How to Start 2021 Off On the Right Foot!

What a wild year! Congratulations - you made it through! There’s no doubt 2020 brought a lot of unforeseen changes and obstacles. However, we are confident and proud that students have adapted and evolved incredibly well.

Not only would we like to applaud all students, but we’d also like to help you get equipped and prepared for the year ahead!

Goal Setting

While you may already have larger goals set like where you want to attend college or what you want to study, smaller goals are just as important. Without small goals, accomplishing large goals becomes nearly impossible. Take some time this week off from other responsibilities and create a roadmap for yourself. Include both small and large goals and definitely add deadlines. Think about how you will spend your time extracurricularly, when you will spend time on your schoolwork, what deadlines you need to remember, when you should register for standardized tests, etc.

Consider downloading some time management and organizational tools like Todoist, Trello, and Focus Booster. Study methods like the Pomodoro Technique are another fantastic way to boost productivity and see the tangible results you may be looking for.

Another great way to stay on track is to work with Crimson to get ahead of the pack and complete applications early! Crimson Education has its very own app, appropriately named the Crimson App, to help students stay on track and ahead of schedule. The Crimson App allows students to message their team members, book sessions with tutors and mentors, view their customized roadmap, and stay up to date with the latest in admissions news.

Taking Care of You

Maintaining a strong balance of school work, your applications, time with friends and family, and time to yourself is incredibly important. Looking after your mental health during the college application process is essential. If you gain admission to your dream school but your mental health begins to suffer, you may not feel well enough to attend and truly excel in the fall.

Take time to do the little things that bring you joy. When we asked current Crimson students what they do to take breaks during application season, many listed activities such as: playing music, exercising, playing games, going on hikes, meditating/doing yoga, and video chatting with family and friends.

If you are looking to decrease your stress level and be more focused, consider meditating! If you are new to meditation, it is very likely that you will find it hard to sit in silence, be still, and do nothing. Our brains are constantly running and it takes great effort to get our thoughts to slow down. With deadlines, exams, and ongoing to-do lists, it’s important to take time throughout the day to just sit and be.

Mindfulness researchers at Harvard have seen that consistent meditation helped people sleep better, feel less stressed, and experience fewer symptoms of depression. Curious to try it out? Beginners find guided meditation as a great way to get familiar with meditation and learn mindfulness techniques. Using apps like headspace and Calm are great ways to get started. While it may be a little unfamiliar at first, we have good news! There is no such thing as a good or bad meditation - what’s important is that you’re taking time for yourself.

We are in the midst of a global pandemic and maintaining a good state of mind is essential. Admissions officers around the world are aware of the obstacles that students are facing this application cycle, and they are doing their best to adapt to and accommodate different needs, requests, and expectations.

To learn more about taking care of your mental health and obtaining the skills to take care of yourself and your peers, check out TeenMentalHealth.org. You can also check them out on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Build Useful Skills

If you aren’t yet involved in extracurricular activities, now is the ideal time to dive in! With this extra time at home, now is an optimal time for students to explore their passions and build the useful skills necessary to succeed in these various areas.

Join an online interest group - move beyond activities just for high school students and pursue activities unique for students your age.

Volunteer online - utilize skills you are hoping to build (i.e. graphic design) for nonprofits who need the extra support.

Participate or start in online conferences - For example: digital hackathons, virtual competitions, or attending webinars in an area of interest.

Design your own research - Conduct your own research remotely with guidance from a professor.

Write prolifically - Get your name out there! Enter essay competitions, start a blog, write for your local paper, etc

Work a job or internship - Contact dream companies to see if they have remote internships. Set up conversations to learn more.

Hear From Experts

In 2020, Crimson USA/Canada hosted over 100 webinars! In order to stay up-to-date with admissions news as well as tips and tricks for building a strong profile, be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar! We are currently planning an awesome variety of topics to share with you in the new year including Personal Branding, Storytelling & College Essays, Q&A with Former Admissions Officers, and more!

Are you a fan of podcasts? Top of the Class is a podcast about student achievement and how you can do the same. Subscribe to learn from education experts and gain insights from Ivy League admits, Olympiad medalists, and extracurricular superstars so you can make the most of high school. Check it out here!

It’s essential to carve out time in the new year to set goals for yourself, learn more about what you want, and create a path to get yourself there. Crimson’s Youtube Channel has hundreds of videos ranging from topics like the world’s top med schools and the big questions asked at UCLA, to successful essay topics and which universities have the best food on campus!

Finally, chances are if you’re reading this, you’re already familiar with Crimson’s blog. Be sure to check the blog regularly as new articles are posted each week. Our team is dedicated to providing free and up-to-date content for students and families so that they may remain updated on all matters related to high school education and college admissions!

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Cheers to a great year! We look forward to seeing what 2021 brings us all.