A Day in the Life of AmericanAmanda

Hey everyone! Ever wonder what a typical day in an American college student's life is like? Then look no further! Check out the video below, where I show you what a day in my life is really like. My days sure are busy, filled with class, meetings, and homework, but they are also filled with friends and fun!

What is a typical day in your life like? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Classes and Community, Traditions and Tasks

Hey everyone! This week is my second week of classes at Stanford University. Although the caliber is higher and concepts can be challenging, I love how intellectually stimulating the classes are. Being surrounded by so many smart people makes discussion interesting! We also have a huge campus, so I have to ride my bike everywhere to get to classes. Check out the video below to see some other cool parts of the Stanford Campus!

My freshman dorm has also put on many fun events for us to get into the college spirit. We have ice cream social nights, Insanity work out sessions, themed parties, and birthday showers where the birthday student gets thrown in the shower on midnight on their birthday! The biggest tradition for the freshman dorms is the scavenger hunt in San Francisco. The dorm is divided into teams with a list of tasks to complete that take place all over the city! We had to ride three forms of public transportation, buy unpronounceable food, find a obscure dragon statue, and even try on clothing worth over 1,000 US dollars. Bonus points if a boy tries on an expensive dress! This was a super event to help me bond with different people in my dorm and explore the city of San Francisco that borders Stanford!

Strike a pose!

America themed party!

Scavenger hunt madness-boy in a dress! Bonus!

Day in San Fransisco

Thrown in the shower on my birthday!

What traditions do you have in your school? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

5 Tips for the College Application Superstar

Hey everyone! Now that summer is over and the school year is upon us, I will be starting a new segment all about the college application process. I am starting my senior year of high school here in the United States, and my blog will keep you updated on everything you need to know about the college application process as I go through it! Here is an overview of some of the things I will be talking about that you can do in high school to get ready for the application process.

1. Enroll in challenging classes and take them seriously

We all know that hard classes can be, well, difficult. However, colleges also know this and will reward you for challenging yourself. The level of coursework and your GPA (Grade Point Average) is important. Honors and AP (advance placement) classes, generally, add extra points to your GPA, so you may get an extra boost. Beginning in freshman or sophomore year, take the most challenging classes you can and do your best. Seek outside tutoring (often available free from older students) on difficult subjects. 

2. Get involved outside the classroom

Show that you have passions outside of school. Whether it's sports, music, drama, debate, community service, or other school clubs, select  2-3 extracurriculars that interest you. Don't join every club you come in contact with. Instead, focus on a few that demonstrate your interest and work towards leadership positions. Show the admissions team that you have leadership qualities.

3. Prepare for the SAT or the ACT early

Your score on these tests matter, so take the time to prepare early in your junior year. You can take these tests as many times as you want, so start early incase you may want to retake them. You can study review books or attend review sessions to help improve your score. Give yourself time to take the tests more than once to improve your score before senior year. 

4. Research colleges and universities

There are almost 3000 colleges and universities in the US, so you can find a school that is a perfect fit for you. Take time to research the details of different schools online. Schools vary by size, location, specialties, student body, and cost. Many offer generous financial aid and scholarships. If you are able, try to drive or fly to visit schools that interest you. Get a feel for the campus and meet current faculty and students.

5. Choose summer experiences that highlight your interest

Use your summer breaks during high school wisely. Look for summer jobs, programs, classes, or camps that demonstrate your interest and give you experience in your areas of interest. Internships are another fun and responsible way to show colleges your interests and responsibility

How are you getting ready to apply to college? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Advanced Placement - Success or Stress?

Hey everyone! Today I am going to talk to you guys about Advanced Placement Classes, or AP for short. AP classes are the most difficult classes you can take at school, and are designed to challenge you and hopefully introduce you to new interests. Colleges like when you take these classes because it shows that you are challenging yourself and are willing to work hard in difficult situations. Plus, if you take these classes and pass a rigorous test at the end of the year, you can opt to use this as credit in college, and not take that specific course when you get to the university.
Although these classes sound like a good idea, they cause some trouble as well. Since these are the most challenging classes on campus, the work load is tremendous and it takes a lot of dedication. Coming from a girl in practically all AP classes, I am constantly working on homework or studying for a test in one of these classes. The stress can get to some people, as much sleep is lost and weekends must be forfeited to work, and many end up dropping some of their AP classes throughout the year. However, I am sticking with mine because although it is a lot of work now, it is great for the long haul.

Here is an article from a neighboring high school's newspapaer. It talks all about AP classes, the stress and the triump. Check it out!

http://thediablodispatch.com/?p=1960


Are you taking AP style classes? Would you take a hard class if it could get you out of classes in college? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo