Plan for your college destination
The decisions you make as early as eighth grade have a huge effect on your college career. They affect how soon you'll go to college, whether you'll get into the school you want, and even whether you'll go to college at all. A rewarding future requires preparation.
1. To be successful in college, it helps to read beyond your homework.
Read at least 30 minutes every day beyond study and homework. Read what interests you — magazines, novels, short stories, newspapers. People who read more know more. And when you take the SAT or ACT, knowing more will really pay off. College is going to be all about finding, consuming, and using information. Read!
2. Begin planning for college as a freshman.
Colleges evaluate your GPA based on all four years of high school. You take the ACT or SAT as a junior (or even as a sophomore, if you want). So you need to be serious about your grades right from the start. Use your freshman and sophomore years as preparation for the challenging math and other courses that get you ready for the ACT or SAT. Don’t put off taking the solid courses.
3. There's more to getting into a college than just filling out an application.
How do you know all the right moves to get into college? Start early and talk to someone who has done it. Get to know your high school counselors. Visit with admissions counselors at the institution you are considering. Ask a career planner at a local college or a trusted teacher. Spend some time on the web researching colleges. Visit colleges you're interested in.
4. What if your parents have never been to college?
When parents or guardians haven't been to college themselves, they may not think they can help you. That's not true. Talk to them! They know you better than anyone else, care about you, and want the best for you. They can talk to counselors, friends, and others to help you stay on the right path.
5. Find a mentor.
If you don't find support at home, or even if you do, look for other adults who can lend their enthusiasm and help make sure you succeed. Most people love to help and will be flattered if you ask. Look to a counselor, a teacher, or someone else you trust. The better advice you receive, the better your chances for success.
6. What if you have personal academic issues?
If you have a problem that's really getting in the way of schoolwork, there is a lot of help out there if you step up and ask for it. You will probably find that you're not alone in the concern or problem you are having. Talking to friends helps, or look for an adult — parent, coach, nurse, counselor — who can offer advice. Many schools have peer tutors, students in upper grades that will help you (for free). Talk to teachers or counselors — let them know you want extra help. It is never too late to begin heading in the right direction.
7. What if you can’t choose a major?
Shadow someone in a career you think you might like. Spend a day with them. Spend two days with them. Ask them every question you can think of. Live the career they live if only for a few days. Sample it, taste it, you will be better able to judge. Check out the career center at high school and take their interest tests. They can begin to point you in the direction you should go. Read books on career selection.
And remember: There's time to choose after you start college. Everyone has to fulfill a core set of general education requirements, but they're not just one-size-fits-all; you can usually choose from several different courses that fulfill a requirement. Use them as opportunities to figure out what you enjoy (and what you don't). Take any course that interests you. College isn't just about getting in, getting out, and getting a job; it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore whatever subjects you're interested in and learn from some of the smartest people in the world. And you don't have to do it alone; your college will have an advising center that can help you identify your interests and talents and plan your course.
8. Getting ready for college can be fun.
Getting ready for college isn't all work. Find a high school or community activity that you really like doing, then dive into it. Maybe you're drawn to sports, student council, music, art...you get the picture. In the process you will develop skills and be more appealing to colleges (they like students who'll add something to campus life).
9. Walk the walk now.
If you expect to go to college, learn to study now. No one can do it for you. The better you prepare now, the better you'll do when you're finally in a college classroom. Don't talk the college talk — "I'll go to college to get a great career" — without walking the walk.
10. Take challenging courses.
Colleges look at your grades, but they also look at the difficulty of your courses. They want to see that you have challenged yourself. Plus, if you pursue advanced courses such as AP, you may be able to get college credit. Some high schools also offer programs that enroll you in a local college for one or two classes that deliver both high school and college credit. Don’t dodge the good classes. A rewarding future requires preparation.
