By Zach Kucinski
There are countless tools here at Canyon Crest Academy that are useful and available when you need them, but when college application time rolls around, there is one particularly beneficial resource offered here on campus that all students should take full advantage of.
The large room located on your left when you walk inside the Student Services building is the College and Career Center. This resource offers a broad spectrum of utilities for the entire student body. In fact, “All things college related”, says Mrs. Burton who runs the College and Career Center.
There are many college related things that need to be worked on as students progress through high school. Good news, that is what the College and Career Center is designed to help with. The center offer students (and parents) a place to prepare for, and explore, universities, entrance tests, scholarships and an array of other potential paths for the high school graduate to follow.
The college process, for many, can be overwhelming, so it is important that you familiarize yourself with it as soon as possible to prepare for the road ahead.
And so where should you be on that winding road? Mrs. Burton recommends that freshmen begin to acquaint themselves with Naviance, by using its resume, journal, and personality assessment sections. Freshmen students should also become aware of what courses they need to complete in order to meet graduation requirements. Sophomores should start thinking about the college process and asking questions like: “What do I want to do after I graduate?”, “What should I major in?”, “Do I want to go far away for college, or do I want to stay close to home?”. Once sophomores have answers to these questions, they should start researching universities that align with you aspirations. Juniors, should have a list of colleges underway. Your “list can be broad…but come fall [you are] going to be applying so that [list] needs to be narrowed down.” recommends Mrs. Burton. “Two to three reach schools, four to five fit, [and] two to three safeties”. Juniors should also start visiting the college campuses to get a better feel of what they can expect their college experience to be.
During peak college application season, overwhelmed students can find refuge in the College and Career Center. With access to everything from books to Mrs. Burton, even the most obscure questions can be answered! This is exactly what the center strives to do for Canyon Crest students, relive the stresses related to college.
The College and Career Center offers more than just college help. It’s place students can come to do homework and access computers and textbooks. “The College and Career Center is…always quite which means I can get my work done faster.” Says CCA junior Tracey Sher.
After school, the college and career center also offers a study hall until 5:00pm Monday though Thursday, where students have access to computers and textbooks.