NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS for High School Students

The New Year always begins with everyone scrambling to set their resolutions. Sometimes, you’re grasping for fresh ideas. To help my students with this task, I’ve compiled a few suggestions. And just so you don’t think these are completely random ideas, I’ve included an actual 2022 college essay question with each suggested resolution. Which one will you add to your 2023 list?

Become a Better Student
What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good? ~ Duke University

Focus on Learning 
Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. ~ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Don’t Always Worry About Grades
The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. ~ Stanford University

Get Involved
Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. ~ Loyola University Maryland

Volunteer More Often 
Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. ~ University of Florida

Become a Better Citizen
If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be? Please explain. ~ UNC – Chapel Hill

Pursue a Leadership Position
The University of Oklahoma believes strongly in educating leaders of communities in Oklahoma, as well as across the country and the world. Please share your leadership experiences and why they are important to you. ~ University of Oklahoma

Find a Job or Internship Opportunity 
How did you spend your last two summers? ~ Stanford University

Create a Better Work-Life Balance
The college admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application. ~ University of Georgia

Read a Book for Pleasure 
Discuss a piece of media that greatly impacted you personally and influenced your perspective on life. ~ Oklahoma State University

Make a New Friend
Describe a peer who is making a difference in your school or community. What actions has that peer taken? How has their work made a difference in your life? ~ UNC – Chapel Hill

Travel
Describe a cultural experience you have had and explain how it impacted you. ~ Baylor University

Daydream
Genghis Khan with an F1 racecar. George Washington with a SuperSoaker. Emperor Nero with a toaster. Leonardo da Vinci with a Furby. If you could give any historical figure any piece of technology, who and what would it be, and why do you think they’d work so well together? ~ University of Chicago

Focus on Self-Care
After a challenging experience, how do you recharge? ~ University of Virginia

Have Some Fun
We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. ~ MIT

I think it’s easier to craft a high school résumé if you know what colleges are looking for. This sampling of questions gives you a good indication of what high school students should be doing. I am here to help you and your student decide on the best plan of action. No two students are alike, and my approach to college admissions reflects that. To learn more about my services, reach out using any of the buttons below or give me a call at 405-906-7044!

Happy New Year!

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BJB

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