So, no matter if you're a high school freshman or high school senior, it's never too early or too late to get ready for college. Attending is a great way to further your education and secure a desirable job in the future. I have just gotten through this process so I thought I'd share some information and tips of making a higher education obtainable. Please note that this is mainly geared towards students in the United States.
What you can do while you're still in high school:
-For starters, you're going to want grades and activities that look good to get into the college of your dreams. So study instead of party, and sacrifice those video games a couple times a week to join a school club. You may find you meet new friends and gain valuable experience in a group setting. Both grades and extracurricular involvement will help. But don't be discouraged if you started out the year with lousy grades. Colleges actually look for students who can rise above challenges, so you still have a chance to turn things around!
-Start planning now. First think about what you prefer: private vs. public college, small school vs. large school, far away vs. near, etc. Once you narrow it down, you can start researching colleges that meet your needs. Attend college fairs, talk to college admission counselors, and get advice from your high school guidance counselor. There are always people out there who want to help you find the right fit for you.
-Get an idea of what you'd like to major in. By no means do you have to know what you're doing with your life as soon as you start college. However, getting a general idea will help. Take a variety of different courses in high school to expand your interests and eliminate subjects you dislike. Check out the majors and minors offered at various colleges. It's better to have a major of interest because when you apply for scholarships or college admissions, "Undecided" gets a little tiring to say over and over again.
-Apply for scholarships. Some contests allow people as young as 13 to enter. This will give you a head start in funding your future. For local scholarships, ask your guidance counselor for information. But for national or state contests, you can check out some scholarship search sites. They allow you to fill out a profile about yourself and applicable scholarships you can enter are matched with the profile. Here are some suggested sites to register for (the best ones I have found):
Fastweb
Scholarships.com
Scholarship Experts
Cappex
Zinch
Please note that you can apply for scholarships during your college years and even beyond to graduate school if you choose to attend. And many colleges offer specific scholarships based on academics, sports, and other achievements. There are many opportunities out there! You just need to look.
What you can do while you're still in high school:
-For starters, you're going to want grades and activities that look good to get into the college of your dreams. So study instead of party, and sacrifice those video games a couple times a week to join a school club. You may find you meet new friends and gain valuable experience in a group setting. Both grades and extracurricular involvement will help. But don't be discouraged if you started out the year with lousy grades. Colleges actually look for students who can rise above challenges, so you still have a chance to turn things around!
-Start planning now. First think about what you prefer: private vs. public college, small school vs. large school, far away vs. near, etc. Once you narrow it down, you can start researching colleges that meet your needs. Attend college fairs, talk to college admission counselors, and get advice from your high school guidance counselor. There are always people out there who want to help you find the right fit for you.
-Get an idea of what you'd like to major in. By no means do you have to know what you're doing with your life as soon as you start college. However, getting a general idea will help. Take a variety of different courses in high school to expand your interests and eliminate subjects you dislike. Check out the majors and minors offered at various colleges. It's better to have a major of interest because when you apply for scholarships or college admissions, "Undecided" gets a little tiring to say over and over again.
-Apply for scholarships. Some contests allow people as young as 13 to enter. This will give you a head start in funding your future. For local scholarships, ask your guidance counselor for information. But for national or state contests, you can check out some scholarship search sites. They allow you to fill out a profile about yourself and applicable scholarships you can enter are matched with the profile. Here are some suggested sites to register for (the best ones I have found):
Fastweb
Scholarships.com
Scholarship Experts
Cappex
Zinch
Please note that you can apply for scholarships during your college years and even beyond to graduate school if you choose to attend. And many colleges offer specific scholarships based on academics, sports, and other achievements. There are many opportunities out there! You just need to look.
[LEFT]These are hard times for dreamers.[/LEFT]
The post was edited 2 times, last by DareToDream ().