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Here are a few things you can do NOW to help your senior year go smoother!STRENGTHEN YOUR READING, WRITING, COMPREHENSION, & MATH SKILLS! - Every grade level that you are promoted to will get a little harder each time. So, why not stay ahead of the game by investing in yourself?! Spend a little extra time improving your skills and comprehension...outside of your schoolwork. Instead of scrolling social media aimlessly, watch a YouTube video to show you how to become a better test-taker or prepare for standardized testing. Your test scores will thank you!! Start studying for the ACT Exam! - Can you take the ACT in 10th grade? Students can take the ACT during their sophomore year of high school, if desired. If you're unhappy with your score, you can register for the test again at a later date. Sophomores who choose not to take the ACT might still benefit from preparing for it or taking the PreACT instead. - Although it is suggested that students not take the ACT until their junior year, now is a GREAT time to start preparing for it! That means studying the ACT Practice Book, attending ACT Bootcamps, and using online tools to help you study - including YouTube videos! ----- research the SAT Exam, as well! This may be a better alternative exam for you. Consult your parent and counselor to determine which test bit fits you AND the post-secondary institution that you are considering! Start working on acquiring volunteer hours! - Employers, colleges, and scholarship committees love to see that you volunteering to help others! Find one or two places to consistently assist as often as you can for the next four (4) years. Don't want until your senior year - the more time you are active, the better it can be in our favor. Start now! Get involved at your school! - Employers, colleges, and scholarship committees love to see an active student. It shows leadership. Don't want until your senior year - the more time you are active, the better it can be in our favor. Start now! Build relationships with your teachers, principals, and coaches! - You will need someone to speak positive on your behalf - someone that's not family or a close friend. You see your teachers everyday...they can be that "someone!" Monitor your courses and grades! - Post-secondary institutions are officially interested in your grades and courses, and will use them both to determine your eligibility for several things. Pay attention to your courses to make sure you are on track to graduate on time and that the match the ultimate goal you have in mind for your future. Also, pay attention to your GPA - know the difference between a regular GPA and a cumulative GPA! [psst...the answer is below] |
Tips for High School Juniors
Congratulations — you’ve made it to the spring of your junior year! You’re one step closer to your final year of high school — and to finding the right college for you. Here are 7 things you can do this spring to create strong options for your college education.
1. Build a list of colleges that fit your goals and ambitions.
Your college counselor — or college search engines like Peterson’s, Princeton Review, Cappex — are great resources for helping to build your list. Already have a list? Start narrowing that list so you can plan visits over spring or summer break. Which brings us to our next tip…
2. Plan a few college visits.
Now is the perfect time to begin visiting colleges you are interested in. Many colleges offer events and open houses geared specifically toward high school juniors. Take advantage of opportunities, including a leadership conference and an open house, where you can meet with faculty, staff and students, and learn about academics and campus life.
3. Take the time to know yourself and identify college experiences that can be a good match for you.
The college selection tools at cfnc.org or collegeboard.com can help you hone in on good matches. Also, make plans to attend a college fair near you in the spring.
4. Research scholarship and financial aid options at different types of schools.
You and your family are likely to be concerned about paying for college. And, you may have already made some assumptions like “We can’t afford a private school” based on perceptions of cost. Did you know that students at private colleges get more financial aid? In fact, according to the Council for Independent Colleges, private colleges give more than three times the amount of institutional aid — $17,088 vs $5,046 — than public colleges do. Be careful not to let myths or misperceptions limit your search. Now is the ideal time to get the facts about the variety of scholarship and financial assistance options that may be available to you at different types of schools.
5. Have you signed up for the SAT or ACT?
Do so at sat.collegeboard.org or actstudent.org. The spring of your junior year is a great time to take the SAT or ACT. And, to position yourself for the best scholarships, plan to take the test again in the fall of your senior year.
6. Think about classes you’ll take in your senior year.
For many colleges, the most important aspect of your application will be the rigor of your curriculum and the grades you have earned in those courses. Be careful not to overreach or underestimate your abilities. Your coursework AND your grades are important.
7. Plan your summer.
Look for summer programs that match your interests. An academic camp, a community camp, or volunteer experience — meaningful experiences like these are a great addition to any college application. Summer programs on college campuses are also a great way to get a taste of what college life is like. And, most of all, enjoy this special time in your high school career. Best of luck with your college search!
source: https://www.meredith.edu/admissions-blog/seven-college-search-tips-for-high-school-juniors/
