As the word “college” can bring stress and anxiety to many, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many ways of preparing for your college path by start researching colleges early. Time, organization, and staying on track with your academic schedule is essential to getting accepted and choosing the right college for you. At Niles North, there are many college guidance resources mainly located in the Information Resource Center (IRC) and College Resource Center (CRC).
One way of finding and looking for potential colleges is going to the college fair in the Fall and/or Spring. Many college representatives come from all around the country and have a booth for their college. You have the opportunity to have any of your questions answered in person. Students find a lot of the colleges they end up attending during the college fair, and it helps them discover the possibilities for their degrees and school.
“During my college search, I was not prepared at all. I didn’t know what I was majoring in and didn’t know where I wanted to go to school. This made it difficult during the college application season. I would advise all underclassmen to start researching colleges earlier than later. It will help them in the long run,” Shelly Her, senior, said.
organization Staying organized is also very important to preparing for college, or your future in general. Some tips to help you stay organized would be to brainstorm ahead of time, keep a folder/binder for all of your pamphlets, and to know your deadlines. Always be on your toes and be open to new ideas, because sometimes the best things are when they are least expected.
The key aspect of getting accepted into the college of your dreams is to stay on top of your academics. Take classes that will impress the universities and maintain good grades. Along with getting good grades, join a club or sport that interests you. A lot of colleges take a wholistic view on each student, and not just at their ACT and gpa.
If you need more information go to the College Resource Center and check out some cool books about college and majors. Good Luck!
