Freshman

What to do in Ninth Grade

Academic Success Skills

Intensive Essay Writing: One of the most important skills to learn in high school is how to write an organized, persuasive essay. These essays can be used for college applications, applications for summer programs, scholarship competitions, exams in high school honors classes, and throughout college.

Success Skills: SEO offers workshops in Student Advocacy, Note-taking, Time Management, Identifying your Learning Style, Reading for Information, and Test-Taking Skills. Let your parents, teachers, or guidance counselors know you want to learn how to be noticed in class, take useful notes, and the skills it takes to be a top student.

Independent Study/Essay Writing Supplemental: If one or more of your classes is pulling down your GPA, then it’s important to find tutoring in that subject. You can also spend tutoring time to work on your essay writing skills.

College Guidance

Advisement:  Start planning your college path as soon as you walk into high school. Make sure you plan at least two or three three-way meetings with your guidance counselor and someone from your family each year, and monthly meetings with just your guidance counselor. You should meet at the beginning of the year to discuss what classes you should take to get you on the path towards college. By meeting so often with your counselor, you are letting him/her know that you are a serious student ready to do what you need to get into a great college. If you find that your guidance counselor is not encouraging you to strive to accomplish what it takes to be accepted at a highly selective college, let your parent(s)/guardian(s) know.  They can help you find college guidance advice outside of your school.

College Trips: It is never too early to find out what college is really about. Take at least two trips to colleges near you to get a head start on what you might want from a school when you are ready to apply.

Family College Admissions/Financial Aid Workshops: Everyone in your family needs to be on-board with your plans to attend a top college and should know what you will need to get in and be successful in your studies. You can obtain guides to financial planning for college and attend various workshops. Your guidance counselor can also help your family find out ways to make your dreams of going to a great school possible. Many colleges expect a student/parent contribution, even if you qualify for financial aid. Talk to your family about setting up a 529 plan at your bank – this can be a good way to start saving for your higher education.

Leadership Development and Extracurricular Activities

Don’t get overwhelmed!! Choose one or two activities that really interest you, and that you could see sticking with throughout high school. You may not be the club president as a freshman, but you are more likely to be noticed if you have the time and attention to be really involved.