I am a high school freshman. I am an immigrant and do not know much about the college admissions process. I am planning on studying for the SAT, but I really want to make the most out of my freshman year in high school. What activities should I be involved in? Thanks!
As a sophomore who started preparing this year, I wish that I had started working last year. Try to do some research is STEM if that thing interests you, and take college classes over the summer. A long term research project can mean guarenteed admission to some of the most elite colleges.
Pay attention in class, read the book, complete assignments. Learn vocabulary. Read whatever is required, including complete text if only a section is provided, and suggested . Keep mentally engaged. For example, if watching a movie, think about why you are viewing it, what you learned and what you want to learn more about. Pay attention to how you complete assignments accurately and how you study successfully, and develop into your personal learning strategy. Remember you are in school to learn, not too be entertained. Be Velcro and pick up every bit you can. Generally what you learn should be permanent so that it becomes the foundation for future learning. Cramming may get you through one test such as the driver rules. Otherwise learn the info once so you don’t need to relearn or study Intensely for future tests, such as the SAT Always carry a book with you and read while you wait. If you are alive Learn.
2 pieces of advice. First, in your native country college admissions may be entirely based on a nationwide exam. The US system is different. The SAT is important, no doubt about that, but at highly competitive colleges it is just one factor in admissions. It has to be good, but a good score does not get you in.
Second, the most important thing to do now is to learn how to learn. Many kids struggle in class or waste a lot of effort because they do things inefficiently. If you do things like study your notes before a test, read the chapter over a few times in the day or two preceding a test, or do your weekly homework at one sitting – well, you’re one of them. Get the book “Make It Stick” to learn how to study effectively. This is a book by leading researchers in the field of learning with lots of advice for HS and college students.
Join every club or activity that sounds interesting and fits into your schedule. Don’t be afraid to try out for a sport if you have even a smidgen of interest. Over the course of the year, drop the ones that aren’t fun and don’t make you stretch. Throw your heart into the activities that you do enjoy. Even if you don’t think it sounds academically interesting, I promise you that many prestigious colleges love to see kids who excel at unusual things.
Make friends, be honest with them. Make time for your parents. Get enough sleep even when you want to stay up late. Eat good food. Don’t forget to laugh.
Pay attention in class, read the book, complete assignments. Learn vocabulary. Read whatever is required, including complete text if only a section is assigned. Keep mentally engaged. For example, if watching a movie, think about why you are viewing it, what you learned and what you want to explore more about the topic. Pay attention to how you complete assignments accurately and how you study successfully, and develop into your personal learning strategy. Remember you are in school to learn, not too be entertained. Be Velcro and pick up every bit you can. Generally what you learn should be permanent so that it becomes the foundation for future learning. Cramming may get you through one test but insufficient for the final or major. Otherwise learn the info once so you don’t need to relearn or study intensively for later tests or classes. Overall, develop a taste for learning that will endure your lifetime.