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Don't Wait for "Someday" to start making a difference!

2/13/2015

"Someday" is not an actual day. Sunday is. Monday is. Tuesday is. Wednesday is. Thursday is. Friday is. And Saturday is. But not "Someday." If you hear yourself saying, "I'll do it 'someday'." or "I'll do it as soon as..." or "I'll do it when...," you may be falling prey to "Someday-itis," a condition in which all sorts of fantastic ideas are slowly infected with the all-too-often action-stopping disease called procrastination.

Unfortunately, "Someday-itis" infects all too many otherwise-inspired kids and adults during their prime years. It is the cause of generations of "almost-great," "could-have-changed-the-world," "designed-to-be-awesome" people who instead were eventually laid to rest under layers of dirt with their dreams still trapped inside of them...whispering...nagging...BEGGING to be let free and to flourish, but ultimately left to mourn the lives they were never able to live, touch, or save.

But...but..., you say. I'm too BUSY today. I'm NOT QUALIFIED today. I'm NOT SMART ENOUGH today. I'm TOO YOUNG...I'm TOO OLD...I'm TOO TIRED...

And then you say what is often the biggest lie of all.

I'll do it SOMEDAY...I really will...maybe even TOMORROW.

But "tomorrow" is a lot like "someday." It never exists. It is always just out of reach, just beyond our grasp...like a mirage in the desert, promising...calling...teasing...and, eventually, tormenting.

The only way to really make a difference (whether in your life or in someone else's) is to DO something that helps TODAY.

It could be a small act of kindness or a large one. It could be a tiny step toward your ultimate goal or a giant one. It could affect one person's life...or many.

Making a difference...being extraordinary...helping others (or yourself)...requires ACTION. No matter how much thinking or planning you do for "tomorrow," nothing will actually get done until you start doing something TODAY.

Want to write a book? Start writing it. Want to help the hungry? Hand out some sandwiches. Thinking of starting up your own YouTube channel? Sign up and post your first video. Worried about the environment? Hold a recycling drive. Need to get in better shape? Exercise. Whatever it is you are dreaming about...thinking about...wishing about...start DOING it. Now.

Start small if you have to and work your way up. But DO something. Anything!

Remember, objects at rest tend to stay at rest, while objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Get busy. Take that first step. Make that call. Get that permit. Have that conversation. See what needs you can fill.

Our world is a giant place filled with giant problems. But all of us can do SOMETHING to alleviate them. How do you want to make a difference? How do you want to help? What needs are you aware of? What dreams are festering in your heart? What can YOU do to make this world a better place?

Don't wait for "someday" to get started. Think about what you can do Sunday. Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday. And Saturday.

And get busy DOING it.

All the best and much success,
Katy Huller

Author of 28 Ways to Stand Out, Get Noticed, and (Hopefully) Get Into Top Colleges

28 Ways to Stand Out, Get Noticed, and (Hopefully) Get Into Top Colleges will help give middle school and early high school students an insight into what they need to do to increase their odds of getting into a TOP college. Filled with quick facts, helpful tips, and tons of actionable ideas, this book is a "must have" for any high-achieving student interested in finding a way to stand out from the thousands of other extremely bright students vying for his or her acceptance letter and/or scholarship award.

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Is a "Name Brand" Education Worth the Money?

2/8/2015

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Is a "name brand" education worth the money if you don't get that coveted scholarship you applied for and/or don't have tons of cash saved to cover the tuition and fees required? Hard to say. A lot depends on what you want to do and, of course, how much debt you are going to incur in the process.

Some jobs, like becoming an elementary or high school teacher, simply require that you have the proper credentials. Whether you go to a state school or a highly prestigious private school, you will be just as "qualified" once you achieve the necessary certifications. In this case, "name brand" really doesn't matter -- your hirability and beginning salary will be essentially the same, regardless of the prestige (or lack thereof) attached to your alma mater. Any raises you receive will be based on the numbers of years you've taught, along with any advanced degrees that you obtain and/or higher positions that you achieve. (At least that's how the current system works.) If this is the type of job you are hoping to do, you might not want to incur a ton of debt if you can find a strong program at a nearby, cheaper school.

