Get More Involved in the Community
Throughout high school, various activities I was involved in would require I do some sort of volunteer work. Typically, the volunteer work was never anything I really enjoyed, but doing something I knew could help others gave me a great feeling. One project really got me thinking, but to my disadvantage, this project was part of a class I took my senior year. It consisted of our class filming and compiling a video about our community. We decided to focus on the members of our community that really stuck out to us and show how their passions could be beneficial for our town. Speaking with these inspiring people really made me wish I could have been more involved and been able to give back.
Take All of the College Courses
Okay, maybe not ALL of the college courses you have available to you. But honestly, I feel I took a good amount of college courses in high school, and I think others should see how important it can be! From taking just a few classes, I had 19 credits coming into college. If I would have thought it through, I probably would have taken even more. You might have heard a teacher say to you, “Having too much of a class load probably wouldn’t be a great idea.” When you really think about it though, college is going to be a huge class load – pretty much no matter what. You might as well get some experience out of the way and make your transition into college a whole lot easier.
Pursue Your Ideas and See Where They Lead
The English teacher I had for 80% of my classes was, by far, the best teacher I have ever had. He was always willing to discuss any questions or thoughts I had, as well as help me build from those ideas. Though very few were acted upon, the ideas would tend to be quite engaging. One of my biggest regrets is not following through with some of these. I know that my teacher would have had my back, as well as my friends and family. It is harder now, moving to a new city where I am unfamiliar with nearly everything. BUT, photography has always been a passion I’ve pushed on the back burner. Living in Milwaukee now, I can pursue this hobby with a lot more ease. All it takes is a step in the right direction.
Scholarships, Scholarships, SCHOLARSHIPS
“Hey FAFSA, thanks so much for that extra $2,000, but I could really use a lot more than that.” Seriously, financial aid can only do so much. Scholarships is the way to go. Sign up for the name drawing contests, do the essays, put in the extra work. In the long run you will be more than thankful for the free money you were given. If writing isn’t your thing, there are always so many other options. Keep your eyes open for new scholarships and try talking to your teachers or guidance counselor for any scholarships they might be aware of. The more, the merrier.
SAT/ACT Scores
This one isn’t a huge deal, but saving any kind of money can be helpful. When you’re taking your ACT/SAT you can have it sent (FOR FREE!) to several colleges of your choice. If you pull a me and end up changing all your previous college decisions, you’ll have to put in a bit of money to send your scores to those new schools. Again, not a ton of money, but saving whatever you can is great.
Make a Resume
It might sound difficult and annoying, but you need a resume. Making one in high school can be really simple and can help prepare you for the next steps in your life. Whether your plans are to head to college or join the work force, a resume is super helpful for looking professional and showing future employers your experiences. If you aren’t learning to make one in a class, I’m sure you could talk to a teacher or guidance counselor about helping you out. Because its all about the experience, you can often keep most of your past jobs and volunteer experience on your resume. The only work you’d need to put into it after initially making it, is making sure it stays up to date.
