4 answers
Ada
Student
Arlington, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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What can I do to prepare for college What can I do to organize/plan what I do in high school and 8th grade so that good schools will accept me? Finally, I want to became a sports medicine physician, are there any steps I can take to get there that I can start right now??
What can I do to prepare for college? What can I do to organize/plan what I do in high school and 8th grade so that good schools will accept me? Finally, I want to became a sports medicine physician, are there any steps I can take to get there that I can start right now? I am in 8th grade and I play soccer. (I want to play in college.) I am also already in the National Junior Honors Society. P.S. Sorry if I wrote too much.
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4 answers
Nimi Patel
Physical Therapist
8
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Nimi’s Answer
I agree with the above answers, it is fantastic that you are thinking ahead for your future! The best thing to do right now is to enjoy the things that interest you, and speak to a school counselor who can guide you more into picking high school electives! One more thing for the near future that I will add is that you can always start “shadowing” different professions when you are in high school! This can help you get an idea of how a sports medicine doctor works day to day in their job and ask them any specific questions. You would go into a clinic and observe the doctor work for a few hours! The rules and regulations behind “shadowing” and “observing” are different based on the clinic, but you can try to have a parent/caregiver reach out for you to find out more details on the closest clinic near you. One example I found near you that takes high school students is the Anderson Clinic, but there is an application process. https://andersonclinic.com/education/shadowing/
Additionally, there are many “medical programs or camps” over the summer for high school students who are interested in learning more about the general medicine/healthcare fields. Lots of different colleges and campuses offer these to high school students. For example, Georgetown University offers one. However, since these are similar to courses, they usually require tuition and can be expensive. https://summer.georgetown.edu/programs/SHS19/medical-academy/
Finally, a few other careers that may be similar to a sports medicine physician that may peak your interest include physical therapists, occupational therapist, orthopedic physician’s assistant, personal trainer, athletic trainer, and strength and conditioning coach! These are adjacent careers you could explore and shadow as well!
For the next couple years, focus on learning everything you can from your general education and find out what else peaks your interest! Then, after that, you can start exploring some of the options above to get a better idea about your specific career interests!
Additionally, there are many “medical programs or camps” over the summer for high school students who are interested in learning more about the general medicine/healthcare fields. Lots of different colleges and campuses offer these to high school students. For example, Georgetown University offers one. However, since these are similar to courses, they usually require tuition and can be expensive. https://summer.georgetown.edu/programs/SHS19/medical-academy/
Finally, a few other careers that may be similar to a sports medicine physician that may peak your interest include physical therapists, occupational therapist, orthopedic physician’s assistant, personal trainer, athletic trainer, and strength and conditioning coach! These are adjacent careers you could explore and shadow as well!
For the next couple years, focus on learning everything you can from your general education and find out what else peaks your interest! Then, after that, you can start exploring some of the options above to get a better idea about your specific career interests!
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Ada,
It is good that you want to do well in school and you have a lot of good goals. I would focus on finishing 8th grade and finishing high school before you think about college. For middle school and high school, I would suggest trying to organize your classes, create a plan for your studies, speak with a counselor in terms of your degree and work hard. These will be important steps in order to be successful in school and will help you in later aspects of your life. Keep going and I know you will do well!
It is good that you want to do well in school and you have a lot of good goals. I would focus on finishing 8th grade and finishing high school before you think about college. For middle school and high school, I would suggest trying to organize your classes, create a plan for your studies, speak with a counselor in terms of your degree and work hard. These will be important steps in order to be successful in school and will help you in later aspects of your life. Keep going and I know you will do well!
Thank you for the advice, Don.
Ada
E. Villalobos
3
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
E.’s Answer
It´s great that you are already thinking in your future and looking to prepare for the next step in your life. I would start by thinking what do enjoy right now, what are your interests so you can focus on those interest and even explore more areas.
I think you are in the right track as you know that you want to remain in the sports-medicine area and you are working on it.
I think you are in the right track as you know that you want to remain in the sports-medicine area and you are working on it.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Ada
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ada !
Eighth grade is the perfect time to think about and prepare for High School. There are many things you can do currently that will help your high school path go smoothly and prepare you for a different school, teachers and new friends.
One thing that would be good to do would be to increase your reading of books, especially the classics that are generally assigned in high school in the U.S. Here are some of the books that you can get a head start on, the classics that may be assigned to you in high school: "To Kill A Mockingbird", "The Great Gatsby", "Romeo and Juliet", "1984", "The Catcher in the Rye", "The Crucible", "Lord of the Flies", "Of Mice and Men", Homer's "Odyssey", and "Fahrenheit 451". Start out with one book a month, then two, then three or how ever many you want. Sharpening your reading skills will be very helpful to you throughout you entire path of education.
