5 Things to Think About as You Start Freshman Year
This article was written by our partner, Scoir, the College & Career Network. Learn more about our partnership here.
Congrats, you’re a high schooler! 🥳
College may be very far from your mind right now. We don’t blame you!
You should absolutely be enjoying your freshman year and taking it all in. You also have an opportunity to do your future self a huge favor by starting college prep this year.
We’ve got 5 simple things to consider doing during your freshman year of high school (+2 things for parents/guardians).
5 Things Students Should Do Freshman Year of High School
There’s no pressure to complete all these at the same time. Try taking 1 to do per week in your first few months or so of freshman year.
1. Commit to Learning
Whether college is something you’re interested in pursuing or not, focusing on learning is always a good way to go during your freshman year of high school. It matters less what classes you’re taking, and more about committing yourself to the work.
While you’re a ways off from choosing a college or a major, it can be helpful to ask yourself some questions to spark self-discovery:
- Which class do I love the most and why?
- Which homework is the most bearable for me? Most painful?
2. Start Getting Involved
Ugh…more work?
The right extracurriculars won’t feel that way.
Hobbies and activities outside of school and work are a great mood booster throughout your entire life. High school is a great time to explore what you enjoy. Plus, colleges love seeing that you’re involved, trying new things, and leading.
Here are some extracurricular activity ideas:
- Volunteering
- Sports
- Side gigs (like babysitting, mowing lawns, selling your artwork)
- Clubs and organizations at school
- Summer camps and programs
- Learning an instrument
5-10 hours per week on extracurricular activities is a good rule of thumb. But depending on your situation, it can be more or less than that, and that’s okay.
3. Take the PSAT 8/9
If you’re eligible, late freshman year may be a good time to take the PSAT 8/9 (Preliminary SAT). Get in touch with your guidance counselor to see when you should take the test.
Don’t worry…the PSAT 8/9 isn’t the real thing. There’s no pressure with the PSAT 8/9, because your score won’t be sent to any colleges; it’s simply a way to evaluate where you’re at, and determine which areas need to improve. This gives you plenty of time to choose the best classes for your sophomore and junior years to prepare for the real thing (the SAT) and take practice tests.
The PSAT 8/9 is also a good way to practice for the junior year PSAT/NMSQT, which can help you qualify for college scholarships and determine your readiness for AP classes. The PSAT/NMSQT is extremely similar in structure to the SAT; however, these scores aren’t sent to colleges, either. Taking this test can help you be eligible for financial aid, prep for the SAT, and determine if AP courses would be good for you to take during your senior year.
4. Begin Writing Your College Resume
Yup, even if you aren’t working yet, a college resume is worthwhile. It only takes 30 minutes to start one, and it can be a great gift to your future self.
College admissions folks love seeing how you’re involved, how you’re leading, and how you’re learning.
Type up your current extracurricular activities, hobbies, and any awards you have received. Now you have a place to add all those cool things you’ve done, and don’t have to worry about forgetting.
Scoir also has a resume builder you can use!
5. Bonus: Discover Yourself and Meet With Your Counselor
Really want to knock it out of the park?
Start a journal. Cheesy, sure, but it can be a great way to practice self-discovery.
Self-discovery can help you figure out how you fit in this world…what you want to study, which career path you want to take, what’s important to you in life.
There’s no rules here. Just write what you think. What do you think of your classes? Of high school? The people you’re surrounded by?
Even just occasional reflection can help. Meeting with your counselor can help start this conversation.
To learn more about college planning to-dos for each year of high school, The Student Guide to College Planning is a great resource to check out next.
If you’re interested in using Scoir starting your freshman year of high school, this Scoir Checklist for Freshman can help guide you through the platform.
What Parents/Guardians Should Do When Their Student is in Their Freshman Year of High School
While it may be hard to think about, college is right around the corner for your student. Taking a couple of hours right now to start researching the nuances of financial aid is a great place to start without getting overwhelmed.
1. Learn the Financial Aid Options
There are multiple types of financial aid: federal, state, institution, and community-based.
The FAFSA and the CSS Profile are the two federal aid forms you’ll want to fill out with your student during their junior year.
Your state and/or community may also provide funding for college. It’s worth looking into this to see if you and your student will qualify when the time comes.
2. Support Your Student’s Self-Discovery
Encouraging your student to explore new hobbies and extracurriculars they are interested in is a great way to do this. Give them the opportunity to choose what they get involved in.
You can also start conversations with them about their high school experience, what they like and dislike about high school, and how you can support them throughout this time.
Looking for a tool to help you and your student keep your college planning organized? We think Scoir is a great place to start! 😉 Scoir will help you and your student discover colleges, find best-fit colleges, and even apply, when it’s time. We just held a Scoir Back to School webinar for parents/guardians that you can watch for free if you’re interested in learning more.
