To be prepared for college, take the right high school classes, participate in extracurricular activities, maintain an extracurricular record, know your guidance counselor, build relationships with mentors, work on college readiness life skills, schedule college visits, schedule campus tours, prepare for entrance exams, create an organization system, apply for admission, financial aid, and scholarships, and be prepared for challenges.
1. Start planning for college now as a high school student or aspiring one. College offers numerous opportunities, but it’s crucial to take advantage of them. Invest time, effort, and dedication in preparing for the future, making the most of your high school years and ensuring your diligence will pay off later.
2. To prepare for college, it is essential to take challenging high school classes such as AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and Honors. These classes not only develop important skills like note-taking, studying, writing, test-taking, time management, and critical thinking but also prepare students for college rigor. Many high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses or Dual Enrollment opportunities, which can earn college credit. Dual Enrollment classes can boost GPA and show a college board that students are better prepared for the college classroom. However, it is crucial to know oneself and take Dual Enrollment classes seriously, as these credits and good grades will be part of your college transcript. Ultimately, choosing the right high school classes will help you prepare for your chosen college degree program and build upon your knowledge in college.
3. Involvement in extracurricular activities in high school enhances the experience and provides opportunities to develop skills like teamwork, public speaking, creativity, leadership, and self-awareness. Explore various sports, theater, music, art, debate, and computer science. Find clubs and programs that interest you and consider clubs that may help prepare for a specific college major. Limit your involvement to your most important activities in freshman year and focus on developing your passions and expertise in those areas. This will help you shine on college applications and qualify for scholarships. Developing an interest into a passion may also direct you towards a chosen career path.
4. Keep an extracurricular record of your involvement in sports, clubs, volunteer work, community service, and part-time employment to be prepared for college applications. Create a document that records time spent on each activity, highlighting meaningful activities. Document awards, honors, and leadership positions for scholarship applications and resume building. Waiting until senior year can make it difficult to remember accomplishments, as the Chinese proverb goes, “Your memory is only as good as the paper you write it on.”
5. Get to Know your High School Guidance Counselor Build a strong relationship with your high school guidance counselor from freshman year onwards. They offer valuable support, information on college readiness, scholarships, and emotional help. Be considerate of their busy schedules, come prepared with questions, and express gratitude for their assistance. Treat their advice like that of a caring, knowledgeable professional.
6. Build Relationships with Mentors Develop relationships with mentors, such as coaches, teachers, employers, or religious leaders, who inspire and guide you. Learn from their experiences, seek advice on college and career choices, and ask for letters of recommendation. Mentors can open doors, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer valuable wisdom for decision-making. Cultivating mentorship skills early can be beneficial for the future.
7. Work on College Readiness Life Skills Prepare for college life by developing essential life skills. Create a list of skills to learn and seek guidance from family, neighbors, teachers, or mentors. Focus on cooking, car maintenance, laundry, goal-setting, budgeting, personal safety, and other important skills. Set goals and learn new skills regularly to become college-ready.
8. College Visits – Schedule a College Campus Tour Schedule college campus tours early in high school, preferably during the school year, to gain valuable insights into potential colleges. Attend official offerings like campus tours and information sessions. Make appointments with financial aid offices and specific departments of interest. Talk to current students and explore the campus to get a true sense of the college.
9. College Entrance Exams – Make a Plan College entrance exams, like the SAT and ACT, hold significant importance for college admissions. Familiarize yourself with exam requirements of your preferred colleges. It’s best to take these exams during junior year, preparing through challenging coursework and practice. Seek guidance counselor’s advice, consider test prep classes, and aim to complete exams by the summer after junior year.
10. Create an Organization System Stay organized while researching colleges by creating a document to record important information. Gather data from college reps, campus visits, and online research. Include details about majors, programs, experiences, scholarships, and other factors relevant to your interests and preferences. This organized data will aid in making informed college decisions.
11. Apply for College Admission, Financial Aid and Scholarships After selecting preferred colleges, create an organized document to manage the application and admissions process. Note application deadlines, guidelines, and requirements. Follow up on letters of recommendation. Allocate time during senior year to focus on college applications, financial aid, and scholarships. Research various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans, to develop a college payment plan.