HS Sophomores
getting prepared for college
College still seems so far away even for a HS sophomore. But note that every grade counts. So do you best in high school. Colleges look at every grade.
Monthly Tasks:
Task1: Mapping Your Road
Use your sophomore year to map out your college plans.
Important tasks that your should consider:
- Meet with Your Guidance
Department:
design an academic blueprint for your sophomore, junior and senior years that ensure that you complete all of the required courses for college entrance.
- Develop Strong Academic
Skills:
continue developing those all important vocabulary, math, reading and problem-solving skills.
- Become familiar with
the college entrance exams:
namely the SAT and/or ACT. Plan to take some practice tests using PSAT practice booklets (see below).
- Develop those All-Important
Extracurricular Skills:
colleges love students who not only have strong academic backgrounds but also students who show interest in outside activities.
- Become familiar with
the College Planning Process:
link through the college planning calendar for juniors and seniors to get an idea what you need to do. See college planning calendar
- Start Saving Your Money:
every dime counts when you think about college costs and personal needs. Having a cash fund will make college a fun experience.
Task2: Internet Guides
Prepare yourself for college:
Making the most of high school:
www.collegeboard.com
College admission offices prefer candidates that have good academic scores and who are involved in outside activities. Get involved with Junior Achievement for skill and extracurricular development:
http://www.ja.org/
Do you need help with your academic courses:
visit our college prep center for study guides and notes
Link to college web sites to get an idea about college life and requirements
Visit college online web sites to get a flavor for what college life is like:
find your college: college search directory
view college rankings: click here
Task3: Review College Exams
Get with your guidance counselor (or teachers, if you don't have access to a guidance counselor) about the following college exams:
Advance Placement Exams:
you should consider taking Advanced Placement Exams or CLEP tests in your Junior and Senior years. This allows you to test out of some college courses that can save you time and money.
The exams are administered each year in the Spring with some preparation required prior to the exam. Check with your school for exam administration, enrollment and information.
- Information about the advanced placement program:
www.collegeboard.com
View our advanced placement prep/study guides:
:
click here for advanced placement materials
College Entrance Exams:
almost all colleges and some trade programs require a college entrance exam for admission. These exams measure your ability to understand college-level materials.
You will take these exams in your junior year. So get some practice with the college entrance "preparation" exams. It will help on the day of the real exam.
The PSAT is usually offered in October and November. The test is generally offered through your school. Check with your school counselor on dates.
Why take these college prep exams:
- to help prepare for the real test. You will be familiar with the type of questions being asked
- to help you take tests under timelines. It is important that you work quickly so that you can complete the entire test.
- to view your strengths and weaknesses for college study. You can then focus on areas that can improve your skills.
- to view how your performance compares with other students who are applying for college
Information about the PSAT (practice exams):
www.collegeboard.org
ACT test preparation:
www.actstudent.org
View our college entrance exam prep center:
click here for college prep materials
Task4: Get to Know Yourself
Take some personal self-assessment tests to determine your aptitude and character for job opportunities.
Understanding your personality type will help determine what career opportunity will bring you the most satisfaction.
- Start with defining
your personality type:
take this quick quiz to get a non-test based review of your personality type and careers that may be of interest
www.personalitytype.com
more test-based online character assessment:
www.advisorteam.com
other Self-Assessment resources:
www.rileyguide.com
What to shape a better you?
- How to build a well-rounded
character:
reviews how planning, discipline and timely execution can build a better you for success:
FREE Download
Complete guide on discipline and character building. Has illustrations on the building blocks of success.
view our "building success" module: FREE downloads
Task5: Research Job Trends
Research future career opportunities to help decide what you want out of college.
Find out what jobs are going to be hot
and what jobs are not. This will help decide whether to
go to college, vocational school or jump right into your career:
- From the
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
occupational outlook by category: provides insight on the training need, work environment, earnings, expected job prospects and more. It's a valuable resource to help decide what career you may like.
www.bls.gov/oco
projections on what's hot and what's not. Includes employment statistics and the fastest growing careers:
www.bls.gov/emp
provides information on careers from an occupational perspective
www.bls.gov/oco/cg
- Individual State Labor Statistics:
occupational projections by state and region — helps determine where you may need to locate for the best growth
www.projectionscentral.com
Link to individual State economic, job and occupation trends:
Task6: Get a Summer Job
Use the summer to raise money you will need for college.
That money can be used for tuition, housing, transportation and even entertainment.
If you worked last summer with a job that you liked, go back and see if you can work with them again. Or try to find a different summer job that fits your career goals:
- Summer work programs:
Job listing for teens from many brand-name retail and other name companies:
www.snagajob.com
another posting of summer jobs:
www.summerjobs.com
job postings exclusively for teens:
www.teens4hire.org
- Internship Programs:
internships in your field of interest is a great way to get experience that will help you college
http://internships.wetfeet.com
- Search Classified ads in LOCAL PAPERS:
you will find many local summer jobs through your local online classifieds:
find local online classifieds | search craig's list
College Planning Guide
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