It’s a good idea to start working with a personal advisor, like myself, during your sophomore year. A personalized college advisor can meet one-on-one to help you choose your classes, plan your activities, and manage your time. Later on, they can also assist you in crafting an outstanding application. The earlier and better you work with them, the more they can help your personality shine in your essays.

It’s important to get serious about your studies during your sophomore year. Colleges appreciate an upward trend in your grades and academic rigor. The best way to improve your academic record is to find a study/work routine that works best for you.

Finding the best study practices to learn and retain information taught in school effectively is important. While teachers may suggest specific methods, such as flashcards, study guides, and group sessions, it’s ultimately up to the individual student to determine what works best for them. By identifying this early on, ideally during one’s second year of high school, and applying this method to all courses, students can better prepare themselves for college.

If you need further assistance with coursework, contact your teachers to see if they offer tutoring or office hours. While some students may not enjoy spending extra time reviewing material, it’s better to seek help early on rather than after grades suffer or when the student feels completely lost in class. Seeking one-on-one help from teachers can also be beneficial in the long run, as it gives them a chance to get to know the student better, which can be useful later on if the student needs to provide letters of recommendation for college applications.

Preparing for your post-secondary education journey can be challenging, but taking advantage of every opportunity available is essential. These opportunities can provide invaluable insights that will help you make informed decisions about your future. Visiting colleges, touring campuses, and speaking with students can give you a wealth of knowledge.

Campus tours are an excellent way to learn about schools’ unique traditions and expectations for their students. They also enable you to envision yourself as a student walking around the campus. If you cannot visit campuses in person, you can browse their website for virtual tours, and some schools offer an option to speak virtually with a current student. This will provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of the college experience.

Attending a college fair is another fantastic way to explore different schools and gather information about their programs, campus life, and admission requirements. It can be overwhelming to research and compare multiple colleges on your own. At a college fair, you can easily visit different booths and talk to representatives, typically the admissions officer assigned to your high school. They can answer any questions you may have and provide you with insights into the school’s culture and community. Additionally, meeting the admissions officer who serves your high school can benefit you as they can provide valuable guidance and tips to enhance your college application.

To help your child stand out in the competitive college application process, I have compiled resources that provide valuable insights and strategies for success.