This presentation is a companion piece to our “College Doesn’t Just Happen” video. It walks students through lessons they should have learned while watching the video. http://www.educationquest.org/videos/college-doesnt-just-happen/

1. College Doesn’t
Just Happen!
What lessons
did you learn?

2. in – y.
a pa a
Be a good w Lesson 1:
Lesson 1
in
Find an adult to help guide you to college!
Todd’s mom told him college wasn’t possible, so he needed
other adults to help guide him.
My mom said not to get my hopes
up about going to college because
there’s no way we can afford it.
I beg to differ, young man –
go talk to Mrs. Sanchez in the
guidance office about that.
And Dorfman? Well…Dorfman had adults who wanted to
help, but he chose not to listen.

3. in – y.
pa a Don’t be like Dorfman
B e a good w
in a
Coach, I wish I would have
listened to you back in high
school and gone to college.

4. in – y.
pa a Who will you ask?
Who
B ea ood
w
inag
• Your mom or dad?
• A coach?
• Your guidance counselor?
• A teacher?
• The parent of a friend?
Name at least
Name at least
two adults
two adults
you can ask for help.
you can ask for help.

5. ushelf. Lesson 2:
P urs
yo
Take courses in high school that will prepare you
for college.
Look…here’s the
classroom where we
took Algebra ll.
No…it’s where YOU took
Algebra ll. Remember? I didn’t
take it. It was too hard!
By taking tough courses in
high school, Todd earned
scholarships and gained
admission into college.

6. ushelf. What classes should YOU
P s
your take to get into college?
■ English – 4 years of intensive reading and writing
■ Math – 4 years, including Algebra I, Algebra II and
Geometry
■ Social Studies – 3 years of American History, World
History, American Government or Geography
■ Natural Sciences – 3 years, including Biology,
Chemistry, Physics or Earth Sciences
■ World Languages – 2 years of the
same language (some colleges require four years)

7. th e
intdit.
F hf Lesson 3:
rig
Think about your career interests – and then
research colleges that fit your interests.
Do you want to
sell donuts?
Or do you want
to be a landscape
architect?
Ask your teacher or counselor about career
assessment tools at your school.

8. th e
intdit.
F hf Research colleges
rig that fit your interests
■ See College Profiles at
That visit to the university
during our sophomore year made EducationQuest.org
all the difference in the world!
■ Visit colleges that
interest you!
– Find college visit tips at
EducationQuest.org

9. ands
our h sh. Lesson 4:
Put y e ca
on som
Financial aid will be available to help you pay
for college – but you must apply!
■ During your senior year of high school, you and a parent
will complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid)
■ The college will use your FAFSA information to award
financial aid, which could include:
– scholarships
– grants
– work-study (a job provided by the college)
– student loans

10. ands Other ways to
our h sh.
Put y e ca
on som afford college…
■ Apply for scholarships
■ Save your money
– Personal savings account
– Certificate of Deposit
– Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (529 plan)
– Nest529.com
■ Start at a community college and then transfer to a
four-year college
■ Live at home during college
■ Consider the military

11. ands
our h sh.
Put y e ca You should see the
girls look at me when
on som I pull into the parking
lot in my new SUV!
All the more power to
you, dude, but I’m saving
MY money for college!

12. Think about YOUR future…
who would you rather be like?

13. Remember…
College Doesn’t Just Happen!
1. Be a pain – in a good
way.
2. Push yourself.
3. Find the right fit.
4. Put your hands on
some cash.

14. Need help?
Kearney – 800.666.3721
Lincoln – 800.303.3745
Omaha – 888.357.6300
EducationQuest.org