It might feel daunting to start high school. Remember, students go through the change every year—you’re not alone! There is a lot to juggle as you acclimate to the new demands of high school. And although college application time may seem like a long way off, your academic and extracurricular choices in freshman year can set you up for success–both when the time to apply to college comes and for the years in between.
It’s important to leave yourself open to exploring opportunities as they come your way. Don’t be afraid to take an elective course you haven’t before. If you aren’t sure you’ll enjoy a particular subject or activity, why not try it and see for yourself!
When evaluating your transcript, colleges consider the choices you made throughout high school, including which courses you chose in the four years, how you increasingly challenged yourself, and how you succeeded or bounced back from setbacks. As a result, choosing your 9th grade classes is a crucial decision. While choosing your classes, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are your school’s graduation requirements?
- What is a typical freshman year courseload like for students at your high school?
- What subjects have you historically done well in?
- What would you like to major in in college?
- What classes would you require to pursue a specific major, or if you’re not sure yet (it’s okay!), field of study?
- Are you a student who prefers the sciences or humanities?
- Which subject within the sciences or humanities (depending on your strength) have you particularly enjoyed?
- Do you prefer writing-heavy classes?
- Do you prefer classes that require more logic or math?
- Do you pick up foreign languages quickly?
- Do you wish to study abroad or pursue a foreign exchange program that requires being fluent in a specific foreign language?
- Are you interested in studying business in college or might see yourself wanting an MBA?
- Do you plan to be pre-med in college?
- Which electives in high school excite you the most?
- How can your academic interests determine the choices you make this year?
- What classes can you pursue now that will allow you to take the highest levels of science or humanities classes (depending on your interests and goals) available to you by the time you’re a junior or senior?
- If you wish to be a humanities major, which classes would be more reading- and writing-heavy?
- Are there any mandatory classes you can get out of the way your freshman year?
- Can you take the courseload you want and still maintain healthy self-care habits?
- Would your schedule prevent you from pursuing extracurriculars you want?
Once you’ve figured out the direction you wish to take, make sure that you stay organized so you can be on top of your responsibilities. Make sure you have the stationery you need and that you have everything you need to ensure you are learning in the way you best can, whether that’s through writing things down or using flash cards.
The key is to strike a balance between electives and requirements. Make sure you take classes required for graduation but at the same time fill out your course schedule with rigorous electives that demonstrate your unique interests and strengths.
If you won’t have enough hours in the day to adequately complete your coursework (and have some free time to rest and recharge), perhaps reconsider your options as you choose classes.
More importantly, if you believe that your course load will impact your mental health and the quality of your day-to-day life, definitely re-evaluate your course selections. Your health and happiness are important in ensuring success in school.
Get to know your high school guidance counselor. Pop into your college counselor’s office and introduce yourself. Talk with them about your high school courses—those that you are taking this year as well as those you should opt for in the upcoming years to set yourself up for college. Some questions to ask are: “Which elective courses or AP courses do you recommend?” and “How do I maintain a balance between classes and extracurriculars?” As you progress through high school, you might ask, “What classes should I take for my future major?” and “When would be the best time to take the SAT/ACT?” Since this person is familiar with your school’s curriculum, they can guide you through the courses needed to challenge yourself and have the best possible transcript when college application time rolls around.
In addition to academic courses, your counselor can also guide you toward meaningful extracurricular activities. Ask them about the best activities to join based on your interests, or how you can initiate new projects or clubs. Work with them to figure out how you can best develop your leadership abilities to help you stand out in your college applications.
While extracurriculars are not limited to clubs at school, joining student organizations is a great way to begin the exploration of your interests outside academics. Start by thinking about your academic interests and career goals. See if there are any organizations at your high school that complement what you hope to study or pursue in college and beyond. You can also join clubs that express your values or seem like they would be fun, such as a social justice club or something that centers your cultural or religious identity. You can also volunteer with organizations that work on local issues and talk to your neighbors and friends about finding opportunities to engage with your community in a meaningful way.
9th grade is the perfect time to try new and unfamiliar extracurriculars without feeling the pressure of taking on leadership roles. Use the time now as well to look beyond school for possible 9th grade activities, such as taking an online class or doing a reading project on a subject of interest.
College admissions officers want students who have sustained interests and involvement outside of classes. However, demonstrating commitment is more than just being a member of the same club for all four years. The Common Application has a separate Activities section for you to describe your extracurricular experiences to colleges in detail. Colleges, especially competitive ones, seek leaders who have taken initiative. They want to understand how your activity pursuits support the rest of your application. 9th grade is the perfect time to start trying activities, and by the end of the year, decide which ones you want to commit to over your time in high school.
Commitment includes being engaged and finding ways to make an impact. Exploring your interests through 9th grade activities will set the stage for you to demonstrate your commitment and take on bigger roles later in high school. Set yourself up for success!
Finally establish good habits, ones that will help you throughout your time as a student. From practicing self-care by eating three meals a day and getting enough sleep to developing organizational skills that will support you in your education can all set the stage for a successful four years.
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