Every year more than 130 students graduate from Perry High School and begin their journeys as adults, entering the workforce, the military or pursuing higher education. The options for these Bluejays are many, and the long-term impact of their choices makes their decisions very important.[wpedon id=”85410″ align=”left”]
In addition to support from parents, teachers and friends, Perry high school students are fortunate to be able to count on the advice from the high school counseling department. This summer, two PHS counselors, Anne Horgen and Angelica Diaz-Cardenas, participated in the 2018 Rediscover Iowa’s Diverse Education (RIDE) program, a unique three-day bus tour of Iowa colleges and universities.
Horgen and Cardenas visited eight campuses in the eastern region of Iowa, and in the process gained a better understanding of the numerous opportunities that Iowa’s higher education institutions have to offer for Perry’s graduates.
Cardenas first participated in the RIDE program in 2014 and visited colleges in the western region of the state. She said the program amazed her with the wide range of opportunities that each college offered.
“I got first-hand experiences with many of these programs and felt better prepared to offer advice to Perry students wishing to enter college,” Cardenas said.
Horgen, Cardenas and 32 more school counselors from around the state visited the campuses of the University of Iowa, Scott Community College, Palmer College of Chiropractic, St. Ambrose University, Augustana College, Muscatine Community College, Iowa Wesleyan University and Southeastern Community College.
At their first stop in Iowa City, they stormed Kinnick stadium and were given an overview of student services that can help Bluejays transition from high school seniors to college freshman.
Cardenas offered the following advice to incoming freshman at any of the colleges: “Join student clubs that fit your interests and meet new friends, but treat your classes like a job. Go to them regularly. Get to know your professors, and get academic tutors when needed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
In addition to the range of student services at each campus, the counselors were made aware of the diverse programs available. From medical simulation to diesel technology and computer animation to medical programs and culinary arts, the trip equipped the counselors with plenty of career-readiness information they can use once the school year begins.
For those coming back to high school in August, Horgen and Cardenas offered the following tips:
- Start college planning as early as your freshman year. Do not wait until your senior year. Picking the correct high school courses will help with getting accepted to the college of your choice.
- Visit multiple colleges before making your decision where to go. “Sometimes our students focus on only one college and end up not getting the best financial aid package available to them and missing out on programs that would interest them,” Cardenas said.
- Visit your high school counselors! The high school counselors have a wide variety resources and knowledge to help make college planning easier.
The Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling organizes the annual RIDE circuit. For the 2019 year, the high school counselors will visit colleges in the central Iowa region.