You also can start getting the basics for your computer skills if you're not familiar with it already. Learn how to identify main computer components and peripherals, understand proper data storage methods, and use essential computer terms such as menu, icon, save, file, and URL. Also learn an effective way to use search engines and learn Microsoft Office. Use digital tools to develop your critical thinking and problem solving skills. This will help you greatly as you move forward.
Increase your social and life skills. Attend socials, parties, dances and events and venture into things like cooking, baking, sewing/mending. Developing independent living skills this early is a real plus. Try your hand at various hobbies, perhaps photography or making videos with friends. Choose one sport to focus on and strive to become the best you can be at it and have fun !
Join health related extracurriculars now and through high school. Do volunteer work at your local Department of Health or community services that serve people with injuries, Someplace to volunteer at is the VHC Health Foundation. Any volunteer work will give you work activity and acclimate you to working, developing communication and other skills that will be an asset moving forward.
So, in the 8th grade, a special time, you will need to know that you will learn everything that you need to know to be a medical doctor once you get to Medical School which will be 9 years from now. Keep your desire to go into medicine and take a lot of science classes in high school, especially anatomy if you intend to later specialize in sports medicine. I don't want to advise that you overload yourself with sciences because if you change your mind along the way, you may not have prepared for the career you've changed to. When you go to college for your Bachelors Degree, choose a Major subject that aligns with whatever career you're certain of. If it's still medicine, then after you obtain your Bachelors Degree, you go to Medical School and THAT is where you will prepare to become a Sports Medicine Doctor if that's what you want to do.
You very well can and most likely will be accepted at a college and there's nothing with sports medicine that you'd have to do now. It's a matter of applying to colleges, having good grades and a good SAT score (you take the SAT Exam in 11th grade) and wait to hear back from the college. Having volunteer experience and engaging in extracurriculars will be a personal benefit for you. It is too soon and you should not worry about "being accepted" to college. You seem to have the drive and ambition, so know that it's a plan that you'll follow through with. For now, enjoy 8th grade and be involved ! Again, have fun !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Eighth grade is the perfect time to think about and prepare for High School. There are many things you can do currently that will help your high school path go smoothly and prepare you for a different school, teachers and new friends.
One thing that would be good to do would be to increase your reading of books, especially the classics that are generally assigned in high school in the U.S. Here are some of the books that you can get a head start on, the classics that may be assigned to you in high school: "To Kill A Mockingbird", "The Great Gatsby", "Romeo and Juliet", "1984", "The Catcher in the Rye", "The Crucible", "Lord of the Flies", "Of Mice and Men", Homer's "Odyssey", and "Fahrenheit 451". Start out with one book a month, then two, then three or how ever many you want. Sharpening your reading skills will be very helpful to you throughout you entire path of education.
You also can start getting the basics for your computer skills if you're not familiar with it already. Learn how to identify main computer components and peripherals, understand proper data storage methods, and use essential computer terms such as menu, icon, save, file, and URL. Also learn an effective way to use search engines and learn Microsoft Office. Use digital tools to develop your critical thinking and problem solving skills. This will help you greatly as you move forward.
Increase your social and life skills. Attend socials, parties, dances and events and venture into things like cooking, baking, sewing/mending. Developing independent living skills this early is a real plus. Try your hand at various hobbies, perhaps photography or making videos with friends. Choose one sport to focus on and strive to become the best you can be at it and have fun !
Join health related extracurriculars now and through high school. Do volunteer work at your local Department of Health or community services that serve people with injuries, Someplace to volunteer at is the VHC Health Foundation. Any volunteer work will give you work activity and acclimate you to working, developing communication and other skills that will be an asset moving forward.
So, in the 8th grade, a special time, you will need to know that you will learn everything that you need to know to be a medical doctor once you get to Medical School which will be 9 years from now. Keep your desire to go into medicine and take a lot of science classes in high school, especially anatomy if you intend to later specialize in sports medicine. I don't want to advise that you overload yourself with sciences because if you change your mind along the way, you may not have prepared for the career you've changed to. When you go to college for your Bachelors Degree, choose a Major subject that aligns with whatever career you're certain of. If it's still medicine, then after you obtain your Bachelors Degree, you go to Medical School and THAT is where you will prepare to become a Sports Medicine Doctor if that's what you want to do.
You very well can and most likely will be accepted at a college and there's nothing with sports medicine that you'd have to do now. It's a matter of applying to colleges, having good grades and a good SAT score (you take the SAT Exam in 11th grade) and wait to hear back from the college. Having volunteer experience and engaging in extracurriculars will be a personal benefit for you. It is too soon and you should not worry about "being accepted" to college. You seem to have the drive and ambition, so know that it's a plan that you'll follow through with. For now, enjoy 8th grade and be involved ! Again, have fun !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !