2 minute read
10 of the Best New Year Resolutions for High School Students
It's 2020! A new year, a new decade! International College Counselors has a few suggestions which can launch you into a strong college trajectory.
1 Commit to getting good grades.
You've been working hard to get to this point for 10-plus years. If you have lower grades than you’d like, improve them. An upward grade trend can make a big difference in college admissions.
2 Stop procrastinating.
We're not sure we can tell you anything new about this that you haven't already heard.
3 Don't do it all.
Concentrate on a few things and excel in them. Anyone can join 10 clubs and be slightly involved in them all. Schools are looking for passionate people who show willingness to stick with something and who make an impact.
4 Stay organized.
Keep a calendar. Deadlines creep up quickly. Colleges, scholarships, federal aid and standardized testing services are not sympathetic to excuses about missing a deadline.
5 Take standardized tests early.
Wait too long and there won't be enough time to retake the test. Many unexpected things can affect test scores on any given day, including anxiety, health issues, and harshly curved tests. Taking the test early will also allow time to take a test prep course, if needed.
6 Do the research.
Know what the choices are when it comes to colleges. Research can be as simple as visiting a school's website. Even better, connect to the college on social media or attend a college fair to learn more. Admissions officers often give students extra credit for interacting with them and demonstrating interest.
7 Try something new.
If you want a certain internship, call an employer and ask if they have any room for an eager high school student. Or, try a new sport or activity. Students are not expected to leave high school knowing exactly what they want to do, but this is a chance to start narrowing down any interests.
8 Be excited.
Whatever college you attend, there will be new people to meet, new things to learn, and great times to be had.
9 Get help.
If your grades are slipping in any class, seek help from a teacher or tutor. There are many valuable resources. If you need help choosing classes, extracurriculars, and/or finding the right colleges, seek the help of your school's college advisor or learn more about hiring an independent college advisor.
10 Banish self-doubt.
You know you are capable of great things. Don't hold yourself back!
Courtesy of International College Counselors, https://internationalcollegecounselors.com/
