As the end of the year approaches you may begin to feel your body react in many ways that may make you feel sad, short-tempered, sick, anxious, and perhaps overwhelmed.  Sometimes these feeling are due to stress.  Stress is the pressure you feel when your body reacts to a threat, something new or a challenge.  For seniors the challenge may be that you are now completing high school and need to begin planning for life after K-12.  Try to remember that stress is a part of daily life and affects everyone.

If you are currently exhibiting any of these symptoms or not feeling like yourself, see your School Guidance Counselor who may work with you or refer you to a non school professional.

In the next couple of weeks I’ll write about why you need to be aware of stress, the causes and how to manage it.

The end of the year is rapidly approaching and you may begin feeling excited, tired, worried about your future and perhaps very stressed.  This month I’ll cover the following topics:

• What to do if you didn’t get into your first choice colleges
• End of the year stress
• Some stressors
• How to manage stress

For those of you who didn’t get into your preferred group of colleges there is still hope.  Some of the University of California schools continue to accept applications and are open in various majors.  It will take some research on your part but if the UC system is where you want to be it will be worth the time and energy to inquire by phone, email or individual college websites.  Additionally, some out-of-state colleges and California State Universities continue to accept applications.  The two-year colleges and training programs will begin to accept applications in mid-May. 

As an aside, now is the time to begin searching for that summer JOB!

Filling out an application is one of the most intimidating steps you can take when applying for a job or applying for admission to a college. Here are some suggestions:

DO:

• Review applications and directions carefully before you begin.
• Follow all instructions.  Be neat, clear and accurate.
• Be active and inclusive of all of your skills.
• Be truthful and don’t exaggerate your accomplishments.
• Make copies of the application before filling it out and practice filling in the information before completing the original.
• Make sure that everything that is supposed to be included on the application.
• Fill out your own application. Type the information yourself to avoid crucial mistakes.  Then, ask someone to proofread it for you.
• Research the college or company.
• Keep a copy and be thorough.

DON’T:

• Use correction fluid.  If you type your application, use a correctable typewriter or the liftoff strips to correct mistakes.
• Write in script. If you do not have access to a typewriter or computer, print neatly.
• Leave blank spaces. Missing information may cause your application to be discarded.
• Be unclear. If the question calls for a specific answer, don’t try to dodge it by being vague.

Before you step through the door for an interview, you should practice answering these common interview questions:

• Tell me a little bit about yourself?
• What qualifications do you have?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• Tell me about your current job?
• Why are you leaving that job?
• What did you like most about that job?
• What would you change about that job?
• Do you enjoy school? Why or why not?
• Do you plan to continue your education?
• What do you plan to do for work five years from today?
• What is your major strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What motivates you to do a good job?
• Are you at your best when working alone or in a group?
• What are your goals?
• Do you have any questions?  (Try to have at least one question ready).

High school graduation is just around the corner!  Most students don’t realize there are five options to consider after high school.  These options are called “gateways” and are listed below:
1. Post-Secondary Education
4-year Colleges and Universities
2-year Colleges and Community Colleges
Technical and Professional schools and colleges
2. Military
Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
3. Workforce
Full-time permanent jobs
Combination of two or more part-time jobs
Contract services on short-term basis
4. Apprenticeships and Internships
Carefully monitored work experiences with intentional learning goals
5. Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship
Start a business
Buy a business
Take on a franchise
Consult or freelance

Over the next few weeks I will have employment application procedures.  The gateway model is taken from The Real Game Facilitator’s Guide.  The Real Game™ can be found at http://realgame.com .

This is a good time to investigate your progress towards graduation. Check with your counselor to make sure you are on-track to graduate. The following information can assist in seeing how you are doing:

Cumulative GPA _____
Credits to Date _____
Credits Needed _____

To graduate, a student must earn a minimum of 220 credits in grades 9-12.  A minimum of 25 credits must be earned during the semester (eighteen weeks) preceding graduation in order for students to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Requirements
The Elk Grove Unified School District has some of the toughest graduation requirements in the state: 

4 years of English
4 years of math (including algebra) and 2 years of science, OR 3 years of math (including algebra) and 3 years of science
3.5 years of social science
2 years of science
2 years of physical education
2 years of foreign language, OR 1 year of foreign language and 1 year of fine arts
1 semester of health
Proficiency in current technology
Proficiency in speech
State of California Graduation Requirement
All students are required to pass the California High School Exit Exam in order to graduate. Students with disabilities may be exempt from this requirement pending legislation. To obtain more information, please visit the state web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/index.asp.

While you are waiting to hear from the colleges you applied to, it is a good time to revisit the following questions to guide you in making your final selection:

Location
How far away from home would you like to go to school?  10 miles or 2,000 miles

Size of College
Would you prefer to attend a school with a large enrollment, (30,000 or more students) a small one, (1,500 students) or something in the middle?  How large would you like the physical size of the campus to be?

Environment
Would you rather attend a community college or other: 2-year institution, 4-year university, urban, suburban, or a rural school?  Is the location and size of the nearest city important to you?  Do you prefer a co-ed or single-gender school?  Does the school’s religious affiliation make a difference to you?

Academics
Which schools offer the major(s) that you are considering?  What kind of student-faculty ratio and typical class size are you looking for, and which schools offer them?

College Expenses/Financial Aid
Does your college choice match your financial aid package?  How expensive a school can you afford to attend?  Consider tuition, room and board, and other expenses including the application fee, deposits, etc.  Will your financial aid, scholarships and family contributions make it possible for you to attend your first choice college?

Housing/Facilities
Would you rather live on campus, in a dorm, or commute to school from home?  What type of academic, medical and recreational facilities should your college have?

Activities
What kind of clubs and organizations (including fraternities and sororities) do you want college to offer?  What type of athletic activities (including intramural teams) should be offered by the school you choose to attend?

Special Programs
Do you need a school with services or programs for the learning disabled?  Would you like to study abroad?  Do you plan to continue your ESL studies in college?  Are you looking for an honors program?

The NCAA initial-eligibility rules have changed.
If you plan to enroll in any Division I or Division II college or university please read this information carefully.

For students entering any college or university on or after August 1, 2008, your NCAA initial eligibility will be evaluated under the 16 core-course rule as described below.

THE NEW RULE:

• INCREASES the number of core courses from 13 to 14 for division II and 16 core courses for division I.  This additional core course may be in any area: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.  The breakdown of core-course requirements is listed below.
• CHANGES the Division I initial-eligibility index, or sliding scale.  See the reverse side of your application for the Core GPA/test scores sliding-scale index.
• The 16 core-course rule INCREASES the number of core courses from 14 to 16 for Division I only.  Students must complete three years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher), and four years of additional core courses.  The additional core course may be taken in any area:  English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.  The breakdown of the requirements is listed below.

Division I - 16 core-course rule 2008 and after
16 Core Courses:
• 4 years of English
• 3 year of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
• 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science
• 2 years of social science
• 4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

Division 2
14 Core Courses:
• 3 years of English
• 2 year of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
• 2 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science
• 2 years of social science
• 3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy