Freshman Spring Checklist

1. Choose extracurriculars

One of the best things you can do during your first year of high school is to get involved in extracurricular activities They’re an excellent way to explore your passions outside of academics, while building your resume at the same time. Options include playing a sport, joining a school club (or starting your own), performing community service and getting a part-time job. Having an impressive extracurricular resume can help you get accepted to college and earn scholarships. More importantly, though, extracurriculars build character and help you grow as a person.

2. Meet with your counselor

Your counselor can be a great resource during your high school career. Meet with them early on to introduce yourself and find out how they can support you during your high school years. Your counselor can inform you about your school’s graduation requirements, offer advice on which courses to take, and help you prepare for college applications when the time comes.

3. Consider taking advanced courses

While meeting with your counselor, ask them about advanced courses you can take. We offer many h Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors Courses. These types of classes are academically challenging, and can help you stand out during the college admissions process. Another option is dual enrollment which allow you to earn college credit while you’re still in high school. These courses are typically better-suited for upperclassmen, but it helps to start preparing for them earlier on.

4. Consider your path after high school

Even though you just started high school, it can’t hurt to start thinking about the next chapter of your life. Do you want to attend college? If so, consider what type of schools interest you and what you might want to study. And remember that college isn’t the only option after high school. There are many alternatives to college including coding, trades, apprenticeships, and more. You may have no idea what you want to do after high school, and that’s completely okay. At this stage of the game you have plenty of time to figure things out.