“Be Your Best Self”: A Message For All Ages – by Stephanie

Last year, when I heard about the Be Your Best Self message for the first time, my initial reaction was “wow what a great message to teach to kids”.  However, as I made presentations to different groups throughout the year, I quickly learned that this message by no means applies only to children, but to anyone from any background of any age.  Since learning about Distinguished Young Women’s outreach program, I have not only become more contentious about striving towards being my best self, but have begun noticing when others do as well. In the past few weeks especially, with the passing of national Be Your Best Self week, I have been excited to notice many different aspects of the program being put into action all over UConn’s campus.  Interestingly enough, I noticed many of the aspects being focused on through activities revolving around Spring Weekend.  Now, in the past, it’s no secret that UConn’s spring weekend has been associated with wild partying, destruction, injuries and arrests.  In fact, for the past two years, all activities have been banned and the campus has been put into a semi-lockdown state.  However, this year, the president of the University decided to reinstate the tradition, but press that it be associated with a much more positive message.  In fact, the motto surrounding the three-day event was “UConn Learns, UConn Serves, UConn Cares”.  Throughout the entire weekend, I watched as students enjoyed the beautiful New England spring weather and participated in fun and constructive events.  One of the featured events of the weekend was the annual Oozeball tournament-a massive, multi-court, day long tournament of mud volleyball.  When I agreed to sign up a month in advance, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  Regardless, I knew that it was a long-lived tradition in the school, and I felt like there had to be a reason why.  Sure enough, it was probably one of the most entertaining activities I’ve participated in all of my freshman year.  Although my team ended up losing a tied game in the last 20 seconds of the first round, it was a great experience, and an awesome way to get exercise.  For students who preferred more “clean” fun, there were different service activities being hosted the entire weekend.  From a trash clean-up crew, to different off-campus service trips, to the “stuff-a-husky” care package drive, there was something for everyone, allowing students to be involved and give back to their school and their community.  For students that were beginning to prepare for upcoming finals, workshops were held.  These focused on different study techniques, time management and even thesis writing.  Although it was a fun and exciting weekend, students were encouraged to continue to be studious.  On Saturday, there was a carnival, which consisted of blow-up games, tents, free food and giveaways (basically, a college students dream).  At one of the booths, the suicide prevention group was coordinating a program called “100 Reasons to Live”.  Students were asked to decorate an index card, and record a goal that they had or something they wanted to achieve in life.  The goals ranged anywhere from elaborate life plans, to finding love, to traveling the world.  All were unique, all were special, and all showed the ambitious personalities of the different students.  Finally, the president of the university recognized the concerns of many students that because of the restrictions put in place, they wouldn’t be able to have fun this weekend.  She reassured everyone that she understood the concerns and that she wanted all to have a good time, but while staying safe, remaining in control and taking full responsibility for actions.  Overall, it was an enjoyable weekend and for me personally, it was great to see the pillars of the Be Your Best Self program being encouraged on a college campus, a place that a message like that is far-too-often not associated with. 

 

Stephanie Brady is a college freshman at the University of Connecticut in Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut majoring in pre-pharmacy. Originally from New Market, New Hampshire, Stephanie was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Hampshire for 2012. Learn more about Stephanie here!

 

Be Studious - by Chloe

My parents are both educators, so school was always an important part of my daily life. They always stressed that it is a privilege to be able to afford a good education and that my brother and I should work hard and do our best. My parents have instilled in my brother and I the importance of being studious.

Being studious is not necessarily about getting straight A’s or graduating with honors, and studious people are not always the smartest or the “nerdiest”, they are just people who work hard and have a successful work ethic. As I have worked my way through high school and have just recently finished my first year of college, I have learned that being studious has much more to do with personal standards. I have learned that procrastinating and stress prevent me from being studious because they disable me from being able to turn in my best work. Being studious has everything to do with never settling for less than your personal best work and allowing for the time to create it.

            Here are just a few tips for how to BE STUDIOUS:

1. Work ahead: Do not procrastinate. Sometimes it may feel necessary to work on things until the very last minute, but it will save you a lot of stress and earn you a lot of sleep if you develop a system of always being a few steps ahead. Getting behind is like GPA murder, so staying ahead gives you a little bit of wiggle room if one week is especially stressful.

