Preparing for college can be overwhelming at times, but senior students at Greeley West High School in the AVID program, are getting the support that they need in order to succeed in the future. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, supports students to develop essential life skills such as organization, time management, and college application strategies. For many students around the country, life has been altering, opening new doors and possibilities that expand their future.
AVID is a college readiness program that is constructed to help students on their own paths to having a higher and better education. It focuses on building very strong leadership skills, study habits, and confidence. Through workshops and lessons, students will learn the step by step process in applying for colleges, scholarships, and preparing for a bright future ahead.
In the AVID classroom, students are involved in activities that directly impact their college readiness. They are assigned to apply for financial aid, complete college applications, visit campuses, and practice crucial skills such as managing their time and note taking. Planner checks are also mandatory because they keep students organized and it ensures that they are staying on top of their assignments and deadlines.
For senior Jovan Guidry, AVID has made all the difference. “I originally joined AVID because I was invited by my teacher, Mr. Redman, but it’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I really love and enjoyed the class and I feel like it has really helped me a lot and it will help me a lot in the future,” Guidry said.
The college application process can be very stressful for a lot of students, but this program provides students with the tools and the help to push through all of these challenges. Many students have trouble with financial aid forms and scholarship applications, but the AVID program works together to make this intimidating process less stressful.
“One of the biggest challenges for me was applying for scholarships and FAFSA,” Guidry said. “But AVID helped me navigate through it. Doing it as a class really helped a lot.”
For students like Jovan Guidry, AVID has already paid off. “Getting accepted into CSU was one of my proudest moments because I feel like everything I have done in AVID has led up to this moment and it really meant everything to me and I’m glad I got it,” Guidry said.
When asked what advice he would give to students considering AVID, Guidry said, “I would say do it because you get to meet new people and get to grow with them as a family, and it helps incredibly in the long run.”