Many young people (as well as their parents) hope to attend college or a university one day. Naturally, there is a significant difference between daydreaming and developing a strategy for achievement. It’s advisable to begin college planning as early as possible because it might be a lengthy process. Even if it’s crucial to leave your options open, making a strategy now will enable your child to be more ready than waiting until grade 12. Here are some crucial considerations for college or university planning, including when to start and how to get there.

 

When to Begin College Planning

So, when should your family begin making plans for college or university? It is never too early, believe it or not! Middle school grades won’t be taken into account when colleges and institutions review applications. The seventh and eighth grades are a terrific time to start discussing with your child the kinds of high school courses they might be interested in. Your child should have a sense of his or her interests and be focused on creating wise academic habits by the time ninth grade rolls around. This includes doing well in school and joining groups and sports teams to develop your child’s leadership abilities. Remember that over time, your child’s priorities and college preferences may change, and that’s okay. A plan can help your child get on the proper path while also allowing for modifications.

 

Planning For College While Still In High School

 

1. Set academic objectives.

Setting long- and short-term goals is one of the most crucial things you can do for your child when they begin to consider college. Short-term goals aid your child in achieving long-term objectives, while long-term objectives describe what they want to accomplish. For instance:

1. Long-term objective: complete high school and be admitted to [preferred college/university].
2. Short-term objective: Maintain a B or above on my next three examinations and assignments.
3. To ensure that your child’s goals are specific and achievable, try adopting the SMART goal technique. Each objective must be

• Specific: Identify the starting point and end point of the goal. When do you need to start it to make sure you accomplish it in time?
• Measurable: Know exactly how to track and measure the progress of each goal. This lets you know when it has been accomplished.
• Attainable: Your goal should be reasonable and within reach. Goals should be challenging, but not beyond your child’s reach.
• Relevant: Is your goal worthwhile? Make sure that it is something that matters to you, and that it also aligns with other relevant goals.
• Timely: Make sure that a timeframe is specified to accomplish these goals; for example, two weeks, three months, or 1 year.

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2. Plan your course selection.

How class choices will affect your child’s course of study should be taken into account while making college or university plans. Make sure your child is taking the right coursework beginning in ninth grade if they intend to major in science or math in college or university. He or she will be able to complete the requirements for higher-level classes in this way. In addition, your child will need to register for the proper class level depending on whether or not they plan to attend college or university. Consider your child’s preferred learning style and post-secondary goals when deciding between academic and applied classes.

 

3. Sign Up For After-School Activities

The time between high school and college is ideal for trying out new extracurricular activities. Keep an eye out for the pursuits that your youngster truly enjoys and wishes to continue in the long run. Colleges and universities like to admit well-rounded individuals who are eager to learn and participate in society.

General activities, teams and clubs, volunteer work, and work experience are examples of extracurricular activities. These pursuits demonstrate your child’s aptitude for leadership, enthusiasm for many pursuits, capacity to collaborate with others, and sense of civic duty. There isn’t a foolproof method for choosing how many things to sign up for. However, it’s a huge plus if your child can show on a college application that they have abilities in addition to their academic performance.

 

4. Always conduct research

Finding a college or university that fits your child’s prerequisites, ambitions, and academic goals requires research on various colleges and universities. You should take a variety of factors into account, including the school’s location, size, cost, and program offerings. Help your child rate each of the schools on his or her list by weighing each factor according to its importance. Help your child make a list of colleges and universities that interest him or her, along with a brief explanation of why. You’ll have a better understanding of what you truly want if you know what aspects of a school draw or repel your youngster. Start going to college nights and fairs in your tenth and eleventh grades. Talking with college officials who visit your child’s high school is something you should encourage. Your youngster will learn about admission requirements and be able to distinguish between many schools and universities thanks to this.

 

5. Take college entrance exams

Should I take the SAT in ninth grade? is a popular query from kids. It’s a little early to start preparing in ninth grade. To get ready for standardized testing, your child might begin to develop some work habits and skills. Time management, planning, and writing prowess are all included in this. You must first determine the date that your child will take the SAT before he or she can select when to begin preparing for it. Together, come up with a strategy that will give your child lots of time to prepare and practice. enroll in an SAT tutoring program or take an SAT prep course. This is a fantastic method to familiarise yourself with the exam and determine where your child is in terms of current skill levels.

 

You Can Always Start Planning for College Early

It’s an exciting moment for parents and students alike to start thinking about colleges or universities. The greatest way to find your footing and position yourself for success is to take early responsibility for your academic career and get involved. From math and English tutoring to SAT/ACT preparation, DCC can assist your child in laying the groundwork for the future and creating a route to success. Call a location close to you right away!