Lesson 4: What Actions to Focus on Now
By: Zaynah Danquah, a 24/7 Instructional Design Superstar
Prefer to listen to this lesson? Click below:
Workshop Scenario:
Please think of yourself in the following scenario as you complete this workshop.
You are a high school senior. College application deadlines are around the corner, and you have no idea where to start. You’ve reached out to the 24/7 Teach team to learn the basics of the college application process.
You are confident that, by the end of 24/7 Teach’s college application workshop, you will be able to understand the application process and how to get started.
Your parents told their friends that you are learning about the college application process. Their friends ask your advice on what their teens should be doing right now to maximize their time. Your next step is to figure out what action steps should be taken now based on a teen’s grade level.
Your Objective:
By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
Choose which actions to focus on now based on your grade level in order to prepare for the college admissions process
Understand when to seek assistance with the college application process
Important Questions to Answer While Reading:
In order to be successful in this lesson, you must be able to answer these important questions.
What actions can you take right now to prepare for the college admissions process?
What parts of the college application process could you struggle with?
Lesson 4:
Actions Steps for Each Grade Level
Why is it important to start your college application preparation as early as possible? It's important to remember that the college application process takes time and effort, so starting early is key. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to get into the right college for you, the easier it will be to graduate with the right degree, and the easier it will be to start a successful career. The college preparation process can begin as early as 8th grade and continue through 12th grade. Each grade level has its own unique set of tasks and considerations to keep in mind as you prepare for college. Make sure to stay organized, set priorities, and don't be afraid to seek help or advice.
Click on your grade level to see a general overview of how 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students should each start preparing for college:
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You might be thinking, there’s nothing you can be doing in 8th grade to get ready for college. Remember that it's never too early to start preparing for college, and the earlier you start, the more time you will have to explore your options, build a strong academic and extracurricular foundation, and make informed decisions about your future. Starting early gives you the opportunity to research colleges, test different interests and skills, and make a plan that aligns with your goals and aspirations.
Focus on building a strong academic foundation by maintaining good grades, taking challenging classes, and getting involved in extracurricular activities. Begin researching colleges and universities that interest you and start thinking about your career goals and interests. You can start developing positive professional relationships with teachers by being an engaged student in class, seeking help when needed, showing gratitude & appreciation, and being respectful, responsible, and reliable.
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This is a great time to start preparing for college, as it gives you plenty of time to develop the skills and experiences that will make you a strong candidate for college admissions. If someone starts preparing for college in 9th grade, it's important to have a plan in place to make the most of the next four years. Focus on maintaining good grades and taking challenging classes to build a strong academic foundation. Begin researching colleges and universities and start thinking about what you want to study and what kind of college you would like to attend.
Participate in extracurricular activities and seek out opportunities to gain experience and build skills in areas that interest you. Look into summer programs. Many colleges and universities offer summer programs for high school students that can be a great opportunity to gain college experience and build skills.
Start preparing for standardized tests such as the PSAT, SAT, or ACT. Also, start exploring financial aid options and scholarships. Developing positive, professional relationships with your teachers takes effort and time by being respectful, responsible, and reliable. Not only will this prepare you for successful interactions with your professors in college, but the better your teachers know and respect you, the better your potential letters of recommendation can be.
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This is a good time to start preparing for college, as you still have time to develop the skills and experiences that will make you a strong candidate for college admissions. Focus on your grades and take challenging classes, research colleges and universities, and seek recommendations from teachers and counselors.
Participate in extracurricular activities and seek out opportunities. Consider summer programs to gain experience and build skills in areas that interest you.
Explore financial aid options and scholarships. Start preparing for standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Consider taking PSAT or any other college readiness exams. These tests can help you prepare for the college admissions exams and also qualify you for National Merit Scholarship awards.
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This is a good time to start preparing for college. If you start preparing for college in 11th grade, it's important to have a plan in place to make the most of the remaining time. You will have to work more efficiently and effectively to have a complete application. Narrow down your list of colleges and universities and begin preparing your college applications. Take standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT.
Seek recommendations from teachers and counselors, especially those who are more likely to write strong and detailed letters of recommendation that can help you stand out to college admissions officers. Explore financial aid options and start applying for scholarships.
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This is the last chance to prepare for college, so it's important to make the most of it. Even if you are starting the college preparation process later than most, it's not too late to make a strong impression in the admissions process. Finalize your college applications, make your final decision about where to attend, and submit your enrollment deposit. Make sure you have taken care of any remaining tasks, such as sending final transcripts. Stay organized, set priorities, and work hard to maintain good grades and participate in extracurricular activities.
Get in touch with people who can provide you with valuable support and guidance throughout the college application process and prepare for the transition to college life. Be sure that you have also developed the skills to be successful during college life, including personal accountability, the ability to balance and manage stress, and the ability to handle finances and household chores.
It's also worth noting that some colleges have rolling admissions or have later application deadlines, so you may have more options than you think. Additionally, there are alternative options like community college or gap years that may be viable options for you.
When to seek help:
There are several reasons that a student should consider seeking help from a college admissions expert, whether it’s a counselor or a private organization, to navigate the college admissions process:
Feeling overwhelmed: If students are feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about the college admissions process, college admissions experts can provide support to help them navigate the process and feel more confident in their decisions.
Struggling to find the right college: If students are having trouble identifying colleges and universities that are a good fit for their academic, social, and personal needs, college admissions experts can help them research and evaluate different schools.
Difficulty with applications and essays: If students are concerned about completing college applications or writing compelling essays, college admissions experts who know what colleges and universities are looking for can provide guidance and assistance to help them create strong applications.
4. Financial aid concerns: If students are struggling to understand the financial aid process or identify scholarships for which they may be eligible, a college admissions expert can help them navigate the financial aid process.
5. Standardized test preparation: If students are struggling to prepare for standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, college admissions experts can provide guidance on how to study for these tests and offer test-taking strategies and practice materials.
6. Time-saving: If students are having trouble managing their time effectively and staying on track with the college application process, a college admissions expert can help them to organize and prioritize their tasks, and provide guidance on how to balance the demands of the college application process with other obligations.
7. Navigating the admissions process: If students are having trouble understanding the admissions process or staying organized, a college admissions expert can provide support throughout the process, answering questions, providing feedback, and helping students to stay organized and on track.
College admissions experts can also provide additional services that may be tailored to the specific needs of students, such as mentorship, guidance on extracurricular activities, and more.
Closing Assessment:
Now that you have reached the end of this lesson, you should know how to do the following:
Choose which actions to focus on now based on your grade level in order to prepare for the college admissions process
Understand when to seek assistance with the college application process
Superstar Challenge:
Take your skills to the next level with the Superstar Challenge below!
Objective:
Create a concrete plan of action to overcome potential obstacles in the college admissions process.
Discussion Questions:
Show your knowledge and connect with the 24/7 Teach community by sharing/posting your discussion question responses in the comment section below.
What do you believe you would struggle with the most when trying to complete your college application? What can you do to overcome those struggles?
What are some common misconceptions about what college admissions officers look for in applicants? How can these misconceptions be corrected?
or try a prompt below!
