We are continuing our conversation with Michelle Maros, national and international bestselling author of Dear Friend, mindfulness teacher, cofounder of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, and co-host of the podcast Life Happens with Barb & Michelle. Michelle opens up about her own college experience, the moments that challenged her mental health, and the practices that helped her. From loneliness and self-doubt to burnout, Michelle shares practical ways students can support their mental health during difficult moments. 

Where to find Dear Friend: https://michellemaros.com/book/

You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

This podcast is for you, so tell us what you thought! Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. 

Let’s figure this out together!

Michelle shares her personal journey that inspired her to write Dear Friend and how mindfulness practices from her childhood, like checking in with emotions each morning, helped shape the way she approaches life, peace, and mental wellness today. She also reflects on moments during the creation of Dear Friend where she had to stop people-pleasing and advocate for her own voice, showing how honoring your needs can ultimately lead to happier and more authentic results. 

Where to find Dear Friend: https://michellemaros.com/book/

We talk about: 
✨ Why peace is a skill, not just a feeling 
✨ The importance of checking in with yourself emotionally 
✨ Learning to advocate for yourself and stop people-pleasing 
✨ Why rejection can actually be redirection 
✨ And much more!

You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

This podcast is for you, so tell us what you thought! Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. 

Let’s figure this out together!

Join our Career Services team, Director of Career Development, Karlisha Johnson, and Career Coach, Bithja Meus, as they give you insider advice to help you succeed. If you’re graduating soon, this episode is your guide to interview success! 

In our last episode, we covered how to kick off your job search and craft a standout resume. 

If you missed it, be sure to check that out. 

You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

This podcast is for you, so tell us what you thought! Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. 

Let’s figure this out together!

We’re joined by our Career Services team, including our Director of Career Development, Karlisha Johnson, and Career Coach, Bithja Meus, who share their insights from what they have witnessed on both the employer side and the candidate side. You’ll learn how to enhance your resume, highlight your skills even without much experience, and find opportunities that align with your goals. We also cover how to navigate uncertainty and take steps beyond applying to leave a strong impression on employers. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into how to ace your interviews, confidently pitch yourself, and ensure the job is the right fit for you. 

You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

This podcast is for you, so tell us what you thought! Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. 

Let’s figure this out together!

In Part 1, Sofia shared her unique experience from inside the set of Stranger Things, offering a behind-the-scenes look. If you haven’t heard that yet, make sure to check out episode 16 to hear how her journey began!

You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

This podcast is for you, so tell us what you thought! Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. 

Let’s figure this out together!

Sofia shares what it was like behind the scenes on one of Netflix’s biggest productions and how the experience has shaped her goals as she explores a future in acting while balancing college life. 

⚠️ Spoiler alert: We’ll briefly touch on moments from the final season of Stranger Things, so listen accordingly if you’re avoiding spoilers.

You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

This podcast is for you, so tell us what you thought! Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. 

Let’s figure this out together!

Today, we break down how to choose the best-fit school for you. We talk about handling rejections, the truth about “dream schools,” what really matters when comparing colleges, and more.

You’ll also hear firsthand insight from Laila Amro, a 2023 Snow Scholar currently attending Florida Atlantic University, where she’s pursuing a Bachelor’s in Marketing and working as a Resident Assistant. She shares what helped her choose FAU and what she considered in the decision process.

You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

This podcast is for you, so tell us what you thought! Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. 

Let’s figure this out together!

[Leslie:] I am the Vice President of Scholar Services at the George Snow Scholarship Fund. 

[Dina:] And I am a Scholar Services Coordinator at the George Snow Scholarship Fund, a recent college graduate, and a Snow Alum. 

We’ve seen this journey from every angle. We work daily with students to support them through the real challenges of college. No matter where you are on your college journey, College Compass: By Experts at Scholarship.org is here to help you find your direction. We’ll talk about what really matters, like choosing the right college, navigating roommates, managing loneliness, discovering the career path that’s right for you, and more!

But this podcast is for you, so we need your help. Tell us what you want to hear about. Send us your questions, your struggles, and your wins. You can find College Compass: By the Experts at Scholarship.org every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your shows. 

For more information or for questions, please visit Scholarship.org/Podcast. 

Let’s figure this out together!

We’re joined by Leslie Cornwell, Vice President of Scholar Services, who works directly with applicants every year. Leslie gives you insider tips on how to navigate the application process, avoid common mistakes, and make your submission stand out.

Joining us is Dr. Kristina Taylor, Dr. Taylor is the Director of the College & Career Center at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Florida. She was named the 2023–2024 BRACE Advisor of the Year for her dedication to helping students earn college acceptances and scholarships. She'll share the strategies and advice she gives her own students so you can strengthen your scholarship search.

