What can a freshman in high school do to start preparing for the college admissions process? Plenty! (And it's nothing to be stressed about.)
Take classes that are the right fit for you. The right fit means you are challenged academically but not overwhelmed.
Make a four-year plan for your courses, and keep it updated as you change your mind about things. It helps to talk to your guidance counselor or Mrs. Roegner about this plan. They can help make sure you are going to have all of your graduation requirements and can help you choose courses that are a good fit for your goals.
Get involved at school! Get involved in sports, club, performance, artistic and/or service opportunities at school. This is a great way to make friends, and it can help you grow in areas of interest that might not be met by your classwork. Need help getting involved? Mrs. Roegner may be able to give you some suggestions.
Get involved in your community! School is not the only community you are a part of. How can you be an active, involved member of your neighborhood, city, state, or religious organization, etc? When you go to college, you are joining a community, and universities like to know that their students will be involved.
Start thinking about what you're passionate about. You can't do everything, no matter how much you would like to. Think of yourself as a pie--there's only so much pie, no matter how many pieces you cut it into. So figure out what really matters to you--make sure you are investing your time in what's important to you.
Start paying attention to the careers around you. Ask trusted adults about their career paths. Don't be afraid to email people and ask about their jobs if you're curious.
Read! And read widely.
Start thinking about who you are instead of just what you do. What are your character strengths? How do you like to learn? What kind of life (not necessarily what kind of job) would you like to have as an adult? Do you see opportunities for growth?
Ask for help. Make sure you are starting off your high school experience with a strong foundation--don't hesitate to ask for help. That's why we're here!
Visit colleges if you go on a trip. Visit some of the colleges in town. You don't even need to take an official tour. Just take the opportunity to see the variety of college experiences out there.