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Back to School: Reminders for the college bound high schooler

With the new school year right around the corner, returning high school students need to take some time to plan out the coming school year.

Posted Updated
mule15
By
Christine M. Hall of CMH College Consulting

With the new school year right around the corner, returning high school students need to take some time to plan out the coming school year.

Now is the time to look back at your past performance and assess where you stand. Take a look at your courses and grades, activities, and community involvement.

While poor grades are never something you want on your transcript, things do happen. If this is your case, don’t despair. You still have time to repair the damage. Focusing on improving your grades is the most important step you can take.

If you earned C’s or D’s, make sure those grades never appear again. Focus on eliminating your lowest grades and at the very least, maintaining the same level of high grades that you earned. Remember, GPA is the MOST important factor a college looks at.

As you progress through high school, you should start focusing on activities that are of interest to you and that you truly enjoy. Don’t get involved in something because you think it looks good on a college application! Colleges see through that.

At this time, you should be looking at ways to get more involved and take on leadership roles in the activities you do stick with. Being fully engaged in several activities over several years is far more desirable than being part of dozens of things with little commitment.

Finally, don’t forget the importance of community service. Students often neglect to see the benefits of volunteering with local organizations. Getting involved in local activities is a great way to give back to your community. It’s also a great way to begin networking with businesses that may someday look to hire you, or at least recommend you.

Remember, it’s a new year. Start with a clean slate and do your best to showcase your strengths and talents!

Christine M. Hall, Ed.D., is owner of CMH College Consulting in Cary. Hall, who has children of her own, offers advice on the college application and decision process here on Go Ask Mom from time to time. See some of her earlier posts in the box above.

 

 

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