Staying safe, healthy and on task
Most of you are probably not in school right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unusual time, it’s important to follow the guidelines set by public health officials and to practice social distancing. That means you’re going to be spending a lot of time at home. That can sound boring, but this situation also offers you the opportunity to focus on projects and activities you thought you’d never have time for. Research colleges. Apply for scholarships. Shoot and edits videos. Start a book club. It’s rare to have so much time at home during what is usually the busiest part of the school year. Do your best to take advantage of it. Below are some important tips and updates to get you through.
High School Students
Create a list of goals and a schedule of things you hope to get done.
Read more books, practice your writing skills, draw, paint, build, create.
Remember, playing outdoors counts as physical education, cooking counts as family and consumer science, and playing monopoly with your siblings counts as math (as long as you're the banker, of course).
Get creative with friends – start a short story and ask everyone to take a turn writing a paragraph to complete it.
Explore your options and check out a few colleges using their virtual tours online.
High School Seniors
Seniors working toward A+ Scholarship eligibility will have a reduced required number of tutoring/mentoring hours from 50 to 25. A student with a cumulative 2.5 GPA at the end of either the Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 semester will be eligible. The Algebra I end-of-course exam requirement has also been waived for all 2020 seniors.
Spring ACT and SAT tests have been postponed, but both organizations are offering resources for students as they prepare for the next test. Look on the bright side – now you have more time to study!
Just because colleges are closed doesn’t mean it’s too late to apply. Schools are still accepting applications for fall enrollment and many offer virtual tours online.
Make sure to narrow down your college choices. May 1 is Decision Day. Look for ways to celebrate even if you won’t be at school. Share your decision online using #MoDecisionDay and #IDecided. Tag us @Journey2College on Instagram and Twitter and we’ll share your post. Create your own sign or college pennant to show on social media - whether entering the workforce, joining the military, enrolling in an apprenticeship, community college or university - we want to see your future plans.
College Students
Colleges all have COVID-19 web pages, so you can keep up-to-date with what’s happening on your campus. A lot of colleges have kept open their food pantries and have FAQs about other services available right now.
If you are concerned about your federal student loans, please visit gov/announcements-events/coronavirus for updates and new information.
For A+ Scholarship eligibility, previously, you were required to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for renewal, but now you only need to meet your school’s satisfactory academic progress requirements, even if it's below 2.5.
If your classes have been switched to online, remember to stay on top of things by making to-do lists, asking questions, and setting up a designated workspace.
Take advantage of your school’s mental health services. If you're unsure about where to find the resources on your college website, use ulifeline.org to look up the info for your specific institution.
People are still hiring for summer interns. Check out this free website connecting Missouri businesses, colleges, and students. Go to mointernconnect.com to find an internship that's right for you!
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