Hilary Cairns

Hilary Cairns is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and has a BA in English/Creative Writing. She's an established freelance writer who also has a hand in marketing, social media, and editing for various businesses across the United States.
A red sign that says "wrong way."
ACT & SAT

ACT / SAT Test Taking Strategies to AVOID

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
There’s a lot of advice out there that helps you on the SAT and ACT, but mixed in with the good advice, is some bad advice. Here are just a few test-taking strategies you should be avoiding. “Cramming / All-Nighter”  Some students think study cramming works, but it can do more harm than good. Whether …
A woman sitting on a desk while looking at her notes and a man standing behind her discussing something.
majors & industries

10 Awesome Art Careers for Art Majors

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
It’s no secret that art majors often have to defend their degree. Sometimes it’s your parents, but other times it can be a total stranger questioning your education choices. However, no matter what they think, there are plenty of well-paying careers for art majors out there! Here’s just the tip of the iceberg and some …
SUNY New Paltz school building behind the pink flower tree.
financial aid

How I Paid for College: Financial Aid in Hindsight

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025
When you’re 18, paying for college may sound like a scary prospect, especially if you know you’re going to have to take out loans. My story on how I paid for college is a bit more fortunate, but there are some things I know now that I wish I had known then. I Was Fortunate …
questions & answers

What should I do if my financial situation changes for college?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 3, 2026
Key takeaways: Job loss, reduced earnings, divorce, health concerns, and other problems and emergencies can impact a family’s finances, affecting their ability to pay for college. If you feel your FAFSA and financial aid offer doesn’t reflect your current financial situation, you can request an aid adjustment. Colleges’ aid adjustment procedures vary, but gather relevant …
Use active voice when writing your college application essay.
college applications

College App Essay Tip: Use the Active Voice

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Are you struggling with how to write your college application essay? Don’t worry! Many do. Quite a few students have to brainstorm to determine just what they want to write about and once they settle on a topic, the problem lies in HOW to write it. A major tip is to use the active voice. …
loan forgiveness
student loans

The Difference Between Discharging a Loan and Loan Forgiveness

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 24, 2025
When it comes time to repay your student loans, you may be curious about the ways to either discharge (or cancel) or forgive your loan. While discharging and forgiving are both ways of “canceling” loans, they are, in fact, different from one another. Discharging a Loan It is quite difficult to get a loan discharged …
Male student studying at desk.
ACT & SAT

How to Have The Ideal ACT / SAT Practice Test Session

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Taking a practice test of the ACT or SAT before the real deal can truly give you insight into how the test works in real time. Studying is great and all, but if you’re not using your time wisely and leaving space to review your work, you could run into trouble. Here are some ways …

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