The process leading up to college can be overwhelming for kids and parents alike.

Have no fear though because, on Saturday, January 31 from 8:30 - 3:00, the Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund is putting on an intensive everything-you-need-to-know college cram session at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

It is hard enough 'doing high school,' let alone doing it to get into the college of your dreams - and then being able to afford the college of your dreams.

The 5th Annual College Preparatory Conference covers all this and more. Parents and kids can come to the free event - which last year attracted over 2500 parents and students from the Houston area - to hear panelists from the Princeton Review, Harvard, Stanford, and Texas universities- to name just a few- talk about how to prepare for standardized tests, how to 'be the best you can be' in your college application, how to pay for college, and much more.

I will also be at the convention to talk about how to start preparing for the college application process well before your senior year. College might seem like a distant goal, but there are a number of easy, simple strategies you can use now to reduce the stress associated with applying to college and help focus on your top choices and find a school that is right for you.

The event is free, but you must register online at www.lindalorelle.orgprior to the day of the event.

The Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund is an organization, founded by former local TV anchor Linda Lorelle in 1991, dedicated to providing scholarship money to deserving and promising students who would otherwise struggle to pay for college.

So far, the organization has awarded more than $1.8 million in scholarships to 218 Houston area students. On the day of the event, the organization will award two $1000 scholarships, door prizes to students in attendance, and, most importantly, free lunch!

It is extremely rare to find so many experts in the college preparation and application process, from so many universities and organizations, under one roof for one day, so seize the opportunity to learn more about your favorite college or discover a new one.

It is also a good opportunity for parents to 'wise up' on the college process so they know how to prepare and what to expect in the coming years. We all have to navigate through the college application process, but the College Preparatory Conference will give you additional insight from college veterans and help you devise a game plan to tackle the transition into the exciting new world of higher education.