I Need This. Espp Since I'm Graduating This Year And Idk What I'm Planning To Do As A Career Yet :)

I need this. Espp since I'm graduating this year and idk what I'm planning to do as a career yet :)

Planning the Perfect College Tour With Your Teen: A Step-by-Step Guide

Plan a college tour with your teen that is exciting rather than an overwhelming experience. Visiting campuses in person helps your child get a feel for the environment, assess academic programs, and imagine themselves as a student there. To make the most of your college visits, follow this step-by-step guide.

Before the Tour

1. Make a List of Colleges

Start by working with your teen to create a list of potential schools. Consider factors such as location, size, academic programs, extracurricular activities, and campus culture. If your teen is undecided about a major, look for schools with a wide range of strong programs.

2. Schedule Visits in Advance

Many colleges offer guided tours, information sessions, and meetings with professors or students. Check their websites and book these experiences early, especially during peak times like spring and summer breaks. This ensures a structured visit and an opportunity to ask questions directly to admissions staff.

3. Group Schools by Region

If you’re visiting multiple schools, plan your route strategically to minimize travel time. For example, if your teen is interested in schools in the Northeast, map out visits to several campuses in the same trip. Avoid overpacking the schedule to allow time for reflection and discussion.

4. Research Each School

Encourage your teen to research each college before visiting. Review their academic programs, student organizations, housing options, and career services. Together, create a list of questions to ask tour guides, admissions representatives, and students.

5. Consider Virtual Tours First

If traveling isn’t feasible, many schools offer virtual tours and online information sessions. These can help narrow down choices before committing to an in-person visit.

During the Tour

6. Take Notes and Photos

After visiting multiple campuses, details can blur together. Take notes on your impressions, key statistics, and standout features. Encourage your teen to jot down their thoughts and snap photos of important landmarks, dorms, and classrooms.

7. Ask Questions

Don’t be shy about asking questions. Some useful ones include:

What are the most popular majors?

What types of internships or job placement services are available?

What is campus safety like?

What’s a typical day like for students?

8. Explore Beyond the Official Tour

While official tours provide valuable insights, take time to explore on your own. Visit the library, sit in the student union, eat at the dining hall, and observe student interactions. If possible, talk to current students to get their candid opinions on life at the school.

9. Check Out the Surrounding Area

A college isn’t just about the campus—it’s also about its location. Explore nearby neighborhoods, restaurants, shopping centers, and transportation options. Consider how accessible the school is from home and whether the surrounding area feels safe and welcoming.

After the Tour

10. Debrief with Your Teen

After each visit, take time to discuss first impressions. What did they like or dislike? How did the campus make them feel? Encourage them to compare notes and reflect on whether they can picture themselves thriving there.

11. Rank the Colleges

Once multiple visits are completed, help your teen create a ranking based on their priorities, such as academics, campus culture, extracurricular activities, and affordability. This helps streamline the decision-making process when application season arrives.

12. Follow Up

If a school stands out as a top choice, encourage your teen to take additional steps, such as attending virtual Q&A sessions, connecting with current students, or scheduling an overnight stay if the college allows it. Sending a thank-you email to admissions representatives or tour guides is also a great way to demonstrate continued interest.

How to Plan a College Tour

A well-planned college tour can make a significant difference in your teen’s college selection process. By preparing in advance, making the most of each visit, and following up thoughtfully, you can help your teen feel confident in their college decision. Enjoy the journey—it’s an exciting milestone for both of you!

Need some to plan the perfect college tour for you? Contact me for travel planning advice!

Source: Planning the Perfect College Tour With Your Teen: A Step-by-Step Guide

Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Character

What is their relationship with their parents?

What is their favorite meal?

How do they identify?

What's their style?

Are they proud of themselves?

Are they patient or impatient?

Do they have siblings, and what's their relationship with them?

What are their standards?

Have they ever been in love?

When was the last time they felt loved?

Have they gotten their heart broken?

Do they know who they are?

What are their preferences?

What do they want?

What are their goals?

What would they do if they failed?

What would they save in a fire?

What's one childhood item they still love?

for fanfic writers and readers

as a black girl who loves a lot of different movies and shows, fanfic allows me to read stories that put me in the middle of my favorite things. however, fanfic often (unintentionally) excludes girls who look like me.

i am so sick and tired of reading a fanfiction and having to rewrite it in my brain because a character description immediately implies that the reader is white. if you don't know what i mean, here are some examples.

"your skin turned pink" or "you blushed": black girls and women with darker skin tones CANNOT blush. our skin does not just turn pink

"pulled your hair into a messy bun": my 4a hair cannot be pulled into a messy bun at random. i may be able to do a ponytail if i have braids in, and i might be able to tie it up if I have an old twist-out, but a "messy bun" is often not possible.

"he ran his hands through your hair": yeah...unless my hair is in a silk press (and an OLD silk press), that's not happening

there are a plethora of other examples that would make this post insanely long, so let me get to the point. there are very easy ways to make fanfic a bit more inclusive; all you have to do is tweak a few character descriptions. OR, put in your pairing or warnings that the reader is implied to be white.

and finally: please, please stop tagging your DARK fanfictions "xblack!reader." i am tired of searching for fluff under the black reader tag and finding non-con, dark themes, etc., ESPECIALLY when the fic ends up being for a white reader💀.

the goal of my page is to create a safe space for black girls who love reading fanfiction. i am only one person, so if you'd like to help, here are some ways to do that!

send me fics (preferably marvel and stranger things to start) that are with a black reader

comment some other things in fanfics that imply that the reader is white or that make the fic a little less accessible

REBLOG FICS BY BLACK WRITERS