freshman year timeline
Going off to college may seem like a long time from now, but it's not too early to make choices that will make the transition from high school to college easier. What classes you take, and how you perform in them, as well as what you do with your time when you are not in class are all decisions that may affect your college admissions. It's just as easy to make the right decisions now as it is to make wrong ones. Here are some suggestions for how to do that.
Academics
Freshman year is the perfect time to establish yourself as a good student. Take rigorous courses, and get good grades, but also maintain a balance between work and play. Good academics are the foundation of a college admissions plan.
Make sure that your high school courses are the ones that colleges require. Remember, the courses you take as a freshman set the stage for course selection for the rest of high school and even college.
Work with your school counselor to make sure that you are taking college prep courses that ensure your eligibility for the colleges you might want to attend.
Extracurricular Activities
Freshman year is also when the choosing of extracurricular activities usually gets started. Talk with your high school counselor about what your interests and talents are and how they fit different activities in and outside of school. Enjoy yourself: taste and explore a number of interests and activities.
Keep a record of absolutely everything you do, including activities, one-day or weekend conferences or sports events, summer programs, jobs (including babysitting), independent lessons or projects, volunteer experiences, honors and awards. You will need to recall these things for your applications.
Testing
For the moment, don't worry about testing. But what you can do is read, read, read, and also build your vocabulary. Both of the latter will help you do well on the verbal parts of the SAT and ACT.
Academics
No matter if you are a very good, decent or poor student, if any class seems to give you trouble, immediately ask for help from the teacher and consider getting a tutor when you need it.
College Visits
Some freshman are interested in looking at colleges. Many others are not. If you live near a college or pass by some as you go on family vacations, just driving through different campuses can begin to give you a sense for what different colleges look and feel like.
Counselors and Teachers
Develop good relationships with your counselor and teachers. Not only will this help you with college admissions, but it will make your high school experience more enjoyable.
Classes and Grades
Begin to study for your exams and aim to ace your first finals. Nothing will do more to set you up with the reputation as a good student at your school (and with teachers) than a first semester of good grades.
Extracurricular Activities
Take stock of how you are spending your time in and out of school. Is there anything you want to add or eliminate from your schedule? Make sure that everything you do is either something you enjoy or "counts" academically.
Classes and Grades
Stay on top of your classes. Aim for the best grades you can get in your first year of high school.
Extracurricular Activities
Begin thinking about what you want to do this coming summer. Colleges are about as interested in what you do outside of school and with your summers as they are in your academics. Make sure you choose something you really enjoy.
Classes and Grades
Carefully choose sophomore year classes, taking into consideration the rigor of the program and balance in your life.
Extracurricular Activities
Finalize your summer plans.
Classes and Grades
Ace your Finals.
College Visits
While on vacations, swing by any colleges that are nearby to have a look at what different colleges are like.
Extracurricular Activities
Make sure that you do something fun, interesting, or important with your summer.