Other jobs, particularly ones at some of the most well-known and revered corporations, favor fancier pedigrees. These companies may choose not to hire and/or promote those who are lacking a "brand name" education. Starting pay might also differ according to the institution's name from which you were graduated. Raises might reflect this discrepancy as well. Thus, if you are hoping for a highly competitive job where titles matter and/or the competition is especially fierce, the added prestige of a top-notch university may be worth the investment -- not only will you have a better chance of getting hired, but you may end up with a more desirable starting salary, as well as a better chance of moving up in the company.

Before deciding whether or not to go searching for loans to pay for your "brand name" education once your acceptance letters begin rolling in, think long and hard about what career you might like to pursue, how much debt you can reasonably afford to take on (and pay back), and which school seems to have the best preparatory programs for the possible careers you are considering. While higher education shouldn't necessarily be all about the job and/or salary you will one day be able to get, you do need to keep your "return of investment" in mind as you decide how much debt to absorb. All things being equal, it just makes sense to attend the best program at the best school you can get into and afford. Still, all things aren't always equal. At that point, you really need to weigh the pros and cons of taking on a significant amount of debt before signing on the dotted line and packing your bags. The higher price tag may or may not be worth it, depending on your future plans.

All the best and much success,
Katy Huller

Author of 28 Ways to Stand Out, Get Noticed, and (Hopefully) Get Into Top Colleges

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5 College Interview Tips to Remember!

2/3/2015

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If you are applying to TOP colleges, expect to be interviewed. It's part of the process. And while it may or may not be the "deciding factor" in whether or not you actually get accepted or denied, it's best to take it seriously and leave a good impression. After all, an awesome interview will NEVER hurt, while a wretched one can definitely do some damage.

Following are 5 tips to help you leave the best impression possible:

1. Dress nicely -- it's an interview! First impressions matter. Wear your nice clothes. Make sure they are freshly laundered and pressed. Save the bedraggled "college look" for when you are actually in college. Now is the time to impress!

2. Be on time...or early. Plan where you need to go and how you are going to get there the night BEFORE your interview so you know exactly how much time is needed to get there before you wake up. If it is in a part of town you are not familiar with, consider driving there the week beforehand to make sure you know where you are going. In any case, make sure you get to your interview on time. Plan to be there 15 or 20 minutes before your meeting time just to be safe. This will give you a bit of a cushion in case of an unexpected emergency.

3. Greet interviewer with a sincere smile and a firm handshake. If you are not used to shaking someone's hand, practice. A flimsy or unresponsive handshake does not help to leave a strong first impression. You'll want to look the interviewer in the eye as you shake his or her hand firmly and smile warmly. A genuine, enthusiastic greeting is important as well.

4. Answer the questions calmly and confidently...while looking the interviewer in the eye. Once your interviewer asks you a question, answer it! Don't skirt all around the issue. Don't be too brief either. Have a conversation. Help the interviewer get to know you. Speak calmly and confidently, and look your interviewer in the eye.

5. Thank the interviewer. When you are finished with your interview, thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Shake his or her hand as you do so. Once you get home, write a real letter of thanks as well. Make sure to proofread it before sending it! If you have been emailing your contact, you can email your letter of thanks. If you have an actual address, however, send your letter of thanks there.

While interviewing can be a stressful time, try to think of it as a chance to make a new friend. Listen attentively and respond warmly when it is time. You've done so many wonderful things to get yourself ready to attend a TOP college. Now is your time to shine!

All the best and much success,
Katy Huller

Author of 28 Ways to Stand Out, Get Noticed, and (Hopefully) Get Into Top Colleges

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do more than become a leader -- be a leader!

1/29/2015

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By the time you are a junior or senior in high school (if not sooner), you should be working your way up into leadership positions. This could be done through school clubs, music groups, athletic teams, church groups, employment opportunities, or your own entrepreneurial ventures.

