How to Prepare for College in High School

Co-authored by Alicia Oglesby and Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: June 28, 2021 References

High school is a huge step in life from elementary school and middle school, and college feels even bigger. Once you reach high school, you're expected to start really thinking about your future. It can be a little overwhelming, but try to think of it as an opportunity to consider what kind of life you want to lead. Whether you're a freshman in high school who's excited to start looking at colleges or a senior who's feeling a little freaked by looming application deadlines, this article is here to help make preparing for college a smooth and stress-free process.

Method 1

Method 1 of 14:
Meet with your school counselor.

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They can answer questions about your education and beyond! Your high school counselor will likely ask you about your future goals and what careers you are considering. With their help, draw out a plan of realistic choices that you feel confident doing. Be aware that your future career goals may change as you get older, even when you're in college. Think about what you want to do, but keep an open mind.^{[1]
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- It’s also perfectly fine if you don’t have a future goal in mind yet. This is something that will likely come to you in due time, and your school counselor can help guide you through this process.

Method 2

Method 2 of 14:
Research degree requirements for your intended career.

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Many colleges prefer students to take classes in specific subjects. Most schools require standard liberal arts subjects, like math, literature, history, and science. Higher technical degrees require more specifics in each subject, and these vary depending on the degree you're considering. ^{[2]
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- It's never too early to start doing this, so don’t be afraid to do some research during your freshman year.

Method 3

Method 3 of 14:
Develop a four-year school schedule with your counselor.

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Pinpoint what courses will be the best fit for certain degree programs. You can also sift through the selections of high school electives that match with the degree that you're going for. Ask your counselor if you can fit in college prep or advanced placement classes, which look great on a college application.^{[3]
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- College prep and AP classes usually involve prerequisite requirements, bigger exams, and a larger workload. Make sure you have enough time in your schedule to make that commitment!

Method 4

Method 4 of 14:
Get involved in extracurricular activities.

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Colleges want students who will be involved on campus.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.} Search for clubs or volunteer work around your local town. Extracurriculars show that you're someone who likes to get involved in school or in your community. Listing down your involvement in extracurriculars will also show colleges that you're able to balance your time with events other than homework.^{[5]
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- Remember, quality over quantity. You don't need to join every club at school to be involved! Find something you're passionate about, like soccer or theater, and join a team or club related to that. Add on a few extra activities if you'd like.

Method 5

Method 5 of 14:
Study hard in every course of each year.

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Colleges typically prefer that you have a certain GPA to be admitted. Good grades show that you really understand the subject you're studying, and that you'll be prepared to take on more advanced college-level courses when you get there. That's why it's so important to work hard to get good grades in all of your classes.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}

Method 6

Method 6 of 14:
Take good notes.

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College professors often talk quickly and can't repeat what they've said. They've got too much of the lecture to get through! College classes are also considerably bigger than high school class sizes most of the time. In college, a class may exceed 100 people per professor. This can make it hard to ask follow-up questions in class. If you struggle to pay attention, start practicing your note-taking skills in high school to prepare for college.^{[7]
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- Most college students bring tape recorders or laptops to type out their notes.

Method 7

Method 7 of 14:
Start doing more detailed research in your junior year.

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Outline each college's specific requirements that you still need. Ask your family and friends about their experiences with college (or community college). This is also the time to start thinking and planning out financial needs.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}
- Ask your parents if they can create or open a college savings bank account. Paychecks for jobs, holiday money received, or any monetary reward through school can be deposited into the account and used towards tuition.

Method 8

Method 8 of 14:
Ask yourself where you want to live in college.

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You may live off-campus, stay with your parents, or live on campus. If you plan to live off-campus, start considering who you want to room with and what kind of place you can afford. Talk to your parents/guardians about living at home, and whether you would be expected to pay rent or contribute somehow. Look up on-campus housing options at the colleges you are considering and determine the housing costs of each dorm.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}
- Some colleges also offer themed living situations, like themed houses or floors.
- Know that residing on campus usually requires housing costs in addition to meal costs in the dining hall.

Method 9

Method 9 of 14:
Research tuition and fees at each school.

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Colleges usually determine the tuition based on the number of credits you take. There are also specialty courses that involve their own separate payment. Look up this information early so that you have a solid understanding of what you are expected to pay when the time comes!^{[10]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}

Method 10

Method 10 of 14:
Remember to factor in the price of books.

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College professors require you to get specific textbooks and other materials. The cost of these can really add up. Keep money-saving tips in mind, like purchasing used books online or from other students.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}
- You might even have friends or siblings who have taken the same college courses. They might be able to loan or give you the books for free!

Method 11

Method 11 of 14:
Keep up your GPA to qualify for financial aid/scholarships.

