College Readiness

Read the College Readiness descriptions below before signing up for your workshop(s). You will receive an email with sign-up instructions the week prior to the start of your session. Note that new activities may be added to the list below in advance of the session start. We will email a reminder the day before each event you sign up for and then email the zoom link to you on the morning of each event.

 

Please note that College Readiness events are virtual and in-person.

Monday, June 26, 2023

So You're Considering Taking Some Time Off Before College or Professional School

Instructor: Tola Ibikunle
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am ET
Format: In-person

It’s becoming increasingly common to take some time off between undergrad and graduate/professional school. While less common, it's also possible to take some time off between high school and college. Is it worth it? This presentation will discuss why one may want to take some time off, potential gap year(s) options, and pros and cons of taking a gap year(s).

How to Read and Write in the Sciences

Presenter: Elissa Jacobs 
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023
Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Format: Virtual

There are important differences in how writers in different disciplines communicate their ideas. Find out how writing in the sciences differs in terms of style, organization, and use of sources and evidence. Learn the fundamentals of reading articles in the sciences. Know the right questions to ask in order to determine what your professor expects from a research paper in a science or social science course.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Personal Branding in the Real World: Beyond the College Application

Instructor: Juan Loayza-Miranda 
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm ET
Format: Virtual

Without a doubt, when applying to colleges and universities, you start to realize the many skills, abilities and past experiences that have influence the person you are. With this in mind, we will be taking those skills that you learned about yourself during the application process, and how we can apply them in the real world when now connecting with various different indidvualds in the field you are trying to get into.

We will first be talking about characteristics that you have decided to demonstrate in your application. By utlizing your characteristics, we will be able to focus on how these will be essential when networking with professionals. Additionally, we will also be talking about the different skills you have acquired and focusing on developing strong and effective communication skills as that is the one of the many skills that everyone can benefit from!

The Power of Now: Mastering Motivation and Defeating Procrastination

Presenter: Abel Berhan
Date: Tuesday, June 27 
Time: 7:30pm -  9:00pm
Format: Virtual

Are you tired of falling victim to procrastination and struggling to find the motivation to excel? Have you ever wondered why you procrastinate and how to break free from its grip? How can you unleash your inner drive and stay focused on your academic goals? How can you effectively manage your time and prioritize tasks to maximize productivity? What role does self-discipline and goal-setting play in overcoming procrastination? Explore the underlying causes of procrastination and learn practical methods to conquer this common challenge. Gain insights on effective time management techniques that will boost your efficiency and help you stay on track. Don't miss this empowering presentation that will equip you with the tools and strategies to transform procrastination into productivity, unlocking your full potential for success in college and beyond.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Keeping up and Getting Ahead: Time Management for Success

Presenters: Megan O'Brien, Rachel Gregorek
Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Time: 1:30pm  -  3:00pm
Format: Virtual

Do you feel like there's so much to do but so little time? You're not alone. Among the greatest differences between high-school and college is the amount, pace, and complexity of coursework. This session will explore helpful tools and tactics in prioritization and goal-setting that will help you organize your tasks and time more effectively and plan for life in high school, college, and beyond.

Communication Game: Optimizing Professional Relationships

Instructor: Chloe Chapin
Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Format: Virtual

Professional communication is an artform. In college you’ll be regularly emailing your faculty —but how formal should you be? Can you call them by their first name? Can you ask them out for coffee? Should you follow them on Instagram? What are 21st century rules for professional discourse in the digital sphere? In this interactive workshop, we’ll examine how to cultivate relationships with professors and academic staff for a variety of situations. We’ll discuss best practices for emailing professors when you’re sick, talking about personal issues, and asking for letters of recommendation.

 

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Who Am I and Who Will I Be?

Instructor: Natalia Rzepka
Date: Thursday, June 29    
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
Format: Virtual

High school is a time where planning the future is top of mind. What majors am I interested in, what careers do I actually want to pursue, what actually, truly are my interests are all questions every student grapples with. In this workshop, we will talk through specific strategies and methods to pinpoint your passions and help you focus your academics and extracurriculars in order to pursue them in a more intentional way. We will discuss self reflection strategies and ways to actively explore, build, and grow within your passions so that you can find and cultivate your own unique self.

 

Committing to Failure

Instructor: Samantha Collette
Date: Thursday, June 29
Time: 7:30 – 9:00pm 
Format: Virtual

Failing an exam or not getting the internship you hoped for might seem like the end of the world. However, failure provides us with the unique opportunity to learn and be more innovative in our next approach. Some of the best inventions and theories have come from initial failures! This session will teach you how to embrace failure in college and challenge yourself to fail often.

Navigating Success: Strategies for Thriving in the American College Classroom

Instructor: Wendy Zhao
Date: Thursday, June 29 
Time:  5:30pm   7:00pm

 Are you ready to excel in the American college environment? Join us for an empowering workshop on navigating success and mastering strategies for thriving in the American college classroom! The course focuses on equipping students with the essential skills, knowledge, and strategies to successfully transition into the American higher education system. The course will address cultural differences and cross-cultural communication, helping students develop intercultural competence and confidence in interacting with American professors and fellow students. 

