I Am College Bound / I Decided

IACB: I Decided

I Am College Bound: I Decided is a celebration of seniors’ commitments to their colleges of choice in May. Most colleges require a decision from students by May 1st, making this milestone known as “College Decision Day.” The purpose of I Decided is to acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments students have achieved so far and provide another push toward college enrollment.

The NHHEAF Network launched IACB: I Decided in 2019 and it has continued to grow! High school counselors across New Hampshire shared some of the ways they celebrate their students. Though the IACB campaign does encourage consideration of a college pathway, we celebrate all students’ choices, so the ideas listed below can be universally applied.

We’ve created a handout to encourage students to recognize and share their achievements. Click here for a copy of this two-page document with instructions. The college pennant might be best for students heading off to post-secondary education while any student can celebrate with the graduation cap. It is our hope that high schools will print these and have them available for students to fill out and hang on their locker or other designated spot. Not only is it exciting for the seniors to celebrate, it helps create enthusiasm for the underclassmen to start (or continue) thinking about life after high school.

Ideas for Schools to Celebrate Student Decisions

On May 1st, Host a College Gear Day (t-shirt, sweatshirt, or other gear for your students, staff, faculty) to celebrate College Signing Day

Host a Senior Signing Breakfast

Ask your school’s media arts class make a montage of students announcing where they will be attending to be used at a senior awards night, breakfast or graduation ceremony

Recognize those who have applied/accepted at quarterly awards ceremonies

Announce college decisions and other post-grad plans, including:

Share during Class Night or Certificate of Completion ceremony

Post signs in the school’s hallways

List decisions on school’s website

Create a bulletin board with students’ names and chosen schools

Post a star with the student’s name and college name posted on their school counselor's door frame. (Many students take the stars and put them on their caps at graduation!)

Ask the art teacher to create a class project to design college mascots or pennants and hang on lockers (or use our attached Pennant project information – appropriate for post-secondary education, direct to workforce or military!)

Place a college pennant or sign on the wall and put names of all students going to that institution

Take solo or group photos of friends in their college gear or holding a pennant to indicate where they are going

And remember to tag all your social media posts with #collegeboundnh to be connected to the greater NH I Am College Bound Campaign, and let us celebrate your students and school community with you!