Grade 9 Freshman

Review your schedule – Make sure that you are taking the right classes to apply to college. College entrance requirements are different from high school graduation requirements and will require you to take more credits in particular areas.

Research – Learn more about college and get familiar with college terminology. Review your student handbook for what it takes to apply and be accepted to college. Your preparation for college begins in your freshman year.

Get involved – Start or stay involved with extracurricular activities – things you do outside of school and studying such as sports, leadership, the arts, community service, internships, or working. This will help you manage your time and stay focused in class as well as explore your interests.

Keep track & build your resume – As you get involved with extracurricular activities, create a master list or resume of the things you have done. Continue to update this list as you move through high school. Having this information in one location and organized will help you fill out college and scholarship applications.

Vocalize your goal – Tell your friends and family that you want to go to college. You will need help and emotional support throughout the entire process of preparing for college. By sharing your goal with others, you can get help to stay focused and get the extra guidance you need.

Counselors – Get to know your high school counselor and their support team. They are able to help you prepare for college and succeed in high school. Meet with them throughout your entire time in high school.

Stay focused – Continue to do well in your courses. Freshman year grades are important and colleges strongly consider your performance. Your freshman year supports the rest of your time in high school so stay focused.

Sophomore schedule – Make sure that you continue to challenge yourself and take the necessary academic courses. Colleges look positively on upward trends in your grades as well as how you push yourself each semester and year.

Finish strong – Make sure you get all the help you need to succeed in classes. Colleges will look at your courses and grades from all years, including your freshman year.

Prepare for next year – Ask your teachers what you can be doing to prepare for your classes during your sophomore year.

Reading list – Start a summer reading list and pick books that will help you in your sophomore classes and improve your vocabulary.

Community Service – Begin to think about how you will complete your graduation requirement of 60 hours of service learning. Starting early in your high school career will make sure you have plenty of time to complete your hours. Remember to keep track of your hours and necessary information on your resume and when applying for scholarships too!