What do lawn mowers, teddy bears, and dance have to do with college? Keep reading to find out!
A few years ago, I had a conversation with a friend who was preparing for her final year of college. I remembered her saying, “I see all of these commercials on TV advertising back-to-college stuff. It’s ridiculous! No college student has $300 to spend on new bedding!” Now that I am going to be a college student, I’ve realized that she was 100% right. The cold hard truth is...college is expensive!
I started saving my money at a young age. My parents didn’t believe in a weekly or monthly allowance. My siblings and I were expected to do our chores and then find our own ways to earn money. My first job was helping my older siblings with their lawn mowing business. I picked up sticks, moved the hoses, and walked around with a pair of scissors looking for places they “accidentally” missed. Honestly, it was more of a babysitting business for them. I did earn something like $1.00 per lawn though!
My first real business was “Hats By A Nine Year Old.” I would crochet a child’s hat, wrap a teddy bear’s arms around it, and crochet a matching hat for the bear. I sold these bears and hats at local bazaars and festivals. After I realized what I was capable of, the wheels in my brain started turning.
Over the next eleven years, I sold dish scrubbers, mowed lawns, detailed vehicles, participated in the county fair, taught gymnastics, and started my own dance studio. With all of these money makers, I was able to save a little dough for college.
When I learned about this magical thing called scholarship money I was sold! Who wouldn’t want to get some free money to pay for their college education?! I talked to my high school counselor and was able to get a list of scholarships to apply for. I spent at least 30 hours working on scholarships, researching foundations, and writing essays. At times I thought, “Why am I doing this? I will just work my way through college. I can’t write any more essays!” Despite my thoughts, I decided to continue filling out applications. The results you might ask? I have four years of tuition paid for, and enough scholarship money to cover my living expenses for the first three years. The hand cramps definitely paid off.
I still plan to work during college, either a part time job or starting another personal business, but it is nice to have the burden of tuition lifted off my shoulders. I feel like college is a great investment, because it is the next step toward getting a career and earning money for the rest of your life. Normally a person who has graduated from college, or has some form of higher education, will be able to find a higher paying job than a person who does not have the same education. In conclusion, yes college is expensive. Yes, you can pay for it! There are so many opportunities for teenagers to get jobs, apply for scholarships and grants, or receive financial aid. If I could give advice to students planning to go to college, I would say, “Work hard in everything you do, and apply. Apply for everything you are eligible. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Maddie will be using multiple methods to pay for her college education at Idaho State University. Watch the video to learn more and see if you can pick up any helpful hints.
We will never forget that day in July. The day our first year tuition bill arrived – with an amount due!
Read more to see how I’m paying for college at ISU.
After I sat there with my parents and studied the statement, I thanked my lucky stars that I had saved up and earned myself some scholarship money. I wasn’t able to work during high school due to sports, leadership roles, advanced and ‘zero period’ classes, DECA obligations, and family time; so I looked to utilize my strengths from high school as an added benefit where applicable and found success spending my time applying for scholarships and opportunities that I ACTUALLY had a chance at being awarded. Footing the college bill may seem like a mountain of a task, but if you play your cards right and play to your strengths, it can turn into a molehill fast. Along with my college savings and a few local scholarships, ISU provided me the financial assistance I needed to pursue my college ambition.
My Great-grandfather, my Papa, is one of my benefactors. When I was ten years old my Papa went in for routine surgery, but did not wake back up. But before he left us he made arrangements to ensure that my sister and I would attend college with reduced need; a gift that I did not fully understand at the time of his passing. Now that I am older, I work hard each and every day with his memory and support as a driving force.
ISU assisted me the following ways:
Western Undergrad Exchange. Being selected for this award reduced my college bill by $10K a year allowing me to pay 150% of in-state tuition which is a great savings from the full out-of-state tuition.
Freshman Career Path Internship. Meeting with my academic counselor and making a great first impression paved the way for my selection for a College of Business Internship. I will be able to work with the College of Business establishing great work habits, learning from the faculty and staff, and becoming a business professional.
First Year Involvement. In taking a one-credit seminar class related to ISU involvement, leadership activities, and study skills I was able to further reduce my college bill. As a bonus, I will be able to plan and participate in ISU activities!
