50 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • MAY 2021
EDUCATION
COLLEGE GUIDE FALL ADMISSIONS PREP
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
Colleges and universities across the
Long Island region are registering
students for the fall semester, and
as always, time is of the essence for
applicants.
If you want to complete your application
and registration process on time, act now,
checking the details of your desired college’s
application deadlines.
For Long Islanders who are looking to enter
or expand their education, enrolling
now, and locally, is a great idea. Courses
can be completed right from your living
room or bedroom — no need to spend
thousands of dollars a year on dorm
rooms or supplies.
Even so, enrolling in college — whether
it’s your first time, or your return after
years away from the classroom — can be
overwhelming. The selection of courses
offered at most colleges and universities
is vast, and it can be quite challenging
to find the right ones in balance with
your core requirements to
create the ideal education
schedule.
The College Board, an
organization that aims to
expand higher education
access to Americans,
offers advice for prospective
students as they consider
registering classes
for the spring:
Consider all your options
available. Don’t just settle
on one college right away;
choose several candidates
and pick the one that’s
right for you based on access, affordability,
and educational opportunities,
among other criteria.
Create the schedule that’s right for you.
The path to a college degree is a marathon,
not a sprint. Try not to schedule too many
classes early on, to avoid burnout. Choose
a schedule that meets the requisite number
of semester credits, but also allows
you the time to rest, study, prepare reports
and refine your skills.
Seek out an adviser’s help. This is especially
true for first-time college students
who might find difficulty creating a
schedule. Reach out to a college adviser
in your field of interest to help you determine
the best path forward.
Clear the core requirements early. Your
first years in college should not just
focus primarily on your field of study,
but also on meeting the core curriculum
so you can concentrate more on
your major as graduation day draws
nearer.
Maintain balance in your course
schedule. Try not to challenge yourself
early on by taking more advanced
classes. Save those for later in your
academic career.
Seek out college credits and financial
aid. Visit the College Board website,
collegeboard.org, to find resources.
Take a writing course to help you
better prepare for term papers and adopt
your writing style.
Register early. The earlier you register,
the better chance you have to obtain the
classes you want.
-With additional reporting by Hazel
Shahgholi. This article first appeared
in amNewYork Metro
Don’t wait, apply to college today. (Getty Images)
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