In order to increase the number of 25 to 34 year-olds with bachelor's degrees in Idaho, education officials are trying to make the college application process simpler and more straightforward, reports the Magic Valley Times-News.

By the year 2020, officials in the state want to almost double the percentage of the population with degrees from 31 to 60 percent. The proposals are part of larger nationwide initiatives being promoted by nonprofit organization Complete College America.

According to the official website of Complete College Idaho, there are several strategies in place to prepare younger students to fill out college applications and begin their higher education experience.

Firstly, career guidance will be offered in middle schools to get kids thinking about what they can do with a college degree. High school students will also be subject to more rigorous curricula to encourage them to take Advanced Placement classes. As well as these measures, more practical programs and certificates are to be developed by community colleges throughout the state.

When you're doing a college search or choosing a major, think about your employment prospects after graduation. Although it's important to pick a degree that interests you, consider the kinds of jobs you'll be able to apply for when you finish your degree.

For many students, it's tough to balance college, part-time work, family responsibilities and – just maybe – maintaining a social life. Finding work after graduation can be even more daunting, especially if you're studying a major with a lot of competition for jobs. Finding a mentor in college can be a great way to ask questions, learn from someone else's experiences and get some perspective on what to do when you graduate, but how do you find a college mentor?

The first thing to remember is that it's never too early to start looking for a mentor, even if you're still filling out college applications. In fact, the sooner you start, the more likely you are to establish a relationship with someone in the industry you want to work in. Also, forming these kinds of connections early can help shape your academic path, making it easier to stay focused on your goals.

Speaking of objectives, it's important to know what yours are before you look for a mentor. Sure, it's great to have someone to answer your questions, but what do you want to get out of a mentor relationship? Are you looking for guidance about electives? Help with networking? What about where to actually find jobs in the field you're studying? Knowing what you want to accomplish can help you find someone suitable to be your mentor, and make sure that you're not wasting anyone's time by asking irrelevant questions or heading in the wrong direction.

Whatever you're hoping to get out of having a mentor, don't be shy. Even if you're still filling out college applications or doing a college search, start reaching out to people in your prospective field. Send polite emails to companies you'd like to work for, asking if any employees or managers have a few minutes they could spare to talk to you. Although you should always be polite and courteous, you should also be tenacious – don't give up, and be patient. Forming relationships and professional connections can take time.

Use the power of social media to your advantage. Follow people on Twitter, like company's Facebook pages and use sites like Pinterest to increase your online presence in your field. Twitter and Facebook can be excellent ways to make informal connections. Again, if you take this approach, have an objective in mind so you stay on-track and don't waste time. 

Finalists of the White House's Campus Champions of Change Challenge have been announced by officials.

Organized last fall, the competition invited college students from across the country to come up with ways to use existing resources to tackle America's most pressing social problems. After selecting a shortlist of finalists, the White House opened up the ideas to a public vote to determine the victor. Winners will attend a special event at the White House, as well as feature in MTV show The Dean's List.

"All Across America, college and university students are helping our country out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world," said President Barack Obama in a statement. "I hope this challenge shines a light on their efforts, and inspires Americans of all ages to get involved in their communities."

Ideas selected as finalists include a permaculture initiative by Ryan Harb at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; a student food pantry organized by Julia Lyon at the University of Arkansas; and a homeless food drive spearheaded by Thach Tak Nguyen at the University of California-Los Angeles.

If you're thinking of filling out college applications, there are a variety of ways you can help your school and local community, including campus volunteer programs. Ask the admissions advisers at your prospective schools about extracurricular activities when you're doing a college search.