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What are some good tips for hs students to start preparing for college? What are some of the best clubs to take and also extra circulars to be part of?
What are some good tips for hs students to start preparing for college? What are some of the best clubs to take and also extra circulars to be part of?
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9 answers
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi!
Here are some academic tips for high school students to start preparing for college:
Take Challenging Courses: Enroll in AP, IB, or honors classes if available. Colleges look for students who challenge themselves.
Maintain Good Grades: Consistently perform well academically. Your GPA is crucial for college applications.
Develop Strong Study Habits: Learn effective time management and study skills.
If you can get into clubs that align with a subject you’re interested in and intend to major in, that would be great! And if you’re not sure what you want to major in yet, that’s okay too! College is a time to explore, so the best thing
to come in with is a curious and open mind.
Here are some academic tips for high school students to start preparing for college:
Take Challenging Courses: Enroll in AP, IB, or honors classes if available. Colleges look for students who challenge themselves.
Maintain Good Grades: Consistently perform well academically. Your GPA is crucial for college applications.
Develop Strong Study Habits: Learn effective time management and study skills.
If you can get into clubs that align with a subject you’re interested in and intend to major in, that would be great! And if you’re not sure what you want to major in yet, that’s okay too! College is a time to explore, so the best thing
to come in with is a curious and open mind.
Updated
Arushi’s Answer
To get ready for college, I suggest you start familiarizing yourself with SATs during your freshman year. As you progress through high school, your schedule will get busier with classes and extracurricular activities, leaving less time for SAT prep. By starting early, you'll have a head start in understanding the SAT format.
When it comes to choosing courses, take some time to reflect on your strengths. Consider enrolling in AP courses in subjects where you excel. Your teachers can provide valuable advice on this, as they have a good understanding of your academic abilities and can guide you on the appropriate level for your next year. AP courses not only challenge you but also earn you college credits, save you money, and free up time to focus on other subjects in college.
In terms of extracurricular activities, use your first year to explore various clubs and sports. Instead of spreading yourself thin across numerous clubs, concentrate on a few that truly interest you. Stick with these activities through your senior year, if possible, and aim for leadership roles or strive to improve your sports performance. This dedication and progress can make you stand out and help you grow as a person and leader. It may also help you discover interests that you might want to pursue in college.
Above all, remember not to overburden yourself. You don't have to be perfect in everything. The key is to work hard, maintain good grades, and be committed to your chosen activities. High school is an excellent time to learn time management skills, which will be invaluable in college and beyond.
When it comes to choosing courses, take some time to reflect on your strengths. Consider enrolling in AP courses in subjects where you excel. Your teachers can provide valuable advice on this, as they have a good understanding of your academic abilities and can guide you on the appropriate level for your next year. AP courses not only challenge you but also earn you college credits, save you money, and free up time to focus on other subjects in college.
In terms of extracurricular activities, use your first year to explore various clubs and sports. Instead of spreading yourself thin across numerous clubs, concentrate on a few that truly interest you. Stick with these activities through your senior year, if possible, and aim for leadership roles or strive to improve your sports performance. This dedication and progress can make you stand out and help you grow as a person and leader. It may also help you discover interests that you might want to pursue in college.
Above all, remember not to overburden yourself. You don't have to be perfect in everything. The key is to work hard, maintain good grades, and be committed to your chosen activities. High school is an excellent time to learn time management skills, which will be invaluable in college and beyond.
Updated
Tanner’s Answer
If your High School offers a variety of electives/trade classes/clubs--be sure to choose one (or a few) that align with your passions and/or career goals. Sometimes you can find this outside of school too. This can help shape what you like and don't like as you prepare for college. On a related note, I remember taking a cooking class in High School (with no prior cooking experience) that I now look back on with joy and gratitude. It didn't lead to a culinary career but it did develop into a great hobby that I enjoy outside of work. Not every class/club that you invest in may result in a career but it will shape/grow your perspective/skills that can be useful in many areas of life--including inside and outside your professional career. Work/life balance matters!
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Jazmine’s Answer
Embrace your existing interests and become part of clubs that align with those passions. While participating, concentrate on honing skills that can be beneficial in diverse areas like public speaking, writing, teamwork, or communication. As you gear up for college, it would be beneficial to get a planner to boost your organizational abilities. This skill is crucial in college as you'll be responsible for managing your own assignments. If you have a support system, make the most of it. If you don't, don't worry! There's always room to build a supportive network through school clubs. Additionally, you can begin exploring various career paths that align with the major you decide on. This exploration will give you a clearer direction for your future.
Updated
Stacey’s Answer
Preparing for college as a high school student involves a mix of academic planning, extracurricular involvement, and personal development. Here are some tips.
First, consider taking challenging courses and enrolling in honors, advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if available. These classes not only prepare you for college-level work but also look impressive on college applications. Consistently strive for high grades, as they are a critical component of your college application. Keeping a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher is key each year in HS, especially your senior year. This can only happen if you stay focused starting your sophomore year. Prepare for and take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Consider taking them more than once to improve your score. These tests may not be required for entry into certain universities, but it will be required to obtain big scholarships. Practice time management, organization, and effective study techniques.
