Life as I know it
Hey guys! I was just wondering how soon you started planning for college in
high school. Was there anything you wish you would have done to better
prepare yourself? And how much do your high school years affect college?
Good morning everyone :)
Well, I knew from a young age that I wanted and was expected to go to college. I started thinking about college my freshman year of high school, and I personally believe that is the time you really have to start thinking about it. When I say start thinking about it, I don't necessarily mean find the college you want to go to, but prepare for your future. Don't slack off your freshman year... challenge yourself and work really hard to get good grades. Take honors classes, AP classes, join clubs, play sports, but don't overwork yourself. Form good study habits early. Trust me, its really a challenge to change these habits later in time. In college, if you want an A in a class, you are expected to study 3 hours for every 1 unit. For example, my spanish class is a 4 credit class (meaning we meet 4 hours a week), therefore I should study for about 12 hours if I want an A. It's hard to believe, but it true. :(
I started college searching late in my freshman year, and by my sophomore year, I had narrowed it down to a group of schools. It's really kind of fun to college search. I still do it from time to time, just because I like to see what other campuses are like. My favorite college search engines are CollegeBoard, FastWeb and especially SparkNotes.
I really wish I would have taken high school more seriously. My freshman and sophomore year I got A's and B's and one C, and when I realized that my grades were more important it was too late. I just slacked off in classes that would have been an easy A if I actually paid attention to it, but I didnt, and had to suffer in the end. For me, my grades were important because I wanted to be in the Honors College here at the University of Arizona, which required a minimum of a 3.8 high school gpa, and because of my lovely C and few B's, I ended high school with a 3.72 gpa. Sure, its a decent gpa, but it wasnt high enough for my personal standards.
Another thing I recommend is to start taking your ACTs and SATs as soon as you can (early junior year, or even late sophomore year) so you have plenty more times to take it if you aren't happy with your score. :)
HIgh school affects college greatly, but its not ALL about grades. Colleges like well rounded students, who could carry a full class load, play sports and participate in some clubs. So find something you like doing. I was very active in National Honors Society, and Rotary's Interact club, as well as cheerleading and a job.
OH! One more thing...
In high school I was invited to a program called National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) of Medicine, and I decided to go, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much and I made so many friends that I still talk to today (and that was nearly 3 years ago!). Don't let the few thousand dollar charge scare you away, write to organizations, clubs, and other businesses around your city. I did this and with the help of the Kiwanis Club of the Colorado River, Elks Lodge, Womens Council, Elks Auxiliary, WARMC Auxiliary, Joyce Lyon, Don and Martha Pryor, Cathy and Janet Stubblefield, LJ and Lois Little, Jan Ward, Dr. Price, the Legacy Foundation, and family. It was the experience of a lifetime, and I owe it to these people and organizations for that experience. And best of all, it looks REALLY good on a college application. :)
Good luck!
Defy Gravity and Keep Smiling,
Dawn
