What I Did: I mapped out a plan for my immediate and far off future by setting various goals such as graduating from high school. I also researched different internet resources that may be helpful when planning or executing the steps necessary for me to complete my goals. While creating my plan I learned a lot about what I want out of life besides finishing my education and finding a career. While answers to those parts of my plan can't really be found on the internet, there is a lot online that I can read about to help me now, while I am still in high school and college. I found the specific departments that I want to apply to at Stanford and the University of Washington in Seattle. I also talked to a co-worker of mine who informed me about how the relations between college degrees and careers functions in the real world. Mapping out where I want to be at specific intervals has helped me feel more confident about moving forward.
What I Learned: I learned that there is a plethora of different links and organizations that have been set up to aid people like me who are interested in international studies and affairs. I have already started to research these topics in depth and utilize them to my benefit. The other information i have gathered from non-internet sources has made me feel more confident in my decision to educate myself on what I find interesting, and not on something I think is more practical.
How Long it Took Me: About 2.5 hours
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Financial Lessons
What I Did: I read many different informational slides relating to various aspects of the adult financial world. After reading all the lessons and participating in the interactive quizzes I took final 4 exams; all of which I passed.
What I Learned: In lesson 4 I learned about dealing with banks. The text detailed all the advantages and pitfalls of opening different kinds of checkings and savings accounts. I learned to always check different interest rates and fine print conditions that could end up hurting me or my credit in the long run.
Lesson 5 dealt with budgeting. I learned a lot about tracking my monthly and yearly finances and ensuring that I can make enough to cover all my expected epenses. it was also helpful to read about adjusting expected budgets.
In lesson 6 I learned about the dangers of credit. The texts told me that I should always avoid relying on credit and I should never take out a mass amount of credit such as fifteen credit cards. I saw how easy it is to fall into debt and not be able to get out for years or decades.
In lesson 7 I discovered the different moving parts of home, automobile, and life insurance. I learned how to understand my own insurance policies as well as the ones I will need to pay for once I am out of school. it was interesting reading about how to effectively set up life insurance so that you can keep your affairs in order even after death.
Lesson 8 taught me about financial investing. I learned a lot about stocks, retirement plans, and different bank accounts that can earn interest. Now I can determine the differences between a Roth IRA, Simple IRA, or a 401k. I also know the different characteristics of certificates of deposit and government bonds.
How Long it Took Me: About 8 hours
What I Learned: In lesson 4 I learned about dealing with banks. The text detailed all the advantages and pitfalls of opening different kinds of checkings and savings accounts. I learned to always check different interest rates and fine print conditions that could end up hurting me or my credit in the long run.
Lesson 5 dealt with budgeting. I learned a lot about tracking my monthly and yearly finances and ensuring that I can make enough to cover all my expected epenses. it was also helpful to read about adjusting expected budgets.
In lesson 6 I learned about the dangers of credit. The texts told me that I should always avoid relying on credit and I should never take out a mass amount of credit such as fifteen credit cards. I saw how easy it is to fall into debt and not be able to get out for years or decades.
In lesson 7 I discovered the different moving parts of home, automobile, and life insurance. I learned how to understand my own insurance policies as well as the ones I will need to pay for once I am out of school. it was interesting reading about how to effectively set up life insurance so that you can keep your affairs in order even after death.
Lesson 8 taught me about financial investing. I learned a lot about stocks, retirement plans, and different bank accounts that can earn interest. Now I can determine the differences between a Roth IRA, Simple IRA, or a 401k. I also know the different characteristics of certificates of deposit and government bonds.
How Long it Took Me: About 8 hours
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Career Readiness Pretest
What I Did: I completed a pretest that was meant to generally assess my basic reasoning skills
How Long It Took Me: 5 minutes
What I Learned: I learned that my basic math, reading to understand, and comprehension skills are good. I scored 100% or 12/12 on the Career Readiness Pretest.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
FAFSA
What I Did: I filled out a FAFSA forecast to determine, based on me and my parents incomes, how much I am expected to contribute yearly towards a college education at the University of Washington Seattle Campus.
How Long It Took Me: 10 minutes
What I Learned: I learned that, on average, living on campus at UW Seattle for one year would cost me about $26,111. I also learned that, based on my information, I would qualify for about seven thousand dollars in federal aid. This means that for me to go to UW Seattle for a year without any other kind of aid it would cost me around nineteen thousand dollars. In addition, I would be able to take out $5,500 in direct stafford loans.
How Long It Took Me: 10 minutes
What I Learned: I learned that, on average, living on campus at UW Seattle for one year would cost me about $26,111. I also learned that, based on my information, I would qualify for about seven thousand dollars in federal aid. This means that for me to go to UW Seattle for a year without any other kind of aid it would cost me around nineteen thousand dollars. In addition, I would be able to take out $5,500 in direct stafford loans.
Monday, October 1, 2012
College Preparation
How will I handle the new responsibilities and freedoms in the college environment?
I have always been very independent person and student and so I expect to be able to manage my time and work very efficiently in a college setting. Being a Running Start student in high school has also helped me know what to expect once I enroll at a university. I think my greatest challenge will be keeping a consistent schedule written down and with me at all times. Sometimes I tend to overschedule myself with class, work, and volunteering so I just need to make sure my to do lists are more than just ripped pieces of notebook paper. Money won't be a problem for me in college because I hate to spend any amount of money no matter how small. I will also need to work on being more outspoken in class because sometimes I do not ask questions or clarify uncertain points for myself when I need to the most.
What resources and strategies might help me succeed?
I think the best strategy for myself to stay on track is to stay positive and draw on my self-motivation skills. If I get discouraged or run into a problem I can always be the one to make myself get back in the game, I just need to remember that I can do it. Some resources I know I will be sure to use or check out at a university are the library, tutoring center, and my advisors. I study best when I just buckle down and get the job done in a nondistracting environment that I am comfortable in, like the library. If I need help from someone such as a tutor I will make sure to go to them if I really cannot figure something out instead of just hoping for the best. I am always double checking my schedule for the week, month, year, and coming years. To make sure I am always on the right path I need to keep in contact with the advisors and staff that are available to help me.
I have always been very independent person and student and so I expect to be able to manage my time and work very efficiently in a college setting. Being a Running Start student in high school has also helped me know what to expect once I enroll at a university. I think my greatest challenge will be keeping a consistent schedule written down and with me at all times. Sometimes I tend to overschedule myself with class, work, and volunteering so I just need to make sure my to do lists are more than just ripped pieces of notebook paper. Money won't be a problem for me in college because I hate to spend any amount of money no matter how small. I will also need to work on being more outspoken in class because sometimes I do not ask questions or clarify uncertain points for myself when I need to the most.
What resources and strategies might help me succeed?
I think the best strategy for myself to stay on track is to stay positive and draw on my self-motivation skills. If I get discouraged or run into a problem I can always be the one to make myself get back in the game, I just need to remember that I can do it. Some resources I know I will be sure to use or check out at a university are the library, tutoring center, and my advisors. I study best when I just buckle down and get the job done in a nondistracting environment that I am comfortable in, like the library. If I need help from someone such as a tutor I will make sure to go to them if I really cannot figure something out instead of just hoping for the best. I am always double checking my schedule for the week, month, year, and coming years. To make sure I am always on the right path I need to keep in contact with the advisors and staff that are available to help me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)