5 answers
cody
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
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how should I be prepared for college?
I am a sophomore in high school and I like basketball.
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5 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Cody,
Great that you're thinking about college already! Emily and Job gave some awesome tips to help you get prepared,
First off, Emily's spot on about grades and extracurriculars. It's like a recipe—you need a little bit of everything to make it work. Keep your grades up, but also remember that colleges want to see you're well-rounded. So, if you're into basketball, keep that ball bouncing! Whether it’s high school hoops or joining a travel team, sports can be your secret weapon. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might even get a scholarship out of it (who doesn't want some free tuition?).
On top of that, think about building a personal brand—I’m talking about how you present yourself. No, not just on social media (though make sure that’s looking good too!) but in how you approach your life, like keeping up with your interests, getting into internships, and talking to mentors. Mentors, like Emily and Job, are gold already😉.
Try to get info from college essays to study strategies. Start connecting with people now—teachers, coaches, even older students. They’ll be your go-to when you need guidance.
Now, let’s talk time management. The worst enemy of a college student is procrastination (we've all been there). Job’s method of outlining, flashcards, and breaking things down into bite-sized pieces? Genius. You can totally do that now! Get in the habit of staying organized and managing your schoolwork, sports, and life without letting it get too crazy. Your future self will thank you.
And hey, don’t forget about the financial side of things. It’s not the fun part of college prep, but knowing how to find scholarships, apply for financial aid, and maybe even take on a part-time job can make life way easier. Plus, it takes some of the pressure off when you’re planning your college dream.
Finally, explore—it's okay not to have everything figured out. Just start checking out different types of colleges, even if you don’t know exactly what you want to major in yet. Take it slow, gather info, and remember, you're not locked into anything right now. Keep playing ball, keep your grades up, and keep being curious. You got this, Cody! 💪🎓
Great that you're thinking about college already! Emily and Job gave some awesome tips to help you get prepared,
First off, Emily's spot on about grades and extracurriculars. It's like a recipe—you need a little bit of everything to make it work. Keep your grades up, but also remember that colleges want to see you're well-rounded. So, if you're into basketball, keep that ball bouncing! Whether it’s high school hoops or joining a travel team, sports can be your secret weapon. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might even get a scholarship out of it (who doesn't want some free tuition?).
On top of that, think about building a personal brand—I’m talking about how you present yourself. No, not just on social media (though make sure that’s looking good too!) but in how you approach your life, like keeping up with your interests, getting into internships, and talking to mentors. Mentors, like Emily and Job, are gold already😉.
Try to get info from college essays to study strategies. Start connecting with people now—teachers, coaches, even older students. They’ll be your go-to when you need guidance.
Now, let’s talk time management. The worst enemy of a college student is procrastination (we've all been there). Job’s method of outlining, flashcards, and breaking things down into bite-sized pieces? Genius. You can totally do that now! Get in the habit of staying organized and managing your schoolwork, sports, and life without letting it get too crazy. Your future self will thank you.
And hey, don’t forget about the financial side of things. It’s not the fun part of college prep, but knowing how to find scholarships, apply for financial aid, and maybe even take on a part-time job can make life way easier. Plus, it takes some of the pressure off when you’re planning your college dream.
Finally, explore—it's okay not to have everything figured out. Just start checking out different types of colleges, even if you don’t know exactly what you want to major in yet. Take it slow, gather info, and remember, you're not locked into anything right now. Keep playing ball, keep your grades up, and keep being curious. You got this, Cody! 💪🎓
Job Hall
Real Estate Manager
157
Answers
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Job’s Answer
You need to learn how to study. I did very well in high school in college. My technique was when I read an assignment I made an outline of it immediately. I continue to make outlines as the assignments went on. When we had tests I would get out the outlines and make an outline of that. And then make flashcards and study those. I was taught that if you write things three times you remember them much better. It is time consuming but you will be a successful student if you do it properly. When you read it for the first time you highlight the important passages. With each outline you try to condense the words in to small thoughts. By the time you make the flashcards they should not be more than a sentence or two. I wish you the best of luck
Emily Garcia
Graphic Designer
35
Answers
Apple Valley, California
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hello Cody,
It's awesome that you're already thinking ahead about college! Being a sophomore gives you plenty of time to set yourself up for success. Since you also like basketball, maybe you might also have an interested in wanting to continue to pursue the sport into your collegiate journey.
Focus on Your Grades: Colleges look at your GPA, so consistently try your best in school. Stay organized, set study goals, and don't hesitate to ask for help if needed. Depending on where you're applying, some colleges might require SAT/ACT scores. Consider taking these tests during junior year to leave some room for retakes if needed.
Extracurriculars/Sports: Since you have an interest in basketball, try to continue participating in basketball and maybe join clubs or other activities that interests you. If you're considering playing in college, you could start looking at schools that have a strong basketball program. Keep improving and look for opportunities if you want to get involved at a higher level in the sport (travel teams, tournaments, etc).