2. Set goals: If you have a grade in mind or a certain percentage of improvement it will help motivate you to work hard.

3. Never settle for less than your best: If you turn in something that is sub-par because you ran out of time at the last minute you risk doing as well as you could have.

4. Sleep is not a waste of time: Getting enough sleep helps you to do your best work. No one works well on 2 or 3 hours of sleep, so don’t feel guilty about taking a nap if you are too exhausted to think. I have had to learn that naps can be a good use of a half hour, because they can make you much more productive later.

5. Don’t compare yourself to others: Being studious has nothing to do with anyone else. Do YOUR personal best and know that is good enough. It doesn't matter what anyone else can do or what grade they got. Focus on your own improvement.

      Chloe McLaughlin is a college freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana majoring in Church Music and Christian Worship. Originally from Frankfort, Indiana, Chloe was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana for 2012. Learn more about Chloe here! 

National Be Your Best Self Week - Be Studios - a video from Christina

This week, April 22-26, is National Be Your Best Self Week! Christina Maxwell, Distinguished Young Woman of America shares her thoughts on being studious, one of five elements that make up the Be Your Best Self program. Check back throughout the week for more videos from Christina!




Christina Maxwell is a college freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan majoring in Musical Theatre. Originally from Asheville , North Carolina, Christina was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina for 2012 and the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012. Learn more about Christina here!

Sweet Leadership - by Carly

 

Scholarship, leadership, and talent are the three platforms that truly define Distinguished Young Women.  These three words define what the program is about, but after the program I knew I wanted to be able to continue living by these principles.  Sure, continuing to pursue my love of violin and being a good student would easily fulfill scholarship and talent, but where would being a leader fit in?  The answer to this question came quickly when I found an organization on campus called the Office of Student Activities.  Within this organization is a branch called S.W.E.E.T. (Students Working to Entertain E-Town).  S.W.E.E.T. plans all kinds of on-campus events and trips for students to attend.  I began working as a programmer this past semester, which was the perfect opportunity to get involved.  A week ago, the position of S.W.E.E.T. coordinator opened up, and I decided to apply!  The coordinator oversees the entire S.W.E.E.T. branch and serves on the leadership team for the Office of Student Activities.  I was the youngest person to ever interview for coordinator, but I thought I would give it a try!  An application and interview later, I had the job! 

                Being so young, I had my qualms about taking on such a big leadership role, so I spoke to my advisor about what would happen in the next year.  She started by saying that being a leader is easy.  Now, some would say that being a leader is one of the hardest things you can do!  But, when you break it down, all a leader has to do is what they say they’ll do.  A leader does not have to be extremely intelligent or creative; they just need some courage and strong will power to stand by the promises they make.  A leader does not need to be in the spotlight; in fact, some of the best leaders put their followers in the spotlight and humbly reside in the background.  A leader is true to themselves and self reflects on their actions constantly.  The most powerful wisdom that my advisor had to share was that you do not have to be “in charge” to lead.  Just because you do not hold the highest title of them all, does not decrease your ability to positively influence those around you. 

                When it comes down to it, leadership is the easiest of the three principles of Distinguished Young Women.  I thought that I needed to start all over and find a new group to lead in school to still be a leader.  But I have come to the realization that I have always been in a capacity to lead.  Just being human makes you capable of leading your peers.  Every day is your opportunity to step up to the plate and be the example.  After all, leadership is easy.

 

Carly Henry is a college freshman at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry with a minor is business. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Carly was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania for 2012. Learn more about Carly here!

 

Top 10 Things No One Told You to Bring To College - by Ali

1.      A sleeping mask and earplugs. Remember: This is no longer just your room. There will be nights where your roommate has to stay up late to get that paper done or decides to clean her side of the room at 2 in the morning. Trust me when I say, earplugs and a sleeping mask may become your new sleeping buddy! Also, Melatonin (natural sleeping regimen) definitely got me through some of those “Wide-Awake-Katy-Perry-Style” nights.

2.      A Brita water filter. College campuses have student groups all about going  green so why not help out? I’m not a huge fan of drinking water out of the sink so this definitely helps out!

3.      Rain boots! It doesn’t matter where you choose to go to school. There will be days where it is cold and rainy out and you’re going to wish you had some water-resistant, knee-deep rain boots to keep you warm and dry. Also, umbrellas… are just wonderful.

