Freshman

Calendar

September

  • Begin and continue a thorough self-examination of your abilities and interests.

  • Study hard and get good grades. Set your academic goals now.

  • Try a sport, club, or other activity.

  • Begin your resume.

  • READ!

October

  • Plan and become involved in extracurricular activities, clubs, etc.

  • Position yourself for leadership in at least one area.

  • Keep up your grades.

  • Be sure teachers know you care.

  • READ as much as you can. This has a huge effect on your vocabulary, hence your standardized test results.

November

  • Investigate the kinds of education available: two-year colleges, four-year colleges, universities, professional schools and more.

  • What are your college-related goals? Are you interested in the top tier, most selective schools?

  • Talk to your school counselor about ideas and ask questions. Get to know them as well as your teachers.

December

  • If not already done, start a checklist of personal preferences in selecting colleges: selectivity, size, location, etc.

  • Start your list of 10-12 target schools (It will likely change several times.)

  • READ over break!

  • Fill your spare time with community service, volunteer work and activities. (This will go on your college apps.)

January

  • Think about college visits.

  • Keep up your grades. Freshman year DOES count!!!

  • READ

February

  • Visit nearby campuses if you are interested in local schools.

  • Keep up your grades. Do extra credit whenever possible. Strive for A's and B's in all classes.

March

  • Put forth your best effort. Improvement counts!

  • Plan a challenging schedule next year. Colleges look for indications that each student has tried to take the strongest possible course of study.

April

  • Plan a productive summer- community service, volunteer work, sports camp, unusual experience, job, etc.

  • Talk to your school counselor about what might help your resume.

May

  • Study hard for final exams

June

  • Have a fun and productive summer!!!

9th Grade Parents Financial Aid To Do List:

  • Use the College Savings Calculator at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/myfsa to determine how much you should be saving to meet college expenses and to find tips on maximizing your savings efforts.

  • Make sure you are fully aware of the provisions of any college savings accounts you have opened for your child.

  • Visit www.college.gov and click on "parents/family" to learn how to help your child go to college.

  • Go to www.ed.gov/parents and click on "parents school box" to access "Challenging High School for All."

* Information taken from the Federal Student Aid Website at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov