The following lists will show both students and their parents what they can do from early ages up to grade 12 to ensure they are ready for the challenges of college.
Students to do list in School
- Do your best in school.
- Read a lot.
- Have fun learning!
- Think about college as an important part of your future. Discuss your thoughts and ideas with your family and with people at school.
- Start saving for college
- Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
- Ask your parent or guardian to help you research which high schools or special programs will most benefit t your interests.
- Develop strong study habits.
- If you are having difficulty, do not give up—get help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor.
- Become involved in school- or community-based activities that let you explore your interests and learn new things.
- Speak with adults, such as your teacher, school counsellor or librarian, relatives, or family friends, who you think have interesting jobs. Ask them, “What do you like about your job? “and “What education did you need for your job?“
- Talk to your school counsellor and other mentors about education after high school. Your counsellor can answer questions about what classes to take in high school.
- Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations by college representatives.
- Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the colleges that interest you.
- Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements
- Early in Grade 12 – Apply for scholarships. Your goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow.
- Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!
- Well before your application deadlines; ask your counsellor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you are applying.
Parents to do list
- Help your small child develop an interest in reading by reading aloud to him or her.
- Check your child’s homework and follow his or her progress in school by looking at report cards
- Attend teacher conferences
- Start saving for your child’s college education
- Talk to your child about his or her interests and help match those interests with a college major and career.
- Help your child develop good study habits, such as studying at the same time and place every day and having the necessary materials to complete assignments.
- Stay in contact with your child’s teachers and counsellor so that they can let you know about any changes in your child’s behaviour or schoolwork.
- Keep an eye on your child’s grades on his or her tests and report cards, and help him or her find tutoring assistance, if necessary.
- Talk to your child about the college he or she is considering. Ask why those schools appeal to your child, and help him or her clarify goals and priorities.
- Attend college fairs with your child, but do not take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen, and let your child do the talking.
- Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session.
- Check career websites and ask employers to recommend colleges that provide training in the skills you will need for the career you choose.
- Ask your employer if assistance is available to help, you pay for college.
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Financial Aid
Do not let money stand in the way of your dreams. There are help available and you should start investigate that as early as possible. Start by visiting a college’s website or ask its financial aid office about money the school offers its students. There are many types of scholarships (they do not all require that you have outstanding grades!), and they are provided by many different organisations. Each scholarship provider has an application process and its own rules to decide who can get its scholarship. Your job is to find scholarships for which you think you might qualify, and apply by the deadlines.
Where to look:
- your library’s reference section
- foundations, religious or community organisations,
- local businesses, or civic groups
- organisations (including professional associations)related to your field of interest
- culture-based organisations
- your employer or your parents’ employers