If a college degree is where you are heading, then it’s comforting to know that school curriculums across the globe and the activities on offer within school settings prepare students academically, socially and emotionally so that they are future-ready and can walk confidently through college doors when they open. The journey to college does not just start in the latter years of high school but rather takes place throughout a student’s entire school career encompassing everything in both the taught curriculums as well as the learnings that take place outside the formal educational framework.
Some learning experiences are planned and structured, such as those taught by teachers within the walls of the classrooms, but then there are those other equally important skills, attitudes, and perspectives that are developed and enhanced through everyday social interactions and the myriad of experiences, challenges and opportunities in which students are engaged every day.
Although there are certain elements upon which students must focus as they head towards a college program, there are many that just happen automatically as a natural part of growing up, developing, and progressing through the school years.
Throughout the lower elementary grades, the general school day allows students to be exposed to new people, new experiences, and new ways of thinking and learning how to act appropriately in a classroom setting teaches valuable lessons that children will carry with them into the future. Young students will:
- Interact with many different kinds of people
- Develop positive interpersonal skills and respect for diversity.
- Work both independently and collaboratively.
- Set goals and work to achieve those goals.
- Make good decisions.
- Develop a positive self-concept.
- Learn about planning and decision-making by helping organise family events such as parties or vacations.
- Develop a sense of self-concept and an understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses based on feedback—either praise or criticism—from others.
- Talk to parents and other adults about what they do at work.
In the upper elementary grades, although it is too early for students to make decisions about careers, the choices they make now, and in the near future, can have an impact. At this age, students may begin to think about how they will meet the requirements for middle and high school and become aware of the implications of choosing one course over another. The choices they make now are tentative and will likely change, and that is definitely okay, but, students should still make some tentative choices and in these grades should:
- Continue to learn about themselves through interactions with others.
- Continue to explore diverse occupations and work environments.
- Recognise that different jobs require different levels of education.
- Talk to adults about the kinds of work they do and how they came to be in those occupations.
- Take part in a wide variety of activities involving different kinds of skills, different surroundings, and different levels of supervision and collaboration to enable them to think about which types of settings and activities are most appealing.
- Think about how their interests and skills could be used in a job.
- Make connections between the work they do in school and the kinds of tasks they will do in the future.
The middle school years are a time for exploring and learning about interests and occupations that appeal as this will help them to gain a better idea of which courses to take in high school. By starting to plan in middle school, and continuing through high school, students can acquire the study skills, academic background and credentials that are required by their choice of college. Students who start to think about college in the middle years often end up less stressed and better prepared for the application journey late in high school and so it is recommended that middle school students:
- Continue to try new activities both in and out of school and start engaging in extra-curricular activities by joining clubs, sports and activities that allow exploration of interests.
- Think about how the things learned in school could be applied to work.
- Get in the habit of working hard and seeking any support necessary to reach their academic potential.
- Develop skills essential to academic success: writing, note-taking, word processing, online research, speed reading, time management, and effective study skills.
- If struggling academically, students should seek support so that they can build a strong academic foundation.
- Read books, magazines and newspapers (online or offline) to improve verbal abilities, expand vocabulary, stimulate the brain and expand knowledge.
- Explore career options by talking to adults about their jobs and by volunteering in fields of interest.
- Talk to older students who are attending a college or vocational school about their experiences
- Use the summer to expand academic horizons by taking a course, volunteering in a field of interest or attending an academic or experiential program.
- Talk with the counselor or teachers about tentative career goals and what education choices will support those goals.
- Visit the websites of colleges of interest and note their high school curriculum requirements.
- Build on academic strengths and support weaknesses by enrolling in an online learning program
- In cooperation with the counselor, plan a four-year high school schedule that follows a college preparatory track.
Once in high school, the preparations for college really start, and if a student is applying to the United States, colleges will consider everything they do throughout Grades 9 – 12. It is recommended that high school students:
- Determine what high school courses colleges require, and review your own four-year course plan with the counselor to see if it fulfils the college requirements.
- Take the most rigorous course load that they can handle without compromising grades or destroying self-confidence.
- Be introduced to college admissions tests and consider taking utilising online opportunities such as Khan Academy for college admission test practice.
- Investigate careers of interest, and determine which courses will help prepare for those careers.
- Build a college list and discuss college and career possibilities with parents, counselors and other adults.
- Surf the net to determine what types of colleges may appeal.
- Continue to develop the skills needed to succeed in courses, especially writing, note-taking, computer and study skills.
- Concentrate on the extracurricular activities of most interest, and in which a leadership position may be possible.
- Participate in enrichment programs, workshops, camps and fundraisers on weekends and during the summer.
- Keep track of all activities in which they are engaged including a list of activities (school and community), awards, honours, jobs (volunteer and paid), internships, and leadership positions in organisations. Document how much time (that is, hours per week, weeks per year) is spent on each activity and this document will provide the basis for the activities listed on college applications.
- Take advantage of additional opportunities to learn about other occupations through activities such as guest speakers, field trips, part-time jobs, and volunteer activities.
- Talk to parents, friends, and family members about their occupations.
- Begin to visit colleges virtually or in person whilst on vacation; to help define what is wanted in a college and keep track of the colleges of interest.
- Use the summer productively, either by taking academic courses, pursuing volunteer or paid work, participating in internships and work experience, and/or travelling.
- Re-evaluate the four-year academic plan at the end of each school year and if needed, arrange to take any extension courses through an online learning program.
When reading this post it might seem like there is a lot to keep in mind and that the journey is complex and difficult but rest assured, it’s not really all that complex at all. So many of the aspects that are outlined above are just a natural, everyday part of any student’s educational journey. Therefore, the secret is to get involved and be active in and out of the classroom and in and out of school. If you follow this advice, the rest will fall into place as so many preparations for college admission happen without you actually trying!
If you have any questions at all, at any stage along the way, make sure that you ask, ask and ask again as there is a wealth of guidance available in the form of expert school counselors, eager education consultants and a huge array of online platforms, websites and college admissions portals, all of which are there to assist.
If you would like to read more about the entire journey, you might want to head to the post, Explore, Focus, Apply.
Email: barry@dremac.co