Countdown TO COLLEGE An interactive, step-by-step guide to finding your future. Start Here!
8TH GRADE
The more clearly you understand what matters most to you, the better prepared you will be to make meaningful college and career choices. From personality traits and interests to skills and experiences, taking a look at all of the elements of you can be a gamechanger.
9TH GRADE Freshman year is the perfect time to prioritize your class schedule, study skills and extracurricular activities. This four-step freshman-year checklist will help you build habits that will serve you for years to come.
Grab your notebook and pen, phone or laptop and spend some time thinking about what makes you you. 1. What do you love to do? 2. What subjects or topics interest you? 3. How would you describe yourself in five words? 4. What is something you would like to get better at doing? 5. What is a challenge you faced and overcame? 6. What do you wish people knew about you?
10TH GRADE College is all about finding the right match—you want to appeal to the schools that appeal to you. Your sophomore year is the ideal time to explore which colleges interest you and how you can stand out to them. This chart can help!
Meet with your school counselor to discuss the ideal class schedule for your college plans Purchase a planner and regularly update it with due dates, tests and projects Block off study sessions on your calendar and stick to them Participate in extracurriculars such as athletics, student government or band
Talk to your school counselor about taking the PSAT and PreACT tests, as well as study guides and prep classes for the ACT and SAT.
College or University
I like…
I will…
For example: “UPIKE”
They have great support & nice people
Consider taking more honors classes