Friday, June 30, 2023

How to Read and Write in the Sciences

Presenter: Elissa Jacobs 
Date: Friday, June 30, 2023
Time: 9:00 - 11:30am
Format: In- person

There are important differences in how writers in different disciplines communicate their ideas. Find out how writing in the sciences differs in terms of style, organization, and use of sources and evidence. Learn the fundamentals of reading articles in the sciences. Know the right questions to ask in order to determine what your professor expects from a research paper in a science or social science course.

Building Your Holistic Wellness Toolkit

Presenter: Monica Gomez-Bagley
Date: Friday, June 30    
Time: 12:00 – 1:30pm
Format: Virtual

Finding balance between giving time to your mental and physical wellbeing, your academics, and your new social environment is vital to having a positive and joyful experience in college. Start your journey on developing an individualized plan to promote personal wellness and practice mindfulness in your life as you prepare to begin college. 

Monday, July 3, 2023

Strengthening Our Voices

Instructor: Yacine Sarr
Date: Monday, July 3
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Format: Zoom

Does the thought of speaking up in class or in front of a group make your heart race? This is the course for you! In this session, we will dive into various techniques and best practices to ensure your thoughts are heard within classroom settings. Active participation in college courses can be daunting, but is often critical to success. Every person’s opinion matters, join us in learning how yours can be better heard! 

The Freshman Year College Compass

Instructor: Monica Gomez-Bagley
Date: Monday, July 3   
Time: 3:30 – 5:00pm 

Starting your first year of university can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Learn how to navigate the ins and outs of freshman year. From finding your community away from home to getting organized and making the most of campus resources, this workshop has you covered. 

 

Aligning Passion, Purpose, and Planning for an Impactful Future

Presenter: Symone Andrews
Date: Monday, July 3
Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Format: In-person

As you enter the new world of college, you will be encouraged to explore your unique identities, step outside of your comfort zones, and use this time to discover your plans after graduation. These different tasks will require you to unearth your passions, reveal your purpose, and plan the future you desire for yourself. During this session you will explore your identities and how the intersection of your passion, purpose, and active planning will assist you in reaching your future goals!

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism

Instructor: Ted Davies
Date: Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Time: 9:30 – 11:00am
Format: In-person

This workshop will answer your questions about using sources and avoiding plagiarism: What is a source? Why do sources need to be cited? How do we cite sources appropriately in academic writing? What constitutes plagiarism? And how do we avoid plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty in our writing?

All I Do Is Win" Unpacking Perfectionism In High Achieving Students

Instructor: Sade Abraham
Date: Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Time: 12:00 – 1:30pm ET
Format: Virtual

Are you pursing excellence or avoiding failure? Join Learning Scientist and Harvard Fellow Sade Abraham HGSE, as we explore the high pressure, high stakes world of gifted students. In this engaging and interactive session participants will explore their own core values, interrogate and disrupt their underlying assumptions and begin the work of rooting out maladaptive patterns once believed to be the drivers of success.

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Navigating Roommate Conflicts: How to Encourage a Harmonious Living Experience and Community

Instructor: Kurt-Michael Songcog
Date: Thursday, July 6   
Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Format: In-person

Learn the necessary steps to start your college living experience by proactively building a community within your dorm through open communication and setting boundaries. You'll understand ways to navigate and make compromises in roommate conflicts, whether it's learning about different living cultures or communicating shared living responsibilities. Find resources on campus that can aid a vibrant residential experience in your 1st year of college.

Friday, July 7, 2023

Critical Thinking: Reading Effectively, Note-Taking, and Test-Taking

Instructor: Jamie Shushan
Date: Friday, July 7, 2023
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am ET
Format: Virtual

From the author of A Pocket Guide to College Success, this workshop offers practical strategies for developing skills like managing time, critical thinking, note taking, and more. This session will help you ask the right questions of the right people so that you drive your own college success.

Note-Taking and Research with Scrivener A Philosophy and Software for Your Personal Knowledge Management

Presenter: Stefan Tschauko
Date: Friday, July 7, 2023
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Format: Virtual
 
What is the best way to collect and retain information and build knowledge during one’s academic career and life?” This is a quintessential question and challenge for anyone whose work relies on creating, organizing, and using vast amounts of information (such as reading notes, research ideas, and drafts for presentations, research papers, and theses). This workshop suggests a philosophy and a technical implementation using the software “Scrivener” (lifelong academic license $51; free 30-day trial available here). This session will review how to use Scrivener to manage information in a way that allows students to focus on what may matter most while pursuing a degree: creating new insights and knowledge for oneself and others.

Ready, Set, Goal

Presenter: Natalia Rzepka
Date: Friday, July 7
Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm    
Format: Virtual

Do you find yourself struggling to accomplish what you’d like in your academics? Do you find yourself doing many activities but have trouble accomplishing what you’d like in your pursuits? Do you set intentions but struggle to accomplish them? Then join us for Ready, Set, Goal! From setting goals that are actionable to setting up concrete plans to actually help you follow through on them, we will go over strategies to successfully grow, improve, and achieve tangible results in your academics, extracurriculars, and exploration of new interests.