Sydney Scott is a third-year undergraduate at Southeastern Louisiana University. She shares practical advice, inspiration, and tips for high school and college students using her unique brand of candor and humor
Disclaimer: As of the publish date April 16, 2020, the information in this blog is up to date per statements made by the Louisiana Department of Education and Governor John Bel Edwards. Updates to the information in this blog will be made if needed. Readers can check out this page to access the latest information published by LDOE.
If you’re like me, you probably have a million things running through your brain each day about what you need to get done before the end of the school year. Information overload doesn’t help. The endless stream of breaking news headlines can be daunting -- especially when you’re on the hunt for information that you need. If you’re a high school senior in Louisiana (or the parent of one reading this), you may feel especially overwhelmed by the changes that have come with this school year.
Below, you’ll find a list of what high school seniors in Louisiana should know, do, or check on before graduation.
Check your GPA.
I know, I know, no one --and I mean no one-- wants to do this right now, but it’ll help you figure out what shape you are in academically, or where you need to be to achieve your goals. Did you tank your GPA by slacking on assignments in the last few weeks? Do you need to maintain a grade in a certain class in order to pass? Your GPA is a jumping-off point that helps you create a game plan for the rest of the school year. It’ll also let you know if you are on track to receive TOPS and qualify for other scholarships. Don’t know how to calculate your GPA? It’s super easy! Check out this blog here about how to calculate your semester, yearly, and cumulative GPA.
Think about your ACT plans, especially if you are applying for TOPS and other scholarships.
If you’ve taken the ACT already and have a score you’re okay with (and that qualifies you for TOPS), the good news is, you’re already set. The ACT is not needed to graduate, but it is needed for TOPS requirements (a 2.5 GPA and a 20 on the ACT). Governor Edwards has moved the deadline for students to qualify for TOPS to September 30, 2020.
There are two upcoming ACT test dates. Seniors (and juniors) should check with their school counselor or Career Compass college & career coach if they are not sure which exam date they should be ready for.
The statewide ACT (originally given during the school day in March) has been rescheduled for June 2, 2020.
The April nationwide ACT (given on a Saturday) has been cancelled. Students can register now for the next test, scheduled for June 13, 2020.
Know your graduation requirements.
This school year only, high school seniors in Louisiana do not have to take standardized tests or achieve Industry-Based Credentials (IBC’s) to earn their diplomas for the 2019-2020 school year. If you’re in a Dual Enrollment (DE) course, you have completion options which will be communicated to you shortly.
Diplomas are scheduled to be printed and sent to you on time, and graduation ceremonies will be rescheduled per each individual school.
Get your FAFSA done.
FAFSA is normally a graduation requirement for high school seniors in the state of Louisiana, but that requirement has been lifted for the 2019-2020 school year. However, FAFSA completion is still required in order to qualify for TOPS, Pell grants, and other types of financial aid. It’s important that you still get your FAFSA completed by the annual due date of June 30th so that you qualify for all the aid available to you. Need help filling out your FAFSA? If you’re in a Career Compass school, download our Career Compass ASK ME! App to access help and tips for FAFSA completion.
Take the next steps.
If you haven’t already applied to an education or training program after high school, now is the time to do so. Having a tentative game plan in place is a smart move for seniors, even if you have had to make some adjustments to your plans or still aren’t sure about what you want to do. Be sure to take advantage of in-state schools currently waiving their application fees for the month of April, like Nicholls State University (use promo code STAYHOME), Southeastern (check with the admissions office) , and UL-Lafayette. Other universities may have fee waivers, too, so check with the admissions office or your Career Compass college & career coach before you pay.
If you have already applied to a post-secondary program and have been accepted: congrats! Be sure to check in on what your next steps should be, whether that’s sending in a tuition deposit, declaring a major, registering for your freshman orientation, or deciding on your housing for next semester. Your college or program may have later due dates for these, but it’s important to at least write down important dates now so you can be prepared when the time comes.
Contact your Career Compass college & career coach.
We are here to help! Your assigned college & career coach should have reached out to you by now to offer assistance. Our coaches are calling, emailing, texting, and messaging all of the students that provided contact information. I encourage you to download our Career Compass ASK ME! App and register an account. This will give you the ability to contact a college & career coach at your school who can help you with any questions you may have.
And Remember…
The end of the school year is fast approaching, and as a senior, you may be tempted to mentally clock out. Hey, I was there my entire last semester of high school. It’s even more tempting now with schools being closed and normal life being completely upended. Just keep in mind that this situation won’t last forever! If I can give you any words of encouragement, it would be: “this, too, shall pass.” As you go through your graduation checklist and complete your schoolwork, make sure you remember that you won’t be in this situation forever.
One more thing: The end of your senior year is not going to be what you envisioned, but try to create some unique memories with your family. Keep in touch with your friends in any way that you can. Maybe you can take matters into your own hands and hold your own “faux-mencement ceremony.” Dance in your prom outfit on TikTok. Or don’t -- it’s up to you. Your future is still waiting for you, and we are ready to help if you need anything at all.
Want more? Check us out on Instagram to see what we’re up to, and to get important updates for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Download our app (more info below) to enter our student giveaway (and follow us on IG to get additional entries!). We’re choosing a winner again this month!
Still need help? The Career Compass ASK ME! App is available for free in the App Store and Google Play. You can find scholarships, FAFSA and TOPS information, ACT and SAT reminders, application dates, important reminders, and more! Download here.