As a 1st generation immigrant with no immediate family friends and relatives in America to look up to, I was fortunate enough to have found someone who had similar interests and background as me to basically be my mentor.

The world is changing all around us. College counseling needs to evolve to meet the needs of students.

Due to COVID-19, colleges and universities are changing their admissions criteria. Some schools, like Cornell University and Harvard University, are waiving the SAT or ACT for admission, due to the difficulties in taking the exam. Some students may not have access to the resources needed to study for the exam or even have a place to take it as test centers around the country stay closed. This change is unprecedented so no one really knows how this year’s admissions will turn out. However, there are still some things that students can do to prepare for this change.

Due to quarantine and reduced school and work hours, students may be finding themselves with more spare time than usual. Staying healthy should be your top priority, especially since the US has higher rates of young adults contracting COVID-19 than other countries. Staying healthy includes taking care of your mental health. In this tumultuous time, it is totally okay to focus on yourself. Colleges and schools will be understanding if you focus on taking care of yourself during this time instead of on your resume.