Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?

• Help with College Applications: Ben Kaplan Shares His Road to Harvard and Scholarship Success with Shellee Howard

   Ben Kaplan’s background  Won ~24 scholarships totaling $90,000, enabling Harvard admission.  First scholarship call: “Congratulations, you’ve just won $15,000 from Discover Card.”  Authored How to Go to College Almost for Free and new book Scholars and Dollars. Exploring breadth and depth  “Try a lot of things” to discover interests, then go deeper in passions. College fit matters most  “Are you part of something bigger than yourself?”  Seek a community that feels like home and challenges you just enough. Setting a positive milestone  Treat admissions as your first chance to take ownership of your future.  Make small action steps, seek advice, and build momentum. "Professional judgment” in financial aid  Financial aid officers can adjust inputs (e.g., average income over 3 years) for special circumstances.  Document high medical expenses or variable income to swing aid by $50,000. Effective scholarship searching  Use free databases like Scholaroo (scholaroo.com).  Check your and neighboring schools’ career center listings.  Don’t neglect small, local scholarships—they boost credibility for larger awards. Leveraging applications  Recycle college essays for merit-based scholarships.  A holistic approach maximizes effort and results. Manage scholarship outreach  Create a throwaway email to avoid inbox clutter. Key resources  Scholars and Dollars (available on Amazon).  Websites: scholaroo.com and learnipity.com (courses, essay feedback, toolkits).Connect with Shellee Howard: WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInEmail: [email protected] Connect with Michelle Pardue: Email: [email protected] 

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• Raising Confidence, Living Authentically: Shellee Howard in Conversation with Christina Lecuyer

  Decision • Faith • Action  “Everything is a matter of decision.”  Christina’s core formula: make a choice, take massive action, and trust something greater. From Pro Golfer to Mindset Coach  Former five-time All-American golfer battled eating disorders and suicidal thoughts despite external success.  Built a mission to help others “be yourself” and escape the validation trap. Social Media: Highlight Reel vs. Reality  Encourages authenticity over perfection.  Advises limiting screen time and engaging in real-life activities for fulfillment. Confidence Is a Muscle  Teens are more resilient than assumed.  Self-trust grows by facing challenges and embracing failure as “just a lesson.” Align Kids with Their Passions  Listen to what children genuinely enjoy instead of imposing parental expectations.  Support them in activities—art, sports, STEM—that build competence and self-worth. Reprogramming Stories & Habits  Brain = computer; to change results, rewrite old patterns (e.g., money mindset).  Identify the “thing under the thing” and replace limiting beliefs with empowering ones. Habits Caught, Not Taught  Parents’ behaviors shape kids more than words.  Model self-care: family meals with no-phone zones, shared hobbies, and visible self-improvement. Working with Christina  One-on-one coaching (max. 30 clients).  Free clarity calls via Instagram @bchristina or text 501-222-3362.Connect with Shellee Howard: WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInEmail: [email protected] Connect with Christina Lecuyer: WebsiteInstagramPodcastYouTubeWork with Christina: 1:1 CoachingBook Christina to Speak: Contact Here  

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• Beyond Biology: Meeting College Requirements Through AP Success – Shellee Howard Talks with Michelle Pardue

  Michelle Pardue’s Background  32 years teaching experience, 25 years teaching AP Biology  Chose teaching to inspire future medical researchers and practitioners  AP Biology Course Approach  Treats AP Bio like a sports season: “I’ve been prepping them all year to get ready for this test.”  Balances content delivery with test-prep strategies Exam Focus Shift  Now emphasizes scientific thinking, data/graph interpretation, and time management  Multiple‑choice section: 60 lengthy questions in 90 minutes—practice under timed conditions is essential  Free‑response: requires concise, factual answers, not essay‑style writing Key Study Resources  AP Classroom (College Board): videos, topic reviews, practice questions  AP prep books for targeted review (use early in study cycle to avoid burnout)  Peer‑to‑peer study groups to reinforce understanding Strategies for Improvement  Identify and highlight FRQ command words (e.g., “describe,” “identify”)  Skim MCQs efficiently by knowing material—helps find answers faster  Time drills: simulate exam timing to build pacing skills Parental Check‑In Questions  “Do you know the exam structure? (# MCQs, time limits, FRQ format)”  “Has your teacher taught test‑taking strategies?”  If the answer is no, consider supplemental tutoring or online resources Tutoring & Support Offer  Zoom prep sessions for AP and regular biology students  Email: [email protected] to arrange one‑on‑one strategy and content reviews Final Exam Tip  Expect to feel underprepared on test day—it’s designed that way. Stay calm and focused, and you’ll perform respectably.Connect with Shellee Howard: WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInEmail: [email protected] Connect with Michelle Pardue: Email: [email protected] 

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• Strategies for Academic Success: Teaching Life Skills for the AI-Driven Future with Nitin Gour

  Career Journey & Pivot  Nitin Gour shares his transition from a tech background to an 18-year career in finance before founding Bloomster.  He emphasizes that diverse experiences and a fast-paced environment shaped his approach to work and life. Focus on Holistic Life Skills  Identified critical gaps in traditional education focused solely on academics.  Developed a holistic model covering social-emotional, intellectual, mindfulness, and physical dimensions with 25 key life skills. Bloomster’s Educational Approach  The platform uses engaging methods such as comic-based storytelling, animations, and interactive courses.  Courses are structured in modules featuring real-life scenarios, knowledge checks, exercises, and workbooks to build skills like self-awareness, impulse control, and responsible decision-making. Adapting to Technological and Social Change  Discusses the rapid evolution of AI and the unpredictable nature of future work environments.  Stresses the need for continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience for children to thrive in a future dominated by intelligent machines. Parental Involvement & Early Preparation  Encourages parents to help their children build these core life skills early on, starting in middle school.  Recommends utilizing free resources and trial periods on Bloomster to get started with courses and interactive learning modules. Connect with Shellee Howard: WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInEmail: [email protected] Connect with Nitin Gour: WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: [email protected]

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• Writing Skills for Everyday Impact: Layla Rafaat’s Research Journey with Lumiere

  Guest IntroductionShelly Howard hosts Layla, a student from College Ready, discussing her research project on Alzheimer's disease. Research MotivationLayla chose to research Alzheimer's disease due to her personal connection; her great-grandmother suffered from it, igniting her curiosity. Research ProcessShe found a research opportunity through the College Ready portal, which connected her with the Lumiere program offering structured research projects. Mentorship ExperienceLayla was matched with a mentor who had a strong background in neurological disorders and provided guidance throughout the research process. Structured ScheduleThe program included weekly meetings and deadlines set by Lumiere, which helped Layla manage her time effectively despite her busy schedule. Research EnjoymentLayla enjoyed the research, focusing on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as diet and fitness, making it accessible for Alzheimer's patients. Writing and PublishingWriting the research paper took about eight weeks. Layla plans to publish her findings to share her work broadly and bring awareness to the subject. Startup InitiativeShe developed a digital platform for caregivers and patients with Alzheimer's, integrating scheduling and dietary advice, furthering her commitment to the cause. Empower EducationLayla is now the president of Empower Education, highlighting the community's impact on education in underserved regions, like Uganda. Encouragement for PeersLayla advises students to start with College Ready, emphasizing how it opens doors to various opportunities and helps discover passions. Connect with Shellee Howard: WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInEmail: [email protected]

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