On Wednesday, October 11, the school day schedule was different due to PSAT testing for tenth and eleventh-grade students.
During the time allotted for sophomores and juniors to complete their test, seniors engaged in educational activities related to college and career planning, while freshmen watched the movie “Jumanji” in the auditorium.
College and Career Counselor Mrs. Kristin Dunning sent a form to seniors with options for the seminars so they could each receive a customized schedule for the day.
Seniors choose their top three from the following options–-College Essay Writing Tips, Job Skills for Success, Finance 101, First Year College Success, Post Secondary Tech/Trade School Preparation and Application, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Military Recruitment and ROTC, and Mindfulness for Stressed Out Seniors.
According to students, certain seminars were more beneficial than others. Some found the time useful and appreciated the time to learn about the steps they may need to take while others felt the time could have been better spent.
“I think some of the seminars have been really helpful,” senior Jo Kelly said. “Like the woman that was talking to us about first year college skills was really knowledgeable because she works in admissions. She really knew what she was talking about. And it’s not something I talk a lot about with my parents, so learning about these practical life skills is very helpful.”
Other students felt that the seminars did not teach them as much as they expected.
“My honest opinion is that I haven’t really learned that much. I’ve learned that she moved to China and that’s about all I know,” senior Jack Whalen, who attended the workshop on First Year College Success, said.
Other students agreed with Whalen that they didn’t learn as much as they’d hoped and shared that they would’ve appreciated using the time for other activities.
“I think that the Finance 101 seminar was pretty helpful, but at the same time I would have rather spent the time working on college essays and applications. I feel like the other two I took [College Essay Writing Tips and Job Skills for Success] were kind of pointing out things I already knew,” senior Eliza Cole said.
Even with most students agreeing that time to work on college applications would have been a better use of time, some students agreed with Kelly that select seminars taught them valuable information.
Senior Andrew Scanlon, who attended Military Recruitment and ROTC, First Year College Success, and Finance 101 enjoyed the topics discussed in the various seminars.
“I actually really like it, cause it kind of gives you an intro to your future and that’s awesome,” Scanlon said.
As for the freshmen, the movie provided a break in a busy school schedule.
“I expected to do a bit with Naviance, and I thought that there would be a worksheet for us to do,” freshman Maya Decamp said. “The movie is probably the best part of the day because I’m just going to sit in class the rest of the day.”
“I was really excited to watch ‘Jumanji’ because I love the Rock,” freshman Scott Snyder said.
