Peace of Mind Can Help Teens Write Winning College Application Essays
- BOSTON, MA, November 01, 2005 - (InspiringTeens.com) Nothing thwarts the writing process like stress. During this time of year, with many college entrance essay deadlines fast approaching, stress can spike upward. A national expert on teen self-esteem offers tips for young people to achieve peace of mind and write winning college essays.
"Kids these days face ever-busier school schedules, extracurricular activities galore, and well-meaning parents who push, push, push," said Kathleen Hassan, CEO of InspiringTeens.com and a national expert on teen self-esteem. "It"s tough, even without all these distractions, to write something from the heart, but a college essay should always come from the heart."
"A stressed out, disorganized mind produces a stressed out, disconnected essay," Hassan added. "Colleges want freshmen to be authentic, not mere machines who churn out good grades and belong to every after school club under the sun. Teens should be having fun writing their college essays and, as they do so, learning new things about themselves."
The Washington Post has reported on a survey the newspaper conducted with Harvard University and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The research found that anywhere from 30 percent to more than 40 percent of the teen girls surveyed and about 25 percent of the teen boys all say they experience stress over the course of their days.
Most prospective college students, stressed or not stressed, must complete a college entrance essay, and deadlines loom, but, according to Hassan, the pressure doesn"t have to be a factor. "I tell teens they can take a time out to write in plenty of time for the deadline," said Hassan. She has developed "College Bound: How to Write a Winning College Essay," a booklet to share her 50 tips on how teens can quiet their minds and write meaningful, authentic college essays that recruiters will enjoy reading.
As they write, Hassan encourages young people to, among other things:
1) Turn off cell phones and leave instant messenger "away messages" that say, "For the next two hours I will be working toward my future."
2) Light a candle or bring in a favorite scent to inspire creativity. Many famous writers have done such things.
3) Understand that those who read college essays are just people. They want to connect soul to soul, heart to heart, and spirit to spirit with the young people who want to attend their schools. Forge this connection by taking them on a journey
4) Stay open to flashes of inspiration and don"t judge or edit any ideas. Simply take note of everything and remember to breathe all the while.
5) When finished, celebrate the accomplishment.
In her booklet, Hassan also explains to kids how to use visualization to improve their SAT scores and how to have a successful college interview.
"Peace of mind is the foundation of the successful life," Hassan said. "Teens can start on the road to success today."
14.12.2005 - 20:34 Source: 24-7pressrelease.com | Read: 336 X
