre going to work for those goals. You decide how youre going to
respond when something doesnt go your way. --Michelle Obama

Obstacles
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Believe in yourself no matter what obstacles you face

Go to class every single day: pay attention, take notes, ask questions
Do your homework every single night: study even if its not your favorite
subject
Reach out to your teachers, coaches, and counselors--ask for help
Pick yourself up again, and again, and again when you stumble and fall

Thank you!
Are you interested in continuing the
conversation about higher education?
Please let me know!