What should I be doing in high school to prepare for college?

Question

In less than one week, I will be a high-schooler.

I take school very seriously, and I know that now, as I'm getting older, I need to start making preparations for my future.

I'm going to college to study something in the psychology field (it's not even an option!) but what I need to know is...how can I prepare whilst still in high school?

I'll be the first in my family to go to college, so my parents are about as clueless as I am ^.^"

Also...

I've sort of got my head wrapped around the idea of going to a community college first, then transferring to a regular college...

Any thoughts or opinions on that?

I would love advice on:

---How can I prepare for college NOW?

---What options for college should I be looking into?

---Are there scholarship opportunities I could be looking into now?

And, if you could throw in any advice for high school, that'd be awesome ^.^"

Of everyone I've talked to so far, no one's had anything positive to say... XD

Answer 1

You will need to be understood plainly and clearly through writing. Ideas are great but if you can not effectively relay them to someone then they are useless. Volunteerism is also a plus. This shows your maturity and dedication as well as some measure of your personal time management skills. You can even look in to non-credit classes at the community college. Even a fun "mini-mester" class like stained glass will give you experience and will help you learn your way around your college and help you to feel more comfortable there.

Community college is a great place to start and is a reasonable transition platform. Be aware though that not all four year colleges accept certain credits from community college. You will need to have a basic plan for your future academics so that you can make sure you take classes that will be credited later on. Make use of guidance and career counselors in your high school. They are great sources of information and help when it comes to scouting out college courses, course requirements, and scholarship opportunities. Always keep an open mind about scholarship opportunities, there are many available for people and not always because of academic or athletic achievements.

As for high school advice- Don't believe everything you hear. Over 95% of straight guys will only want one thing from you. Teachers can be prejudiced and they can make mistakes. Speak up for yourself. Think for yourself. Show up on time. It is only four years of your life, NOT your entire life.. so if things seem bad just remember that it will all be over soon. In a hundred years, it will not matter.

Answer 2

Spend alot of time in the Library researching Psychology subjects before you get there. Study people such as Sigmund Froyd and people like that.  

Answer 3

besides taking AP classes in h.s......

after freshman year in h.s. look into taking community college classes so you can get ahead on college credits while in h.s.. this of coarse is only if you can keep up with you classes in h.s.

this is your best coarse of action. imagine finishing h.s. with only two years of college left! you can have your masters by the time you're 23,  24!

Answer 4

do ur work and dont give up  i know this becuz im in college

Answer 5

You have a few choices.

1.  Work hard and go to a 4 year college right off the bat/

2.  Just do what you need to graduate high school, save lots of money           by going to community college for two years and then graduate from a 4 year college

If you want to go to a 4 year college right after high school, then grades need to be above average, and you need to build on other aspects such as extracurriculars and community service in order to be a "well-rounded" candidate.  Now-a-days it's more than just good grades to get into university.  However, if you decide to take the community college route, then there is no need for many extracurriculars or hours of community service as adequate grades and a high school diploma will get you into community college.  However, once in community college, you need above average grades and some extracurriculars to be able to transfer to a 4 year college after two years.