College Prep Goals for 2017

Start 2017 Off Strong By Setting Goals For The New Semester Now that it’s a new year and winter break is over, it’s time to start focusing on what you should be doing to get ahead and make the most of the rest of the school year. The college admissions process will be over before you know it, and it’s never too early or too late to put your best foot forward! By starting the new semester with a clear set of goals in mind, you will allow yourself to get ahead and navigate the next few years with ease. Whether you are a freshman trying to get a head, or a senior trying to finish strong, is here to help you make the most of what remains in your high school career. Early Goals – Freshman/Sophomore Year When applying to college, you will be compared to a pool of other students much like yourself. It can’t hurt to get a head start and put yourself in the best position possible! Now is a great time to find something you are passionate about and invest a lot of your time and energy into this venture. Colleges prefer to see depth, rather than breadth when it comes to extracurricular activities, and now is the best time to figure out what types of new initiatives interest you. Make sure it is something that you can explain to an admissions committee, in order to avoid seeming like you were simply trying to fill a resume. Freshman and sophomore years are a great time to develop and implement good habits. Good study habits will take you far, so the sooner they are practiced, the more engrained they will be. Something else to focus on is your relationship with your teachers. Recommendation letters may seem far off, but they will be a very important piece to your application come senior year. The better that your teachers know you the more they will have to write about. Make a point to develop and foster relationships with your teachers, especially those that teach subjects you are particularly interested in. This way, they will be able to comment on your passion and drive, and your letter will stand out above others. Junior Year College Prep Goals If you haven't already, develop a timeline or checklist to cover you through senior year. Try purchasing a calendar to keep track of upcoming deadlines, such as campus visits and application releases. Get ahead of deadlines to avoid unnecessary stress down the road and to ensure that your last summer before college is enjoyable and productive. One of the most important parts of the college application process is creating a balanced college list, and junior year is the time to start this. When looking at schools, be sure to consider the 3 C’s – classroom, campus and community. Is this somewhere you see yourself? Is this university a good fit financially, academically, socially, etc.? Be sure to look ahead when making your school list. Senior Year Goals Last but not least, Seniors! Now that you’ve (hopefully) crossed the college application finish line, it’s vital that seniors do not take their foot off the gas. Senioritis can be tough, but make sure to keep your eye on the prize and finish strong. For those of you still working on applications, make sure that haste and carelessness are not the cause for avoidable mistakes. Also, make sure you are keeping your grades up and staying as active as possible. Colleges will ask for your final grade reports, so you don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste because of slacking off senior year. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, be sure to check out these videos of some other current seniors celebrating their success! IvyWise is here to help you make the most of your high school career and tackle the admissions process in the most efficient way possible. Contact us today for more information on our services for high school students. Also, to keep up to date on the latest tips for college admissions, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and join our mailing list.