It’s finally starting to look like spring around here…
At the Garden Shed, we are in the process of building a permanent gazebo over the patio to increase outdoor space for (hopefully) upcoming in-person meetings.
The yellow pollen from our maple trees is in full effect, and this is the time of year when the yard looks leafy and green, before the heat of Oregon’s precious summer months.
Last month we had to say goodbye to Garden Shed kitty Pearl who, while she preferred not to disclose her actual age, was definitely pushing into the early-mid teens as far as we could calculate. We created a memorial spot for her in the garden and have deemed her an “earth kitty” in her resting place. 
I feel humbled and thankful to have access to a vaccination–first dose down, second to come early May!
There is a lot of interesting information and data coming out of higher ed on this year’s super different and unprecedented admissions cycle.
Applications are up overall, international applications are down, more students are staying closer to home, and wait lists are HUGE!
Many colleges went to a test-optional or test blind policy, in some cases forcing a shift in evaluating applicants, which overall, I think is good. College Board got rid of the SAT essay and subject tests, essays looked different, and so did letters of recc.
There is also a lot of speculation about what all of this is going to mean for seniors who typically aim to make their final decision by May 1st, and if this deadline was going to hold fast.
It’s my personal feeling that dragging out an admission decision isn’t good for the student or the college. Not sticking to the May 1st deadline means a student cannot mentally, emotionally, or physically move on to the next steps and FUN PART of applying for housing, taking part in new student events, meeting potential roommate(s), starting to plan for decorating the dorm room, what to take, and the actual physical transition to college.
That worries me for seniors who might continue to stay in a space of unknown and uncertainty, increasing anxiety, and taking away from their senior year spring and summer before college.
And colleges, who ultimately are looking at their yield (who did they offer acceptance to, and who is actually committing to attend, then comes) as they build their incoming class, are also kept in a place of limbo and uncertainty–do we need to be pulling from our waitlist? Did we create a space of diversity and inclusivity?
However, especially due to shifting finances, job loss, financial hardships, and other unique situations brought on by the pandemic, there could be an argument for delaying and taking a college up on an extended deadline.
One thing seniors can do to help ease their mind and make a sound final choice is to mindfully “try on” being a student at your top 1, 2, or 3 colleges for a day.
How?
- Wear the school colors
- Wake up in the morning AS IF you were a student at that college
- Visualize yourself walking out of your dorm and onto THAT campus as you grab coffee and go to class
- How do you feel? Who is around you? Where are you going? What do you see, smell, hear, taste, and does it feel right or off?
- Trust your gut and jump in
- Try this Guided Visualization exercise to help!
Juniors are in the throes of a busy spring, finally with the option of some in-person school hours which will hopefully allow for a deeper and more meaningful connection with teachers.
Junior spring is time for SAT and AP testing, identifying recommenders, finishing up research and list building.
Sophomores and freshmen are also back to school some in-person school, and in some cases, back to some version of spring sports and other activities. I am going to my first softball game of the season tomorrow, to watch one of my sophomores, and am hoping to attend an outdoor play next month–a one-act written by one of my junior students!
I look forward to seeing you soon at the Garden Shed!
