You have lots of things 2 start doing this year.  To help keep you on track, push through the items on the checklist below of things 2 accomplish during your freshman year:

• Enroll in a college preparatory curriculum – take the most difficult classes you can handle
• Create an academic plan for all four years of high school
• Develop good study habits and learn to take notes
• Get good grades every grading period and on midterm and final exams
• Set goals for things you would like 2 accomplish while in high school
• Take interest inventories or skill assessment surveys 2 help you begin 2 think about possible careers
• Seek out job-shadowing or internship opportunities to continue defining what your career goals may be
• Establish  ongoing relationships with your counselor, teachers and college access advisor (if applicable)
• Get active in extracurricular activities and/or sports at school and volunteer in your community and/or church
• Work with your parents, guardians and/or mentors 2 get everyone’s input into your plan for attending college
• Check out resources available 2 help you begin your search for colleges
• Start making a list of colleges in which you are interested
• Make a plan for visiting colleges throughout high school