For most students, four years of hard work and dedication are all for one main purpose: college. Whether you take AP, AICE, Honors, or regular-level classes, high school is a challenging time in everyone’s life. Staying on track can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance and preparation, it’s not so daunting. With that, here are some tips to stay on track throughout high school.
Tips for freshman year:
The shift from middle to high school can feel like a dramatic transition. One moment, you’re cutting and pasting fun worksheets into a composition book, and the next, you’re writing a few essays a month. However, taking the right approach from the beginning of high school is almost guaranteed to set you up for success.
Starting simple, I suggest setting up a consistent and manageable daily routine, which is vital in maintaining a healthy mindset. Getting at least seven hours of sleep, taking part in extracurriculars after school, finishing all homework before 10 pm, while still enjoying self-care activities, will foster a motivational environment at home. Staying focused is difficult, but with the right discipline, it is achievable.
Another major tip is to start the AICE Diploma freshman year, as sitting and passing seven exams will grant you the Bright Futures Scholarship. Don’t wait until sophomore year to begin; start with AICE Geography and General Paper in ninth grade, which will set you up to meet the requirements by junior year. This gives students wiggle room during course selections and more class availability for AP’s and special electives such as Student Government Association (SGA) or Newspaper.
During freshman year, doing things as simple as staying consistent and challenging oneself with rigorous classes will reflect during the college application and decision process.
Tips for sophomore year:
Sophomore year is the time for students to branch out of their comfort zones and take part in as many activities as possible. At this point, students have begun to establish their high school friend groups, interests, and hobbies. With this comes the chance to apply newfound interests to school-related activities.
Looking into clubs such as the Key Club, Best Buddies, or even honors societies is a great place to start. Putting yourself out there early in your high school career will demonstrate initiative, care, and commitment to Universities during the application process. Taking part in off-campus activities, like work or recreational sports, signifies to universities that candidates are passionate and self-motivated beyond school grounds.
Sophomore year is like the calm before the storm, when SAT preparation and all things college take over. So, students should take advantage of this time period to make their mark on and off campus.
Tips for junior year:
Junior year has always been known as “the worst year of high school,” and understandably so, but with proper time management, it’s really not so bad. At this point, it’s recommended to take at least three college-level courses, depending on the student’s top university choices. Also, this is a great time to apply for leadership/officer positions for students who have gained upperclassman status.
It is also recommended to allocate at least two days of the week for SAT studying. Don’t overload all the information at once–cramming is inefficient in the long run. Rather, spread out studying habits over time, using resources like Khan Academy, YouTube videos, or even a tutor. Also, work towards a competitive SAT score before senior year begins–this will save so much time and stress during the first semester of 12th grade.
Tips for senior year:
The first semester of senior year is stressful and busy. Finalizing SAT scores, filling out the Common Application for college, while also trying to maintain good grades in difficult classes, is no easy task. However, this is all worth it, as many students are accepted into their dream university.
College applications consume the first semester, so start the Common App process the summer before school begins. Filling out personal information ahead of time will allow students to focus their attention on university-specific essay-based questions, sharpening their application.
A less-discussed tip during senior year is finding a haven away from the stress of school. Building in at least one hour a day to get out of the house and experience a change in scenery is so important to maintain motivation.
High school seems like a long time period initially, but in the blink of an eye, students are seniors preparing to graduate in May. Before their world changes, students should enjoy every moment and put in the effort, as it will all be worth it in the end.