Participate in a variety of clubs that align with your interests. You want to present balance in order to be able to write strong essays for entry into college and obtaining scholarships. Join a sports team if you're interested in athletics. Aim for leadership positions within your clubs or teams. Colleges look for students who take the initiative and can manage responsibilities. Engage in community service. This demonstrates a commitment to helping others and can provide valuable experiences and skills. Participate in special programs like summer camps, academic enrichment programs, or dual enrollment courses at a local college. Research different careers and consider shadowing professionals to understand what interests you. And lastly, if possible, visit colleges to get a feel for different campuses and what you might like or dislike about them.
First, consider taking challenging courses and enrolling in honors, advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if available. These classes not only prepare you for college-level work but also look impressive on college applications. Consistently strive for high grades, as they are a critical component of your college application. Keeping a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher is key each year in HS, especially your senior year. This can only happen if you stay focused starting your sophomore year. Prepare for and take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Consider taking them more than once to improve your score. These tests may not be required for entry into certain universities, but it will be required to obtain big scholarships. Practice time management, organization, and effective study techniques.
Participate in a variety of clubs that align with your interests. You want to present balance in order to be able to write strong essays for entry into college and obtaining scholarships. Join a sports team if you're interested in athletics. Aim for leadership positions within your clubs or teams. Colleges look for students who take the initiative and can manage responsibilities. Engage in community service. This demonstrates a commitment to helping others and can provide valuable experiences and skills. Participate in special programs like summer camps, academic enrichment programs, or dual enrollment courses at a local college. Research different careers and consider shadowing professionals to understand what interests you. And lastly, if possible, visit colleges to get a feel for different campuses and what you might like or dislike about them.
Updated
Jorge’s Answer
Hello! If you're planning for college while in high school, there are several steps you can take to ensure you're fully prepared. Firstly, maintaining high grades in high school is crucial. Aim for a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0. Secondly, get involved in clubs that match your interests. This could be anything from sports teams to art or science clubs, or any other activity that sparks your interest. Try to secure leadership roles in these clubs, like treasurer, vice president, or president. This demonstrates to colleges your leadership skills and commitment beyond the typical high school student's involvement. Finally, take on the challenge of pre AP and AP classes, and prepare for the PSATs, SATs, and ACTs. High scores in these areas can lead to valuable scholarships that will help with college applications and tuition costs. Excelling in classes like AP Psychology and scoring well on the SAT or ACT will prove to colleges that you are a strong academic student, fully capable of handling the demands of college life.
Updated
Lindsey’s Answer
Hi! I think that it's important to get involved in clubs and extracurricular activities that you are passionate about and that spark a strong interest for you. From my experience, colleges tend to favor applicants who demonstrate deep commitment and enthusiasm towards a single cause, rather than those who spread themselves thin across multiple activities. The depth of your experiences matters more than the breadth. So, my suggestion is to find a cause that truly excites you and invest your time and effort into it wholeheartedly!
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Jeffrey’s Answer
Play sports, work a job/internship in the summer/during the school year and learn to how to manage your personal finances.
You will learn to manage your time and money which is critical for the next 4-12+ years of your life in post-secondary education.
Research your expected salary coming out graduating compared to how much money you're about to invest into college.
Best of Luck!
You will learn to manage your time and money which is critical for the next 4-12+ years of your life in post-secondary education.
Research your expected salary coming out graduating compared to how much money you're about to invest into college.
Best of Luck!
Updated
Isabel’s Answer
Hello there S,
To get ready for college, high school students can take a few proactive steps. Keeping a solid GPA is a great start, along with opting for courses that push their boundaries. Preparing for standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT is also crucial.
Involvement in clubs like the National Honor Society, the debate team, or student government can help develop leadership skills. Engaging in extracurricular activities such as sports, volunteering, or working part-time jobs shows that you're not just academically inclined, but also well-rounded.
Joining clubs related to specific subjects, like science, math, or language, can highlight your academic passions. Looking for internships or summer programs that align with potential college majors can be a smart move too.
Remember, staying organized, managing your time effectively, and seeking advice from counselors can all contribute to creating a comprehensive and competitive college application.
To get ready for college, high school students can take a few proactive steps. Keeping a solid GPA is a great start, along with opting for courses that push their boundaries. Preparing for standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT is also crucial.
Involvement in clubs like the National Honor Society, the debate team, or student government can help develop leadership skills. Engaging in extracurricular activities such as sports, volunteering, or working part-time jobs shows that you're not just academically inclined, but also well-rounded.
Joining clubs related to specific subjects, like science, math, or language, can highlight your academic passions. Looking for internships or summer programs that align with potential college majors can be a smart move too.
Remember, staying organized, managing your time effectively, and seeking advice from counselors can all contribute to creating a comprehensive and competitive college application.