Month: April 2019

Are you excited about taking the next step in your education journey but feeling overwhelmed, too?

Don’t panic. There are Student Services in place to help you figure everything out.

Finally! You’re getting closer and closer to graduating from high school. And it’s only taken what feels like forever. But soon, you’ll be starting the next chapter of your education. You’ve been waiting so long for this. Working hard for it. Ready to move on and become more independent. Make your own choices and do your own thing.

And then… you get there. Pretty soon, you’re trying to find your way around a strange place or a huge campus filled with one massive, unfamiliar building after another. There’s a ton of work you need to do, this paper to write and that test to take. You look around and everyone seems to know where they’re going, what they’re doing, who to talk to and where they need to go. And suddenly you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing here, where you’re going, and who in the world can you talk to who would even understand what you’re feeling right now, anyway?

The good news is that you don’t have to worry. It’s totally cool. Because yeah, you’ll probably be working harder than you ever have before, but you are not on your own. There are support systems in place at almost every school called Student Services that are free and run by people who care about your well-being, who want to offer you a safe and nonjudgmental space to help you figure out whatever comes your way. Everything from making sure you’re taking the right classes for your major and how to overcome test anxiety, to dealing with homesickness, stepping in to help settle roommate disputes and even inviting you to blow off some steam with other students by attending really fun social events like movie and game nights, segway tours of the city you’re in, and trips to the ballfield.

The point is that if you put in the effort, you’re not going to fail. You’ve got this. Your school wants you to succeed. And they know that the transition out of high school and on to higher education is exciting but can be tough. Really tough. Not everyone immediately adjusts to this next chapter in their life, and they get that. So, to stress out about it is also totally normal.

“The transition from high school to post-secondary gives students a lot more balls to juggle,” says Shelley Scherer, Associate Executive Director of The Pittsburgh Promise. “Students have to navigate a new academic environment and a new social scene and living situation. It’s a lot to manage and overwhelms almost everyone at some point, particularly during the first year. That’s why we require our Preferred College Partners to provide our students with more than just an additional room and board award. Our experience and recent research show that students need more than money to attain a post-secondary degree—they need access to robust and meaningful academic and social support services.”

The way to make it less overwhelming is to take advantage of as many Student Services as you need to. Sign up for that networking movie night with student alumni, find a place that feels safe and comfortable for you and spend time there, and most importantly, talk to people about how you’re feeling. Chances are pretty good that they’re probably feeling the same way you are. Or, have been there, done that, and can offer you some perspective on things.

“There are so many benefits of using a college’s services, like planning out your upcoming semester, networking with faculty and other professionals that have years of experience that can guide you to what you need,” says Promise Executive Scholar, and La Roche College sophomore Rebecca Boles, who’s majoring in biology. “They are not just working to help me, but they work to make all students grow in and out of the college. And when we finally graduate, we know who takes credit in helping us. In the end, you don’t want to waste all those semesters not asking and talking with people to better yourself and your college experience.”

And don’t forget that it’s just as important to take care of yourself as it is to go to class, get your work done, and study. You definitely need to carve out some time to relax and do stuff that you love to do, even if it’s as simple as watching your favorite television show or hanging out with friends; things that always make you feel good.

“My advice to students is to consider what they enjoyed being a part of in high school and testing that out on their college campus,” says Duquesne University’s Director of Freshman Development Adam Wasilko. “For example, many students come to Duquesne having had great experiences on an athletic team and join our intramural leagues or student government if they had a passion for that in high school. You will find like-minded students and form a community of people with the same goals as yourself. That tends to ease the anxiety and homesickness that sometimes happen while being away at college for the first time.”

And sometimes, what can help ease a lot of tension is to take the time, energy, and effort to do things that seem obvious, but can make a world of difference in your overall experience.

“Go to class every day,” says CCAC sophomore and graphic design major Kenneth Edmonds. “Sit in front of the class. I feel like when you sit in front of the classroom, you’re the first person the teacher looks at. So, when you raise your hand, they see you first. Just experience it.”

So, no matter where you land after high school, don’t ever feel weird about reaching out and asking for help.

Maybe you just need a little boost to get through those math classes. Maybe you need to spend your first year in close contact with guidance counselors. Just don’t freak out. Take it step by step, do what you need to do, and don’t forget that you’re never, ever alone.

Naviance Helps Students Track Post-Secondary Success.

Pittsburgh Public Schools envisions that all students will graduate high school college, career, and life-ready, prepared to complete a two- or four-year college degree or workforce certification. With the official adoption of Naviance in 2017, the District is moving in the right direction to support that vision.

Naviance is a comprehensive college and career readiness tool that helps schools align student strengths and interests to post-secondary goals, improving student outcomes and connecting learning to life.

Through Naviance, students in grades 6-12 can take advantage of four key benefits:

• CREATION OF A PERSONALIZED PLAN: Every student is unique, and every student has different options for college and career. Naviance helps students devise a plan that suits their individual needs.
• CAREER EXPLORATION: When students start exploring career possibilities early, they become more interested in succeeding in school. They also become more aware of a world of job opportunities waiting for them.
• ACADEMIC PLANNING: Through Naviance, students, families, and counselors can work together to choose appropriate academic coursework that aligns with career goals.
• SELF-DISCOVERY: Students become more confident in their abilities as they recognize their strengths and match their interests with potential careers. If their interests change, Naviance is there to redirect their efforts and help them find a new path to success.

