Most of the holidays I cover in this column are, frankly, nonsense holidays. In in odd twist of fate however, the United Nations, the most serious of international organizations, named this year the International Year of Pulses. That's right, they're dedicating this whole year to a type of bean. And they've made a pretty legit website about it, too (iyp2016.org). The whole purpose of this is to “raise awareness and to celebrate the role of beans, chickpeas, lentils and other pulses in feeding the world.” The whole thing seems almost like a parody of something the UN General Assembly would spend a lot of time on. Keep it up, United Nations.
As juniors begin to think about college on a more regular basis, they may begin to develop anxiety regarding the application process. As a senior who applied to twelve universities, I can empathize; for me, the panic hit in May of my junior year, but I know many others who started worrying several months before applications even opened. It’s a confusing, frustrating, and tedious journey, so, without further ado, here are five universal, realistic strategies for tackling college applications. 1. Start early Most applications officially open in August, but it is never too early to start drafting personal statements. You also want to take a close look at each application as soon as it is open to gauge how much time and energy it will take. Certain applications have multiple supplemental essays, while others require none; some require detailed information about your family, and others just want to know your zip code. Each application is different, so it is important that you know what is expected of you far before the deadlines. 2. Think carefully about your letters of recommendation Many schools require at least two teacher recommendations, so it is imperative that you establish positive relationships with your teachers (particularly your junior year) in order to give yourself the best chance of an acceptance letter. Also, don’t be afraid to try and get an additional recommendation! Colleges love recommendations from professionals, so internship is a great opportunity to get another letter and stand out further. 3. Know your deadlines This sounds obvious, but deadlines do sneak up on you! Certain schools, including USC and Boston University, also have earlier deadlines for people who want to be considered for major scholarships. Again, figure this out early to allow yourself plenty of time. 4. Check and double-check for accuracy It is amazing how easy it is to overlook a misleading or embarrassing typo. Get several rounds of feedback on your personal statements, and have Ms. Abdullah check your application for accuracy as well. It’s not the end of the world if you make a mistake. However, it is best to avoid that stress by checking your applications constantly! 5. Stay calm and try to enjoy the process It may feel like the process takes forever, but it doesn’t. It’s a four or five months of your life, and it’s a stressful time, but, like all stressful times, you will emerge stronger than you were before. In this case, the work you put into your applications will result in your going to college, which is an exciting chapter of your life! So, though it may be difficult, power through your applications and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Written By: Jenna Welsh
It’s January, a (supposedly) cold and dreary month. Luckily, extensive research has concluded: hot tea is Effective for Combatting Both Cold and Drear (Gridgeman et al. 2011). Hear the shrill whistle, experience the warm steam, taste the comforting herbs. An exercise in relaxation and heartwarmth, add some tea to your late night or after school routine. Give it a chai.
![]() And they're off! Stronghold, the official game for the worldwide FIRST Robotics Competition was revealed today with a congregation of robotics teams from all over San Diego County. While the medieval theme of Stronghold was revealed months ago in a teaser video, teams have only been able to speculate as to the actual obstacles their future robots will have to overcome. Today, the theme of the middle ages began to make sense, as the competition was announced to consist of an obstacle course that teams will have to conquer in order to storm the opposing team's castle. Some of the trials include a drawbridge, a mini-moat, uneven terrain and a portcullis, combined with other obstacles that change and alternate between each round. Upon defeating these defenses, the robots must then shoot "boulders" (grey foam dodgeballs) into their opponent's castle, scoring in either upper or lower goals [a more comprehensive summary can be found at the official reveal video]. While initially surprised and slightly alarmed at the thought of such a challenge, High Tech High North County’s team, the Top Hat Technicians, were soon excited to get started on designing such a versatile robot. Even before kits of parts were passed out, the Top Hats began brainstorming ways to survive the technological challenge that awaits them in March. After gathering supplies and studying a mock-up of the field, the team gathered with other North County robotics teams, from Trade Tech, Mission Hills, and San Pasqual High Schools to review the rules and restrictions. This soon turned into a collaborative brainstorming session between teams. The collective of creative minds eventually dispersed, and the Top Hat Technicians began to discuss as a team what their limitations and ultimate aspirations for this competition were. Although the season is just starting, the team knows the time will fly by all too quickly. Discussions will shift from clarification of rules to new ideas, and the Technicians will work as a team to ensure that they are safe and productive in creating a new and multi-functional robot. The team is eager to conquer these competitive trials and the challenges that await them as they design and build. Check the Top Hat’s site as they draw closer to the county-wide competition (March 4th and 5th at the Del Mar Arena) for updates, photos and information about the team. The team is excited to work together with their community to build a robot that will cultivate the minds of the future engineers of our world. FIRST, which stands for "For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology", is a way for kids from ages 6 through 18 to participate in one of four different robotics competitions. In the original FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), students work together with mentors to build robots to compete in a specific game. With only 6 weeks to conceptualize, build, and program their robots, teams have an incredibly difficult, but rewarding experience ahead of them. It is an intense, hard, and fun way for high school students to learn real world skills in science and technology. Written by: Jared Davis and Kirsten Zornado
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