Lessons That Latinos' Need to Learn to Make A Positive Transition to College

In the transition of high school to college many Latino students are hesitant on what to study, how to go about financial aid, and about attaining resources to help become a better successful college student. These are common problems among many Latino students all over the United States. Ignorance and lack of pursuing the correct information is the big problem among us. College to many is an exciting opportunity to become something more, and leads us to make a difference in the world big or small. If we as Latinos become more proactive in our quest to get more information on attending college we are taking control of our lives more, and the future we create. By us conquering factors such as deciding majors, understanding financial aid, and attaining the proper resources ,we as the Latino people will be more successful. As a result, this will make the Latino people as a whole more powerful to this country financially, socially, and politically.

Being proactive as a student and seeking information is great attribute to have, especially when not knowing what to major in. Many if not all, high schools and colleges in the United States have counselors to help us to decide our major, or they can help us find options for us in discovering our interests, These different options include online assessments, the internet, books, and job shadowing. By taking the initiative to do research on the major that peaks your interest, this will bring you closer to making a final decision on what to major in attending college.

Financial Aid to many students and even parents can be scary and seem very intimidating if not fully understood. Again, Latinos need to be more proactive in learning something they don't understand instead of just understanding some of the details or none of it. It's ok, if it's confusing. There are many accessible workshops that are free online and/or accessible even in person for you to go to learn more about financial aid and its options. All colleges that offer financial aid also have financial aid offices that  make it easy for anyone with questions about it.  Almost every college gives to the public free workshops to learn more about this type of aid also. As well as, we can do our own research online at fafsa.ed.gov which is the website to the Federal Student Aid from the U.S. Department of Education. This website helps anyone to learn more in depth of the options that financial aid can provide us as well as to apply at that site website.

Lastly, Resources are available to all students. First the student should talk to their counselor at their high schools, or if not the college you wish to attend. Resources I feel help to make the change of high school to college a more solid transition. Resources such as the internet, college fairs, networking opportunities are available. If there is a related job opening available that works closely with your interest, pursue that. For that will only bring you closer to making a decision in pursuing a specific major. Resources also can be anyone or anything that can help make it easier to make the college experience to be positive, productive, and life altering experience.

I would like to leave off with a quote by Nelson Mandela to better inspire those, who wish to attend college.

"Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world"

 

 

 

 

Santiago, Deborah. "Choosing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): A Closer Look at Latino Students' College Choices." Aug. 2007. n.p. Excelencia in Education. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
santiagochs.pdf (546 KB)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c19LF0TUl1k&playnext=1&list=PLA83194851D2B195C