High school students have a long to-do list when prepping for college. It includes everything from maintaining your grades and narrowing down where you’ll attend to preparing applications and paying for school. While the to-do list might be long, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Breaking things down into actionable steps can help you prepare for the future and keep your stress under control during the process.
8 Ways High Schoolers Can Get College-Ready Now
1. Aim High With Your Classes
Maintaining your grades in high school is good practice, no matter which path you choose. Even if you don’t enjoy studying and homework, making the time to do both is a worthwhile practice.
If you have an idea of what you’d like to major in, take some classes related to that field during your junior or senior year. If not, consider challenging yourself and taking some advanced placement (AP) courses in a subject you enjoy. You could potentially earn college credit while navigating your interests!
2. Enlist Support From a Mentor
Do you have a favorite coach, teacher, or counselor? Consider asking if they’d mentor you or offer advice as you prepare for college. A trusted mentor can provide valuable guidance on everything from which courses you should take to how to narrow down your choices when you’re applying to colleges.
3. Stay Consistent With Your Hobbies
Whether you’re involved in high school sports, clubs, band, or another activity, keeping up with your extracurriculars will look good on your college applications. Doing so will show that you’re determined, motivated, and effective at time management. Just ensure you do things you enjoy so you don’t get bored or overwhelmed!
4. Invest in Test Prep
While the ACT or SAT are optional for some colleges, many still require that you include test scores on your college applications. A test preparation course can help you prepare for these tests and potentially improve your scores. Some schools even offer ACT and SAT prep courses as part of their curriculum, so ask your guidance counselor if this is an option for you.
5. Take (and Retake) the SAT and ACT
The next step after taking a prep course is taking the test. Taking the ACT or SAT in your junior year is common, but you can do so earlier if you choose. If you don’t score as highly as you’d like the first time, you can take the test again.
For 2024, SAT registration was $68, and ACT registration was $65 (no writing) or $90 (with writing). Costs generally increase slightly each year, and fee waivers may be available if you can’t afford registration. Each test takes around three hours.
6. Schedule College Visits
Start scheduling college visits if you know which schools you might want to attend. Many high schoolers do this during the summer between junior and senior years. Visiting colleges will give you a sense of whether or not the school feels like a fit and help you narrow down your options.
7. Prepare to Complete Applications
College application deadlines vary, so researching deadlines for schools you’re applying to is important college prep for high school students. In general, it’s wise to start applying for college either the summer before your senior year or that fall. Remember, you’ll likely need time to write personal essays, so applying in the summer when you won’t have tests or homework is ideal.
8. Explore Financing Options
Most students need help paying for college, so consider looking into financial aid and scholarships early. Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You don’t need to know which college you’ll attend to do the FAFSA; you can simply list all the colleges you’ve applied to or are considering. Private student loans are also worth researching if federal, institutional, and third-party financial aid isn’t enough.
Your Future Is Nearly in Focus
If you’re wondering how to prepare for college in high school, the process can seem like a lot. But taking it step-by-step will help you feel less overwhelmed and more prepared. Consider making a checklist of tasks and creating a rough schedule of when you’ll tackle each item on your to-do list. Checking off items on your list as you complete them can help you stay motivated and on task.
And if you’re interested in learning more about private student loans, ELFI brings your future into focus by offering loans with competitive rates, flexible terms, and multiple repayment options. Learn more about private student loans from ELFI.
