Program helps Nebraska students prepare for 'Next Chapter'

A University of Nebraska–Lincoln program is preparing Nebraska high schoolers for their next chapter.

Next Chapter at Nebraska, a partnership between the Office of Admissions and Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development, introduces youth to skills that will help them prepare for life after high school graduation. Serving about 3,500 Nebraska teens in 47 counties, the program aids participants in envisioning and preparing for what comes next, said AJ Holmes, senior assistant director for Next Chapter Programs.

“It allows them to see themselves in the future or work on being successful for themselves in the future,” Holmes said.

Students meet regularly with advisers to explore college and career options and develop skills for their chosen pathway. Participating students are pre-admitted to the university upon enrollment in the program. In some locations, the organization works with community partners like the Boys and Girls Club or Girls Inc. to provide the lessons.

Mi’Khel Thomas, a first-year business and law major at Nebraska, said he has already applied some of the lessons to his new life in Lincoln. Thomas, a graduate of Bryan High School in Omaha, learned of Next Chapter through his mentor at the Boys and Girls Club and said he signed up because he thought it would help him be more ready for college.

“I wanted to do all I could to be prepared,” Thomas said.

Participating students complete lessons in four pillars: career exploration, academic skills, college exploration, and wellness and community engagement. Career exploration assists students in identifying and researching majors or career paths they are interested in and the associated degree requirements or other preparation required for those careers. Academic skills offers tips on things like time management and study skills. College exploration helps students who are on that path identify the right school for them, as well as information about steps like applying for admission, researching scholarships and filling out the FAFSA. Wellness and community engagement involves a service learning project in their community.

Thomas was interested in becoming a veterinarian when he was younger, but after researching major and career options as part of Next Chapter, he didn’t think this was the best fit for him. His research brought the business and law major to his attention.

“I always wanted to start my own business, but then I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer and work in that field,” Thomas said. “I realized I could do both.”

An activity on time management has already been especially helpful for Thomas, he said. Students put together a calendar with classes they might be taking for their chosen major, any clubs or activities they wanted to join and time to study to help them get an idea of how to schedule their days.

“The main thing was to make sure we were keeping a good schedule and always doing the same things around the same time so we got used to it, which has really helped out,” Thomas said.

Next Chapter staff also shared campus resources available to students once they enroll. After Thomas mentioned that he often needs additional help in math, for example, Thomas’ Next Chapter adviser pulled him aside and told him about the Math Resource Center. Thomas said he is going to the center regularly in his first weeks on campus.

“The Math Resource Center has saved me,” he said. “That was my biggest worry coming into college and they were like, ‘There’s people who can help you.’”

Holmes said having these focused conversations can help students set goals and learn skills to be successful, even after they leave the program.

“Hopefully those discussions are long lasting,” Holmes said.