It’s never too early to start getting ready for college.
Beginning in 7th and 8th grade will allow you to have a clear path throughout high school. Thinking about your college goals will allow you to take the most meaningful courses in high school.
There’s also the potential to earn college credits in high school through programs like Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement. Preparation for college needs to begin before 9th grade.
So how can you approach your middle school college prep?
Explore Careers and Take a Career Quiz
There are many ways to explore your career interests and take quizzes that help identify potential career paths.
One of my favorite options is through CollegeBoard, the makers of the SAT. They created a platform called BigFuture where you can search for careers, take a career quiz, learn about career clusters, and get help selecting a future major.
Later, when you’re in high school, and stepping up college prep, you can use BigFuture to search for scholarships.
You can also use the assessments built into Eastern Florida State College’s free Career Coach tool to explore your interests.
Finding a career that matches your interests can help you plan the core classes and electives you take in high school. It may even help you select the high school you attend.
For example, if you’re interested in Robotics, consider Palm Bay High. If you’re interested in Dental Assisting, choose Viera High, which has the BPS-run Dental Aide option.
There are many careers to choose from. Exploring them all and narrowing down your choices with a career quiz is a great first step.
Meet with Your School Counselor
No matter what grade level you are in now, your School Counselor is in your corner. They can help connect you to resources and recommend classes for you. You’ll want to get to know your High School Counselor, as they’ll be a terrific go-to person for college planning.
Take Rigorous Courses
Your School Counselor and classroom teachers will come in handy at this step. Taking rigorous honors courses in middle school and high school will prepare you for the demands of college coursework.
If your goal is to earn college credits while in high school, you’ll need a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA. Being successful in challenging courses tells a college/university you’re ready to be a successful college student.
Focus on Organization
Knowing how to organize allows you to succeed in rigorous courses. Challenging courses often come with time-sensitive projects, assignments, and exams.
Find a system that works for you to keep track of all the requirements and stick to it.
You may prefer a digital calendar, a paper planner, or a to-do list app.
You will also need good time management skills. Keeping track of class requirements is part of this, but you will also need to manage sports, clubs, and possibly a job.
You may have to say no to hanging out with a friend to prioritize writing a research paper. The important key here is to find a system that works for you and stick with it.
Get Involved
Volunteering and getting involved with clubs at your school helps you choose a career, improves your mood, and boosts your college applications.
Many clubs, like National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Student Government, prioritize volunteering in the community. While volunteering, you’ll discover if a certain career is the right fit for you.
If you like health sciences, volunteer at a hospital. If you are interested in education, volunteer at an elementary school.
The steps you take now in middle school will truly pay off when it’s time to apply for, choose, and go to college, so start with your middle school college prep today!
- Preparing for College in Middle School - August 23, 2023
- DE vs. AP vs. IB vs. AICE: Which Program Is Right for You? - March 8, 2023