Regardless of the leadership avenue you choose to pursue, it's important that you not just get involved, but that you actually work to DO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT to help make your club, group, or business more successful. Ideally, you want to help your club, group, or business accomplish something MEANINGFUL while you are a part of it. You might raise money for an important cause, help a community group in need, invent something, improve something, lead your team to the highest victory, grow your business significantly, or host some other special venture that will help fill a need that you see. The key is to do more than simply head useless meetings and/or take pride in a meaningless title.

Leadership, after all, is more than a title. It is a way of using your knowledge, skills, and influence to lead others to create positive change. While acquiring fancy titles might be enough to impress some schools, TOP colleges have grown more savvy when it comes to figuring out who is a "leader" in name only and who is a true leader actively working to achieve real results. If you have your sights set on going to a TOP school, you need to get busy! Be a true leader. Be proactive. Set goals. Make a plan. Inspire others. Solve a problem. Right a wrong. Make a true difference in your community or world.

True leaders don't do it for the title; they do it for the difference they can make. And that's what TOP colleges are looking for -- people who are going to make a true difference in this world. Be a leader. See what needs fixing and help change this world for the better.

All the best and much success,
Katy Huller

Author of 28 Ways to Stand Out, Get Noticed, and (Hopefully) Get Into Top Colleges

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23 Practice Questions to Help You Ace Your College Interviews

1/26/2015

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Don't forget to start off with a firm handshake and a warm, confident smile!

If you are trying to get into a prestigious school or are in the running for a valuable scholarship, you will probably be interviewed by someone associated with that school or scholarship very soon! Don't panic -- just PREPARE. A little preparation can go a long way!

One thing you can do that can really help is to get someone you are comfortable with to ask you typical interview questions so you can practice answering them out loud in a calm, enthusiastic, and confident way.

Make sure to let your chosen partner know that it is okay for him or her to give you suggestions for improvement as he or she sees fit. (Trust me, you WANT to know if you are coming off less than sincere, like a true bore, overly enthusiastic, or just plain full of yourself!)

Some common questions you might start with are:

Tell me about yourself.
Who or what has influenced you the most in your life?
What are you thinking about studying in college?
What are some of the most important activities in your life?
What's important to you and why?
What is a childhood memory that has influenced you?
What's your most time-consuming activity?
What are you most passionate about?
Tell me about what you have done to make a difference in your clubs, activities, sports, etc.
How has your family influenced you?
What are your goals after college?
What activities do you think you might get involved in during your college years?
Why are you interested in our school? What makes it a good fit for you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What current news story are you most concerned about?
If you could sit down with any one person (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
What is your "superpower"?
Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?
If you had the resources to attack one major problem in the world, what would it be?
What's your greatest regret?
What's your greatest accomplishment?
Why do you think you deserve admittance/this scholarship over others?
Do you have any questions?

When you go to meet for your real interview, do your best to enjoy it. Try to think of it as an opportunity to learn more and meet a new friend. Look your interviewer in the eye, answer honestly, and be the best version of yourself possible! You have worked hard to get where you are. Now is the time to explain all you have done to get here!

Wishing you all the best and much success,
Katy Huller

Author of 28 Ways to Stand Out, Get Noticed, and (Hopefully) Get Into Top Colleges

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dream.
prepare.
succeed.

Don't Wait for "Someday" to start making a difference!

Is a "Name Brand" Education Worth the Money?

5 College Interview Tips to Remember!

do more than become a leader -- be a leader!

23 Practice Questions to Help You Ace Your College Interviews

Author

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dream.prepare.succeed.

Don't Wait for "Someday" to start making a difference!

Is a "Name Brand" Education Worth the Money?

5 College Interview Tips to Remember!

do more than become a leader -- be a leader!

23 Practice Questions to Help You Ace Your College Interviews

Author

Archives

Categories

dream.
prepare.
succeed.