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Dream big when planning for college

Be confident in yourself and your dreams!

By Kaysha Bennett


Be confident in your abilities, and sell yourself. In the college application process, it’s important to find something that makes you different from everyone else, whether it is your values or life experience.

When colleges ask how you spend your free time, have a list prepared highlighting all of the positive things you do. Communicate your experiences through your interview, essay and application.

At first I was afraid to talk about myself and open up about personal challenges and life experiences, but I learned that everyone has a story and that is what makes you valuable and appealing to colleges.

Get involved in school activities. For me, the Diversity Club at my high school gave me an outlet to talk about topics of race and culture. Activities gave me a way to keep busy and have fun, and helped me to not worry about the stress of life.

Schedule your free time. I make sure to schedule my time every day. College work requires self-control. I have to hold myself accountable. I know that it’s my fault if I don’t manage my time and study enough.

Set goals. I want to be a doctor, so I work extra hard in school because I know I am entering a competitive field. I go to class because education is a big part of my life. I also know that other people are paying for my scholarship, and I don’t want to waste my time and other people’s money.

Get support. Support in college means having positive people who are there for you. To find support, I needed to get out there and expose myself to various cultural centers, student activities, as well as my scholarship program resources.  

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