Kristen Lemaster
Kristen Lemaster is a first-year Honors student at the University of Georgia, double-majoring in English and History with a minor in Spanish.She graduated as Valedictorian of Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia, with many pretty cords and stoles from her involvement in National Honors Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish club, theater, scholars bowl, and student government. She hopes to write historical fiction short stories and translate her work into Spanish.
Besides reading, writing, and re-writing, Kristen loves kittens (though she is allergic) and ice cream, playing soccer, donating blood, doing pageants, scrapbooking, being barefoot, and singing very loudly to the radio.
Contributing Articles:
Finding Your Standardized Test Fit
Working the Meal Plan at Your College
13 Ways to Not Be Awkward in College
Balancing College and Family
Surviving Midterms
The Secret to College Applications
Accepting Rejection (or a Deferral or Waitlisting)
Skip Skipping Classes
Roommate Etiquette
Be a Social Networking Sleuth
It's a Rush
Laura Magerkurth
Laura Magerkurth, who has been writing her whole life, is active on the Lee’s Summit North High School newspaper staff in addition to contributing to a community newspaper, The Lotawana News. Though she hopes to one day write for a living, for the time being she is enjoying her senior year of high school and is looking forward to beginning college. She plans to study communication disorders, English and journalism at Truman State University.
When she isn’t writing, Laura can be found reading, swimming and spending time with her friends and family. She loves traveling and taking pictures.
Contributing Articles:
So What Advice Would You Give an Underclassman?
ACT Now if You Haven't Already SAT for a Test
Keeping Away the College Anxiety
Senior Year Cost WHAT?!
College Application Resumes 101
Figure It Out: Can You Afford Your College Choice?
Striking Back Against Senioritis
The Ups and Downs of the Pre-College Rush
The Biggest Lesson I've Learned in High School
Ann Mallick
Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Ann Mallick is a college junior currently enrolled at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. A far cry from the endearing drizzle of the Pacific Northwest, Ann is currently working towards an English Major with a Minor in Environmental Science. When she is not writing or advocating the many benefits of recycling, she enjoys singing in Duke’s all-female a cappella group, Out of the Blue, and tutoring K-3rd graders in the Durham area with the America Reads and America Counts Program.
She also enjoys traveling, and will be spending Summer 2011 in India as well as studying abroad in Italy for the Fall 2011 semester. In her free time, Ann loves eating Asian food, salsa dancing, and watching SNL with her three younger brothers.
Contributing Articles:
Start Planning for Next Summer -- Apply for Grants Today
Buying Textbooks Without Breaking Your Wallet
Oh, the Places You'll Go -- Studying Abroad
How to Write Your Personal Statement in Four Easy Steps
Duke Basketball and K-ville: Becoming a Part of a Larger Community on Campus
Don't Leave Your High School Passion Behind: Doing What You Love in College
Keeping in Touch with Family -- You'll Miss the Home Cooked Meals
Ariana Pugh
My name is Ariana Pugh, and I’m an International Studies major at Fordham University at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. I’m originally from Buffalo, New York, and I graduated from Leonardo da Vinci in 2011, where I was active in student government and tennis. Buffalo is an incredibly literary city that’s been a huge influence on my writing, but I’ve been passionate about learning and research since I could hold a crayon, thanks to my supportive family.
I’m extremely honored and excited for the chance to collaborate with Fastweb and share my college experience.
I’m interested in anything and everything, but I can typically be found on the tennis courts, wandering art galleries, dining out with friends, and generally exploring the two wonderful cities I’m lucky to call home.
Contributing Articles:
Getting the Most Out of College Visits
What You Can Do This Second to Ease the College Transition
Making Yourself Stand Out -- Before You Apply
Applying for the Financial Reach School
The Importance of Your Old Friends
City College, Country College
Making Time to Stay Healthy
Spring Break Without Breaking the Bank
The 5 Most Entertaining Ways to Procrastinate
Dante Jordan
With each new school year things are changing more and more. The way school worked for the graduating class of 2005 is completely different from the way it works for the graduating class of 2012. This is why Fastweb.com has chosen Dante Jordan to give a current student’s perspective on the college application and scholarship process that today’s graduating class can relate to. Dante is originally from Atlanta, GA; but in his three years of high school he’s been to three different high schools finally settling down in a small town in northern Mississippi. He’s planning on majoring in creative writing and military science at the University of Mississippi.
