• Beginning in 7th Grade, talk to your school counselor and make sure s/he understands that your goal is to attend college following high school graduation.
• Take the most challenging courses available to you. For example, in 7th Grade, take Pre-Algebra if possible. Make sure your English class is a "college-prep" course.
• Explore your career interests by participating in career awareness activities and/or by taking a career aptitude survey. Utilize a terrific free career exploration resource at www.CAcareerzone.com.
• Explore your interests outside of academics. Get involved in athletics or music or sewing or writing or dancing--whatever interests YOU.
• Give back. Volunteer to help a community organization--perhaps the Surfrider Foundation for a beach clean-up or the Red Cross to assist with disaster preparedness. Maybe give time at your local humane society if you love animals or help build homes for Habitat for Humanity if you love working with your hands. Become involved at your church, synagogue, mosque, or temple, too.
• Join any program your middle school offers that prepares students for college: e.g. AVID or GEAR UP (see our Resources page of a list of programs).
• READ, READ, READ. Read books you enjoy, and every now and then, try reading a book from a different genre.
• In 8th Grade, you should be enrolled in Pre-Algebra or Algebra. Make sure your English class is a "college-prep" course. You might consider taking a language other than English, too. Ask your counselor to place you in classes that will best prepare you to take the "a-g" college preparatory high school classes, beginning next year. (See our FAQ page for information regarding "a-g").
• Begin your "Student Planner" in 8th Grade at www.csumentor.edu or at www.californiacolleges.edu.
• Continue to explore your career interests and engage in activities outside the classroom. Remember to check out www.CAcareerzone.com for free help in exploring career options.
• Give back in 8th Grade, too. Make sure you have some kind of commitment to service.
• Stay involved with any college preparatory programs at your school, like AVID and/or GEAR UP (see our Resources page for a list of programs).
• READ, READ, READ. Keep it up and enjoy! You are preparing to become a college graduate one day.
  

"No one's born being good at all things. You become good at things through hard work." - President Barack Obama

This is a very important time in your life. You have the opportunity to plan for the future you envision for yourself. You are the screenwriter, director, producer--and "star"-- of your own story.

Take charge of your future by planning early for college. Set your sights high. Take the most challenging classes available to you, and take advantage of opportunities that serve first-generation college-going and low-income students. 

A college education is a gift you can give to yourself that no one can take away. It will empower you to become the best you can be: a life-long learner who has skills honed by a higher education: a better ability to analyze and synthesize information, a better ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written word, and a better understanding of humanity. These are skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

In addition to the end result of a college education, you will give yourself the gift of time: four additional years to discover who you are and how you want to fit into our complex world.

Did you know that college graduates earn more than twice as much money as their high school graduate counterparts when they enter the work force? Did you know that college graduates have longer life spans, more economic stability and security, more self-confidence, and greater satisfaction from their work? College graduates are more engaged with their community, vote more often, are far less likely to become involved in criminal activity, and raise children more likely to go to college. These are a few of the tangible advantages to completing a college degree.