dealing with uncertainty

By Howard Freedman

Copyright 2024 Financial Aid Consulting. All rights reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced mechanically, electronically, by photocopying, or by any other means without expressed written permission of the author. Howard can be reached at finaidguy@gmail.com or 781-341-0234

Overview

What's certain is that there are enormous opportunities for higher education. It would be best if you found them.

The journey to college doesn’t just happen. Some rejections may be devastating, while some acceptances may not where they may not be happy. On the other hand, the emotional high of acceptance and financial shortcomings to pay for them can be overwhelming.

Each time you fail, you have eliminated another wrong option. Thomas Edison

Meanings of YES And NO

I've created two valuable acronyms, YES and NO, to help parents explore some of their emotional challenges during the financial aid process.

I’ve defined “YES” as Your Expected Success. You will succeed if you believe that you will. I view life as a sieve to filter out the bad and retain the good. A positive attitude will go a long way to defend against distractors, negativity, and self-doubt. Come to terms with the fact that there are thousands of colleges and other opportunities if you seek support, open your network, and remain focused. If you feel down in the dumps, look at something that makes you happier. “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not our circumstances.” Martha Washington

The “NO” stands for New Opportunities. Ask inciteful questions. Network with those within and outside each college and get excited about the future. The college experience should not be classroom confinement by taking notes and tested to earn high grades. As mentioned, it can expand to the outside world with cooperative education, teamwork, entrepreneurial labs, study abroad programs, international campuses, and real-world opportunities to learn from and help others.

Hope

I watch the Shark Tank television show, where millionaires and billionaires (the Sharks) evaluate new ideas and investment opportunities presented by aspiring entrepreneurs. Presenters should do their research, be well-prepared, and remain enthusiastic and convincing. Then, the Sharks asked tough questions and made each presenter think on their feet.  Entrepreneurs must believe in their offer, remain confident, and steadfastly willing to bargain for the best deal. Some winners jump for joy when they win over a Shark.  Then there are the losers, disappointed but happy they gained national TV exposure and greater confidence to move on.  “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” —Albert Einstein.

·      Never be intimidated by criticism or negativity.

·      Value positive and constructive advice.

·      Use a scheduler to keep track of deadlines.  \Key dates may include Early Decision essay submissions, financial aid deadlines (early is advantageous), scholarship deadlines, decision dates, appeal of financial assistance dates, loan selections, and deposit deadlines, along with campus visit scheduling are all critical.  Scheduling is part of the planning process that must always guide your next steps.

Just have a goal and be flexible enough to find the answers.