This facilitator guide is to be used in conjunction with the Exploring College Handbook.
EXPLORING COLLEGE FACILITATOR GUIDE
This guide provides activities that reinforce the information in the Exploring College publication. Find additional activities, presentation slides, and videos in the Professionals section at EducationQuest.org .
FIND YOUR PATH
1
EXPLORING CAREER OPTIONS
PREPARATION • Review pages 3-4 of Exploring College . • Familiarize yourself with MyNextMove.org . FACILITATION 1. Ask students to share their career interests and why they chose them. 2. Guide students to complete the activity on page 3 and write down two activities and two classes they enjoy. 3. Have students take the interest quiz at MyNextMove.org and share their results. 4. Instruct students to complete the Create a Career Plan activity (pg. 4) to explore their chosen career paths.
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REALITY CHECK
RESEARCHING COLLEGES
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PREPARATION • Visit Reality Check at eqf.org/RltyChk . FACILITATION 1. Demonstrate the two Reality Check options.
PREPARATION • Visit College Profiles at eqf.org/ClgProfiles . FACILITATION 1. As a class, select filters (e.g., location, size, and cost) to narrow college choices. 2. Use the compare feature to review three colleges side-by-side. 3. Allow students to explore College Profiles independently.
o My Expenses: Choose lifestyle options and then view careers that will cover your expenses.
o My Career: Select a career and then determine the lifestyle you can afford based on expected earnings. 2. Guide the class through a scenario, allowing students to vote on lifestyle choices. 3. Review the final budget and discuss how career salaries impact lifestyle choices. 4. (Optional) Have students complete their own Reality Check .
HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE
2
1
FINANCIAL AID MYTHBUSTERS
HOW MUCH WILL COLLEGE COST?
PREPARATION • Print Financial Aid Mythbusters and the Answer Key at eqf.org/FAmyths . FACILITATION 1. Read each statement and have students respond with “True” or “False.” 2. Reveal answers and discuss misconceptions. 3. Summarize key financial aid concepts from Exploring College (pg. 5-6).
PREPARATION • Download the Cost of Education slides at eqf.org/COE_slides . • Prepare to show the 4 Ways to Pay…for College video at eqf.org/4ways2pay . FACILITATION 1. Show slides explaining the types of colleges and cost breakdowns. 2. Have students guess the average tuition cost for the various types of Nebraska colleges before revealing the answer. 3. Show the 4 Ways to Pay…for College video. 4. Guide students through Exploring College (pg. 5) to understand financial aid options.
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BUILD AN ACTIVITIES RESUME
PREPARATION • Review the Activities Resume tool at eqf.org/ActResume .
FACILITATION 1. Have students sign in to MyEducationQuest at EducationQuest.org and create a profile. 2. Demonstrate how to add schools, activities, and achievements. 3. Show how to view, customize, and download the resume. 4. Encourage students to update their resumes each semester to prepare for scholarships, college applications, and jobs.
FREE TOOLS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR COLLEGE JOURNEY
EducationQuest.org offers these powerful, free tools to make your college planning easier.
eqf.org/MyEQ
ACTIVITIES RESUME™ Keep track of extracurricular activities, honors, and awards in one place. Use it to complete scholarship and college applications faster! COLLEGE PROFILES™ Explore colleges in Nebraska and across the country with detailed profiles. Compare programs, costs, and campus size to narrow down your options.
REALITY CHECK Discover how much your ideal lifestyle will cost and which careers can support it. Get a reality check on aligning your goals with your financial future. SCHOLARSHIPQUEST™ Search more than 2,000 Nebraska- based scholarships tailored to your qualifications. It’s your go-to resource for finding free money for college.
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