Volume 1, Issue 17
by Michael Wagner
Knowledge Pilot, Launch Global Education
I am sure this catches many of you in the throes of the beginning of the school year, the return of carting children from place to place and the grind of trying to get everyone to do their homework. For those of you that have high school seniors, there is the added stress of completing college applications and everything that entails. Try to remember that it will be short-lived because the process of submitting applications will end before you know it, As I always say, “the short-term discomfort will be far outweighed by the long-term gain.”
Remember to enjoy it, it should be a joyous time in your household; your children will be moving into the next phase of their lives. It will be a truly great feeling.
Discoveries
Impacted majors?
Many college-bound students complete the college admissions process and believe that all that is left is to attend. However, many students do not understand that being admitted to college is just the first step in a journey of many. This includes understanding that certain chosen majors may have additional barriers. Rob Wolfe of the Washington Monthly reports.
Returning to normalcy
Over the past two years, the world has experienced major changes that affected every aspect of life. Higher education was no exception, especially when it came to the struggles of international students in trying to return to campuses in countries that imposed pandemic restrictions. However, there is some good news, as reported by Rei Sasaki of the Tokyo newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Foreign students finally returning to Japanese universities
Technology and the digital learning experience
The
higher education experience constantly changes and evolves. That is a good
thing as it has created some of the greatest advancements in academia. The rapid
development of virtual learning that took place during the pandemic is an
example. Sydney Householder, a junior at Boston University, explains her
experience in an article that appeared in Ed Tech.
Remote learning diaries: The evolving student experience in Higher Ed
Schooling amongst conflict
This final story has meaning to me and is very sad. Last year I was the University Counselor at an international school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I experienced firsthand what it was like to be living in a country with an ongoing civil war and I saw the toll it took on my students, their families, and the country. Now, as the unrest continues, it disrupts the opportunity that young adults strive for in Ethiopia and may ultimately impact the future development of the country. As reported by Wagdy Sawahel for University World News – Africa Edition.
Anxiety in university city as conflict returns to Tigray
Tip of the week
Obtaining letters of recommendation takes
patience and perseverance
Over the past several weeks I have covered a variety of topics regarding the college application process. There are several aspects to successfully completing a college application. Many of the requirements needed are within a student's control, but some are not. One of the very important necessities for a college application is obtaining letters of recommendation from a student’s teachers. Normally, this request should take place in the late spring of a student’s junior year for teachers to have time to complete the letter before the end of the school year.
However, much of the time, students put it off until they return in the fall of their senior year. The problem that both students and teachers face during this time is that the start of the school year is hectic, chaotic, and downright busy. What ends up happening is that the request by a student to their teachers gets delayed or lost and before you know it many days and even weeks pass by with deadlines looming.
My best advice for students is to be diligent and persistent with teachers. After the initial request, wait a few days to a week and then send a polite follow-up email. Again, wait a few days, and if nothing happens; visit the teacher in person and kindly stress the importance of obtaining the letter of recommendation to complete your applications.
It takes dedication, persistence, and perseverance. Don’t feel you’re being a bother; it is important to your application process, and it is up to you to make certain all aspects of your application are complete and submitted on time.
Good luck with your applications!
Before you go...
We all experience the feeling that sometimes life events are so overwhelming that the journey from place to place seems insurmountable. However, we have to find the tenacity, drive, and will to push through whatever is keeping us from achieving success. Whenever you need a little push or some encouragement, think of this video and just imagine what these little creatures must feel like as they embark on their journey. As videographer Charles Schultz of CBS Sunday Morning shows us, if these little guys can do it, we can do anything we put our minds to. Enjoy!
I will say, now that school is in full swing and life is seemingly returning to some sense of normalcy, it feels good. Plus, it is the opening weekend of the American NFL football season! It is a time that brings fans together to cheer on their favorite teams. In many ways, we all long for camaraderie, a sense of community, and hopefully that good feeling of the ‘W’ for your team.
Dr. Ann and I hope that by providing this newsletter each week you all feel the sense of camaraderie and community that we are trying to create within Launch Global Education. Please remember that we greatly appreciate you cheering with us each week by sharing interesting articles in this newsletter. Please pass the link along to help us create an even larger community.
Have a great weekend and I hope, no matter the sport or activity, your team wins. Go Vikings! (My team) Da Bears! (Dr. Ann’s team)
All the best to you and your family.
Mr. Mike