Are you trying to figure out all things college preparation for high school students? I am breaking it down for you so that there is no more confusion.
College preparation for high school students is key! You must have a plan for your life after high school, regardless of whether you choose to attend college or not.
You do NOT want to wing it!
You want to be prepared so that you aren’t walking into college completely blindsided. When I was going to college I prepared as much as I could with the information I had.
You don’t know what you don’t know which is why I am outlining the need to know tips for college preparation for high school students.
I am so excited for you. This is going to be good!
This post is about the top tips for college preparation for high school students.
BEST COLLEGE PREPARATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Communicate With Your School Counselor
I cannot say this tip enough! Please talk to your school counselors. They are genuinely there to help you, guide you, and advocate for you.
You can avoid making tons of mistakes with the guidance of your school counselor. I’m not kidding!
Are you confused about what your county requires to graduate from high school? Your school counselor can and will help with that.
Are you a student-athlete hoping to play at a higher level but you failed a class? Did you know that the NCAA does not accept or recognize credit recovery from every entity? So please, be mindful and speak with your counselor to determine the best strategy for making up a failing grade.
Having said that, talk to your school counselor about college preparation for high school students. You’ll thank me later. Don’t be afraid, we don’t bite.😊
Select Academically Challenging Courses
Challenging yourself academically! I’m not suggesting that you take every AP course. Of course, know your limits. I am saying challenge yourself because college assignments will be no easy thing and so I want you to truly put some thought into your class schedule.
Taking some honors or AP classes in addition to your standard courses is a smart idea because when you go to college you will undoubtedly be challenged with your coursework.
AP and honors classes have a greater effect on your GPA depending on the school you attend because of the increased value of the GPA scale.
This really sets you apart from the others.
Maintain A High GPA
Now if you do not have a high GPA do not be discouraged! This is not to discourage you. I would just encourage you to aim for the best grades possible in each of your classes.
Listen, a high GPA gives you options. More college acceptances and more scholarship opportunities. It’s just the truth!
If you feel as though you are struggling in a subject, take the time to speak to your teachers and seek after-school tutoring.
Research Colleges & Majors
It is crucial that you research the major you want to pursue.
Check out this post if you need help determining your major if you are unsure how to proceed.
I go step by step with you!
{RELATED POST: The Ultimate Guide To Career Planning For High School Students}
If you are at the point where you know the major you are interested in then awesome. Now you need to find colleges that have that major.
For example, maybe you are from Texas, and only interested in going to college in Texas. You can easily Google “Engineering Bachelor programs in Texas.”
You can then choose which schools truly catch your attention. You can take a deep dive into each school.
Go On College Tours
Taking a tour and seeing a college campus is an amazing experience. 10/10 highly recommend!
You can see the surroundings of the campus, the size of the campus, and get a sense of the atmosphere there. In addition to giving you a tour, the tour guide will be able to tell you about some of the college’s many traditions and fascinating history.
I was 18 when I visited my college and boy was I so excited!! The family-oriented atmosphere was so nice. In the same token, I visited other colleges and I instantly realized that this was not the place for me, and I never looked back or regretted my choice.
You can see what your program offers by walking the campus. Making an informed decision about where to attend college is made easier by visiting campuses.
If you are unable to take a tour, find out whether the school offers virtual tours by visiting their website or YouTube channel. Ask the college’s admissions office if they have a link for a virtual tour if you are unable to locate one.
Attend A College Fair
The majority of the time your high school will host a college & career fair! As a matter of fact, I’m in the middle of planning one right now haha.
All high schools in your area are invited to the college and career fair, which is occasionally hosted locally if it isn’t offered at the school.
Nonetheless, if there is a college fair in your city then please attend. Dress appropriately and ask questions!
At times, some colleges will even accept you on the spot if you give them your transcript to review. I’m so serious!!
Apply Early
You can find the application deadlines for the fall, spring, and summer semesters on a college’s website.
I recommend you apply as soon as possible.
Depending on the college, your chances of being accepted may decrease if you apply later or you may be admitted for the spring semester rather than the fall, which can be frustrating if you hoped to begin as soon as possible.
Deadlines are not recommendations. To be early is to be on time. I want you to apply as soon as the application is available if you already know the universities you want to attend.
You also improve your chances of being awarded a scholarship by the college by applying early. The longer you wait, the less money is available to you because it has already been awarded to students who applied before you.
Speaking of scholarships…
Research Scholarships Frequently
It’s possible to receive a scholarship for almost anything. All you need to do is research!
There are also extremely easy scholarships available. I actually mentioned some really good scholarships here.
{RELATED POST: 20 Insanely Easy High School Senior Scholarships You’ll Love}
I want you to look into scholarships each month and apply for them each month.
Seek out local scholarships in your city as well. This will increase your chances of being awarded a scholarship since there will be less applicants.
Apply early to scholarships as well. Don’t wait!
Seek FAFSA Application Assistance
Making an error in your FAFSA application submission can hurt you later on. This is easily preventable.
I know of a freshman in college who is currently in need of raising a specific amount of money to avoid having her classes dropped by her college. Why is this happening? Her family member filled out the FAFSA application incorrectly.
Please ask for help.
If your school hosts a financial aid night I urge you to attend. Get in touch with your school counselor if you and your family require any further help completing the application; they will make every effort to ensure that it is completed accurately.
Study For The SAT/ACT
I want you to study, study, study if you want to improve your chances of getting a good score!
You should definitely obtain the practice test materials for the SAT and ACT.
Examine your performance sheet as soon as you receive your test results. Review your performance to determine your areas of strength and weakness. Up until you retake the exam, study your areas of weakness every day.
Take The PSAT Seriously
It may not be common knowledge, but receiving above a certain score can open the possibilities of further scholarships.
PSAT scores may be submitted for particular scholarships, depending on your state. Discuss this with your school counselor.
I know for a fact that some students Christmas tree the PSAT because “it doesn’t matter” but let me assure you that it does matter!
More scholarships means less financial stress for college.
Do Community Service
Participating in community service offers a ton of wonderful advantages.
With this act of kindness, you are not only improving your abilities, gaining professional experience, and getting ready for college, but you are also making a significant difference in your community.
Including anything like this on your resume or college application gives a college admissions representative a brief impression of the kind of person you are. They would love to have someone like that on their college campus.
Be Involved On Campus
Your involvement in extracurricular activities separates you from other students.
Colleges are looking at more than just test results and transcripts; they are also trying to find out if this student has engaged in extracurricular activities.
I am not lying! What activities did this student participate in during high school? is what they want to know.
For this reason, I urge you to sign up for that club, try out for that sports team, or attend that dance team audition. In any case, make an effort to participate on campus.
Practice Good Study Skills
This will be a major help in your college preparation. As a high school student, start developing strong study habits now.
It is not necessary to wait till college to establish positive habits. Get going now!
You will be able to determine what works and doesn’t work for you by starting in high school.
There are so many different ways to study! If you need some tips on that then let me know.
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