4.      Extension cords. Dorm rooms have few, low-to-the-ground outlets and if you’re like me and have a short phone charger cord, this doesn’t really get you anywhere. Extension cords help you to… you guessed it… extend! Also, power strips are really nice if you need to plug in multiple appliances, etc.

5.      Bathrobe and flip-flops. Everyone (we hope) uses the bathrooms and showers at your campus. We don’t know what goes on in there. With that being said, shower flip-flops are a lifesaver. Also, bathrobes allow you to be hands free and you don’t have to worry about your towel falling down while you are walking by the boys’ rooms.

6.      Mattress Pad. Honestly, the beds at most campuses are not the most comfy things to sleep on. Mattress pads can easily turn a stiff, rock-hard bed into a soft, luscious cumulus cloud. J

7.      Can Opener. Huh… who would’ve thought you’d need this to get your cans of Spaghettios opened? I learned this the hard way.

8.      Quarters. Whether you need to do some laundry or catch the bus to the mall, you’re going to want a few quarters around.

9.      A stapler. Yes, unfortunately, you are going to have homework that is more than 1 page long. One day, I had 3 guys from my floor come over to my room and ask if I had a stapler. Lucky for them, (and me… cuties! J) I did indeed have one! While we’re on the topic of school supplies, duct tape does wonders!

10.  Homesick cuddles. To be honest, there will be days and nights that you may get homesick or stressed. It’s good to have something that you can hold or cuddle with to get you through these rough times. As of right now, I currently have a body pillow, pillow pet, monkey, and panda residing in my bed as well as me. I also brought my favorite blanket, yearbook, and tons of pictures of family and friends. The first 2 weeks of school were extremely hard for me but with the help of these things and a few phone calls home to Mom and Dad, things got so much better!

 

 

      Ali Houser is a college freshman at The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minnesota majoring in Dental Hygiene. Originally from Beresford, South Dakota, Ali was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of South Dakota for 2012. Learn more about Ali here!

 

Dorm Décor 101 - by Stephanie

On move-in day in August, when I opened the door to my freshman dorm, I looked around the cement-box room and couldn't help but thinking, “This is where I’ll live for the next nine months?”  However, since then, my roommate and I have found many small ways to make our dorm feel like a second home.  Here are a few of the easiest tricks we've discovered:

1. Bring sentimental items – Yes, there is no doubt that is very limited space in a freshman dorm.  However, make room for at least a few pictures, some of your favorite stuffed animals (my bed is half-covered) and any other special items that remind you of home.  Pictures of family and friends help to remind you that even if college life gets tough sometimes, you have a great support system that will always be at home waiting for you.  Stuffed animals not only carry familiar smells from home, but many fond memories and are great to snuggle with after a long day of classes.

2. Incorporate a lot of fun colors and decorations into your room’s décor – Many college dorms are very standard and plain.  Although none are exactly the same, many share the traits of being square and bare.  The walls are rarely painted a fun color and the floors are usually hard and unwelcoming.  Although, unfortunately, most universities won’t allow you to change the color of the wall paint, you can easily get around this by simply covering them.  Use posters, photos, Christmas lights, bulletin boards, signs, whiteboards, cards, ribbons, cutouts, newspaper clippings….basically anything you can think of.  You’ll be surprised to find out how much of a difference it can make!

3. Get a rug – As I said above, the floors in a college dorm, similar to the walls, are usually plain and a little unwelcoming.  They are rarely carpeted, and although this can make them easier to clean, it doesn't generally make them particularly welcoming to sit on. Even a small rug laid on the floor can give your dorm an entirely new feeling to it.  First, it breaks up the sometimes monotonous pattern/color.  Second, and more importantly, hanging out in a room for a few hours playing a board game or just talking is a very common scene in college.  If there isn't enough bed or chair space for everyone, people will be much more likely to sit on the floor if it is covered in a rug rather than if it’s bare.  

4. Get a nice sheet and comforter set – If I were reading this before I entered college, I’d be thinking, “well of course….what else do you sleep on?”  However, in the past few months, I've met multiple people who, rather than getting a sheet and comforter set, they just sleep in a sleeping bag on the bed.  Practically, yes this works, but I feel like it gives the room such a temporary feel.  I know your dorm isn't your permanent settlement, but it is your home for an entire school year and it’s difficult to think of it that way if you sleep the same way in it as you do when you’re camping or sleeping over at a friend’s house. 

