Ever wonder what you can be doing now to prepare for college? Actually, a lot. But it’s not as hard or intimidating as you think.
Solid Academic Foundation
The first step in fulfilling your dream of college is to start laying a good academic foundation. What you learn in middle school will make a huge difference in what classes you’re able to take (and excel at) in high school. Obviously classes like English, history, math, and science are important, but don’t forget about skills classes like typing, computer application, and business accounting.
Read
Next, read, read, read. You’ll be amazed what reading will do for your vocabulary and writing skills. And we all know that good essay writing is essential to garnering scholarships! Read everything from books to news articles and blogs, play word games, and make sure you have (and are using) a library card.
Extracurriculars
And finally, start working on extracurriculars. Colleges love to welcome well-rounded students. Students who volunteer, intern, and/or can show achievement through sports and hobbies are often the first to land big scholarships. Middle school is a time of exploration. And rightly so. Allow your children to explore new interests and discover hidden talents; just remember to keep this aspect of life in balance. It is much easier to manage involvement (and carry it through) in one or two activities than to enter high school committed to dozens.
