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7 Tips to Start the High School Year Off Right

August 12, 2019 By Jolyn Brand

All high school students, from anxious new freshman to confident seniors, set their minds to making the most of the year.  Four years may sound like a lot, but it’s a short time considering you’re setting the groundwork for the rest of your life. Goal: College!

Here are 7 ways to ensure this school year provides the best support for your future choices and opportunities:

1.  School course choices

Consider your courses and teachers and decide if you’re happy with your choices. Are you challenged? When college counselors see your schedule will they think you tried hard, applied yourself and took challenging courses?

It’s important to take challenging courses, but it’s just as important that you do well in them. Now is the time to switch classes if you need to; don’t wait until the first day of school when staff is busy, ask now. Remember that your senior schedule is usually the last thing that college admissions see before deciding if they want you at their school.

 How High School Courses Impact SAT Scores

2. School organizations

Look at your school’s clubs, activities, and student groups. The beginning of the school year is the best time for exploring interests. Once you decide what you want to try, find out how you can get involved in those organizations. Join at least two new student clubs or organizations. Plan on becoming more than just a “member” by junior or senior year. Elected positions look great on student resumes!  college text books stacked

3. Grades/ GPA

Make a commitment to yourself to work hard for the good grades.  If you need help, get it before you fall behind.

5 Things Students Can Do to Improve Chance of College Acceptance

4. Reading and Vocabulary

Build your vocabulary. READ. READ. READ. The PSAT, ACT and SAT all count on your having a good vocabulary, quick reading fluency, and comprehension. It is much easier to build this slowly and naturally than to cram it. Reading will also help your writing, thinking, and speaking.

5. College Visits

There are over 4,000 colleges in the United States. Students will need to narrow those down to a manageable list of 5-12 colleges for applications by the end of junior year. Visiting a couple of colleges during each year will give families time to see more, figure out what they want and don’t want in a school, and get on the college’s list of prospective students.

10 Things to See and Do on a College Tour 

Fall 2019 Open House Days at Texas Colleges

6. Social Media

Don’t put anything on social media that would embarrass you if a college admissions officer sees it. (That might!)  Give it the grandma check. If you wouldn’t want grandma (or the admissions director of your #1 college) to see or read something, don’t post it.

Applying to College? 12 Facebook Photos You Should Delete Now

graduate

College Admissions Officials Turn to Facebook to Research Students

7. Life Choices

Make smart decisions on alcohol, sex, and drugs. And don’t text and drive or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  One dumb mistake can ruin your college prospects.

Can My College Acceptance by Revoked?

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Filed Under: For Juniors, For Seniors Tagged With: college, college advice, college consultant, college counselor

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Brand College Consulting Dr. Jolyn Brand Independent Education Consultant Houston: (832) 910- 7990 Philadelphia: (215) 690-1160 You … [Read sticle...]

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Our experience with Jolyn Brand was exceptional. She was very responsive to us and offered valuable guidance throughout the college preparation and application process. My daughter got in to all of the schools in which she applied, even her stretch school. We credit Jolyn with helping us to make sure her resume, application and essays were top notch.
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Brand College Consulting was GREAT for our son! We met Ms. Brand when my son was in 7th grade! We saw her for an hour consult yearly to help him select his classes, plus a little algebra tutoring in high school. He was ahead of others course-wise and we were able to get 21 hours dual credit in high school, he made the Dean's List, Phi Theta Kappa, and Natl Society of High School Scholars. We are a family of Texas State Bobcats and it's very competitive now to get in but he did and we are thrilled! I recommend Ms. Brand and her services! Marylee Olson, Silverlake, Pearland (Dawson High School)
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My youngest daughter attended tutorial services with Ms. Brand. Due to the exemplary, SAT preparation services, my daughter was accepted into several top colleges including the University of Houston, Texas State, Lamar University, and Sam Houston. As a college student, she received scholarships and has been on the Dean's list every semester. Ms. Brand instilled confidence in my daughter. I will be forever grateful.
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avatarJolyn helped me realize that I had a lot of academic potential. Her SAT Prep helped me flip a decent SAT score into a score in the 95th percentile. She guided me through the entire application process, helped me create a strong schedule for senior year, and provided assistance with college essays. With Jolyn's help, I gained admission into the engineering programs of Texas A&M University and University of Texas. I also received a full-ride scholarship to Lamar University. Jolyn will get college-bound students on the right track.

Nick Treybig
Friendswood High School student, class of 2013
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About Jolyn Brand

Jolyn is a certified teacher who holds a Doctorate in Higher Education from Northeastern University. After years of experience teaching high school and college students, she began assisting with the college process. She's the founder of Brand College Consulting and works with families across the country virtually. A note from Jolyn: I started working with low-income high school students in … More...

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