Normally, I focus on communicating helpful facts and strategies to equip you to have the options you, the student, want for your future.  I'm going to take a moment and switch to addressing your attitude and philosophy throughout this process, just to give you something to consider.  Ready?  Here goes.

The poor teenagers living in the Hartley household often here my motto, "Pick your hard".  I should probably get it printed on a bumper sticker or t-shirt sometime since it is such a common phrase around here.  I encourage you to pick your "hard" as well.  What that means is that you recognize that it is indeed hard to make the best grades you can, be organized, study for the SAT, do community service and generally do all the things that will help you get great admissions and scholarship offers. It's hard to do that, especially when your friends are slacking off and just cruising through.  I totally get that.  

Here's the thing, though.  It is also hard to pay off student loans for 20-30 years.  It's hard to not get into the school that you love or- even worse- you get in but can't get enough scholarship money to be able to go.  It's hard not getting the training you need to have the career you want.  It's hard not having the education and income to support your own family and give them the experiences and education you want for them.  That's all hard too.

So- we have established that "hard" is inevitable.  But you have a choice.  You can pick your "hard".  You can engage in the process now, work diligently, find your passions and take true ownership of your education and end up with exciting and affordable options that can pave the way for the future you want. Or, you can take the easy way now and deal with the "hard" that results for years to come.  It's your choice.

Bear in mind- When you're 18 and want to change the world, there are foundations, universities and organizations dying to give you money to help you succeed.  When you're 40, nobody is lining up to invest in your future. (Parents- feel free to say, "Amen to that" at this point.)

Personally, I love the idea that you have the chance to put in a little "hard" now and not have as much "hard" later.  So, the choice is yours- hard now or hard later.  Just pick your hard, dive in with no whining and get it done.  Your future self will thank you!  Pick your hard.

Nov 15th is the Early Action deadline for many schools and a lot of you are scrambling to complete your submissions. Moving forward, it will get a bit easier to complete upcoming apps now that many of you have a few under your belt. 

Hint:  Even if you have other deadlines in Dec or Jan, I encourage you to shoot to submit them by Thanksgiving anyway so that you can be done with them and can focus on enjoying the holidays. 

To Do:

- Make sure you send your ACT and SAT scores asap- Send new scores as they become available

- Confirm your letters of rec have been sent (or will soon)

- Confirm your transcripts have been sent

- Complete any follow up scholarship applications or Honors College application

For 9th through 11th graders! -You're halfway through first semester now.  How are those grades coming?  Even if you have some fabulous outside interests and do a lot of community service (which is important), the colleges will first focus on your grades.  Their motto is "Curriculum is king."  So, stay focused!  

As you keep those grades strong, seek out ways to get involved in clubs, sports, arts and/or community service.  TRACK everything you're doing so that you'll have a thorough list handy when it comes time for you to apply to college.