As I take full advantage of all that ISU has to offer me, I foresee myself walking through the ‘Arch’ with a job already lined up and friends by my side. I start this journey with a new roommate and friend, and I will continue to meet and enjoy the students, staff and adventures of ISU.
In 10 years I see myself in my dream career field where I am challenged and happy with the daily routines. I envision a minimalist lifestyle that allows me to remain healthy and active, travel, attend concerts, and enjoy my family and friends.
As an ISU alum I will continue to carry the pride of ISU and being a Bengal throughout my life. The work ethic, skills and healthy lifestyles that I cultivate at ISU will enhance my overall being. I will always look for ways to support ISU and share my wonderful experiences from my ISU years.
With that being said, here are a few more pictures from what I have left of summer.
Here’s a pic of me and my Chinook Leadership Counselor buddies.
Now for Red Bull Flugtag Portland. “Flugtag” is German for “Flight Day” and Red Bull puts on this event where competitors attempt to fly home-made machines. Here’s one creative entry...
Flugtag was crazy! Looks a little like ISU’s “Concert on the Quad” right guys?
A combination of a boatload of academic scholarships and a steady summer job are helping MaKia pay for her education at Idaho State University. She’s rolling in the dough! Watch the video to learn more.
Shelby’s Blog #4 - House Hunters: College Cribs Edition
Keep reading to find out where Shelby will be living for her first year as Bengal and how she made that decision...
There are lots of options for housing at college. Finding places that are available is easy, but deciding which place to live is the hard part.
I have had siblings and friends that attended/are attending ISU. Many of them have lived in both the dorms and apartments. As I asked around, I heard different opinions of each. Some loved the dorms, some loved the apartments. I chose to check out a few places and form my own decision.
When I attended early registration in April, I remembered two living arrangements that were spoken of: On campus housing (the dorms) and Bengal Creek Apartment Complex.
As a counselor at the Civitan Youth Seminar for the past 4 summers, I have been fortunate to stay in the dorms at ISU. Each year we spend a week living in Turner Hall. I have been able to experience living there, eating at the cafeteria, and using their facilities.
I had also heard of Bengal Creek before because a few of my friends have lived there. I even had the chance to spend the night a couple times with one of my best friends. She told me about the swimming pool, hot tub, internet, and other things that are available at Bengal Creek.
In my opinion, there are pros and cons to each arrangement.
The dorms are close to campus, have easily accessible food at the cafeteria, and have Resident Assistants to help students adjust to living on their own. However, living in a dorm means that I would not be able to cook my own food, have my own room, or leave my stuff in the shower. (Community showers are not up my alley!)
Then there’s Bengal Creek. Even though it isn’t within walking distance of my classes, Bengal Creek is more roomy, has a kitchen, pool, fitness center, private rooms, and no community showers! Sharing a shower with only one or two other people and having a full kitchen were total deal breakers for me.
So....I chose Bengal Creek! I am extremely excited for my new “crib” this fall. I feel like living in an apartment, rather than a dorm, will make me feel more independent. Being responsible for making my own food, cleaning my apartment, and going to bed at a reasonable hour are all things that I will learn to do better, as I live away from home. I am excited for the new adventures of college life!
Since Pocatello is her hometown, Maddie will be kickin’ it at home for her first year as a Bengal. Watch the video to see what else Maddie has planned for her “college crib” while attending Idaho State University.
Kyle’s Blog #4 - House Hunters: College Cribs Edition
So, by now all of us have gotten our dorm assignments, roommates, and all we are waiting for is Freshman Move-In on August 20th. The day that all of this college stuff gets real. I’m pumped to live in Turner this fall, and even more excited to meet my roommate, if only he would check his Email!
I chose Turner Hall with input from my sister and mom. My sister, Casey, just graduated from Gonzaga in May and her stories/experiences of dorm living are full of friendships, adventures, craziness, and late nights. My mom also enjoyed her dorm days at Eastern Washington and the long enduring friendships and memories. I can only hope that my dorm experience is half of what they encountered. Until then it’s a race to accumulate the necessities and creature comforts that will get me through the next school year.
