Welcome to high school! 9th grade can be exciting and maybe a little scary, but having a plan for how you are going to stay organized, and knowing who to talk to when you need help will make your first year a whole lot easier. Below is a basic timeline to help you think about the year ahead, and helpful links to keep you on track.
9TH GRADE TIMELINE
Review the OIHS Course Guide to see what classes are being offered. Consider whether you will take any AP Classes, and which ones.
Read the 4 Year Game Plan and start thinking about what you’d like to explore and accomplish in high school.
Meet with Dr. Fletcher to make sure you’re taking the right classes, especially Math.
Find a system that works for you to help get organized!
Sign up for extracurriculars (sports, clubs), get a few friends to sign up with you!
Familiarize yourself with Schoolinks and be sure to stay on top of the To-Do list.
Take the PSAT at school. This test will help you build up skills, so you’ll be ready to take the SAT in 11th or 12th grade. You will be able to see the score sheet of your PSAT to understand which areas you need to work on to improve your score.
Attend the Futures Fair. Take time to talk to at least one rep about their college, and feel free to ask any questions you might have about college in general!
If you’re interested in playing college sports, research the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as early as your freshman year. The NCAA requires completion of certain core classes in high school for eligibility. Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center for more information.
Start thinking about what you’re interested in outside of the classroom. Think about jobs and careers that interest you. Even though your interests may change, it’s good to start thinking about possibilities. Talk to adults, such as school counselors, teachers, and recent college graduates, about your interests. Check out the “Explore” section of Schoolinks, where you can take assessments and play games to find out more about different career paths.
Figure out what you’re going to do for your volunteer hours, you can check out the Orcas nonprofit directory for lots of great ideas!
Focus on finishing your classes and doing well on your exams. Create and practice good study habits. Ask the Futures Lounge if you want help with developing a study plan.
Check to make sure your second-semester classes are on track for graduation.
Start filling in the “Profile and Resume” part of Schoolinks with your activities, volunteer work, awards, and any other accomplishments you want to keep track of for the time when you start applying for colleges or jobs.
FEBRUARY
If you travel during mid-winter break, see if there are any colleges nearby. Even driving through a college campus will give you an idea of the vibe.
If you don’t travel during mid-winter break, consider going to work with a parent or other adult one of the days you’re on break and seeing what it’s like to be in their work environment.
If you are interested in attending a military academy or applying for a ROTC scholarship, be sure to talk to Jamie or Dr. Fletcher, this path takes a lot of work and serious commitment, so you will need to start taking steps to be on track as early as your sophomore year.
Work hard to finish your classes and do well on your exams. Remember, a strong start now means you don’t have to scramble to try raise your GPA your junior or senior year!
Register for classes next year; check with Dr. Fletcher to ensure you are on track.
Apply for a job or internship, or volunteer in your community. These experiences will help you learn about yourself and could even put you on a path to your future career.
Visit college campuses near your home or near any travels you take. There is nothing better than walking around campus to get to understand the ‘vibe’ there.
Start saving money for college. It’s never too late or too early—every little bit helps.
If you have questions about this information, please ask!
Jamie Klückow/Post-Graduate Prep: jkluckow@oisd.org
Dr. Fletcher/School Counselor: rfletcher@oisd.org
HELPFUL LINKS
Blue Book: Download the app for access to a full SAT practice test