Mrs. Hamilton's Room - Tips for thriving in high school, for students and parents

Shawnda Hamilton - Educator, Teacher, Coach, Confidant
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A safe space where student stories are shared and reveal how each challenge has a way forward by building confidence.  With that confidence, students will stay motivated and be equipped with a positive mindset resulting in success during those high school years.  With a positive mindset, students are more productive and capable of managing stress when it comes.  As high school students move closer to graduation, some topics will help in the preparation for college admissions' success and aid in building confidence in the transition between high school and college.  Parents will also benefit from the wisdom provided for a successful high school to college path, as well.  Mrs. Hamilton encourages students and parents to reflect, reset and renew their thinking by offering strategies which help to provide a more positive outcome in high school, college and beyond.  

  1. JAN 23

    Ep 18: "Beyond the Rejection Letter: The 'NO' that Opens New Doors"

    In Episode 18 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room, I talk about something that is not easy to talk about in any situation...the Plan B if what you hoped for does not work out the way previously planned. More specifically, what is discussed is...if, "What to do when the college rejection or waitlist letter appeared in your inbox?" In this episode, suggestions are offered that might still place one on that college track, but other avenues are presented if college is not something that you are not quite sure about yet, too.  Join me as this challenge is addressed and positive options are presented to, just maybe, help you in beginning to navigate a new path. Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    14 min

  2. JAN 15

    Ep: 17: "Digitial Street Smarts - Scroll Smarter: Be Digitally Balanced for Life!"

    This episode finishes a 3 segment series that discusses ways to be "Digitally Street Smart". The first episode discussed how to handle the difference between the real world and the online space. The second episode addressed bullying online and included the classroom space, as well. This last one discusses how to balance the digital world for life! Technology is going to be a part of all of our futures so knowing how to control it, rather than it controlling you, is a skill that we all must learn. Some user-friendly strategies are provided in the latest episode of Mrs. Hamilton's Room that will help you to be in charge of your own digital world. Join me in this most recent episode! Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    13 min

  3. 12/25/2025

    Ep:16 - "Digital Street Smarts: Standing Strong: Handling Bullying with Confidence , in school and on-line"

    In this episode, I continue my series on "Digital Street Smarts" and discuss the difference between conflict and bullying. If you have ever felt like you have stuggled with this, this episode provides a few scenarios to help in figuring out the difference. Finally, strategies are provided to help handle those times in which you might be being bullied yourself, online or in the classroom. Join me as we discuss how to best navigate conflict and the people that may attempt to bully their way into your space. Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    13 min

  4. 12/11/2025

    Ep:15 - "Digital Street Smarts: When the digital world meets the real world and how to protect your privacy"

    In the episode, I begin a series discussing "Digital Street Smarts" and how realizing before something crushing happens that everything you put out there is truly real. Making sure you understand what that really means and how the trail you leave along the way becomes your digital footprint. I discuss real life scenarios and what consequences they might bring. However,  strategies are also shared to help with keeping your accounts more private while also becoming more savvy in the day-to-day use of the digital world. Join me in Episode 15 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room as we become more digitally street smart together! Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    16 min

  5. 11/27/2025

    Ep: 14 - "Learning to be Extravagantly Thankful: Showing Thanks in a Bigger Way"

    In this episode, a story is shared that explains how showing thanks in a bigger way is something we all might want to strive for.  Reflecting on the importance of that, but also knowing when to add the handwritten thank you note is a skill to be learned as well.  There are many times when it does become important, even as early as pre-school.  However, revealing what it does for both the sender and receiver is most powerful.  Join me in Episode 14 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room as we learn to not only be thankful, but extravagantly thankful. Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    15 min

  6. 11/13/2025

    Ep:13 "Research in High School? Why digging into that topic you are passionate about might be a good thing"

    In Episode #13 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room, the benefits of doing research are explained, but not the research one might be used to in high school. This "research" discusses digging deeper into something you truly want to find more information on. If there is a topic that you are extremely passionate about and you are willing to invest time in it, this additional step will not only help you stand out once you graduate, but it will also elevate your knowledge in that area while helping you hone those soft skills every employer is looking for. If you're serious about taking your research to the next level and are not sure where to look, here are two programs that might be of interest. horizoninspires.com - This link also provides the student reviews spoken of in this podcast.https://www.pltw.org/ There are many more out there; however, Horizon Academics, Inc. and Project Lead the Way are both credible programs that have alumni speaking to many positive experiences. In addition to that, you might be interested in summer programs, internships or scholarships that fit the need of "testing" where your interests might truly lie prior to applying to college. College Vine provides that here: https://blog.collegevine.com/research-opportunities-high-school/ Whether applying today is where you are, finding the right mentor or deciding if research is something that might fit in your journey, this episode is for you! Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    13 min

  7. 10/26/2025

    Ep:12: "It's Go Time! Don't miss these last minute college countdown tips on the Common App"

    For those of you applying to college, this month has been extra busy and this week, submitting those personal statements and supplemental essays is on everyone's mind that is a part of it. This episode provides some tips on ensuring that simple mistakes are avoided and uncertainties are exhausted prior to hitting that submit button. Join me in Mrs. Hamilton's Room this week so your final "send" is done with confidence and peace of mind when forwarding those Common App college applications.  Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    13 min

  8. 10/16/2025

    Ep: 11 - "Using AI Without Getting into Trouble; a few quick tips can help!"

    Any one of us would agree that getting more time back in our days would be amazing...teens and adults both! Some people suggest that technology does that for us, which is true. In my time since high school, the internet has replaced the heavy encyclopedia and the cell phone provides a way for people to locate us, no matter where we are. And now, enter AI. Whether or not it scares you or brings delight, it is advancing quickly and definitely, here to say. For the people that have been using AI for a while now know that this invention has helped to accelerate production time, in many facets of life. So, this has to hold true for those still in school, too. However, using it as a tool to help, rather than do a job completely is where the line is drawn with possibly getting into trouble in school. Learning some strategies on how to best use it for classroom help might help gain some of that time back, but using it with integrity while still being a valuable resource is what is needed to understand. In this episode, I talk about how using AI effectively is not going to prevent learning if you are the one doing the thinking. There are many good things it is able to help with in school, so if you are ready to learn a few quick tips on how it might help, this is the episode for you! Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

    13 min
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A safe space where student stories are shared and reveal how each challenge has a way forward by building confidence.  With that confidence, students will stay motivated and be equipped with a positive mindset resulting in success during those high school years.  With a positive mindset, students are more productive and capable of managing stress when it comes.  As high school students move closer to graduation, some topics will help in the preparation for college admissions' success and aid in building confidence in the transition between high school and college.  Parents will also benefit from the wisdom provided for a successful high school to college path, as well.  Mrs. Hamilton encourages students and parents to reflect, reset and renew their thinking by offering strategies which help to provide a more positive outcome in high school, college and beyond.  

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