When Dante’s not concentrating on surviving high school or sharpening his writing skills, he enjoys playing guitar, reading, messing with his little brother, and saving the world from a total alien invasion (on his Xbox.)
Contributing Articles:
Financial and Educational Benefits of ROTC: Is It Right for You?
7 Tips to Get Into the College of Your Dreams
To Pledge or Not to Pledge: Pros and Cons of Frat Life
Kizzy Preston
When Kizzy graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in 2008 she was the ripe age of 31. Now she is passionate about helping other students achieve the same goal, no matter what their age.Kizzy graduated from Chatham University with a Master’s degree in Professional Writing. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Southern New Hampshire University.
A writer of both fiction and non-fiction, her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Spring Street Magazine, Creative-Writing-Now, and The Shine Journal. She maintains a blog, Second Chance (www.kizzypreston.blogspot.com) that offers tools and encouragement to motivate people of every age to achieve their dreams.
When she’s not writing, Kizzy reads as if her life depends on it, watches television way too much (Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Glee), and obsesses over Ph.D. program applications.
Contributing Articles:
What to Know Before You Borrow
Online vs. Classroom: Which Is Right for You?
Internships: Why You Need to Complete One
7 Mistakes First-Time Job Seekers Make: And How to Avoid Them
Coping with College Stress
Ways to Educate Yourself for Free
How to Avoid Being a Broke College Student
Safety First: Tips for Staying Safe at College
Have You Selected the Right Major?
How NOT to Write a Cover Letter
Why You Need a Mentor
10 Steps Every Student Should Take to Prepare for Graduation
5 Ways to Get Ahead Over Summer Break
Kyiara Griffin
Kyiara Griffin is a senior at Dallas Baptist University. She likes to work with youth, but prefers to write about them. She even works with youth at a church in Dallas. Her plans for the future include living in an apartment with a pet plant named Princess Mopsy Topplekindle II.
Contributing Articles:
Transfer Student Blues
Getting Up and Getting Out There: Grabbing Opportunities on Your College Campus
Work It: Finding and Holding Down a Job in College Without Losing Your Cool
Things You Learn from Video Games that Apply to College and Beyond
Study Smart: Things to Consider When Choosing a College Major
Be Kind, Pay on Time: Going Through the Registration Shuffle for College
It Started with a Lisp: Tips for Learning a New Language
When Life Hits the Fan: Staying on Track When Things Take a Turn
How NOT to Take a College Road Trip
How to Prepare for a Job Interview in 24 Hours
Alaina Martini
Hi there! I’m Alaina Martini and I’ve been chosen as one of the student columnists. I’m going to be a freshman at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. I plan to double major in Public Relations and Spanish.I began my love affair with all things journalism in the sixth grade. I discovered my love of reading and writing on the school news show and never looked back. Since then I’ve been a staff reporter and an editor on my high school’s newsmagazine and yearbook.
In addition to my love for journalism, I also love to play volleyball, I’m a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I enjoy watching TV shows like White Collar, Covert Affairs, and Glee.
As a college student, I think I will bring a unique and relatable take on real issues that students are faced with. I hope we’ll be seeing a lot of each other over the next four years!
Contributing Articles:
Freshman Year Feelings
You Don't Know What You Have Until It's Gone
The Dorm Epidemic
Student Organizations: Benefiting the Present and Your Future
5 Tips and Tricks to Make Your Finals Week a Success
Smartphones a Must for College Students
Pinterest, the New "It" Site?
Does Liberal Arts Education Affect Religion?
Raheem Smith
Raheem Smith is a first-year English major at Georgia State University in Atlanta. He is one among many talented writers within the campus as well as the city.
His writing-related pursuits include performing poetry at local venues, helping others with everything from essays to resumes, creating storylines for indie comics, and of course the occasional public rant. Beyond writing, Raheem enjoys playing bass, practicing martial arts, and helping people in any way possible.
Contributing Articles:
Working Out Your Workout Plan
A Few Minor Problems
Go to Class and Stay There
