Get on track:
- Get to know your counselor and college advisor. They can help you every step of the way toward college
- Talk with your counselor about EXPLORE results.
- Make sure you are taking the right courses to prepare for college.
- Attend writing, test-taking, and study skills workshops. Try hard to get good grades.
- Read at least 20 minutes a day (newspapers, magazine, books).
- Get involved in your community. Remember, you need 10 Service-Learning hours each year.
- Get active and stay active in an after-school activity.
- Ask for help if you are having a hard time with classes or if you are having problems in or out of school.
Make a plan:
- Think about what you want to do after high school. Do you want to be a doctor? Play basketball at a NCAA school? Own a business? Find out about different careers by using Choices Planner.
- Attend workshops with counselors, college advisors, and college representatives about options after high school.
- Develop a four-year course plan to help you move toward your goals.
Get ready:
- Visit at least one college through a local tour (College Tours) or virtual tour (CampusTours).
- Meet with your counselor to be sure you are on track to complete CPS requirements for promotion and graduation
- Talk to your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) about your plans and about a savings plan for college.
- Work with your counselor to plan your sophomore year courses. Take the most challenging options available to you. Ask about Honors courses.
- Learn about and apply for summer programs (Summer Quest, After School Matters, Kidstart, etc.).
- Talk with your parents about Applying for a social security number if you don’t have one already.
- If you are an undocumented student check out our Guide for Undocumented Students.
- Attend a financial planning workshop at an OCFAC. Ask your parents to come.
- Continue to build on your Choices Planner portfolio by including your activities and awards.
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