I’ve been online shopping for the past several months, searching for the ideal furnishings for my ‘Crib’. A pillow with a solid amount of ‘cushiness’, a heavy blanket, a study lamp that emanates the perfect amount of light. So far I have all of the basics covered: bedding, towels, shower caddy etc. But, now I’m on the hunt for those items that will separate my dorm room from the rest. So far I’ve gotten a Star Wars coffee cup (episode V: Empire Strikes Back), my Big Ole’ Bluetooth Speaker, my coffee machine, a picture frame for a picture of my friends I’m leaving behind, and my personal favorite, the Gold Stapler.
Dorm living has always been intriguing to me. I’m the most outgoing introvert, and although that sounds like a paradox, it’s true. I think that the hardest part of the dorm lifestyle for me will be balancing the solitude I need, and the social life I crave. In order to manage these two sides of me, I’m trying to make my dorm room fit both needs. A place where I can entertain, but also where I am able to relax, unwind, and study until my eyes pop out of my head.
Kirk just found out he’ll be living in South Complex for his first year as a Bengal Idaho State University! Check out his video to see more about what Kirk has to say on his “college crib” and let us know where you’ll be living.
Check out Maddie’s great expectations for her life as a Bengal. This future ISU Ambassador has lots she’s looking forward to. Anyone else interested in studying abroad?
Everyone comes to college with new expectations. Things they expect to do, ways in which they expect to change, and how they expect college to pan out. Some people will set their expectations low, others high, but me - I think I’m expecting just enough.
With college just about a month away, I’ve let my mind wander. Thinking about college and how my first experiences as a Bengal will shape the rest of my life got me more excited (and anxious) than I’ve ever been before. All of the new experiences just waiting to be had - mountains, trails, food, different states… all within arm’s reach. With these first thoughts of college life, I had made my first expectation - to visit new places.
When people talk about college, they usually mention the good times - memories they won’t forget and the people they met along the way. There is nothing I want more than to enjoy an authentic college experience. I’m looking forward to all-nighters, Taco Bell runs, meeting new best friends, having great conversations, and going on adventures…the whole package. My second expectation had been realized, to have fun.
As I kept thinking about college, I remembered why I’m even headed to ISU in the first place. School. An education. To “exercise my mind.” School is exciting, you get to buy squirrel-shaped sticky notes, sell your left kidney to buy a psych 101 textbook, and maybe even learn a thing or two. Even though I have been extremely excited to get away from the monotony of high school classes and explore new topics, it didn’t keep one big, stormy raincloud of a thought from hovering over me; passing classes.
Being successful and making it through the first semester unscathed was a big worry of mine. It bothered me for a while… What if a professor flunks me? What if I shrink ALL of my clothes the first time I do laundry? What if I forget about a final? What if I lose one of my $500 super premium edition textbooks that must have been printed in 24k gold ink? But, I had an epiphany - everyone deals with some form of adversity in their life, be it failing a test or two, or having a spin cycle mishap. All of these things will teach you something - to study harder or to learn what the hieroglyphs on the tag of your t-shirt mean. And, with this epiphany I had made my third expectation, to make some mistakes. It’s inevitable.
So, despite my nerves I am very excited to come to ISU in the fall. I’m motivated to do my best work in the classroom, have fun, and experience new things with new people in new places. I know I chose the right place to have my college expectations fulfilled.
Accompanying photos (not necessarily related to BLOG#3, but what I’ve been up to since the last BLOG):
My first sturgeon was too big for the boat!
Now for some fun with the cousins:
Beach soccer with Alli and Ethan up from Texas.
Sand Castles with the little ones.
Relaxing with Karen on the wave chair before heading to the beach.
Kirk talks about his great expectations for college at Idaho State University. Check this video out to learn more and get a free astronomy lesson about Pluto while you’re at it!
MaKia talks about the perks of ISU’s free movie theater, intramural soccer, and Honors courses that will prepare her for life as a pharmacist. See what else she’s expecting from life as a Bengal at Idaho State University!
Also, click the “keep reading” link to view some sweet pix of MaKia’s 4th of July holiday!
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