Tips for students for the New Year

           Happy 2025!
 
          The 2024-2025 college application season, for the most part, has come to a close. Families are back to normal routines after the holiday season, and students have returned back to school. The start of a new year is always a good time to reset, recalibrate, and think about which long- and short-term goals you intend to accomplish during the year, and make plans to do so. The intention of this month’s blogpost is to provide students in each grade level with some actionable ideas that may help them in the goal-setting process for the new year!
 
FOR FRESHMEN
         The most important thing freshmen thinking about applying to selective schools a few years from now can do is keep their grades up. Do this by solidifying, improving upon, or developing good study habits. As freshmen progress to higher grade levels and become busier with other activities, having foundational study habits will be key in allowing them to juggle it all.
 
         Students in their freshman year should also think about joining school clubs this semester if they have not already done so. School clubs are a great way to meet new people as well as start to develop academic and extracurricular interests. Joining school clubs during freshmen also potentially puts students in the leadership pipeline for that club during a later date in high school if they become and stay active members.
 
         It is also important for students to really get to know their teachers during freshman year as well. At times, students at this stage in high school may find their instructors intimidating or don’t know how to form relationships with them. The easiest way to do this is participate in class discussions; get to know your teachers by letting them get to know you. Classroom conversations become gateways of getting to know instructors who, one day, might be the very ones writing stellar recommendations for your college applications!
 
FOR SOPHOMORES
         The start of second semester sophomore year is all about standardized test prep! At this point, some students may have already taken the PSAT 9 or PSAT 10 (generally offered fall semester, sophomore year), and have their scores. The start of second semester sophomore year is when I recommend students commit the entire year to studying for taking either the SAT or ACT. Particularly if considering selective school, I recommend students achieve their desired standardized test score by the end of the first semester of junior year. So now, sophomores, is the time to get a plan together and start studying!
 
         Sophomores should also think about taking a leadership position within a school club or organization. The best way to gain leadership experience is through trial and error, so even if a student doesn’t feel “ready” for a leadership role, pursue it anyway and see what happens! Showing interest in and pursuing leadership positions during sophomore year is also a great way to start differentiating from fellow classmates. School educators and administrators are always looking for the next round of student leaders, so sophomores should not be afraid to raise their hands for leadership positions and be seen!
 
Sophomore year is also a great time to start something new. This is a great time to think about finding a community service project or organization that is aligned with core values. It is also a great time to start a school club or organization if there isn’t one that truly represents a student’s interest. Starting something new also helps students grow beyond their comfort zone and is a useful “muscle” to develop as high school continues and college approaches.
 
FOR JUNIORS
         Juniors considering applying to selective colleges, at this point, should start seriously thinking about their college lists. Now is the time to check and verify the academic requirements of colleges they are considering and ensuring they are staying on course to meet those requirements. This may mean taking either the SAT or ACT at some point during the calendar year before their senior year begins. It also means making sure to keep their grades up and their GPAs high.
 
         This year also marks the last summer these students will have before applying to college. Juniors thinking of applying to selective colleges should start solidifying summer plans now. There are a handful of competitive summer programs worth considering; applications for such programs tend to be due this time of year. A summer job, internship or service project may be viable options as well. Regardless, juniors applying to selective colleges should make maximum use of the coming summer break as some selective colleges will ask students how they made use of their summer breaks as a part of the supplemental questions asked on their college applications.
 
         Juniors will also need to make a plan to learn more about the selective colleges on their list. This may mean planning campus visits with family during spring break or during the summer. Students should also start following the social media accounts of the colleges on their lists so they get updates on virtual tours or live Q & A sessions, both now commonly held by selective colleges. But most importantly, students should make sure the colleges on their list are all “right fit” schools. Whether they be reach schools, match schools or safety schools, all of the colleges on a student’s list should be schools where they can see themselves living and learning for four years.
 
FOR SENIORS
         I often tell my clients that if they are applying to selective schools, they don’t get to have senioritis until May. Even though the application season is over, it is imperative that students keep their grades up for the entirety of their high school career. As a stipulation of admission, some colleges will request a final transcript. If there is a significant drop in a student’s academic performance in the last semester of high school, admitted students run the risk of having their offers of admission rescinded. So, keep those grades up seniors!
 
         Several scholarships also have deadlines that occur in the spring semester. If a student is seeking to offset the cost of tuition with scholarships, then now is the time to make researching and applying to scholarships a priority. According for Forbes magazine, close to $100M in scholarship and grant money goes unclaimed every year due to a lack of applicants. Students should work to find scholarship for which they are strong candidates with the same enthusiasm and diligence as they did in determining their college application list.
 
         And last, but equally important, students should make the most of their last days in high school. Going off to college is a huge step in a young person’s life, so students should make time to spend it with friends, thank teachers for all of their help, and make lasting memories that they will enjoy for years to come. When admission offers come in the spring, there may be some tough decisions to make, so for now, seniors should cultivate patience and enjoy their final days as high school students as best as possible.
 
         I hope these tips are helpful for students and families alike. So students, no matter the grade level, should set some tangible goals for the new year, work hard to achieve them, and enjoy the process along the way.

          Good luck!