- lesscollegestress
- Aug 21, 2022
We all know that the media, on both sides of the political spectrum, spreads negative news. But why?
The podcast attached (I recommended Freakanomics last week) features a Dartmouth professor who studies excessive media consumption and how negativity stimulates the human brain.
A researcher states, “Humans have a built-in negativity bias.” The English language features more specific words for negativity, as well as morality, than for positivity. These divide people and their perception of others into good and evil. Our media taps into “the power of bad.”
The newspaper principle “If it bleeds, it leads” has jumped off the charts. Our television and social media outlets capitalize on this very successfully. Newspapers, whose market share has dropped dramatically, are guilty too, but with less impact because a reading consumer is not hearing a powerful voice and the intense, alarming music introducing it. Research shows that US media is more negative than it is in other countries where there is less of a profit motive.
What does this have to do with college admissions? Since we are attracted to negativity, rather than focusing on great student outcomes, we are drawn to stories about the low acceptance rates at elite colleges and salacious stories like Varsity Blues. Are we really surprised that there is corruption in college admissions, or is just fun to see celebrities punished for their elitism? Nearly every college website features promising research projects, award winners, and growth. Can we skip opening an Ivy website and click on a top-ranked public research university instead?
All of this has given me some personal insight. While there is more bad college news out there I could post, I try to share positive news and alternate options to unlikely colleges. Finally-I have an answer to my lackluster social media insights! While being irate might earn me more clicks, I accept my algorithmic limits.
- lesscollegestress
- Aug 14, 2022
Colleges are asking students to write essays about their opinions and actions regarding social justice and cultural issues. Many students haven't focused on these issues in high school. Here are some podcast suggestions that will help them get up to speed:
Freakanomics: See how culture/the sciences/technology/economics are all connected. Host Stephen Dubner sometimes features Angela Duckworth (UPenn psychology professor/writer of Grit as a guest.
This recent episode illustrates why the US is truly culturally different than many other countries, explaining why our way of life doesn't translate well to some other countries (we're "loose" and they're "tight").
Link to this show here: https://freakonomics.com/podcast/american-culture-1/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519
TED-podcasts: Browse through often-inspiring podcasts on positivity, design, mental health, business, science, climate, whatever makes us human. Everything you can imagine, mostly short, some long.
Learn social justice basics, in these talks below:
https://www.ted.com/playlists/445/talks_to_help_you_understand_s
https://www.ted.com/search?page=1&q=podcasts
The Argument: NYTimes podcast features experts respectfully debating two, or sometimes three, sides of major issues, moderated by libertarian columnist Jane Costin.
Good example: this episode entitled: Who Decides the Right Way to Protest? https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/opinion/the-argument-george-floyd-protests-us.html
Two of my personal favorites:
Uncomfortable with social media companies manipulating your information ?
See Tristan Harris’s film The Social Dilemma and listen to his podcast Your Undivided Attention
"The Cure for Hate" episode: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/11-the-cure-for-hate
The Ezra Klein Show:
The author of Why We’re Polarized offers polite discussions of big issues, often challenging himself while staying true to his ideals.
Here's one of several excellent episodes focusing on the Dobbs decision:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dobbs-decision-isnt-just-about-abortion-its-about-power/id1548604447?i=1000567732834
Feel free to share your suggestions with me.
- lesscollegestress
- Jul 31, 2022
As August 1st approaches and deadlines loom, it’s easy for students and parents to go into the high alert phase. Common App opens for you, class of 2023. It’s time to add your colleges to the application. You have completed the Common App part of the Common App (or should have) and the Common App essay is in good shape. Whichever supplemental essay prompts were unknown will be there for us to see on August 1st. So many details and so much work!
But is it really? After adding colleges to the Common Application, you must answer their questions. Some of these ask if you have been employed at the college, have a relative who was employed there, which extracurricular activities you might choose, and if you have been arrested. Most official forms are far more complicated and nuanced.
So what requires more focused attention?
Supplemental Essays:
Most ask why you want to attend a college and/or choose a particular program. We have an easy formula to follow for creating a unique response for each school. Others are about extracurriculars and other common topics. A few are long, most are not.
Have a parent/student conversation about the following...have your answers now.
Choosing a major/college within the college to apply to: it’s the moment of truth, but be honest: if you’re undecided, say so. Remember that you will likely work for a business whether you major in business or not--that business major/college is tailored for students who know they have a strong aptitude/interest in a specific aspect of economics. Review Academic Offerings on the website before choosing.
Financial Aid:
Don’t check that you will be applying for “need-based financial aid” if you know you don’t qualify for it, especially if you are applying to colleges that are tough admits. Not sure? It takes 10 minutes: just go to the College’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) or NPC (Net Price Calculator) and enter your financial information.
The way to less college stress is simply handling and completing tasks, one at a time, on schedule. There are plenty, but they are generally not complicated. How to make it happen: keep emotions out of the process after August 1st.
