High school is a huge step in life from elementary school and middle school, and college feels even bigger. Once you reach high school, you're expected to start really thinking about your future. It can be a little overwhelming, but try to think of it as an opportunity to consider what kind of life you want to lead. Whether you're a freshman in high school who's excited to start looking at colleges or a senior who's feeling a little freaked by looming application deadlines, this article is here to help make preparing for college a smooth and stress-free process.

1

Meet with your school counselor.

  1. They can answer questions about your education and beyond! Your high school counselor will likely ask you about your future goals and what careers you are considering. With their help, draw out a plan of realistic choices that you feel confident doing. Be aware that your future career goals may change as you get older, even when you're in college. Think about what you want to do, but keep an open mind.[1]
    • It’s also perfectly fine if you don’t have a future goal in mind yet. This is something that will likely come to you in due time, and your school counselor can help guide you through this process.
  2. Advertisement
4

Get involved in extracurricular activities.

  1. Colleges want students who will be involved on campus.[4] Search for clubs or volunteer work around your local town. Extracurriculars show that you're someone who likes to get involved in school or in your community. Listing down your involvement in extracurriculars will also show colleges that you're able to balance your time with events other than homework.[5]
    • Remember, quality over quantity. You don't need to join every club at school to be involved! Find something you're passionate about, like soccer or theater, and join a team or club related to that. Add on a few extra activities if you'd like.
8

Ask yourself where you want to live in college.

  1. You may live off-campus, stay with your parents, or live on campus. If you plan to live off-campus, start considering who you want to room with and what kind of place you can afford. Talk to your parents/guardians about living at home, and whether you would be expected to pay rent or contribute somehow. Look up on-campus housing options at the colleges you are considering and determine the housing costs of each dorm.[9]
    • Some colleges also offer themed living situations, like themed houses or floors.
    • Know that residing on campus usually requires housing costs in addition to meal costs in the dining hall.
12

Register for the ACT and the SAT.

  1. Many colleges require a certain score on standardized tests.[13] A lot of high schools have you take these in your junior or senior year. Most colleges accept at least one of them as a requirement. Certain degrees require a minimum score to be considered eligible for admission. Others don't consider the SAT or the ACT in the admissions process. If any of the schools you're considering consider them, prepare and take the tests.[14]
    • The PSAT is good to take in your junior year, as it’s good practice for the SAT. It can also qualify you for merit scholarships.[15]
14

Apply to colleges at the beginning of your senior year.

  1. Apply to the colleges that appeal to you and fit within your goals. Note that most colleges have application deadlines, so be sure to have everything organized and ready. This is the time to prove on paper why you're a great candidate, what activities you've done, and how strong you are as a student. Because of the application deadlines, you’ll want to start this process as close to the beginning of your senior year as possible.
    • Always keep an extra copy of your application for yourself to avoid any stress if it gets misplaced. It'll give you one less thing to worry about!

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    What can I do to get ready for college?
    Alicia Oglesby
    Alicia Oglesby
    Professional School Counselor
    Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events.
    Alicia Oglesby
    Professional School Counselor
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    The best way to prepare for college is to get really good grades. That's a reflection that you fully understand the material you're being taught, which means you'll be prepared for undergraduate learning. It's also important to be well-rounded—most colleges want to see that students will be involved in a meaningful way when they're on campus.
  • Question
    I have excellent marks (all above 90) in high school, but I'm a slow reader, I know this will be a big problem at the university level, how do I tackle this issue?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you currently get good grades, being a slow reader may not be such a problem in college. At my college, there are workshops on "strategic reading." These classes show you how to read academic writing strategically and efficiently to get the information you need to complete your assignments or participate in class discussions.
  • Question
    What is an AP class?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    AP stands for Advanced Placement, which are the highest level of high school classes available in various subjects. Their structure is similar to college classes; the work is more difficult and the information more complex. AP classes are designed to prepare students for college and, in many cases, allow them to skip some introductory classes.
Advertisement

References

  1. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Careers-Roles/WhyHighSchool.pdf
  2. https://www.collegetransfer.net/AskCT/WhatareDegreeRequirements/tabid/2380/default.aspx
  3. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/administrators/role-of-the-school-counselor
  4. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  5. https://www.educationcorner.com/k12-extracurricular-activities.html
  6. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  7. https://student.unsw.edu.au/note-taking-skills
  8. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  9. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  1. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  2. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  3. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  4. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  5. Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
  6. http://www.schoolguides.com/Reasons_to_Take_the_PSAT.html
  7. https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/college-visits

About This Article

Alicia Oglesby
Co-authored by:
Professional School Counselor
This article was co-authored by Alicia Oglesby and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Criglow. Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events. This article has been viewed 73,812 times.
4 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 22
Updated: April 25, 2022
Views: 73,812
Categories: Campus Life
Advertisement