5. Decorate for the holidays! – One thing that I've noticed about college is that not nearly as much energy is focused on celebrating holidays as it was in my family when I was growing up.  It makes sense-college students are busy with friends and schoolwork and being active.  However, taking time to celebrate holidays has always been something I've greatly enjoyed.  Therefore, I, with the help of my roommate, always make the effort to put up decorations both in our room and on the outside of our door leading into our room.  It really helps make the room feel cheery and festive.


Stephanie Brady is a college freshman at the University of Connecticut in Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut majoring in pre-pharmacy. Originally from New Market, New Hampshire, Stephanie was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Hampshire for 2012. Learn more about Stephanie here!

Five Ways to Avoid the Freshmen Fifteen - by Stephanie

Entering college comes with a lot of big lifestyle changes.  One of the things that worried me most was gaining the dreaded “freshmen fifteen”.  I heard from so many people that between munching during late night study sessions, no longer participating in high school varsity sports and having free range in a dining hall make it very easy to gain a few unwanted pounds.  However, in my first semester, I’ve found a few ways to help gain control over this potential issue. 

1.    Use the gym!

Take advantage of the huge gym facilities that most schools offer students.  I know it can sometimes be a little overwhelming to walk into the weight room, filled with jacked-beyond-belief men, but trust me-they’re not that scary!  Actually, I’ve found that if you just act like you belong, they accept and respect you.  If weight machines aren’t really your thing, opt for the many different cardio machines, the lap pool, or try a group fitness class.  Yoga’s a great stress reliever, Pilates helps to build a strong core and Zumba is basically a big dance party!

2.    Just because you CAN eat unhealthy meals doesn’t mean you HAVE to

There’s no doubt that when you have the option to eat pizza, French fries and cake for every meal, it’s difficult to avoid doing so.  However, even though it seems like there are many unhealthy options, there are just as many healthy ones.  At most schools, a full salad bar or fruit bar are available during most times of the day.  On top of this, many schools having recently been implementing programs that point out menu options that are more nutritious, so making better decisions is becoming easier for students.

3.    Walk to class whenever possible

If your school has a campus transportation system, I understand that sometimes if you’re tired and not in the mood to walk, using it can seem very appealing-that’s fine!  The transportation system is in place for a reason and there’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of it.  However, try not to get into the habit of taking the bus everywhere and making it a daily thing.  Walking is not only a great form of exercise, but it allows you to really get to know the different areas and aspects of campus that you might not be able to see from a bus window.  

4.    Try to avoid unhealthy late night munchies

Let’s be honest-college students stay up late.  It’s not uncommon, when you’re up late studying for that big exam, to suddenly feel that familiar rumble in your belly.  Late night snacks are not necessarily a bad thing because when you’re system is “running on low”, your brain isn’t nearly as productive.  However, do yourself a favor and keep healthy snacks, like fruits or nuts in your room, and avoid ordering in late-night wings or cookies.

5.    Learn a new sport or hobby!

Most universities offer so many different types of clubs and sports.  You don’t have to be a varsity athlete to participate in sports and have a good time.  Join an intramural mural team that plays your favorite sport from high school, or try something totally new.  Some of the activities that are offered might surprise you.  Don’t be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone!

Stephanie Brady is a college freshman at the University of Connecticut in Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut majoring in pre-pharmacy. Originally from New Market, New Hampshire, Stephanie was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Hampshire for 2012. Learn more about Stephanie here!

Run Away from It, or Learn from It - by Ankhita

First of all, I owe you guys a HUGE apology. I am SO sorry that I haven’t put up a blog post in two months.

I wish I could say that I was off fighting Orcs in Mordor (LOTR, anyone?) or proving that Sasquatch exists (which he does, obviously) or have some other really awesome, excusable excuse involving no internet and true gallantry, but I honestly do not have a [good] explanation as to why I’ve been so absent.

I know this must come as a colossal blow to you guys. I mean, let’s be honest; most of you have probably been trembling in corners for the last two months, waiting for my incredibly sagacious and scathingly witty remarks. But before you lose all faith in me, hear me out. 

