Most jobs today require a college degree of some kind. In addition numerous studies have been done that show that college graduates earn more than students who only finish high school. Students need to think towards their future as early as their freshman year.
Classes to Consider Taking
High schools offer classes in English, mathematics, foreign languages, science, history, home economics and fine arts. Each high school has requirements to meet in order to graduate from their school. However, students need to consider the classes they choose to take and plan for going to college by selecting the correct classes as early as their freshman year.
Most colleges suggest taking four years of mathematics to prepare a student for college. A typical sequence for college bound students is algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and pre-calculus. Depending on what field the student is planning on entering and the offerings at their high school, the pre-calculus class can be replaced with statistics or another algebra class.
Colleges also suggest four years of English. The four years should include classes that incorporate both writing and reading. Students need to be prepared for writing papers in college and beyond. Many high schools offer dual credit options for the English classes. This is good way for students to get their four years of English at high school and earn some college credit for typically less than a regular college class.
College bound students should take at least one year of a foreign language. The world is getting smaller and people need to learn to communicate in a variety of languages. If the student's high school doesn't offer a foreign language the student has the option to go to a junior college and get college credit at the same time.
Grades and Achievements
The college bound student needs to keep in mind the importance of grades and homework. Students need to keep their grades up in the B range to be acceptable to most colleges. It is difficult to raise a low GPA so students need to start high and keep their grades there.
Students should look towards graduation and work for achievements that can be gained along the way. Many school have programs whereby students are honored for volunteer work that they do throughout high school. Rather than waiting until the last year of high school to do this work it should be worked on throughout the high school career. Other achievements such as National Honor Society are based on volunteerism as well as the students grades.
School Involvement
Freshman should consider getting involved in their high school. This involvement should include sports as well as outside clubs. Many high schools offer sports all year round. These sports include not only the popular sports of football, basketball and soccer but also volleyball, bowling and rugby. The student can find a sport to participate in no matter what season it is.
Clubs is another way that students can get involved in their school. Clubs generally are formed by a group of students that share a common interest. This is also a good place to make friends with upper classpeople. These relationships can be beneficial not only in the club, but also in other areas of life at the high school and beyond.
Student government is another way that students can get involved in their school. Most schools have a student council that is responsible for planning Homecoming and other special events for the students. This organization not only looks good on a college application, it is a great place to learn how to work with many different types of people.
Preparation for college needs to begin early for college bound students in the twenty-first century. High school freshman year is the perfect year to begin preparing for the future.
Reference
www.collegeboard.com
Kelley Huston - A reader of all kinds of books, Kelley is an teacher who loves crafts and scrapbooking. She is a Disney fan who loves all things Disney.
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