Things I wish I would have know as a freshmen...

Hey guys, the new school year is just around the corner and I was talking to my mom about what I should write on my blog. She said: "Don't you always talk about all these things you wish someone would have told you when you started high school?". And you know what? She is totally right! There are a million things I wish someone would have told me when I started! So I am going to share with all you incoming freshmen some of the central things! Here we go!

• You should start applying to scholarships in freshmen year - there are scholarships specific for freshmen's that you don't want to miss out on. Also if you don't know yet where you want to go to college make sure you will have the financial resources to go where you want to. 
• Summer programs- What you do during the summer can be important to your college application process. Many College Interview questions and the activity section on your applications will ask about your summers and what you did. I will make a future post with specific summer programs I have attended and/or can recommend. Also do not worry about the cost of them since you will be able to get scholarships for.  
• Internships- even though you might be 13 or 14 when you enter high school and not technically allowed to work a job, you can work certain internships during the summer. Not only is it a good way to test out fields of work you are interested in but also a way to save up some money for college applications and college.
• Start setting up your CommonApp and Coalition- while you might think that you don't have to worry about applying to college yet, but it is a good idea to be set up early and add to your application gradually instead of trying to rush it in your senior year. Your application will be more detailed and more thought through. In your Junior year the essay prompts should start coming out for your applications so start writing the essays then.
• Start studying for the ACT and SAT- the ACT and the SAT are hard tests if you do not study. By study I mean you have to be prepared for how the test is structured and what kind of questions to expect. Also try to find what test is a better suit for you and try taking them as early as you can. Most colleges will super score your ACT/SAT so it is a good idea to study and take it as early as you can.
• Be mindful of classes you choose- if you only choose easy classes but have a good GPA  colleges will take that in consideration when looking at your transcript. If you take harder classes like AP classes they will also consider that with your GPA. A 4.0 with regular classes won't mean as much as a 3.9 with all AP classes. Classes start mattering freshmen year.
• Become involved in at least one organization- In my freshmen year I didn't know what a big role extracurricular activities played into everything, including college and your own happiness. I recommend everyone should part take in at least one extracurricular activity that they like and see themselves be part of all of high school. Try to also go after leadership positions!
• Start going to the College &Career center at your school- In my freshmen year I didn't even know this existed at my school but if I would have I would have taken full advantage of having this resource! The college and career center at your school should have at least 2 counselors (1 college counselor and 1 career counselor). The counselors are different from your guidance counselor since they fulfill more specific tasks. For example, your career counselor will be able to help you write your resumes, find jobs/internship opportunities and even be able to practice interview skills with you. And your college counselor will be able to help you with sending transcripts, signing up for testing, applying to college, scholarships, etc. Without my college counselor, I think, I wouldn't be half as prepared as I am. Huge shoutout to Miss Perez!
• Try to talk to people who work in the field of your interest- Sometimes talking to someone can give you a more in depth and realistic view of things.
• Do a reality check- Make sure your career fits the lifestyle you want to have later on in your life. There are helpful websites like: Texas Reality Check. Since you still have time to reconsider your career pathway in freshman year so it is a good time to have a good picture of your future.
• Consider taking classes at your local community college- Many community colleges allow students to take classes during summer or even during the year at their campus for free. You only need 60 credit hours for an associates degree meaning that if you do all 4 of your core classes each year dual credit (meaning college and high school credit) you would have 48 credit hours. I you take one additional class each summer you would have 12 credit hours for all summer classes. 48+12=60 credit hours and the only cost you would have would be books and maybe a small fee for summer classes. An Associates degree's fulfills all your core requirements a college meaning you will only spend 2 years on your bachelor's degree. So you saved money and times. 
• Start finding teachers and mentors for recommendation letters- it is always good to have a plan so if you like a teacher and think they would be good to write you a letter ask them right away even if it is early.
• Have fun- there is no year like your freshmen year! Make some friends, have fun and make memories!