Clinton Township Newsletter

1 5 f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 2 a l l i e d s m i l e s O r t H O d O n t i C s Dr. Allie DeGeorge was born and raised in Clinton Township. After completing her training at the University of Pennsylvania, she has returned home to open Alliedsmiles Orthodontics, which specializes in braces and Invisalign. Please call: 908.735.0612 or visit: www. AlliedSmiles.com to schedule a free consultation! n e W s F r O m n e x t s t e p a d v i s i n g , l l C ! Putting some LOVE into Next Step this month and always! Our work with your sophomore begins now (don't worry parents of juniors, it may not be too late to hop on board!). We provide an individualized and focused approach to the college and career selection process. Our students are typically in the top 25% of their graduating class, but it is just as important to find the best fit for those students who aren't in that bracket! We enjoy finding the best fit for the student, from those students that have 'always' known what they want in a career, to those students that think they have 'no idea'! What IS important for all high school students is having a college advisor and/or parent consistently checking in with them and listening to their needs and wants. Rarely do our kids get a dedicated space to do this where they feel comfortable and free to voice their thoughts on a regular basis. Often, students need to work through what our society and/or parents want for them (or self-imposed pressure). They need to find their balance while navigating real world issues (which include money and happiness). While I don't have the key to finding money and happiness, I can provide the tools to empower each student to make their best choices as they navigate the process. I truly love my company. I love my mission of helping students 'stay true' to their passion and path. At the end of a session last week, one of my Delaware Valley HS students interrupted me to say she wanted to thank me for always giving my honest opinion, always encouraging her, and caring. Wow, kudos to the parents out there raising these amazing and full of potential young men and women! Having worked in the public school systems, I know most students aren't getting the 20-25 hours of individual time with their school counselor to discuss matters relating to life after high school, which is the average amount of time a student spends with their dedicated counselor here at Next Step. Our focus is on the student, but we do have a lot of contact with you too! Parents, paying for college is one of your biggest investments, and I hope you will consider investing in a comprehensive plan. We have saved families thousands of dollars over the years in what they might have needed to pay in a 'lost' semester or two or by not picking a great fit school. In exit interviews, I have heard there was less stress at home, surprising 'a-ha moments', and comfort in knowing that a thorough search process was done. As I tell everyone that will listen, the college selection and career process is not a sprint, it is a marathon that you must have a plan for, or using one of my favorite quotes by Benjamin Franklin, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." And, as I say, 'Enjoy the process, do your best, and dream!' If you would like to sign up with Nicole at Next Step Advising, please call her at: 908.642.8509 and set up a consult as your first step in reserving on of the 16 comprehensive packages available each year. "You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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