Fall 2020 - On Campus learning? Or.....what

Class of 2020 -- Fall on campus? 

CSU has announced their Fall 2020 plans - all 23 campuses will be virtual this fall (with some exceptions for science lab courses and Nursing classes that require hands on lab work- more to be announced over the summer). Fall sports have been cancelled, so the outlook of the student experience is unclear. Cal Poly SLO’s plans, however, still clings to the hope that somehow in Calirornia’s “Phase 3” of opening up the state there will be a way to have students return to campus. SLO will announce final Fall plans on August 26th.

UC campuses are deciding on an individual basis on their openings for fall. UCSD announced virus testing on their campuses to help them ‘open’ this fall with students on campus. Again, TBA for each campus as the summer unfolds.

Either way, each campus will make allowances for students and faculty who do not feel safe returning to campus this fall.

So, will you take online classes this fall or should you consider taking a gap year or attend a local junior college and wait to transfer? That is a personal and financial decision that depends on so many factors. With your family, discuss what you would do: 

1-  If you took a gap year, what would be your focus and goals? Will you university allow a gap year and allow you to return in Fall 2021 without reapplying?

2 - Are you the type of student who can stay motivated once you are out of the 4 year university focus? 

3- Does your family need you at home or would it be helpful for the family finances for you to have 2 years at a junior college and then transfer? 

This is a family discussion that needs to happen, even if you already put a deposit down for your college.  There is no perfect answer, and YOUR decision should be based on defining what is best for you and your familiy’s individual needs.

Call me if you need guidance in developing your options and defining your goals. Either way, have discussions around contingency plans as each university unveils their final Fall plans throughout the summer. Your decsion may change as the summer unfolds. Allow yourself (and your family) that flexbility!

YOU are the Success factor, not your College

“If your self-worth is tied to being better than others, you’re headed for trouble. “

I am so proud of the seniors that chose to work with me this year - they applied to over 100 different universities all over the United States and the UK. And the best part is that they chose for so many different reasons - it was their decision, influenced by what they decided was important to them and their family budgets.

But, their peers are not always kind. Other students seem to ‘know’ what’s best for them, and yesterday some of them were approached with questions like, “Why did you choose THAT college?”

I was told that some of my students held their heads high and remembered their key reasons. And, if they chose to share, great. If they didn’t, they laughed it off and said it was a great personal decision for themselves and walked away from that person. It’s not easy to handle peer pressure. Really, does their opinion matter? You won’t see most of them in about 6 weeks after high school graduation.

This New York Times article is about understanding that college does not define “YOU”. Success is not a specific diploma. So, as you look forward to your next chapter, whether it’s next Fall or you’re still looking for colleges, keep YOU in mind first. What you define as success is unique, just as you are, so own your decisions and BE PROUD.