We're also welcoming back a familiar voice, Leslie Cornwell, our Vice President of Scholar Services. Leslie works directly with applicants throughout the selection process for our own scholarships. She'll be tackling some of the biggest misconceptions and common questions you might have as you apply for a scholarship.

Our guest, Chloe Bradigan, Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise Mobility, works directly with college students through her company's internship program. She's seen what makes applicants stand out and what holds them back.

Chloe shares insider tips on how you can impress recruiters, ace the interview process, and make the most of your internship so it can lead to future career opportunities.

If you're serious about landing your next internship, this episode is for you!

Joining us is 2022 Snow Scholar, Shoaib Chaudhry, a senior at the University of Florida pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration. Shoaib shares his personal journey of campus involvement. From serving as a UF Ambassador to co-founding Florida Tech Pathways, a student-led organization helping students break into top tech careers.

Tune in for practical tips on how to make the most of your college experience, expand your network, and set yourself up for future success!

Kali is a first-generation college graduate who attended Florida State University for her undergraduate degree and went on to earn her graduate degree from Florida Atlantic University. While in college, she created a personal budgeting system to manage her expenses and financial aid. Now, she trains our Snow Scholars on how to apply that same system to their own lives to help them take control of their finances.

Also joining us is Melyne Cineas, a 2023 Snow Scholar who just earned her Associate's Degree from Palm Beach State College. This fall, she is moving up to Florida State University to pursue her Bachelor's Degree. As she prepares to live on her own for the first time, Melyne is seeking financial advice to help her feel confident and prepared. We thought this episode would be the perfect opportunity to include her in the conversation and give her a chance to get real-time guidance from Kali.

Joining us today are Dr. Keven Allen Jr. and Marcklen Cirius. Dr. Allen has served over 12 years in higher education administration. Dr. Allen is a first-generation college graduate and is passionate about student success. We also have one of our own! 2023 Snow Scholar, Marcklen Cirius! Marcklen currently attends Florida A&M University for Civil Engineering. He serves as a Resident Advisor on his campus, is involved in several student-led organizations, and is also a first-generation college student.

Joining us is Megan Casabe, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Owner of Buena Vida Wellness, Inc. Megan is not only a mental health expert but also a proud Snow Scholar, having received our scholarship in 2008 and our graduate scholarship in 2013. Tune in as we discuss strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and prioritizing mental wellness during life's transitions.

Joining us is Brian M. Montalvo, Assistant Vice President of Career Services at Florida Atlantic University's Career Center. As a National Certified Counselor and Certified Career Counselor, Brian shares expert insights, practical advice, and key strategies to help graduates launch their careers with confidence. Don't miss this essential conversation for anyone preparing to take their next big step!

In part 2 of our Guide to Financial Aid, we are focusing on how to choose the right college for your educational goals and your financial situation.

Re-joining the conversation are two incredible experts:

Leslie Cornwell, Vice President of Scholar Services at the George Snow Scholarship Fund, who brings 12 years of experience guiding students through the complexities of the college experience.

Austin Havass, Scholar Services Coordinator at the Fund, whose experience with financial aid add insights to the discussion.

Tune in to learn how to make informed financial decisions and reduce the burden of student debt on your journey to higher education!

That's why today's episode is so important. It's the first in our two-part series, College Financial Aid 101: Minimizing Student Debt. In this episode, we'll break down the basics of college financial aid, explore the different types available, and share tips on how to access this crucial support.

Joining the conversation are two incredible experts:

Leslie Cornwell, Vice President of Scholar Services at the George Snow Scholarship Fund, who brings 12 years of experience guiding students through the complexities of the college experience.

Austin Havass, Scholar Services Coordinator at the Fund, whose experience with financial aid add insights to the discussion.

Tune in to learn how to make informed financial decisions and reduce the burden of student debt on your journey to higher education!

Joining the conversation are two incredible experts:

Deidra Moreland, Director of Upward Bound Glades Region at Palm Beach State College, shares her student-centered approach to guiding high schoolers through the scholarship process, from essay writing to finding inspiration in their own stories.

Kyle Stewart, First Vice President - Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Advisors and a 12-year veteran of the George Snow Scholarship Fund's Selection Committee, offers insider advice on what makes applications and interviews stand out to decision-makers.

Whether you're applying for scholarships now or planning for the future, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed!

Learn how this life-altering event led to the creation of The George Snow Scholarship Fund, an organization born out of love and determination to honor George's memory by supporting students in need. Tim reflects on the early days of the Fund, awarding its first scholarships, and its incredible growth over the years—now providing not only financial assistance but also wrap-around support services to ensure students succeed in college and beyond.

Join us to hear the story behind the name and the mission that has become a beacon of hope for so many.