It is really an odd feeling to be writing this from home. It’s nice to be home though, and Christmas was great since I got to see my whole family. Now I have to find time to see everyone before they all go back to their colleges (not all my friends are blessed with such a long vacation). The strange part about this break is that I don’t have anything I have to worry about for school. I think it’s the best part about this break. I don’t have assignments or projects to do like every other year, so it’s really a vacation. Last year Christmas vacation was spent doing college research, and that’s what all you prospective students should be doing! I think I will make you a …
Prospective Student Winter Break To Do List:
(for Seniors! You juniors just need to focus on SATs right now …sorry.)
1.Make a list of all the schools you have applied to (or are applying to) so you can check off those which you've visited, sent in applications for, and heard back from. Oh, and put it in order of most to least interested in.
2.Get those Applications in!! Deadlines come wayyy faster than you think.
3.Visit all the ones you haven’t yet! (You should have already started visiting!)
4.Start narrowing them down and checking the mailbox for any response from colleges you may have sent early applications to
5.This may be most important of all: SIGN UP FOR ROYAL NIGHTS at SCRANTON!!!

But in all of this don’t forget to just relax. This is all very stressful. I know. I was there last year. Find time to just organize your thoughts about what you want your college experience to be like.
Number 5 is very important, though. I’m not getting paid to recruit you, I promise. I say this because, in all honesty, if I didn’t go to Royal Nights last year I would probably not be at the University of Scranton. Any questions I had or doubts about anything were answered. But not everyone had the same experience as me. I almost hate to say this, but, it really depends on your host. My host was absolutely awesome. Not only did she answer all my questions, no matter how dumb I thought they were, she gave me a ton of advice even after Royal Nights. In fact, she still does. She’s like a big sister to me here. So this year I’m passing down the favor and being a host for someone. I hope I can be as great as my host, Emily, was. On the other hand, you can’t let one person be the deciding factor on whether or not you come here. I also made friends with people I still talk to. It was funny because I met my friend, Mike, because I was forced to sit next to him on the bus on the way to the movies (part of the program is that they take you to the movies). I was by myself, so I forced myself to make friends, but that’s how everyone was. You just have to talk to people. Well I’m still friends with Mike, so even though you may be nervous to talk to someone, don’t be! It’s how you make friends. I know I’ve been talking just about Scranton, but this goes for all college visits and over-nights you have. Enjoy your time there! Imagine what life would be like there next year.
Have a relaxing break, don’t stress too much, and maybe I’ll see you for Royal Nights!
Becky