This easy-to-use tool helps students track important information, including their potential eligibility for The Pittsburgh Promise.

“We want to introduce these options at an early age. Pittsburgh Public Schools is ahead of the game by introducing it this early,” said Monika Pugh, Director of Student Support Services (Guidance).

Managed by counselors and social workers, Naviance looks different at every school. Some schools are rolling out the program in Social Studies, English or Intervention classes. Overall, every student in grades 6-12 uses Naviance to prepare for life after high school.

Domenique Ross is a senior at Pittsburgh CAPA studying dance, and she has many colleges and universities to choose from upon graduation, including Howard University, University of the Arts, Hampton University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She says Naviance made the application and decision process easier.

“Instead of sending my transcripts through the mail, my guidance counselor just did it through Naviance. Colleges were able to receive my information faster,” said Ross.

Students can access Naviance Student through a mobile app that is available on their smart phones or tablets, allowing students to take Naviance with them, no matter where they are.

At the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, parents will have access to each student’s profile. This access will help parents weigh in and/or guide their student regarding post-secondary education. In Spring 2019, Naviance will expand to students in grades 3-5.

For more information about Naviance, visit the District website: www.pghschools.org/naviance.

If you want to be a doctor, the journey to medical school starts now.

In 2016, the Association of American Medical Colleges reported that only 41.5% of medical school applicants were admitted to a single program.

Although it’s competitive to be accepted into medical programs, there are things that you can do as early as 6th grade to boost your chance of an eventual medical school acceptance.

Middle School
In middle school, a future physician spends their time preparing for the rigors of an advanced high school curriculum. Enroll in the highest level of math. Many successful medical school applicants completed at least one year of Calculus in high school, which means that you should try to complete Algebra I in 8th grade if possible.

Learning how to perform well on standardized tests will also benefit you. If you are underperforming on the PSSA, for instance, it may be because you struggle with test taking. There are free resources that you can use to improve your test taking skills. I particularly like Khan Academy’s tips and tricks.

Grades 9 & 10
Maximize your academic effort and push yourself in challenging classes when you get to high school. If you can get at least a B/84% in an Honors/AP/IB class, it is worth it to stay in that level.

This is a good time to explore if medicine is a good fit for you while also logging community service hours. For example, volunteering with the Special Olympics might expose you to genetic and developmental diseases that you could envision yourself treating or researching. Joining a hospital-based volunteer program will allow you to witness clinical care up close.

Grade 11
Continuing your study of a foreign language throughout high school may give you an advantage when you apply to medical school. This is because the number of Americans for whom English is not their primary language is growing, and medical school admissions offices often look to develop a physician population that serves community needs.

Use the summer after 11th grade to grow your exposure to healthcare or the sciences. Some notable free programs include the UPMC Hillman Academy, the Governor’s School for the Sciences, and I Look Like a Cardiologist (more details below). Be wary of expensive programs, as you can find equally prestigious free and paid opportunities.

Grade 12
When researching colleges, email the pre-health advising office. Ask about the volume of medical school applicants and acceptance rates.

Also find opportunities to talk to adults about their careers. Ask what they like about their chosen field, what their day looks like, and what training they needed. Although you may be planning a pre-medical track, it’s always possible that a conversation with your dentist could reveal a hidden interest in dentistry.

I Look Like a Cardiologist

The first “I Look Like a Cardiologist” conference was held on January 26th for western Pennsylvania girls interested in medicine and cardiology, more specifically. Cardiologists are doctors who specialize in studying or treating heart diseases and heart abnormalities. Professional mentors guided the students through simulations, discussions, and panel sessions. The program will be run again in the summer and this time, all students from backgrounds underrepresented in cardiology, including women, people of color, first-generation college students, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the program, email Diana Rodgers.

Jerome attended Rosedale Tech and now he’s living the dream.

As high school graduation approached at Pittsburgh Allderdice, I felt pressured to consider a four-year institution.

I considered going to school for nursing, mainly because it was something that my mom encouraged me to do and she always has my back. But after I spent some time researching careers in nursing, I quickly realized it wasn’t for me.

I always loved cars and trucks and I wondered if this passion could turn into a career. I started going to career fairs and I had a close friend who attended Rosedale Technical College, so I reached out to him for input. After I learned about the various career fields at the school, I decided to go take a tour of the campus. It felt like a perfect fit.

After I graduated from high school and enrolled at Rosedale Tech, I dove right into the automotive technology program and it became clear that I made the right decision.

I excelled in the coursework and enjoyed learning so much that following completion of the automotive program, I enrolled in the diesel technology program.

After graduating with two associate degrees, I immediately secured a job as a diesel technician at Frank Bryan, part of Bryan Materials Group. They are a family-run business and the laidback atmosphere matches my personality. My team services about 50 vehicles, which include cement trucks, triaxles, and occasionally some company pick-up trucks, so I have the opportunity to do the hands-on technical work that I love.

Thanks to Rosedale Tech and The Promise scholarship, today I’m practicing my skills and earning a living without worrying about repaying loans. I have an amazing job and a truck I love, I just bought a house, and my wife and I are going to have a baby this spring.

Based on my experience, I encourage Pittsburgh students to consider trade schools alongside four-year schools and do what you think is right for you.

Trade school was the right choice for me and I think it is a great option for a lot of people that is often overlooked. There are awesome programs out there and a ton of jobs in the trades, so it’s possible to get a decent job right out of school.