Page 16 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch December 27, 2013 . . Current SDHS Students Learn From Experiences FROM PAGE 15 The resources are available at Decatur to lay the groundwork needed for success in any school, according to Bonnie Eisenman, a Computer Science Major at Princeton University. Though initially intimidated by a perceived lack of “cultural knowledge,” Eisenman had the tools she needed to keep up with even that school’s infamously high expectations. “I think Decatur gave me a really solid foundation and I caught up really quickly,” she said. Most of the panel agreed that just picking the right school and getting finances in order can be half of the stress. When choosing a college, Tim Li, a Computer Science major at Arizona State, recommended going off the beaten path. “It’s the local knowledge that you want to seek out,” he told Chetelat’s class. “You don’t just want to listen to what the university wants to tell you. It’s very different.” Eisenman also suggested relying less on the tour guides provided by universities and more on the students you encounter there on visits. “If you just ask random people, you’ll get some interesting answers,” she said. “And don’t trust the answers the tour guides give you because at a lot of schools they’re required to give certain answers even though they may also be students.” Even if a graduate can find the perfect school, cost may play a hand. “There’s no such thing as a free ride,” said Justice. “You always have to pay for something whether it’s books, fees, rent; there is no such thing.” Justice added that “there’s no scholarship too small” and that students need to go after everything they have even a remote chance of getting including athletics and academics. It’s up to them to be proactive, she said. “So they have to do their homework?” asked Chetelat. “These guys can’t just expect someone to come knocking on their door?” If you want scholarships or support, you have to be the one to make it happen, said Eisenman. The same goes for securing internships during and after college. “They don’t publicize them that heavily, but if you go looking for them – Google, Facebook, Microsoft – they all have these kinds of things,” she said. Approaching everything with an open mind is key, noted Justice. While everyone will be “humbled in college,” it’s something that can be prepared for and overcome. Strong communication helps, said Li, and maintaining a lifeline to family and friends via phone, Skype or weekend visits goes a long way. An Indian River Seafood Company Restaurant sunday monday tuesday thursday friday 3 chef selected courses for $18, including appetizer or salad, entree & dessert 50% off fish entrees & selected bottles & glasses of wine 50% off ladies food items $2 fish or shrimp taco, $5 burger, $5 margarita, $3 draft beer including craft 3 courses for $25, includes appetizer or salad, entree & dessert Open seven days a week for lunch & dinner 11:30 a.m.-Til 8003 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD 410-723-4665 Like Us On facebook Bethany Beach Delaware Fenwick Island Delaware