FRESHMAN - SOPHOMORE:
Explore interests: Consider your strengths, long-term goals, and skills, and how different educational programs might align with them. You can research careers online, attend career fairs, and participate in leadership or community activities. You can also get to know your teachers and older students who can help you choose classes and pursue leadership opportunities.
Develop skills: You can build organization and time management skills, which are often valued by employers. You can also try to improve your social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, which can make academic learning easier.
Make connections: You can connect with your teachers and other students, and take advantage of on-campus activities and clubs. You can also try to build relationships with other adolescents in your school.
JUNIORS:
College: Research schools, majors, and financial aid, and visit campuses. You can also consider taking AP courses, standardized tests, and the PSAT. In the spring, you can focus more on college research and visits. You can also:
Make a college list
Attend college fairs
Ask friends who have graduated for advice
Get letters of recommendation from teachers
Apply to colleges
Meet with a counselor about extracurriculars
Careers: Explore career interests by researching online, attending career fairs, and participating in leadership or community activities.
Other options: You can also consider other options after high school, such as:
Technical or vocational training programs
Online degree programs
Military service or training
Taking a "bridge" year
You can also try to complete your junior year's most challenging courses, as admissions officers will review your junior year transcript when you apply to college.
SENIORS:
Enroll: Students who plan to continue their education after high school can enroll in a 2-year college, a 4-year college, a trade school or a training program (applications, letters of recommendation, transcripts, ACT score, essay)
Enlist: Students who plan to serve in the military can take the ASVAB test and work with a military recruiter
Employ: Students who plan to go directly into the workforce can work on creating a resume and applying for desired jobs