Stay on track:
  • Continue to meet with your counselor

    • and college advisor. Be sure to review PLAN test results with one of them.

  • Make sure you are taking the right courses to prepare for college.
  • Take writing, test-taking, and study skills workshops. Try hard to get good grades.
  • Read at least 30 minutes a day (newspapers, magazine, books).
  • Choose meaningful Service-Learning activities that match your interests and improves your community. By the end of sophomore year you should have completed 20 Service-Learning hours.
  • Join extracurricular activities: sports, music, Student Council, Future Teachers, Future Counselors Club, Chancellors Club, After School Matters, etc.
  • 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:
  • Continue to develop a portfolio on What's Next Illinios. Don’t worry if you can’t fill in all the blanks yet. Go back to your portfolio at the end of each semester to review and update information. It’s OK to change your mind.
  • Continue to develop your high school course plan to help you move toward your goals.
Get ready:
  • Attend college fairs.
  • Take college tours. Visit different types of schools: community colleges, big and small colleges.
  • Look at what the colleges you like require for courses and GPA. How do their requirements match up against your courses and plan? Make adjustments with your counselor.
  • Meet with your counselor to be sure you are on track to complete CPS requirements for promotion and graduation.
  • Plan your junior year. Take the most challenging options available to you, such as AP and honors.
  • Apply for Summer Quest or another summer program that fits with your interests.
  • Attend financial planning workshop at an OCFAC. Ask your parents to come.
  • Identify scholarship opportunities.
  • Add to your scholarship portfolio on Choices Planner.