Most of the following suggestions are interchangeable between the freshman and sophomore years. The key is to start early.
Freshman Year
· Enroll in a college preparatory curriculum.
· Study hard and do well in school - From now on your grades will count toward college and will appear on your permanent record.
· When possible, write papers, do projects, etc. about college.
· Enter essay or speech contests, science fairs/contests for scholarships and awards
· Attend a summer camp related to your major.
· Learn to play a musical instrument or tackle an art medium, sing in a choir or act in a play.
· Participate in recreational or competitive sports.
· Get involved in extracurricular activities.
· Volunteer in your community.
· Explore careers and jobs in those careers using the Internet, especially the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco), or other resources at the library or your counselor’s office.
· Start to attend events on college campuses (plays, concerts, sports, activities related to your major, etc.).
· Get to know your high school counselor (the College or Senior Counselor) and let them get to know you, your goals, career aspirations, and schools you are considering. Take your parents along too.
· Talk to your friends about what they plan to do after high school. Talk to your parents and your friends’ parents about what they do.
Sophomore Year
Take the PLAN Test.
Take the PSAT Test (Fall) as a practice for when it really counts, next year.
Use the Internet and start looking at colleges through their web sites, read their blogs, sign up for their Podcasts, YouTube site, I-Tunes University site, etc.
Start attending college fairs in your area (where the colleges come in and distribute information about their schools).
Get a job (EVEN if your last name is Gates or Trump and you don't have to), or a more traditional one if you’ve been babysitting, or cutting grass. If possible, get a job related to your potential major.
Start a college savings account and regularly deposit into it (in addition to what your parents have done), even if you don’t have to. It’s a good habit to get into.
"Job shadow" someone (follow them around for a day) who does what you think you'd like to do. Ask your parents or counselor how you might go about this.
Know that it takes quite a bit of work to find and apply for scholarships and grants and find student loans that are right for you. So start looking now and be sure to file the FAFSA soon after January 1 of your senior year. Some consider taking out traditional unsecured loans. You may even achieve same day approval for fast cash loans for up to $10,000 in some cases.