In case it needed to be said again; I’ve always loved the Lion King. But…I kind of feel like I let Pride Rock down, seeing as I broke pretty much the most basic life lesson that Simba learned. And that is, that I ran away from my problems. 

In all honesty, life has been really difficult lately. Not more than most people’s lives necessarily, but more difficult and more stressful than what I’ve been used to. The finals before winter break were the worst two academic weeks of my life. It was just so…difficult. There’s no other word.

 
And then I felt like my life was a little out of control, so when it came time to write my blog post, I couldn’t. I mean, how could I possibly advise anyone if I didn’t even have my own life in order? That really scared me.

So when break finally started, I had had it. I was going to take a vacation from the real world. I stopped checking my school email, I didn’t really stay in contact with the college friends I had made, and even waited until literally the last possible second to order my textbooks for this spring semester. I tried to dive back into my high school life, going out for dinner, playing with my quartet, spending time with the family, and essentially, ignoring everything that needed to be done.

And it was amazing. I had such an incredible time – it felt so good to be back home, therapeutic even. I was living in my own little paradise with basically no worries. (By the way, if you ever read this, Drake? Timon and Pumba coined Hakuna Matata, wayyyy before you even thought about “YOLO”.)

When people asked me if I was ready to go back to school, I would smile blankly and ask, “what’s school?” And people would laugh because they thought I was joking… but I almost wasn’t. 

Oh, and I made my parents promise that they wouldn’t talk to me about college unless absolutely necessary. No, you don’t understand. Any time anyone started talking to me about school, I would put my hands over my ears and yell nonsensically.

I was being ridiculous, I know. I’m not proud. Don’t do any of this, by the way.
I could try to justify my behavior by giving you a more thorough explanation, but I’m not going to, because even all that is not an excuse. I realize that now.

In spite of seeing what happens when you run away from life, reenacted over and over on a sticky, cheerio-encrusted VHS, I did it anyway.

I’m sorry, Mufasa.

This is my recurring weakness; when life comes at me, I tend to curl up into a ball, roll away, and ignore everything. Now – don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I instantly fetal position when I have to decide between strawberry and chocolate because they’re out of vanilla. I mean, after momentary panic, BAM, I choose BOTH and then congratulate myself on being so diplomatic. It’s not those kinds of things. It’s just that…Ankhita can’t deal with having to decide between Rocky Road, Raspberry Sherbet, and Mint Chocolate in addition to various toppings while an ice cream truck empties out an avalanche of flavors onto her head. You know what I mean?  Ugh, that was a better analogy when I was first going for it. Here’s what I’m trying to say:

Guys, I’ve been hiding from the past five months of college. It’s terrible. This is not the case for everyone, but I LOVED high school. I can’t say that enough. I had the best time and having to leave it is really putting me outside of my comfort zone. And I'm never going back. I have to accept that. One of the main lessons from the Lion King is that if you don’t face your problems, they’re going to catch up with you, and I completely ignored that. And let me tell you, it is so true.

In case anyone needed to be reminded of this (I know I do), nothing just “goes away”. It will come back to haunt you eventually – this applies to problems of all sizes. Maybe…you didn’t study for your test last week because you didn’t understand anything and it frustrated you. And now the test is tomorrow and you still don’t understand anything. Or maybe your mom told you to clean your room a month ago and you didn’t, and now there’s a green creature living in the back of your closet. Or maybe you ran away when your uncle killed your father in an attempt to usurp a throne that rightfully belongs to you, and now your kingdom is being run by hyenas and ruled by aforementioned uncle.

Jokes aside, Rafiki knew what he was talking about when he said, you can either “run away from it, or learn from it.” Obviously I had to go back to school eventually. And now I’ve had to catch up with everything that I ignored for a month. I was forced to stop running and had to really sit down and think about what I’ve been doing.

So here’s my New Years Resolution, about a month late: I will face my responsibilities head on. I will focus on what I can control and deal with what I can’t by taking it in stride. 

So that’s where I’ve been. Again, I’m sorry. I’ll see if they’ll let me write an extra two blogs to make up for my two month hiatus from reality.

Hope 2013 has been amazing for you guys (take that, Mayans!) I know it’s been eye-opening for me!

Here’s to being awesome!
-Ankhita

Ankhita Samuel is a first year medical student studying to earn a BLA major with a Spanish minor in the six year medical program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri. Originally from Olathe, Kansas, Ankhita was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Kansas for 2012. Learn more about Ankhita here!

