Through this column over the last fifteen months or so, I have covered numerous topics aimed at helping students prepare for and succeed in college.  One component of that has been the college planning checklists I have created.  Already published, have been checklists for the parents of very young children, and one for middle school and junior high students.  This week’s column will cover what freshmen and sophomores should do, and the next few columns will include checklists for juniors, seniors, and then parents.

Most of the following suggestions are interchangeable between the freshman and sophomore years.  The key is to start early.

·        Enroll in a college preparatory curriculum.

·        Study hard and do well in school - From now on your grades will count toward college and will appear on your permanent record.

·        When possible, write papers, do projects, etc. about college.

·        Enter essay or speech contests, science fairs/contests for scholarships and awards

·        Attend a summer camp related to your major.

·        Learn to play a musical instrument or tackle an art medium, sing in a choir or act in a play.

·        Participate in recreational or competitive sports.

·        Get involved in extracurricular activities.

·        Volunteer in your community.

·        Explore careers and jobs in those careers using the Internet, especially the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco), or other resources at the library or your counselor’s office.

·        Start to attend events on college campuses (plays, concerts, sports, activities related to your major, etc.).

·        Get to know your high school counselor (the College or Senior Counselor) and let them get to know you, your goals, career aspirations, and schools you are considering. Take your parents along too.

·        Talk to your friends about what they plan to do after high school. Talk to your parents and your friends’ parents about what they do.

·        Take the PLAN Test.

·        Take the PSAT Test (Fall) as a practice for when it really counts, next year.

·        Use the Internet and start looking at colleges through their web sites, read their blogs, sign up for their Podcasts, YouTube site, I-Tunes University site, etc.

·        Start attending college fairs in your area (where the colleges come in and distribute information about their schools).

·        Get a job (EVEN if your last name is Gates or Trump and you don't have to), or a more traditional one if you’ve been babysitting, or cutting grass.  If possible, get a job related to your potential major.

·        Start a college savings account and regularly deposit into it (in addition to what your parents have done), even if you don’t have to.  It’s a good habit to get into.

·        "Job shadow" someone (follow them around for a day) who does what you think you'd like to do.  Ask your parents or counselor how you might go about this.

Submit your questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and visit www.collegeanswerguy.com and www.collegeprep101.com.