Freshmen: keep up the grades
it is all about grades
Almost all freshmen don't think about college until they get to become seniors. Then they wish they had better grades. So don't make the mistake. Study hard and "keep those grades up".
Below are four (4) quick summary tasks for HS freshmen:
Page Topics:
tasks for HS freshmen
Keeping Up the Grades
College seems so far away, so why think about it now?
Several reasons:
- Keep Your Grades
Up:
your grades during your Freshman to Senior years will determine whether you qualify for some schools or not. Academic scores do count. It is important to develop good study and planning skills.
- Take the Right Courses:
many colleges require completion of academic courses in math, science, english, etc. Now is the time to find out what is required so that you can plan the course structure for your sophomore through senior years.
- Get acquainted with
your HS guidance counselor:
they can help you design an academic plan through high school. Schedule a meeting with them to discuss your academic plans.
- Plan Your Finances:
colleges don't come cheap, so what is your financial plan? Preparing yourself now by saving and working summer jobs can help defray some of the costs.
- Prepare for the Entrance
Exam:
most colleges require entrance exams, usually referred to as that SAT and/or ACT. You should begin thinking about those exams and prepare yourself for taking them during your Junior and Senior years.
tasks for HS freshmen
Internet Guides
Prepare yourself for college:
- Make the most of
high school. C
- 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
| planning your future | |
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visit collegeboard for review |
tasks for HS freshmen
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:
- Advanced Placement
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. - 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.
| about the two college entrance exams | |
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about the SAT exam |
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about the ACT exam |
tasks for HS freshmen
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.
| some helpful resources | |
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occupational outlook |
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employment projections |
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state-by-state labor statistics |
Helpful Tools
Some helpful tools for making decisions:
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