Your junior and senior years are incredibly stressful. You’re worried about getting into college and boosting up your resume. On top of that, you’re trying to keep up with the homework, the college deadlines, staying in touch with friends, and everything else. Basically your last two years of high school can tire you out.
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some suggestions:
1. Start thinking about which colleges you would like to attend. Think about the location, the size, the majors that is offered, the clubs, the sports, the cost of tuition, etc. These topics can be very important in deciding which college is right for you. Also it helps narrow down your search for you. An excellent website to use to help you would be collegeboard.com. It has a search engine that specifically assists you in looking for a college.
2. Start volunteering near you. Volunteering is an excellent asset to your college resume. It shows colleges that you don’t stay home everyday and watch television or go on the computer. It doesn’t have to be big. It can be volunteering at the local shelter or senior center.
3. Choose challenging classes. Colleges want you to challenge yourself. They don’t want to see classes that are easy. You should at least try to take the hard classes, and if it is too difficult for you then drop to a lower level. But be proud that you had at least tried.
4. Sign up for college visits. The best way to see whether a college is right for you is to take a tour and ask questions. While your there, talk with someone from the admissions department.
5. Take a class that would help you write your essay. Start writing early so that you won’t be stressed out when it comes time to apply for college.
6. Take the SAT in the spring of your junior year and in the fall of your senior year. You can take it as many times as you want. However don’t take it more than 3 times otherwise colleges would think that you’re desperate. There is another option. If you feel that your SAT scores were not as good as you had hoped, then maybe you would do better taking ACT. Study for the SAT two or three months early so that you can be fully prepared
7. Look up the SAT subject tests that you need to take for a college. Each college requires different tests. So look at colleges early. Give yourself 2 or 3 months early to study for each test. Sign up for subject tests that you are strong at. Go to collegeboard.com to see the available tests that you can take.
8. If you know what you want to major in, start taking classes that corresponds with your major. By doing so, you would at least have some insight about the major.
9. Use the guidance counselors. They are there you help you with colleges and classes so don’t ignore them. This is an opportunity to get help with college.
10. Have a calendar on the wall or on your desk at home. Write all your college visits, application deadlines, and interviews on it so that you would never forget.
College can be difficult if you don’t prepare yourself early. By using these tips you would be less stressful during your last two years of high school.
