I have been thinking a lot about high school and college, and how I would have done things differently.  Back then I didn’t really have anyone to ask, and I would not have known what to ask if I did.  In case anyone reading this has a similar situation, read on.  I’m hoping this will be one in a series of advice and information posts for high school and college students.  This first one is written for high school students that want to go to college and need guidance in classes and extracurricular activities to sign up for during high school.

1. First of all, GPA is important.  It is not the most important, but it is up there.  I recommend keeping it above 3.0 at least, but preferably 3.5 or above.  Good grades show you can attend class, pay attention, think, write, study, and follow directions, which is basically what you’ll be doing in college after all.  Good grades may also lower your auto insurance and be something to put on an application for a job during high school.

In terms of honor classes, these are always a plus.  The more you take, the better because it looks great on your transcripts.  If you take an AP class and test well in it at the end, it will even count towards your general education credits in college.  One caveat is that Bs and Cs in honor classes look worse than As in regular classes, so if you sign up for honor classes make sure you are willing to put in the work and effort.  If you are not, you are better off just signing up for the regular college prep classes and getting better grades.

If your overall GPA is not 3.0 or higher because of poor grades in the past, don’t be discouraged.  Start working as hard as you can now.  If your transcripts show a trend towards improvement, that will help.  It may affect you getting into your college of choice right after high school, but everything you learn will usually help you with your general ed college classes anyway, so do your best.  If there are just one or two classes that are really dragging your GPA down, like a D, you may have the option of re-taking it in *gasp* summer school.  I know it’s not the most appealing option, but if it will really help your GPA, it may be worth it.  It’s up to you.

2. Besides grades, school involvement looks great and can enhance your overall experience there.  Some ideas are sports, clubs, drama and elected office on campus.  If you choose a club with a theme you are interested in, you will probably have fun, meet people you like, and improve your transcript all in one.  If there isn’t a club on campus you are interested in, why not start one?  Club president sounds pretty nice, and then you will get all the aforementioned benefits in addition.

3. Volunteering are also important.  Service is good for the community, good for your college application, and good for your soul.  You’ll get exposed to new ideas and causes, fields of interest that may open up a career possibility, and you can make connections with like-minded individuals.

To find a place to volunteer, you should first think about your interests.  Do you like people?  Then why not look in the phone book for a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, home for the elderly, or a hospital that might need help.  If children delight you, maybe you can read to them at your local library or volunteer afterschool at a preschool.  If you like animals, check out your local animal shelter.  If you are close to a nature area, perhaps there is a local group that organises trash cleanups, educational programs, and trail clearing there.  Whatever your interest, there is something for you to do.

If you are not sure about what you are interested in, I would recommend looking in your local paper for upcoming events and seeing if they need help.  When I was in high school I had no idea about the issues going on anywhere, whether in my community or in the world at large.  By going to a few events you may find an interest you didn’t know you had.

4. Get a hobby.  There is often a place on college applications which a hobby or skill would be mentioned.  Unfortunately, watching TV, listening to your ipod, playing video games and hanging out with friends do not count.  I find that most activities nowadays are more passive, and don’t involve actual skill.  This means you will have to go out and actively seek something and someone to teach it to you.  Here are some ideas, but there are a lot more:

• Crafts like crocheting, knitting, macrame, jewelry making.  Look for a class at your local craft store, or ask your neighbor with all the awesome sweaters
• Model-making, like airplanes, cars, etc.  Look at a craft store and/or hardware store for kits and ideas
• Dancing is fun, gives you exercise, and is more of a social skill.  Look for classes at your local community center or in the phone book
• If computers are your thing, you can proudly put down skills like website design, programming, or computer repair on your application.
• Gardening gets you sun, exercise, and brings beauty and nutrition into the world.  This is an excellent hobby.
• Photography (a good excuse for that digital camera you’ve been wanting)

By doing some or all of these, you will be an excellent candidate for college.  Keep on the lookout for another post on choosing a college, choosing a major, and where to live while in college.