High School Year by Year
Freshmen
Getting a Good Start in High School
- Keep a close eye on your academic progress
- Become involved in a variety of activities
- Begin exploring careers that interest you
- Study your EXPLORE test results to see which areas need improvement
- Intelligently choose 10th grade classes
- Read books that interest you
Sophomores
It’s All Part of the Process
- Continue to monitor your academic progress
- Stay involved in activities and develop leaderships skills
- Study closely the results of your PLAN test, discuss concerns with your counselor and parents
- Select appropriate courses for 11th grade, possibly college credit classes
- Begin to consider your post-secondary educational plans
- Prepare for college by reading on a daily basis
Juniors
A Year of Investigation
- Concentrate on your grades, know your GPA and class rank
- Think about and explore career options
- Choose appropriate and challenging courses for your senior year
- Register to take the ACT in April or June
- Identify initial list of colleges, begin research
- Create a resume of your volunteer work, employment, and activities
- Visit colleges that interest you and look for scholarship possibilities
- Read challenging material and books
Seniors
Bringing It All Together—Decision Time
- Know the importance of senior grades
- Take, or re-take, the ACT
- Complete your college applications and submit them early
- If necessary, compose your college essay and get your English teacher to proofread it and give suggestions for making it better
- If needed, request letters of recommendation
- Finalize your resume of volunteer work, employment, and activities
- Investigate all possible sources of scholarship and financial aid.
- Complete scholarship and financial aid applications—watch deadlines!
- Make an informed decision about your future