Dear Lisa

*Dear Lisa,* *I'm having a great time away at school. I'm in my second year, and I love my college, my classes, and my friends. I've become involved in clubs and organizations, and I even have a great internship lined up for next semester. My problem is that my parents have been paying my tuition out-of-pocket, and they can no longer afford it. I don't want to change schools, but I don't want to be selfish or a burden to my parents. What can I do?* *Ima Brohk* *Dear Ima,* Get to your school's financial aid office as soon as possible! They will have a variety of options available for you. The first thing you will need to do is fill out the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit: www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once you've completed it preferably online your school will have your information within 3 weeks, instead of 8 to 10. Ask your Financial Aid Counselor about your eligibility for campus, federal, and state aid. In addition, if any of your co-curricular activities are through national organizations, see if there are scholarships available for student members. It's unlikely that you will have to transfer, but you should discuss your concerns with your parents, as well as campus administrators. There is usually a way for colleges to keep bright, involved students like you. After all, it makes them look better. Good luck! *Dear Lisa,* *I will be a junior this fall, and I have no idea what I want to do. I'm required to declare a major, but I don't know what to choose. My parents want me to be pre-med, but I hated my science classes. I know that it's easier for some majors to find a job than others, but I don't want to be a nurse or an engineer. I feel like I'm wasting my time and my parents' money. Help!* *Soh Mixt-Upp* *Dear Soh,* Don't worry, you're not alone. Many students come to college and don't know what they want to be "when they grow up." Even the students who do know change their majors several times. Look at your transcript. Were there any General Education courses that you really enjoyed? Go back and talk to those professors about their fields. Have you always wanted to find out why something is the way it is? Maybe you should consider a research career. College is a time for exploration, even though it's sometimes an expensive way to find out what you don't like. Check out your Career Services office, as well. There are several assessments that can help you narrow down your interests, and you can research different careers and the majors that go with them. Best of all, you can find out about internships and co-op placements (internships that pay in college credits), that allow you to "try-on" a job before you commit your life to it. Finally, if you end up with a bachelor's degree you have no desire to use like me you can often plot your next career step by completing your Master's degree. In some cases, you can go straight to your doctoral study, but expect to take some background undergraduate coursework if you missed some requirements along the way. Happy Hunting! ----------------------------------- What you give to the world is what you will receive. delicious | digg | technorati
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