What should students do to prepare for college?
Students who are planning to attend college should take specific steps to ensure they are fully prepared.
Before college applications open, there are several things students need to do to prepare. Starting early (sophomore year) ensures they have time to prepare and reflect on what's most important to them. You wouldn't buy a house or invest in a business without assessing what you want and researching your options first. The same goes for your child's education plan.
Harnessing Interests & Passions
This is the first place I like to start when working with students. Starting with conversations and questions that help them look internally into who they are and what they want sparks curiosity. Taking personality assessments and enneagram quizzes can be fun and provides a good launching point for students to learn more about themselves.
When students have a strong sense of self, navigating their curiosities and exploring their personal areas of interest is easier. This helps them choose extracurricular activities to try throughout high school, which promotes spending time in things that excite and enrich their lives, leading to attractive resumes and college application material.
While personal exploration is started as early as freshman year, it's continued and tracked throughout high school to fine tune their interests and demonstrate growth.
Career & Majors Exploration
Many young people tend not to be focused on careers in high school. Though it's a wise idea to explore possibilities early on. Putting in some time researching careers can really pay off in helping a student figure out what they are naturally interested in and drawn to. Equally important, it can help them identify types of work they don't like.
Career assessments and research can also help prepare for college because they reveal what majors and degrees are necessary for a particular type of work. Sometimes, an ideal career path requires a vocational school or certificate, not a traditional degree. It's also beneficial to
Putting in some effort to learn about the options can save you time and money when planning for your future opportunities.
I like to explain to students that you aren't looking into careers to choose something; you're simply getting curious about your options. (Aka, paying it forward to the future you)
Testing: SAT/ACT Preparation
Take the SAT or ACT. The SAT and ACT are standardized tests measuring a student's knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and math. Most colleges and universities in the United States require applicants to submit scores from either the SAT or ACT as part of the admissions process or list it as optional. High schools generally offer testing during the spring of the student's junior year.
Whether or not you need to complete SAT/ACT testing depends on the colleges and universities you are applying to. Some schools may require test scores as part of their admissions process, while others may be test-optional or test-blind. Test-optional schools do not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, and test-blind schools do not consider test scores in the admissions process. Check the admissions requirements for each school you apply to and submit all required materials by the deadline.
Many resources are available to help students prepare, including practice tests, review books, and online courses. Test dates can fill up quickly, so register for the test well in advance.
College Research & Selection
Begin researching colleges and universities. Ideally, students will start exploring in the first semester of their junior year. When planning for college, there are several factors to consider. These can include:
Academic programs: What type of degree are you interested in pursuing? What educational programs does the college or university offer in this field?
Extracurricular activities: Are there specific extracurricular activities or organizations in which you want to participate while in college?
Location: Do you want to stay close to home, or are you open to attending college in a different part of the country or even abroad?
Size: Do you prefer a large university with many students or a smaller college with a more intimate setting?
Cost: How much is the college or university going to cost? How will you pay for it? Consider factors such as tuition, fees, housing, and other expenses.
Scholarships and financial aid: Are there any scholarship or financial aid opportunities available at the college or university you're considering?
Campus culture: Research the campus culture at different colleges and universities to find one that aligns with your values and interests. Consider factors such as the student body, extracurricular activities, and the availability of on-campus resources.
Future career goals: Think about your long-term career goals and how a particular college or university can help you achieve them. Research the job prospects and career opportunities available to graduates of different programs.
Preparing for Success
Preparing for college is a key step to building your future. As you learned, it's important to start the process early. By spacing these exercises and researching out over sophomore and junior years, your student will experience better opportunities while enjoying an easy process!
If you would like an ally and trusted guide in your family's college planning journey, book a complimentary consultation on my contact page to learn more.
