Post-Secondary Planning

Freshmen and Sophomore Year:

 Semester 1

- Challenge yourself academically and take a variety of classes to explore different academic and elective areas.

- Grades are important from day one! Find a study strategy that works for you!

- Visit www.ruready.nd.gov to discover your interests and research careers.

- Meet with your counselor or career advisor and discuss your four-year plan.

- Get involved with extra-curricular activities.

- Ask for help and take advantage of school resources if you are struggling with a class.

- Talk to your teachers!

- Learn how to manage money.

Semester 2

- Volunteer for community groups and events.

- Begin planning your college finances. 

- Look for ways to improve your writing skills.

- Research colleges (courses and majors you are interested in, locations, size, cost).

- Visit with adults who went to college and ask questions about what to expect, how they chose their major, etc.

- Sophomore year – start preparing for the ACT.

- Read as much as possible!

- Practice your social skills and become comfortable visiting with adults.

- Be careful with your texts, posts and tweets.

- Summer jobs help you learn important life skills and how to manage your money.  www.tinyurl.com/mustangstudentjobs

Junior Year:

 Semester 1

- Take rigorous courses to prepare for your post-secondary plans.

- Meet with your school counselor or career advisor to discuss your post-secondary plans.

- Practice good study habits.

- Visit www.ruready.nd.gov to take career interest assessments.

- Go on MULTIPLE college campus visits!

- When choosing a college, FIRST choose a Major, THEN find a college that has that major!

- Attend a college fair.

Semester 2

- Start your scholarship search.  www.tinyurl.com/mustangscholarships

- Take the ACT.

- Create a list or resume with your extracurricular activities, past/current jobs, volunteer activities and awards to use when applying to college, for scholarships, or full-time employment.

- Talk to your career advisor about a job shadow.

- Go on MULTIPLE college campus visits.

- Discuss options for paying for college with your family.

- Be careful with your texts, posts, and tweets.

Senior Year:

 Semester 1

- Continue taking courses that challenge you and electives to help explore and solidify your interests.

- Retake the ACT if you are unhappy with your score.

- Visit www.ruready.nd.gov to research interests and careers if you are still undecided.

- Sign up for an FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov so you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in October. Both the parent/guardian and the student will need their own FSA ID.

- Complete the FAFSA at www.studentaid.ed.gov to qualify for grants and loans to help pay for college.

- Apply to several colleges you would like to attend and make note of upcoming deadlines.

- Check the Scholarship link weekly!  www.tinyurl.com/mustangscholarships

 Semester 2

- Meet scholarship deadlines.

- Review your financial aid package and make final decisions on the college of your choice.

- Submit all forms necessary for your colleges, including housing and orientation.

- Request your final transcript to be sent to the college you will be attending.

- If you are not attending college after high school, meet with the career advisor to explore 18+ employment options.