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The first day of the fall semester will be here soon. Whether you're a high school senior or a college freshman, LearningExpress Library is there for you, in eLibrary Minnesota. The resources you find there can help you get admitted to college, or to succeed if you're already there. And they'll make your life a lot less stressful along the way.

A photograph of the main quadrangle on the campus of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Body

We are just a couple weeks away from “firsts” season. For some, it’s the first day of their senior year of high school, and for others, their first day of college. You get the idea. I remember both of these days. Most likely it’s because I missed the bus on both occasions, but that's beside the point. Firsts can be challenging and difficult to navigate. LearningExpress Library has a variety of resources and guides to help you get to college or to succeed if you are already there. The resources, ranging from standardized-test prep to financial aid, take the guesswork out of higher education, and make it more accessible.

LearningExpress Library can make college prep easier for anyone, but it will be especially helpful for those who do not have immediate family to help them navigate the situation. There are search tools to help you find the schools that will meet your needs and stand out as an applicant. There are also resources to help you write application essays, navigate financial aid, and find scholarships (an area where many students struggle). I remember being told that looking for and applying for financial aid and scholarships is almost like a part-time job, and from experience I agree that it was a labor-intensive process. 

Test preparation is also available for a variety of exams. LearningExpress can help you get ready through practice tests and by identifying areas in need of improvement, so you can get your highest score when the time comes. LearningExpress covers AP exams, the ACT, SAT, and even more. These resources and guides take the guesswork out of a stressful process and might even give you the time and peace-of-mind to enjoy your senior year.

If you’re already admitted to college, LearningExpress offers access to subject reviews and best practices that will help you have a successful first year! Math, science, reading, and grammar review sessions are all available to help you prevent any initial lapse in skill after a long summer. The scholarship and financial-aid tools can help you maximize your opportunities even after your college career is underway. 

Transitioning from high school to college is no joke. In college, classes are less frequent. You have more time to yourself, but that means you have more responsibility to study independently. That’s a huge change for many students. Effective time management and organizational skills are crucial to your success in higher education. LearningExpress provides resources and tools to help you develop these skills, and others.

I could sit here and tell you it gets simpler, but actually it just keeps getting more complicated. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t also get better. Looking back, I wish I had known about all these resources. They really could have helped me build confidence and navigate the uncertainty I felt. Luckily for you, there’s still time to take advantage of LearningExpress Library before your next “first” rolls around.

Written by

Jesus Maldonado Sanchez
Marketing & Communications Generalist