There are plenty of things to balance in high school. As the year winds to a close, you may wonder whether you are on the right track regarding your academic planning. While it’s perfectly understandable to take a little time during the fall semester to readjust to your classes, you don’t want to lose your momentum entirely. Here’s a list of five things to finish in the fall semester before the time gets away from you to help you close out the year on a solid note!
Each student’s journey is unique; that’s one of the reasons that individual meetings with a college counselor can help so much. After all, students learn best with a customized learning plan and no list is truly a “one size fits all.” However, while it may not be entirely comprehensive for everyone, each of the following items is recommended to finish in your fall semester, if possible:
1. Meet with all your teachers one-on-one.
Your teachers will definitely appreciate your effort toward learning, and bringing them your questions about the material will show that you care. That effort might also benefit you later when you need to ask for help—or an extension. Eventually, as well, you’ll need to build meaningful relationships that you can rely upon for a letter of recommendation! So get out there and introduce yourself to your teachers; they don’t bite, I promise. Try to meet with each of your teachers at least once this semester.
2. Register for a practice (or real) test session.
No matter your grade year, a practice test session for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or AP tests will almost certainly benefit you. Check with the school office and see what is available at your high school campus this year. When you receive your scores, reflect on how you think you could improve for the real deal.
While you’re at it, you can set study preparation goals for the duration of the year. You never know what other commitments might come up throughout the year, so planning well in advance for these things comes in handy. Finishing this in the fall semester will set you up for success!
3. Go to a club meeting. (Or two.)
The more consistency and dedication you can demonstrate over time by showing commitment to your activities, the better! That doesn’t mean you have to stick with everything, but the sooner you can start finding your favorites, the more you can stand out on your college applications. Not to mention, college admissions officers like to see that a student’s passion for learning and intellectual vitality extend beyond the classroom. Try something new—attend a meeting for a club that catches your interest this year and get outside your comfort zone; you never know what might lead you to an essay-worthy learning moment.
4. Exchange contact information with a study buddy.
Whether you shared a table in class or got paired up as lab partners, try to connect with at least one or two classmates who are just as academically motivated as you during the fall semester. You can tag team study for finals and practice presentations which will improve your work more than if you study alone! Plus, having a study buddy can help keep you accountable for getting things done. Try to finish this off before the end of the fall semester if you can! Who knows, you may even make a new friend.
5. Start thinking about college.
Whatever your strategy, high school students can avoid a lot of stress by beginning to think about college early on. Early actions and information gathering for younger students can include attending college fairs, researching a wide variety of colleges and universities, and developing a list of priorities you seek in your college experience. As a junior, you’ll have more concrete tasks to complete for college preparation. For now, though, start a college list, binder, or notebook to keep your information organized. Planning now and finishing this first step in the fall semester pays off later.
If you can finish each of these five things by the end of the fall semester, you’ll be that much farther ahead when the rest of the year rolls around. Also, setting up good habits means that you’ll be that much more likely to stick to them throughout the year. Good for you!
For bonus points:
Another healthy habit you can start practicing now is stress management. After all, it’s tough to balance everything on your schedule as a high school student; we get it! Everything from social events to jobs to homework, college apps, driving, and more compete for your attention. However, by learning reliable strategies for managing stress now, you’ll be better equipped to take on the challenges of college and beyond. Take some time to see how much more work you can finish this fall semester by increasing your mental fortitude and resilience.
Finally, if you’re looking for more ways to get ahead of the ball, think about summer activities now. While your next summer break might seem like eons away, you might be surprised by how quickly some of the most competitive programs begin taking applications! You’ll want to make the most of your summertime, so by starting to think about what kind of programs interest you now, you will make it easier to complete applications due in December and January.
For more information about summer programs or your overall high school plan, don’t hesitate to contact Empowerly. Not only can our counselors support you through your high school years leading up to your college decision, but they can also help you establish great academic habits. In addition, building meaningful experiences during the summer break is a vital step in the journey toward college. Empowerly can help you create the best possible college application and increase your chances of admission to top schools!
