The high school years are important for laying the educational groundwork for a future in college. A successful high school graduate is someone who thinks ahead, studies hard, gets involved and ultimately attains the credentials necessary to gain entry into the best colleges. This practical guide to preparing for college will help put high school students on the right track.
Planning should begin in the freshman year, even though at this point high school itself will be a new and exciting environment, students must recognize this as an opportunity to set the stage for their college career. The guidance counselor plays an important role in helping students discover their interests and select the right courses, meeting with him or her throughout the school year is very useful.
There are some students who know exactly what field of study they want to pursue and there are those who are less certain and may need assistance in this area. The guidance counselor will be able to help students devise a tentative schedule of courses for their four years of study, they will ensure that students have a balance of required core subjects, as well as those which will be needed as prerequisites by colleges.
Besides notable academic achievement, students should also consider getting involved on an extracurricular level. It shows dedication and good time management skills if a student can both study and participate in sports, the school yearbook or newspaper, or volunteer with a local organization. This can help give one a competitive edge when applying to college.
Maintaining a high cumulative grade point average calls for a maximum effort to be put forth each year. Paying attention in class, taking good notes, and committing oneself to a sufficient number of study hours each week will all pay off in the end, with the result being a high GPA. Honing one's study skills in high school is essential since classes in college will likely be larger and busier, making it even more important to take effective notes.
During one's sophomore year, students should begin to find out which colleges offer their programs of choice. In addition to obtaining information about academic programs, it's also an ideal time to start considering other aspects of college life such as tuition, financial aid, scholarships, books, and housing options. Establishing a school savings fund at this time is wise, if the student does not already have one.
The junior or senior year is also the time to write one's SAT, ACT, or PSAT. These aptitude tests are required by many colleges, and a minimum score is necessary for admission into specific programs. There are preparatory classes and guides to help students perform their best on these tests which can be quite helpful.
If possible, one should visit the campus of each college he or she is thinking of applying to before the time comes to actually submit an application, just to be certain it is a good fit. Normally students apply to the colleges of their choice at the beginning of or part way through senior year. It's important to have all necessary information ready by the application deadline and to also make a copy for one's own records.
Planning should begin in the freshman year, even though at this point high school itself will be a new and exciting environment, students must recognize this as an opportunity to set the stage for their college career. The guidance counselor plays an important role in helping students discover their interests and select the right courses, meeting with him or her throughout the school year is very useful.
There are some students who know exactly what field of study they want to pursue and there are those who are less certain and may need assistance in this area. The guidance counselor will be able to help students devise a tentative schedule of courses for their four years of study, they will ensure that students have a balance of required core subjects, as well as those which will be needed as prerequisites by colleges.
Besides notable academic achievement, students should also consider getting involved on an extracurricular level. It shows dedication and good time management skills if a student can both study and participate in sports, the school yearbook or newspaper, or volunteer with a local organization. This can help give one a competitive edge when applying to college.
Maintaining a high cumulative grade point average calls for a maximum effort to be put forth each year. Paying attention in class, taking good notes, and committing oneself to a sufficient number of study hours each week will all pay off in the end, with the result being a high GPA. Honing one's study skills in high school is essential since classes in college will likely be larger and busier, making it even more important to take effective notes.
During one's sophomore year, students should begin to find out which colleges offer their programs of choice. In addition to obtaining information about academic programs, it's also an ideal time to start considering other aspects of college life such as tuition, financial aid, scholarships, books, and housing options. Establishing a school savings fund at this time is wise, if the student does not already have one.
The junior or senior year is also the time to write one's SAT, ACT, or PSAT. These aptitude tests are required by many colleges, and a minimum score is necessary for admission into specific programs. There are preparatory classes and guides to help students perform their best on these tests which can be quite helpful.
If possible, one should visit the campus of each college he or she is thinking of applying to before the time comes to actually submit an application, just to be certain it is a good fit. Normally students apply to the colleges of their choice at the beginning of or part way through senior year. It's important to have all necessary information ready by the application deadline and to also make a copy for one's own records.
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