Counselor’s Corner
by ALLISON TILLOTSON
Each new school year brings new opportunities and a chance for personal and academic growth. First things first, your grades are so important. Begin and end the year with a strong academic record. Challenge yourself to take the most rigorous courses based on individual academic strengths. Do well academically – all four years of high school count! When a student graduates from high school, colleges and workplaces will request an official transcript. Your high school transcript is a running record of all courses you have taken for high school credit and the semester grades you have earned in each course.
School counselors are a great resource for helping with your student’s academic needs. Four-year educational planning is essential for ensuring all courses required for graduation are completed. When you go to schedule pick-up August 18, carefully review your schedule and make sure you have all required courses. If there is a problem with your course selections, please see your counselor. Look ahead to your future and take classes that will be advantageous. Utilize your school counselor to help with your plans for your bright future. You, your parents and your school counselor will certainly want to keep track of your grades and credits, required courses, TAKS and future plans.
Discuss your college or career goals with parents, friends and teachers. It is never too early to visit a college campus to learn about the many academic programs offered and how you can better prepare for life after high school. Explore various career options and visit college campuses. Start with you: make a list of your abilities, interests and personal qualities. Find a college setting that will be a good fit for you. Look carefully at the career path you have chosen and see what college classes are required for this area. Use the Internet to locate academic enrichment programs, college and scholarship information. If you are interested in a specific job, you may want to job shadow an adult who works in this area. You may want to explore volunteer opportunities in a particular career path.
Take all tests seriously. You will take the TAKS, PSAT, ACT and SAT as you progress through high school. These test scores determine whether you graduate from high school or enter college. Take advantage of websites offering daily test questions and study tips or those offering a full-length practice test. If a practice test question is causing you difficulty, show the test question to one of your teachers and ask them to help you work through the problem. Be aware of the time constraints of the test and use test-taking techniques to assist you. Give yourself ample time for test preparation. It is much easier to put forth a little time each week to study instead of trying to cram a couple of days before the test.
Are you involved in extracurricular clubs, groups and organizations? What have you done of service to your community? Participation in extracurricular activities and community service help you improve your leadership potential, meet new friends, learn responsibility and experience the power of teamwork. As you participate in extracurricular events and community service opportunities, please update your resume and compile all pictures, event programs, awards and certificates and volunteer hours accrued. Please record all events as it happens so you don’t forget events you’ve participated in throughout the school year. All of this information will come in handy when you ask your teacher, principal, employer or lifelong family friend to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. When asking for a letter of recommendation, please allow the person at least two weeks to complete this task.
Strong organizational, study and note-taking skills, as well as basic time management are essential for your success in high school and life. Do all classroom assignments and ask for help when it is required. Give extra study and prep time when you have a big test or project due. Use an agenda or calendar system to keep track of your assignments, tests, projects and outside activities. If you are a graduating senior, you will want to pay close attention to all deadlines associated with college admissions, housing, scholarships and financial aid.
These are some great tips to give you a head start to a happy and successful academic year! Enjoy the last few days of your summer vacation and start setting your goals for making this year your best school year ever. Give yourself that jumpstart you need to be ready for school and keep up the momentum throughout the new school year.
Allison Tillotson is a College and Career Counselor at Lehman High School.
