5 Takeaways from #GWCTalks: Navigating College During COVID-19
If you’re stressed about college during this crisis, we don’t blame you. But we hope these highlights from our first-ever #GWCTalks will have you breathing a sigh of relief!
Last night, we hosted the first-ever installment of Girls Who Code Talks — a virtual video series where we invite experts to talk to you about how to deal with issues impacting your future during this crisis. Almost 1,000 of you registered!
This week, we talked about how to handle all things related to college during COVID-19. FAFSA? We covered it. Application fees? Yep. Gap years? You bet. Resources? We’ve got you.
Watch the full session here. Sign up here for our next #GWCTalks, “Career Pathing in a Crisis.”
- First things first, do your homework
We know, who wants to do homework on top of virtual classes and the homework you’ve already got? Trust us on this one, it’ll be worth your time.
For those of you applying to college, keep a list of schools you’re considering — and track all the information that’s relevant to you. That includes revised application deadlines, upcoming virtual campus tours, waived application fees, and more.
One easy hack? Join their mailing lists. Better yet, call the college and actually talk to someone. Believe it or not, there are real people reading your applications — and real people willing to answer your questions and help you through the process. One of our panelists, Derek Brinkley (Assistant VP of College Admission at Columbia College in Chicago) is one of those people!
2. Get ready to talk about money — it’s hard, but you’re not alone!
We may have muted everyone but the panelists on the Zoom call, but we swear we could hear a massive sigh of relief when panelist Mariela Regalado said, “We have to talk about money, we can’t be shameful about our economic situations.”
She’s right. Our financial situations are directly related to financial aid packages, scholarships, and more. And if you or your family have been financially impacted, you’re not alone. 22 million people have filed for unemployment as a result of this crisis. According to a survey from CirckledIn, 70 percent of students said COVID will affect their financial situation. Did you know that colleges have a process for reevaluating your financial aid if your situation has changed?
So make sure you are open about your story. Ask questions. Understand your options. Reach out financial aid offices (literally call them) whether you’re applying or already enrolled. Ask about FAFSA. And about the CARES Act — which provides colleges with funding to give money back to students. If you’re enrolled, maybe you can get a refund. You won’t know unless you ask!
3. Take time for yourself and your mental health
Now, more than ever, we have to pay attention to our mental health. And we have to be proactive about it. Mariela recommended Headspace (an app offering free meditations), breathwork, yoga. Do whatever works for you.
Sometimes, like Mariela says, that means ignoring the memes about productivity on Instagram. Don’t feel guilty about not making three loaves of bread, deep cleaning your room, and learning a new language in a day. Don’t let anyone shame you for not being productive.
Bottom line: this is a roller coaster of a time, and paying attention to your mental health will give you clarity. It will allow you to take a step back and make sure you have your goals and priorities clear, instead of making rushed decisions about your education and financial future.
4. Consider a gap year!
We’re all for a gap year but only — emphasis on only — if you have a plan to make that gap year relevant to your future!
If you have plans to go back to school, or jump into a career after your gap year, you will want to make sure that time away was well spent. Where are you going? What are you going to learn? What skills are you going to acquire?
And if you can’t get on a plane, there are plenty of things you can do from home. Consider freelancing. Honing your skills. Learning new skills. Applying for a remote internship. This is your chance to think outside the box! Derek mentioned one LinkedIn study that showed “creativity” was the most sought after skill, this is a chance to practice that.
5. Register to Vote
Mariela dropped some of our favorite advice of the night: If you are 18+, register to vote. Our elected officials have a say in so much of what’s impacting us right now — from unemployment benefits, to financial aid, to healthcare. Every election — local, state, federal — matters. Your voice counts. Vote for yourself, your family, your community. Oh, and if you’re thinking about running for office, do it!
We know things are tough right now. And we might not have all the answers, but we’re committed to doing what we can to support you. So we hope you keep coming back to get the information you need, hear advice from our panelists, and connect with one another.
Huge thanks to Derek Brinkley (Assistant VP of College Admission at Columbia College in Chicago) and Mariela Regalado (former Director of College Counseling at Juan Morel Campos Secondary School) for their brilliance! And of course, to GWC Chief Operating Officer Dr. Tarika Barrett for moderating!
Watch the full session here. To sign up for our next #GWCTalks, “Career Pathing in a Crisis,” click here.
