As you move from grammar school to high school and on to college, you will begin to go through new things. Some of these experiences will be fun like making new friends or going to school dances. But, some new experiences will be difficult such as dealing with increased stress or making good decisions.
Read Fresh Start - The Guide Book For Freshmen
It may be a challenge to learn how to deal with these new situations and problems you face, but you don’t have to do it alone. Lots of resources are available to help you such as your counselor, teachers, youth groups, and hotlines.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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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