Time to ACT

Though I've taken the SAT two times, that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to preparing for college, as anyone who has prepared for college can tell you. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, but there are new and stranger beasts looming on the horizon. I'm talking about the ACT®, The Test You Don't Have to Take But Really Ought To™. I don't really know much about it except that it tests more than just reading, writing, and math. I hope I know my stuff. The Pompano Pulse is reporting that a high school student far away from here achieved perfect scores on the SAT and the ACT. Yikes.

Now that I'm a senior in high school, I not only have to keep my grades afloat, but I also have to be on the lookout for colleges. Over the past few weeks I've become dramatically more interested in college, perhaps only because I have to be. No matter what the reason, the fact of the matter is that I'm thinking about places to go and how to get scholarships. I'm not really thinking about what I should study. Since I'm pretty undecided, it would be good to go to a place with a lot of options. Location is also pretty important. Maybe a good motto for me to follow would be "So close, yet so far."

As for schools, I'm actually going to go tour a few places next month. I've been to some colleges before, but never on an official tour or anything, so this should be interesting. And in the way of scholarships, I've signed up at FastWeb, a site that gives customized information on scholarships, colleges, and job offers. I've found quite a few scholarships that I just might apply for. There's one that expires before the end of the month. I'd better get busy on that if I want a chance at the money.

Actually, I sort of forgot that I've been chosen to be a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. Once I remembered, I did a little research to see how one becomes a National Merit Scholarship finalist because nobody ever told me how that worked. Apparently you have to do well on the SAT, but having taken it isn't enough. You have to take it when they tell you to, and then you'll be considered if you do well. I don't know if I can stand taking it a third time.

So the time has come. I, Jordon, care about going to college. I think I know where I want to go, so maybe soon I'll actually apply. It's not too late, right?

Did you know that you can make water attracted to magnets? It's true, apparently. Find out how (embedded QuickTime video).

The secret is out? How to Be Charming. Apparently the best place to be charming is at a party because that's all the article seems to care about. Besides that, step one is to get your life in order, and that could be pretty tough for a lot of people.

One year ago: "I'm truly ashamed of my musical tastes."
Three years ago: "I've never designed a commercial site before, so this will be interesting... not to mention a good way for me to make some money."