College Travelling!

This week I am taking several (hundred) students on a tour of Louisiana colleges. We started at Louisiana Tech, then to Grambling. Tomorrow we are going to LSU. My students are having a ball and I love that the colleges and places we go the people we interact with are so complementary of our students and their behavior.

But, it's true. We have the best students. They really want to make college a reality and even spend traveling time discussing different colleges and what they have to offer. They debate about which college is in the top 20 of best in the United States and have developed "safe schools" as well as "ambitious" school both in and out of state. They are actively taking notes about these different schools and what they have to offer. They are asking questions about how to pay for their school and the scholarships the school provides. Our kids have mastered the art of the college visit. At this point, they are just seeing whats out there to help expand their horizons. It makes these REALLY LONG DAYS worth it. I got to work this morning at 7:00 am. We locked out kids in their rooms at 11:00 pm. All that time in between, we are working and watching and counting and interacting with the kids. They get to know us really well and in turn we get to know them really well too. We can get to know the kids and write letters of recommendation based on factual and personal information we have about them.

One of the kids on the trip today called their mom to tell them how much they really liked Grambling. That mom called me to tell me how much her daughter loved the school. One students said that she has found her home school. Now, she knows where she is going to apply and will do so as soon as we get back home to Texas. But not only that, the admissions people we meet with are so helpful as well. They have given their own personal phone numbers and email addresses and have started relationships with our kids that makes college seem less scary, more personable, and completely obtainable.

I absolutely love what I do. I know I loved my college experience. Watching these first generation college students develop a love for college brings back so many great memories. Now, I know all my students will not go to the colleges we visit this trip. But that is not the point. The point is exposure. They have to know themselves and know what they like before they can choose a college that's right for them. I am giving them an education so they know what they like. To me, that is the point.

With much love to you.

Goodnight!