College happens to be the next academic step for
high school graduates and as such are required to start making preparations
from a early stage. There are a lot of options to be contemplated on and the
earlier you begin mapping out the plans for your college education, the more
dominance you possess over your academic fate. This is one of the biggest
decisions you need to make since there exist a severe number of options and
just by asking yourself the pertinent questions can effectively place you on
the right path to college academy excellence.
For a new and an unexplored path like this, it
is only realistic to have some form of a guide to walk you through the
necessary requirements and necessities before college; and this where the
guidance counsellor strides in. There is nothing that seems more appropriate
than having a discussion with your high school counsellor about your courses
and GPA along with your ambitions and future intentions. It is more than
obvious that the counsellor assumes this role just to help students like
yourself and they want you to succeed in your life endeavors. Therefore, the
more interaction that exist between both of you, it enlarges the possibilities
of you benefiting from their assistance.
Also, it should be a known fact that it is never
too soon to begin some mild and productive extracurricular activities to
further enhance productivity. Sports, arts, a part-time job or a volunteer work
seems like the best options to consider for this faction. Whatever activity you
choose to engage in, it should be known that this is the best time to put in
your 100% and focus a little bit more on your life outside academics. Colleges
are expectant to receive academic individuals that are committed and can bring
distinct qualities/skills to their classes. Although, it is advisable to be
focused and dedicated to a single cause/activity rather than having shallow
knowledge in several other activities.
A simple question remains pertinent to your
decision and requires your honest answer if you're to proceed down this path
with no pressure. "Why do you want to go to college?"
It is required that you are aware of why you
need to pursue postsecondary education because most students mainly feel
pressured to go to college so as to not belittle their parents/teachers
expectations. But, a fact remains candid that you need to have an astute vision
of your own on why you want to further your education and what you intend to
achieve on the academic path. Your career at the end of the day is determined
by the small decisions you make towards your education, so it is more than
important to get admitted into college with a clear cut objective and mindset.
Then, it is never to early to commence your
search for college institutions that seem to catch your gaze and interest or
have amazing courses that you intend to participate in. It is required that you
go back to your guidance counsellor and talk about your research while you both
deliberate effectively on what to do and what not to do. Searching for existing
financial aids and scholarship programs is another good step to take towards
preparing for college out of a many. Although some scholarship programs require
you to have certain test results and high GPA values, so you can set distinct
aims to achieve for yourself in those areas while some other programs simply
require application processes that are needed to start early. You need no one
to tell you that you are required to study harder than ever in order to attain
admission into the college of your choice and this study session has to be
balanced with your everyday life as well as your current high school system (if
applicable). Hence, you'll need more than a single study session per week!
The few months of summer between the junior
years of high school and the senior years of college is the most suitable
period of time to engage and devote time to a college related internship or
program. Every high school should have standing connections to local college
programs and similar internships that will boost your advances when applying
for college education. Reality sets in slowly when you are needed to tour your
potential colleges if you can and have valid conversations with either the
college's alumni or the students in a quest to familiarize yourself with the
scenery and environment while also are in the best position to answer whatever
bulky question you have about how the school is run, the programs etc.
At this point, recommendations are needed to
further strengthen your admission processes so you should try your possible
best to receive recommendations from your favorite teachers, guidance
counsellor, school principal etc. as it goes a long way in your admission task.
Apart from providing recommendations, you should meet up with these individuals
and seek their help in analyzing and correcting whatever error that appears in
your application essay by getting another pair of eyes to critically examine
your writeup.
Conclusively, if you have already been admitted
to the college of your choice, it is advisable not to fall into the temptation
of taking your final semester less seriously as it can prove detrimental to
your cause. There have been several cases where colleges rescind their
admission letters when certain individuals fail to meet the school's continuing
expectations. With your path clearly mapped out, your transitioning from high
school to college will come naturally without attendant consequences.