For many, freshman year of high school marks the transition from child to adult. It also serves as a transition to a focus on college. For the first time ever, many parents are thinking about their child’s next steps in life.

We receive questions all of the time from families who want to know how to make the most of high school. They want to know what they should be doing freshman year to ease into the college planning process. We’ve put together a list of the top 3 ways to make high school effective your freshman year.

1.) Get Involved

The biggest tip we have for families of freshman is to ensure their child gets involved. Whether it be sports, clubs, performing arts, church, etc., it is important for students to take advantage of the opportunities on campus and in the community. Getting involved will allow a student to discover character traits, interests, and skills, and (in the future) it will also help a college understand who your child is outside of the classroom.

2.) Pursue your Academic Passions

The next thing to focus in on is your academic interests. High school isn’t about just following the A-G requirements and taking every AP class offered. It is about discovering your academic passions. If you are really good at math & science, perhaps those are the subjects in which you should seek more challenging work. In addition, you can pursue academic enrichment programs over summer to dive deeper into that passion. If you’re interested in the performing arts, it’s good to take more than one semester of choir. Show commitment and enroll every year! Passion and commitment shines through on your transcripts, so challenge yourself in the areas you enjoy and dive deeper than what is expected.

3.) Get to Know Your Counselor

Your counselor at school is an important part of a high school experience. Your counselor can make recommendations on activities, classes, colleges, etc. Freshman year is a great time to introduce yourself and begin a relationship. You can get a lot of great advise if you seek it out.

We hope this helps you! If you want more great tips about high school or about college planning, call us (818) 201-4847 to schedule your free college planning analysis.