For high school seniors, college applications can feel overwhelming. Where should you start? What forms do you need to fill out? How do you know if you’re doing everything right? The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out at once.

College Go Week is happening September 21–25, 2026, and is part of the Learn More Indiana’s annual college go initiative. College applications run from August through November and provide Indiana students with information and resources to explore education, training, and opportunities after they graduate high school. College Go Week is supposed to encourage students who may not want to go to college, to apply. The goal is to help high school seniors navigate the admissions process and make sure every student submits at least one college application.

How do you apply?

Step 1: Make Your College List

Begin by thinking about what you want in college. Consider the location, size, majors offered, activities, campus life and cost. Research several schools, close and far, as well as make a list of the colleges you are interested in applying to.

Step 2: Check the Requirements

Every college can have different requirements to be able to apply. Look up and research each college’s website to find out what you need in order to submit an application. This could include your high school transcript, an application, essays, letters of recommendation or test scores.

Step 3: Create Your Application

Many colleges accept applications through online systems such as the Common Application, while others have their own applications. You will create an account and carefully enter your personal and academic information. Take your time and double-check all the important details, such as your name, address, graduation date and courses.

Step 4: Write Your Essay

Some colleges require an essay or personal statement. This is your chance to tell the admissions office something about yourself that your grades and activities might not demonstrate. Choose a topic that allows your personality, experiences and goals to shine. 

Step 5: Ask for Recommendations/Transcripts

If your college requires letters of recommendation, ask teachers, counselors or any adult to write you a recommendation. You will also need to ask your high school to send your official transcript.

Step 6: Look for Application Fee Waivers

 One of the biggest reasons to pay attention during College Go Week is that many Indiana colleges and universities participate by waiving application fees for a week long. That means eligible students may be able to apply without paying an application fee. Check with your school counselor and the colleges you’re interested in to learn about their specific fee-waiver opportunities.

Step 7: Review and Submit!

Before you hit submit, proofread everything. Make sure required sections are complete and that any additional documents have been submitted. Then you will be ready to submit your application! College Go Week is a great reminder that college is a process. Start researching, asking questions, and using the resources available at your school. Seniors, remember you don’t have to have everything figured out right now. You just have to take the next step, and everything will sort itself out.

For local WWE fans, this is a chance to experience one of the biggest weekly wrestling shows right here in Evansville rather than traveling to a larger city. WWE announced Evansville as part of its 2026 Smackdown schedule, putting the Ford Center in the spotlight as WWE brings its television production and Superstars to the area.

Friday Night Smackdown is known for combining live wrestling matches with larger than life personalities, intense dramatic rivalries, championship storylines and memorable entrances. Watching WWE on television is one thing, but seeing the action inside a packed arena creates a completely different atmosphere. The lights, music, crowd reactions and entrances all come together to make a live WWE event a unique experience.

Several major WWE superstars are expected to be part of the Evansville event, including Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Gunther, Trick Williams, CM Punk and Tiffany Stratton. Seeing stars of this caliber in person gives local fans an opportunity that doesn’t happen every day. The card could also bring plenty of surprises, especially as WWE storylines continue to develop leading into the November show.

The Ford Center has hosted WWE events several times over the years, making Evansville a familiar stop for professional wrestling. Previous WWE appearances in the city have attracted large crowds, demonstrating the continued interest in wrestling throughout Evansville and the surrounding tri-state area. Fans from Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois can all make the trip to downtown Evansville for the event.

The November 20th show could also provide a boost of activity for downtown Evansville. Fans arriving early may spend time at nearby restaurants and businesses before heading into the Ford Center, while others may continue their night downtown after the event. For the local community, major entertainment events like WWE Smackdown can bring visitors into the city and create another busy night in the downtown area.

WWE Smackdown is scheduled for Friday, November 20th, at 6:30p.m. at the Ford Center, located at 1 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Evansville. Doors are scheduled to open at 5:30p.m., so fans should plan ahead and allow enough time to park, enter the venue and find their seats.

Whether you’re a lifelong WWE fan, someone who grew up watching professional wrestling or simply looking for an exciting night out, Smackdown’s return to Evansville gives the community something to look forward to. With major WWE Superstars, live matches, dramatic moments and the energy of thousands of fans, November 20th should be a memorable night at the Ford Center. So mark your calendars, grab your WWE gear and get ready for Friday Night Smackdown to take over Evansville.

Mental health can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. People can experience mixed emotions when dealing with stress, grief, school, family problems, and so much more. That is why a simple “Hello” could potentially save somebody’s life.

One of the most helpful things that you or anyone else can do is listen without judging. Take someone seriously if they say something that could put their life at risk. You don’t know what someone is going through until you truly put yourself in their shoes.

Suicide is often met with stigma, shame, and silence. These should not be factors, but they still have a huge impact on people who are quietly struggling with their mental health.

As teenagers grow up, we often see their emotions intensify, with more going on around them. They may sleep 24/7 or not sleep at all. However, many parents don’t know how to help or how to tell if their teenager is struggling with their mental health.

Teenagers often feel lonely and tend to shut down as things worsen. Parents, your teenager’s mental health should be a top priority. Protecting your teenager can look like many things, and listening is one of the best ways to understand them. They just want someone to make them feel heard, and that doesn’t mean turning a conversation into a lecture or judging them. Check in with them regularly. A simple “How have you been?” or “How are you feeling today?” can make a big difference.

Suicide Prevention Month is a serious and important topic that should not be pushed aside. As someone who has struggled with mental health issues in the past, every day can feel like a challenge to me. Every day, it can feel like an obstacle to wake up and feel like I don’t belong. That’s when I remind myself that I don’t have to be perfect. Nobody is.

I know this feeling will go away someday, but not quite yet.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The festival is known for its huge variety of unique foods. You can find anything from classic festival food to unusual dishes that you wouldn’t try anywhere else. One of the most famous is the brain sandwich, an Evansville tradition that has become interlinked with the fall Festival. It is definitely not for everyone, but it is one that makes the Fall Festival stand out.

For something more traditional, Pronto Pups and corn dogs are some of the easiest choices. They are affordable, easy to eat while walking, and perfect to enjoy while exploring the Fall Festival. Mozzarella sticks, walking tacos, and barbecue sandwiches are also popular options for people looking for something filling without sitting down for a full meal.

My favorite festival food, however, is the donut burger. It combines a savory burger with the sweetness of a donut. It is messy, filling, and completely worth trying. The sweet-and-salty combination makes the donut burger one of the foods I look forward to most at the Fall Festival.

If you have a sweet tooth, the Fall Festival has plenty to offer. Funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, fried s’mores, caramel apples, pickle pops, and so many other desserts make it nearly impossible to leave without getting something sweet. Fried s’mores are especially interesting because they combine chocolate and marshmallow inside a crispy coating.

Some of the best food choices are also unique to certain booths. Local churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations operate many of the food stands, making the festivals more than just a place to eat. Buying food also supports these organizations and their community programs.

One of the best ways to plan your food adventure is by using the festival’s Munchie map. With so many booths spread along Franklin Street, it helps visitors find their favorite foods and discover something new. Whether you have a planned list or simply follow whatever smells good, there is always something worth trying. 

The Fall festival is about more than food, but food is a huge part of what makes it memorable. Between the crowds, the lights, the rides, and the food, it creates an experience that people look forward to every year

So, whether you are going for a donut burger, a classic Pronto Pup, a famous brain sandwich, or a deep-fried dessert, make sure you arrive hungry. At the Fall Festival, the hardest part isn't finding something to eat; it's finding room to try everything.