| Most teens don't know exactly what they want | | | | papers have been submitted, and Don’t Let |
| to do with their life. I know I don't. But whether | | | | Your Grades Slip. |
| you're excited about your future or not, sooner | | | | One of the most important things about your |
| or later, high school ends and life goes on. The | | | | college is that you have to feel comfortable there. |
| next step for many of us will be college. No | | | | Talk to the students to find out about the vibe |
| matter what kind of student you are, there are | | | | and don't always trust the guide books. My mom |
| definite steps you can take to prepare for what | | | | and I went on a "college search road trip" to |
| can seem like a scary transition. Probably the best | | | | Northern California. Although the guidebook told us |
| thing you can do for yourself is get an early start | | | | that a certain college was located "in a ghetto" we |
| and do a bit of prep work each year of high | | | | found the college to be set in a beautiful small |
| school. Freshman year, think about your interests | | | | town with quaint little houses, gardens and picket |
| and get involved with something. Start a club, join | | | | fences. So, I was comfortable with the small |
| a sport; not only will it be great for your social life, | | | | town setting. However, when I talked to |
| it'll look great on a college application. Sophomore | | | | students, it turned out that frats and sororities |
| year, ask questions. Ask your teachers what they | | | | played a huge role at this college, and this wasn't |
| think about your aptitudes, ask your parents what | | | | my thing. I'm not applying there, but just visiting |
| kind of college possibilities they are thinking about, | | | | gave me more insight into what kind of college I |
| (because you don't have the money to pay your | | | | do want. When you visit colleges, one of the best |
| own way) and above all, talk to people in different | | | | times is over spring break for two main reasons. |
| fields and ask them what they did to get where | | | | For one thing, the students are still at school. |
| they are. Junior year is your most important year. | | | | Some colleges even let you attend a class, and at |
| In the beginning of the year, actually study for | | | | any college, you want to have conversations with |
| the PSAT because it can lead to major | | | | current students to get the inside scoop. During |
| scholarships. This is also the year you fill out your | | | | summer, colleges are ghost towns. The second |
| applications and decide what kind of college is right | | | | reason, at least for me, was motivation. Visiting |
| for you. Big or small? College town or big city? | | | | colleges gives you incentive for all those long |
| There are endless possibilities when it comes to | | | | hours studying for the SAT. Believe me, you will |
| the type of college. Also, since it's generally | | | | need the motivation. |
| considered smart to apply to five or six colleges, | | | | Just remember that even though the EST (evil |
| get going! Use websites like and make a list. Visit | | | | testing serpent) comes up with ridiculous tests |
| local universities with parents and call distant ones, | | | | every year, they are important to colleges, so |
| always asking to talk to admissions so they have | | | | sign up, study and take it seriously. We all need to |
| a record of your call. Senior year - have fun, but | | | | be college conscious in high school. |
| don't forget to make sure all your financial aid | | | | |