Spring Cleaning

Monday marked the first day of spring. If you live in the Midwest or the Northeast you may not be convinced that this is the case, but it is time to think about spring cleaning. This is the time of year when you might look through your closet, a stack of books, or some household items and wonder, “Do I really need this?”

You might also ask yourself, “Can someone else use this?”

Earlier this week, I heard a local radio show host saying that he and his wife are making a point to get rid of one bag of something each week. This may be something they no longer use or need anymore and they aim to give the bag to an appropriate group that can use the item(s). The example he gave was how his wife is donating some of her jewelry to the Glass Slipper Project. This is a great cause that provides prom dresses and accessories to Chicago area high school juniors and seniors who are unable to purchase their own attire.

This prompted me to think about all of the marketing materials produced in the typical undergraduate admission office. We distribute information to thousands of high school students each year. Seniors, I am sure you know what I am talking about. Look around your house, in your locker, your backpack, your parent’s car. I bet you have so many brochures from so many schools that you could fill a garbage bag.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, I invite you to do some spring cleaning. Focus on recycling and putting your new-found knowledge to use.

Take a minute and think of a high school in your home town that doesn’t have all of these materials in the college counselor’s office. If it isn’t your high school, can you identify a middle school or a community center where kids don’t often hear the word “college” because they may not have been exposed to the possibility? See if the school or organization is interested in the materials. Our office receives many requests from elementary and middle school teachers as well as counselors who are looking for ways to expose students to college at a young age: what it means to go to college, and why they need to do well in school.

Once you find the place you want to help, take the next step. Proudly share that you are going to college this fall. And then, ask if you can come back and spend some time sharing what the college experience is all about with any interested students during one of your breaks.

Can you help make a difference?