Much is written and said about what juniors and seniors should be doing as the new semester rolls around. Sophomores and freshmen need to think about where they are too. Talk with your parents about college choices and what the family budget can pay for if you don’t qualify for aid/scholarships. Job shadow. Go to college fairs. It isn’t too early to think about college visits.
Sophomores:
• Here’s a reality check for you: Half–one-half, 50% of the record you will use to apply to colleges is already set in stone. Have you constructed a solid foundation in the classroom and in your activities? Or, are you in quick sand?
• Use your standardized test results. Many schools use the PLAN and the PSAT/NMSQT with sophomores. There is a lot of information there that will help you get ready for the ACT and SAT. Know why you missed questions. You actually get the test booklets back on these two tests, so you can go over missed questions that puzzled you with subject area teachers. This is free and effective test prep.
• If you are in activities, look for leadership opportunities. Stand out in a crowded field by being a real, positive contributor.
• Get to know activity moderators and teachers. You’ll need these people down the line for recommendations.
• Ever seen your counselor? How will this person get to know you well enough to write a recommendation that really speaks about who you are and how you function in your high school milieu–in and out of the classroom?
• It’s probably about time to sign up for classes for next year. Take hard stuff. Good grades matter relevant to the difficulty of your academic program. Great grades in advanced submarine screen door repair won’t help you do well on standardized tests and won’t help you make your case to competitive colleges for admission.
• Talk to strong students who are older than you–juniors and seniors. Ask them what they’d do differently if they could go back through second semester of their sophomore year.
Freshmen:
• Slow start or solid foundation? Which phrase characterizes your first semester of high school? Are you an unknown or are you becoming a classroom and activity go-to-freshman? Are your grades an uh-oh didn’t get started well nightmare or are they the best they could be? Remember your GPA, at most high schools, is cumulative–meaning each semester builds on the previous one. If you didn’t get off to the best start, as long as you show an uphill trend in grades, some colleges will be forgiving of your lackluster first semester. However, realize you will always be behind those who were at the top of their game right out of the first semester gate.
• Talk to your counselor and teachers about classes for next year. Take hard stuff.
• How is your resume-building going? It doesn’t matter what activities you are in–it matters what your track record in them is. Do something you have passion for, and if you feel the urge, start an organization and follow through with it.
• Talk to highly respected seniors at your school. Ask them if they could go back to their freshman year in high school, what they might do differently to have more options available to them and to have enjoyed high school more.
• Especially if you are the oldest in your family, start the conversation with your parent(s)/guardian(s) about your plans for the future. Begin the conversation about what the family budget will withstand in terms of college costs.
Planning matters! The best college applications are made in the freshman and sophomore years by students who are actively engaged in the classroom, involved in their communities and are contributing members of student organizations.
Next week–some thoughts on financial aid.
Woof,
Clyde
