How to Prepare for College

It’s the end of your high school career, and you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed by what lies ahead. College seems like such a big step, but it doesn’t have to be one that you dread or one that leaves you stressed out about what to do next. If you are going through this stage after graduating from high school, then you are well aware that there will be applications and essays and tests and all kinds of other things coming your way in the near future. And perhaps not surprisingly, this is when many people start feeling anxious about their future and what they can do to get into the college of their dreams. But thankfully, with a little bit of preparation, you don’t have to feel so nervous about the whole process. In fact, if you take the time to plan now while still in high school, then you will have fewer difficulties with applying once you get into your senior year. Here are some helpful tips on how to get into college once it’s time for college:

Start planning now.

One of the best things you can do to help improve your chances of getting into college is to get your ducks in a row early on. Start thinking about what you want to major in, if you want to go to a particular school, and which courses you will take to get ready to apply to colleges. If you are taking the PSAT or the SAT or ISEE, now would be the time to start preparing for those tests as well. Once you begin to think about these things, you will begin to feel more prepared and less like you are just rushing into this big, scary process. Put your application together now while you are still in high school and you will be one step ahead of the game when it comes time to apply.

Write your college essays in advance.

While it’s not a good idea to go ahead and write your college admissions essays until you already know if you are going to be accepted, it is a good idea to begin thinking about your essays early on so that you can begin to get the best possible material out there. Start brainstorming what you want to say in your essays, and start using your time in high school to really think about what you want to say in your college essays so that you don’t have to worry about that part once you get into your senior year.

Take some practice tests.

You don’t have to wait until you have to take a standardized test to practice taking that test. It’s a good idea to get used to taking a test while you are still in high school so that once you start applying to colleges, you won’t be so nervous that you make mistakes on the actual test. Take a practice exam or two, and make sure that you are getting used to how the test is going to be formatted so that you don’t botch it when you have to take it in college. This will save you a lot of stress and help you to feel less nervous about taking the test while still in high school.

Be sure to register for college workshops and campus tours.

A lot of colleges offer workshops and tours for high school seniors that will help you to get a better idea of what it’s like to go to college at their school. You will be able to ask questions and get answers about things that you may not have known about before. This will help you to get a better feel for the school, and you will also be able to meet some of the students who are already there so that you can ask them questions and get advice from their experiences.

Meet with your guidance counselor or high school counselor.

Your guidance counselor or high school counselor is likely your best resource when it comes to figuring out what you need to do to apply to colleges. You may be surprised to find that your guidance counselor may not have much information about the college application process, and he or she may be able to give you some advice about what you need to do to get ready for the application process.

Get involved on campus as much as you can.

Many colleges provide opportunities for students to get involved on campus. Whether it’s a club that you can join, a sport you can start, or an organization that you can get involved with, there are many ways to get involved on campus while you are still in high school that will help you to get used to the college atmosphere while you are in high school.

Stay in touch with your teachers.

You don’t have to stop talking to your teachers once you start college, even if you are in your senior year. Most schools encourage their students to keep in touch with their teachers, and this will give you a chance to stay connected to your high school while you are transitioning into the big world of college. This will help you to feel less like you are leaving your old life behind once you get into college.

Conclusion

Getting into college can be a challenge, but if you take the time to get your ducks in a row now, you will be one step ahead of the game when it comes time to apply. Start thinking about what you want to major in, if you want to go to a particular school, and which courses you will take to get ready to apply to colleges. Once you begin to think about these things, you will begin to feel more prepared and less like you are just rushing into this big, scary process. Put your application together now while you are still in high school and you will be one step ahead of the game when it comes time to apply.