Think about college as an important part of your future.
Discuss your thoughts and ideas with your family and with people at school.
Start saving for college if you haven’t already.
Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
Ask your parent of guardian to help you research which high schools or special programs will most benefit your interests.
Develop strong study habits.
Do your best in school and on standardized tests. If you are having difficulty, don’t give up–get help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor.
Become involved in school- or community-based activities that let you explore your interests and learn new things.
Speak with adults, such as your teacher, school counselor or librarian, relatives, or family friends, who you think have interesting jobs. Ask them, “What do you like about your job?” and “What education did you need for your job?”
Parents:
Plant a Seed: It’s never too early to start a conversation with your son or daughter about college.
Keep Reading: Encourage your kids to read for pleasure, not just for school.
Join the Club: Make sure your child stays involved with student organizations, clubs and extracurricular activities at school.
Watch the Clock: Help them build time management skills during homework and daily routines to stay organized and prepared.
Set a Good Example: Talk to your child about the importance of studying hard and getting good grades as they look ahead to high school and college.
Stay in Touch: Meet regularly with teachers and counselors to stay informed about your child’s progress.
Get Social: Talk to neighbors, relatives and friends with students in college — their advice can be valuable.
Go to School: Find out if your child’s middle school hosts any college information sessions with admissions representatives or college graduates.