Emphasis on academic excellence! Grades now count and all final grades will be on the students' permanent record (transcript). Schedule rigorous high school courses. By graduation, you should have taken four years of English Math, Social Studies and Science. If you expect to take Advanced Placement courses later, you may need to sign up for prerequisites now.
Register with Naviance. Begin working on the personality tests and career tests available. Begin career searches and explore summer learning experiences.
Explore clubs and activities in and outside of school that will offer you the chance to develop leadership skills.
Become familiar with college entrance requirements. Your academic performance (grade point average, class rank and types of courses you take), SAT and/or ACT test scores, teacher or counselor recommendations, extra- curricular activities, essays and interviews are all important factors at most colleges.
Research college costs, scholarships and other forms of financial aid. If you haven’t begun to save for college, do so as soon as possible.