Can College Prep Ever Be Fun?

College Prep – fun?

This is a guest post from Patrick Daigle.

The summer before my junior year of high school, I never thought that it was possible for college prep to be fun. I was too busy stressing out over the whole process.

I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know where I wanted to go, how to get into my selected college, or how to pay for it all.

The steady influx of letters from colleges nationwide didn’t help either.

Hearing about the contest

I then received a message from my Science Olympiad coach (Meryl van der Merwe) about FundaFunda’s High School Challenge for Homeschoolers. I decided to sign up because I needed help.

Plus, it gave me something to talk to my friends about once summer was over. Next thing I knew, I won the competition (and $150), and I learned so much about preparing for college.

How does the contest work?

When you register for the challenge, you’ll be given a link to an online classroom. On the morning of July 1, all the tasks will be posted to the classroom.

You have until May 15 of the following year to complete as many tasks as you want. There’s only one required task – setting up your scoresheet. All the others can be completed in any order you choose, or not at all.

What kind of tasks are there?

Some tasks are to help you in the college process, such as finding colleges with your needs, determining possibilities for recommendation letters, and discovering scholarships. (I highly recommend this, especially if you want to avoid student debt).

Other tasks help you develop skills that are essential in college, like giving a speech, preparing for the ACT, taking notes, and making a slideshow.

Every task gives you a certain number of points. Naturally, the harder or more complicated the task, the more possible points.

What are the prizes?

At the end of the month, the student with the most points wins $150! Others will also receive Amazon gift cards for being the best at certain challenges (thanks sponsors!)

You can register for the competition here. 

Good luck!