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Financial aid can really make paying for college so much easier. Most programs require you to maintain a minimum grade point average to retain them. Keep your grades up so you can qualify for as many scholarships as possible.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}
- Apply for scholarships and financial aid early and often. The savings will be worth the work!

Method 12

Method 12 of 14:
Register for the ACT and the SAT.

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Many colleges require a certain score on standardized tests.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.} A lot of high schools have you take these in your junior or senior year. Most colleges accept at least one of them as a requirement. Certain degrees require a minimum score to be considered eligible for admission. Others don't consider the SAT or the ACT in the admissions process. If any of the schools you're considering consider them, prepare and take the tests.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}
- The PSAT is good to take in your junior year, as it’s good practice for the SAT. It can also qualify you for merit scholarships.^{[15]
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Method 13

Method 13 of 14:
Visit your top choice colleges in the spring of your junior year.

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This helps you get a feel for the campus. Walk around so that you can see all the buildings, dorms, and parking areas. Visit the admissions office to pick up information packets. Be sure to take advantage of any tours the college provides to prospective students!^{[16]
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Method 14

Method 14 of 14:
Apply to colleges at the beginning of your senior year.

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Apply to the colleges that appeal to you and fit within your goals. Note that most colleges have application deadlines, so be sure to have everything organized and ready. This is the time to prove on paper why you're a great candidate, what activities you've done, and how strong you are as a student. Because of the application deadlines, you’ll want to start this process as close to the beginning of your senior year as possible.
- Always keep an extra copy of your application for yourself to avoid any stress if it gets misplaced. It'll give you one less thing to worry about!

Community Q&A
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Question

What can I do to get ready for college?

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events.

Alicia Oglesby

Professional School Counselor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The best way to prepare for college is to get really good grades. That's a reflection that you fully understand the material you're being taught, which means you'll be prepared for undergraduate learning. It's also important to be well-rounded—most colleges want to see that students will be involved in a meaningful way when they're on campus.
Question

I have excellent marks (all above 90) in high school, but I'm a slow reader, I know this will be a big problem at the university level, how do I tackle this issue?

Community Answer

If you currently get good grades, being a slow reader may not be such a problem in college. At my college, there are workshops on "strategic reading." These classes show you how to read academic writing strategically and efficiently to get the information you need to complete your assignments or participate in class discussions.
Question

What is an AP class?

Community Answer

AP stands for Advanced Placement, which are the highest level of high school classes available in various subjects. Their structure is similar to college classes; the work is more difficult and the information more complex. AP classes are designed to prepare students for college and, in many cases, allow them to skip some introductory classes.
Question

Do school clubs such as art or writing count as extracurricular activities?

Community Answer

Yes. Being in art clubs/classes show you are good at balancing schoolwork and extracurricular activities. As for writing, enter essay competitions or poetry contests.
Question

If I do clubs and community service, but not sports, can that affect my college applications?

Community Answer

Colleges look for a variety of extra curricular activities, not just sports. Nowadays, colleges look for volunteer work, so that can give you an advantage against someone who plays sports but doesn't do any volunteer work. Colleges know that not everyone is athletically inclined, and they want to know the real you.
Question

What if I have good grades and take advanced classes, but do not do extra-curricular activities?

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Community Answer

It depends on the college(s) you're looking to apply to. If your grades are high enough, some may accept you based on your grades alone. However, many colleges are looking for well-rounded students who are involved in activities outside of school, and extra-curriculars demonstrate this. If it's not too late to start doing an extracurricular activity, it's definitely recommended that you start one as soon as possible to improve your chances of admission.
Question

How do I get into AP classes in high school?

Community Answer

Talk with your counselor. There are typically many different AP classes available in each subject, and your counselor is there to help you find what is right for you. As long as you meet the criteria, you should have no problem gaining entry to AP classes.
Question

How do I improve my note taking skills?

Community Answer

Remember that note-taking is all about paraphrasing. Don't try to copy the entire presentation onto your paper, but write down the important points. Divide your notes into topics and subtopics. Write down important vocabulary, but wait to define them until afterwards, or you might not have enough time.
Question

If I get good grades and have volunteer hours, do I have a higher chance of getting accepted to college?

Community Answer

Yes. Colleges look for good grades, and when you volunteer, show the college you can balance school and out-of-school activities.
Question

How many years do I need to do college for an accounting degree?

Community Answer

There are many things that can affect how long it takes to get a degree. Most colleges/universities require a certain amount of "credits" instead of a certain amount of years to get a degree. You can get more or fewer credits depending on what classes you take in college. But, on average, a bachelor's degree takes four years, a master's degree takes 6, and a doctorate takes about 11.