Choices—The Future Is Up to You
Good grades
Good grades pay off, not just by pleasing your parents or teachers, but by making you eligible for scholarships and grants. These important sources of financial aid can help you pay for a college education, and the best part is you don’t have to pay them back. Competition for scholarships and grants is intense, but developing good study habits will help you win these valuable sources of college financial aid.
Sports, hobbies, and talents
Sports, hobbies, and talents may also help you get into college. Whether your talents lie on the soccer team, the yearbook committee, or on the stage, being involved in school or extracurricular activities is a great way to have fun, develop a skill, and give your applications a boost when you’re applying to college. College admissions officers want to admit well-rounded students to their schools. Working hard in class is important, but colleges also want students to contribute to the school community. Showing colleges that you contributed to your community while in high school will let them know you are ready to contribute to the school. You should pursue activities you enjoy, and keep in mind that they may make you eligible for athletic, performing arts, or other types of scholarships based on being very highly skilled in a specific area.
Get involved
Getting involved in your school and community is a great way to have fun, develop your leadership skills, and make a difference! Ask your school guidance counselor for some ideas of how to get involved in your community, and sign up for some clubs or activities at your school that interest you. For ideas on how to get involved in your community, check out www.dosomething.org, a non-profit organization created especially for teens who want to make a difference.