Start Exploring: Think about what type of college you might like (size, location, academic programs, athletic opportunities, etc.). It's okay if you're still not sure yet-just start familiarizing yourself with the options out there. Your high school counselor can help you stay on track with college prep, and provide any resources, help with test prep if needed, and guiding you in picking a good college.
Manage Your Time: Balancing school, extracurriculars, and other activities might be overwhelming, but it'll teach you valuable time management skills to practice in order to avoid burnout later on. Don't forget to rest and take care of your mental and physical health. Finding that balance will be key to staying organized and focused on both your academic and activities.
Financial Preparation: There are many ways to make college more affordable, and one of the ways you can is through applying for financial aid. The earlier you research and understand it, the better it will be to not stress about paying for college. You can also look for additional scholarships or programs that you find that will be good to save once you start.
You're already in a great position by thinking about this early. The next few years can fly by, so just keep up with the work, stay curious, and be proactive in exploring your options. I hope this helps you out a bit more, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors!
Best Regards,
Emily Garcia
It's awesome that you're already thinking ahead about college! Being a sophomore gives you plenty of time to set yourself up for success. Since you also like basketball, maybe you might also have an interested in wanting to continue to pursue the sport into your collegiate journey.
Focus on Your Grades: Colleges look at your GPA, so consistently try your best in school. Stay organized, set study goals, and don't hesitate to ask for help if needed. Depending on where you're applying, some colleges might require SAT/ACT scores. Consider taking these tests during junior year to leave some room for retakes if needed.
Extracurriculars/Sports: Since you have an interest in basketball, try to continue participating in basketball and maybe join clubs or other activities that interests you. If you're considering playing in college, you could start looking at schools that have a strong basketball program. Keep improving and look for opportunities if you want to get involved at a higher level in the sport (travel teams, tournaments, etc).
Start Exploring: Think about what type of college you might like (size, location, academic programs, athletic opportunities, etc.). It's okay if you're still not sure yet-just start familiarizing yourself with the options out there. Your high school counselor can help you stay on track with college prep, and provide any resources, help with test prep if needed, and guiding you in picking a good college.
Manage Your Time: Balancing school, extracurriculars, and other activities might be overwhelming, but it'll teach you valuable time management skills to practice in order to avoid burnout later on. Don't forget to rest and take care of your mental and physical health. Finding that balance will be key to staying organized and focused on both your academic and activities.
Financial Preparation: There are many ways to make college more affordable, and one of the ways you can is through applying for financial aid. The earlier you research and understand it, the better it will be to not stress about paying for college. You can also look for additional scholarships or programs that you find that will be good to save once you start.
You're already in a great position by thinking about this early. The next few years can fly by, so just keep up with the work, stay curious, and be proactive in exploring your options. I hope this helps you out a bit more, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors!
Best Regards,
Emily Garcia
Milagros A Ramirez Martinez
College student
4
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Milagros A’s Answer
Hello Cody,
College can be a whirlwind, so I am glad you are curious about preparing for it. Below, I will list some tips that can make the transition into college smoother.
Number One: Begin to build a strong work ethic. You can work on this by having planners, planning out assignments and events for the month, and going through with the dates. By doing this, you will be imitating the schedule of a college student. As you may know, college students are given syllabi at the beginning of each semester, and it is up to them to stay on track.
Number Two: Have a restful summer before you start college. If you enter the fall semester tired or stressed, adjusting to a new environment and the workload can be challenging.
Number Three: Start writing your college essays. The most stressful time was submitting my college applications at the last minute. To this day, I regret not completing them earlier.
Number Four: Start joining clubs or courses that align with your college major. Through these clubs/courses, you will know if your chosen major is something you see yourself doing and possibly gain skills that will help you navigate your major in the future. If your school doesn't offer any clubs or courses that align with your major, start researching skills you may need for your major.
College can be a whirlwind, so I am glad you are curious about preparing for it. Below, I will list some tips that can make the transition into college smoother.
Number One: Begin to build a strong work ethic. You can work on this by having planners, planning out assignments and events for the month, and going through with the dates. By doing this, you will be imitating the schedule of a college student. As you may know, college students are given syllabi at the beginning of each semester, and it is up to them to stay on track.
Number Two: Have a restful summer before you start college. If you enter the fall semester tired or stressed, adjusting to a new environment and the workload can be challenging.
Number Three: Start writing your college essays. The most stressful time was submitting my college applications at the last minute. To this day, I regret not completing them earlier.
Number Four: Start joining clubs or courses that align with your college major. Through these clubs/courses, you will know if your chosen major is something you see yourself doing and possibly gain skills that will help you navigate your major in the future. If your school doesn't offer any clubs or courses that align with your major, start researching skills you may need for your major.
Jacob Affinito
Senior Software Engineer
24
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
For me the hardest part of starting college was the writing. I didn't start college till my 30s, so I was woefully under prepared for writing essays. You will need to get very comfortable with writing in general and the various formats (APA and MLA). For me the path to better writing was to take most/all of the writing courses I could. If your school offers writing electives, especially college prep ones, take them! If not, there are podcasts to listen to, and many universities offer videos of their courses that you can take advantage of.