Throughout the academic year, Melinda Giampietro, Options Founder/President, will share some of her favourite things. Melinda loves reading, data, research, and following academic and adolescent news around the world.
Melinda’s December Holiday Fun:
Every year, Ken Steele at Eduvation puts together a collection of holiday messages from post-secondary institutions around the world. They are a fun way to get to know the vibe of each institution. I find many of them hilarious. Click here to watch.
Melinda’s December Podcast (Not education-related):
I have been really into podcasts lately. Although I’m not usually a true crime person, I enjoyed the Bear Brook podcast. It gave me a different perspective on police investigations. I found it highly entertaining on my Sunday walks.
Melinda’s December Podcast (Education-related):
Season three of NACAC’s College Admissions Decoded began on November 17, 2021. I found the second episode, “The Keys to Building a Good College List,” interesting. I think last year’s season was enlightening, too, helping students navigate post-secondary choices in a COVID-19 world.
Melinda’s December Cookbook Pick:
Every year, I carve out two days, just before Christmas, and spend them baking our cookie gift baskets to give to our nearest and dearest. Each year, I pick a signature cookie. This year, I’ve chosen Cookie #70: Neopolitan Cookies from Sarah Kiefer’s 100 Cookies: The Baking Book for Every Kitchen. Other favourites from this book include Cookie #9: Brownie Cookies, Cookie #60: Espresso Cheesecake Bars, and Cookie #92: Peanut Butter Cookies with Peanut Butter Filling.
Melinda’s Featured Article:
Since the pandemic, I have started my sessions with a mental health check-in with all my students. It has been so difficult for them in so many ways. I found this article by University Affairs interesting and important in keeping mental health at the forefront of learning. It’s a quick, but important read.
Melinda’s Featured Resource for US Admission:
The first admission data about the US fall 2022 cycle was released by the Common Application in mid-November. Everyone is following along closely to see if last year’s exponential growth in application numbers at competitive colleges will continue. This is a pretty dense, but valuable, read about what we can expect to see. I’m a big believer in data and understanding how it affects each individual cycle. In an age of test-optional, it is crucial to understand the emerging trends. Click to read.
