How can someone prepare for college early , as in 13,14,15 ?

Answer 1

It's great that you're thinking about college so early! You don't say what country you're in, so I'm assuming the United States with my advise.

Check with your school advisor/counselor first. He or she can tell you about courses that can qualify you for high school credit while you're still in middle school/junior high. Make sure you're taking courses in English Grammar, Math, and Science, and try not to take very many 'Electives' like gym classes or home economics, for example.

Once you get into high school, speak with your counselor about Advanced Placement (AP) courses that you can take that qualify you for college credit while you're still in high school. They're a little tougher than regular classes, but every credit hour that you can get while in high school will save you money and help you get through college quicker (which you will want once you get there, trust me!)

Also start looking for activities like band, sports, or other school- or church-sponsored clubs that you can join. Being an officer in these clubs is favorable on a college application.

Maintaining high grades is also important for getting into the college you want to get into. In college, they recommend studying two hours outside of class for every hour you spend in class. Although most high school and middle school courses are easy enough that you don't have to spend quite that much time studying, reading your textbook and taking good quality notes when your teacher is speaking is a good way to get into the habit of studying. College professors will help you if you don't understand something, but you have to put in effort too.

If you haven't decided already, start thinking about things you like to do. For example, if you like playing with animals, do you see yourself becoming a veterinarian? If you like doing your friends' hair, could you be a beautician? Where do you want to get in your life? Do you want to make a lot of money, or would you be okay with not as much money as long as you're helping people? Although you don't have to make a firm decision until the end of your freshman year/middle of your sophomore year of college, thinking about it now can help you decide which classes to take now. For example, if you decide you want to be a journalist, taking all of the English classes your middle and high school offers will help hone your grammar skills, but if you want to be a doctor, you would want to focus on math and science so you can be prepared to handle the upper-level math and science classes you will have to take to have that major.

If you already know what you want to major in in college, start taking classes that will help you meet that goal. Use the internet to see what the best colleges are for that major. If you haven't decided, think about WHERE you want to go to school, an average amount that you want to pay each year for tuition (keep in mind that if you go to school in a different state, you may have to pay out-of-state tuition, which is usually higher). and also look at the student/teacher ratio of each school - if a school has a wonderful reputation, but there are more than 30-40 students per teacher, it will be difficult for you to get help from your instructor if you are having trouble. Once you get to your senior year, apply to several different colleges incase the one you have your heart set on doesn't accept you - you want to make sure you get into *A* college, *any* college first, and you can usually transfer after your freshman year if you don't get your top choice college.

You can also start talking now with your parents about financial aid. To get them familiar with the form, have them look at www.fafsa.ed.gov - completing this form makes you eligible for financial aid (which you will want in college, trust me!!) from the government as well as your state and even some college scholarships. You don't have to fill it out until January of your Senior Year of high school, but make sure you fill it out as CLOSE to January 31 as you can every year after that - the earlier you fill it out, the better. Your high school counselor can also help with scholarship applications. Fastweb.com is a good resource too. Just remember that in the US, you NEVER have to PAY for information about government financial aid and you shouldn't have to pay for information about scholarships - most pay sites are SCAMS, so save the money for tuition instead!!

One final thing you can do is to talk to your counselor about taking the ACT and SAT tests - different colleges have different requirements, so you may need to take both tests. The ACT has a test called the PLAN test that I know we had to take in Oklahoma, but your state may have different requirements. But taking these pre-entrance exam tests helps you get familiar with the format of the tests and gives you an idea of where you rank and how much you need to improve before the REAL exam.

It can be overwhelming to get ready for college, but getting such a head start on it is great. Don't forget to enjoy school along the way because once it's gone, you'll miss it!

Answer 2

Take your studies seriously. Do your best to do and UNDERSTAND all your homework. Make great grades. Do extracurricular activities like volunteer work for your church or the Red Cross.

When you get to high school (if you're not there already), study hard and try to get into AP courses. Take the most advanced courses you feel comfortable taking. If you aren't in any advanced classes, make awesome grades in the classes you are taking.

Apply to colleges early. Study for your SAT/ACTs. Remember on the SAT that you have more points taken off for a question that is answered wrong than for one that isn't answered at all.

Best of luck.

Answer 3

Well as a freshman at a four year university I have a ton of advice!

1- take all your classes seriously
2- DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!!
3- READ!! outside of the curriculum, NY bestsellers, anything, surf the web for some recommended reads!
4- expand your vocabulary
5- take some college courses during the summer ata junior college
6- relax, life is too short to stress..everything usually works out for the better

Good luck and study smart!

Answer 4

Take you your math, English, and science very seriously. Learn these subjects very well.

Answer 5

Hmmmmmmmm do your homework....why dont you get through high school first