Everlasting Friendships - by Sierra

For the past few weeks, I have been enjoying my return home from college for the holidays. This break has been truly a wonderful experience. However, I encountered a few unexpected emotions once I got back. I realized that I have been away in college, but life here in my hometown in Maryland was not put on pause. So I wondered if the friends that have stayed here would be as excited to see me as I was to see them and Maryland once again. Also, I wondered if the strong bond I had with my friends that too had left for college might have weakened.

The friendships that I have been blessed with throughout my life, especially high school, have always brought me happiness. However, my friends and I have never spent so much time apart; and I constantly hear how once you attend college, you lose a lot of friends from back home. So how could I not worry about whether or not my friends and I would still ‘click’ like we use to?

Then the moment came. All my close friends and I got together to meet up and hang out, just like we use to. I’m not sure if anyone was as anxious as me because I was the only one of the group who hadn’t been home since August. Everyone else had the opportunity to see each other over the Thanksgiving break – unfortunately, I was not able to come home.

After sitting around laughing, talking, and joking just like we use to, it hit me. The bond I have with my close friends is a true, loving bond. Yes, it is true that I don’t talk to as many people from high school, as much as I use to. The friends that have always been close to me though, are just as close to me as they used to be.

A true friendship is not easily broken. Neither time nor distance can bring it to an end. So leaving helped me to value the individual relationships that I have with my friends and everyone that is involved in my life. Now I understand that I don’t have to worry or be anxious anymore. My friends and I truly care about each other and our well-being. So it seems as though our friendships shall be everlasting.

Sierra Terrell is a college freshman at Troy University in Troy, Alabama majoring in Psychology. Originally from Waldorf, Maryland, Sierra was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland for 2012. Learn more about Sierra here!

The Skinny on Scholarships - by Chloe

As the daughter of a high school guidance counselor, I became very well-versed in the language of scholarships during my senior year. I remember Christmas Break as the weeks of scholarships last year. I hated filling them out, but I learned a few things along the way, so here are a few tips for those of you who are feeling the pressure.

1. Pick similar scholarships: A lot of scholarships use very generic essay prompts, so REUSE YOUR ESSAYS!! Find 5 or 6 scholarships with similar essay questions and then right one all-inclusive essay that will work for all of them! It is a huge time saver.
2. Ask to use a type-writer: Most scholarships can be filled out online or on a computer now, but some still come in paper form and require you to fill them in by hand. Neatness definitely counts when it comes to scholarships, so if you come across a hand-written form ask the guidance department if they have a typewriter you can use. (There are some essays that require the essay to be handwritten. DO NOT use a typewriter for those. This is more referring to the simple questions on the application.) DO NOT FILL THEM OUT IN PENCIL. EVER.
3. No scholarship is not worth your time: APPLY APPLY APPLY!!!!!!! It’s FREE Money!!!!
4. Sometimes one more shot at the SAT/ACT is worth it: I took the SAT one more time my senior year and got the last 20 points that I needed to get $1,000 more a year from my school! If you are within 50 points on the SAT or 3 points on the ACT, take the chance.  It could be worth $4,000+!!
5. Go Local: I got several smaller scholarships from local clubs and organizations because they knew me! The committee knew my character and that helped my chances. There were also fewer applications for those local scholarships because they were not worth as much! They were definitely worth my time!
6. Go Random: Did you know that KFC has a scholarship?  So does McDonalds and Coca-Cola! There are scholarships for people with green eyes, people of Irish descent, vegetarians, middle-children, and only children! People never think to apply for the random scholarships, so the application pool is much smaller!
7. Double and Triple Check EVERYTHING: I cannot stress enough how important it is to fill in the applications completely. Even missing one question can eliminate your application. Grammar and spelling are also very important, so having someone else read your essays and short answer questions is a good choice.

Scholarships are time consuming and monotonous, but totally worth it.  Make the effort. You will never be paid hundreds of dollars per hour ever again! You will never regret having a smaller tuition bill or loan debt.

Chloe McLaughlin is a college freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana majoring in Church Music and Christian Worship. Originally from Frankfort, Indiana, Chloe was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana for 2012. Learn more about Chloe here!