5 college things to start thinking about right now

Right now, all you and your pals are probably thinking about is what the theme of your next sleepover should be or what adorbs dress you’ll be rocking at the spring dance. But here’s one more thing that should be on your radar: college. We know it’s still a ways away, but here are a few things you should def consider to jump start your college career.

Multipurpose classes – join ‘em!

Classes like newspaper or yearbook (or clubs if your school has them) have a variety of jobs that need to be done, so you’ll be able to dip your toes into a ton of different fun areas instead of being stuck with just one area like math or science. In these creative classes you can try your hand at photography, writing and even computer graphics.

Take a mini test

Some schools offer tests that allow you to find out which career is best for you. It asks if you’re logical or creative, or if you like to work inside or outside and many other questions. This test will help you get an idea of what you would be the best at. If your school isn’t in the loop, it’s super easy to find one on line and take it yourself. This one does the trick.

Try, try and try some more

You’ll never know what you’ll be passionate about unless you try! Join the debate team, cooking club, astronomy club or anything else that sparks your curiosity. The more you try, the easier it will be to narrow down your likes and dislikes. This means you’ll be way less stressed when deciding what to study in college later on.

Talk with older sibs

Your sibs (and your friends’ sibs) are more than just a bunch of older kids you see every so often. They are also a resource you can and should use to get all the deets on college. Inquiries like, “What’s it like living in a dorm?” and “Was it difficult to pick a major?” or “How did you make friends?” are all questions your older friends and family members will be more than happy to answer for you, no doubt.

Window shop

Scoping out colleges early is a fantastic idea. Take to collegeboard.com for all of your college search needs. You can enter criteria based on your interests, where you want your school to be located and how much you and your parents are willing to pay or school. Whether you’re interested in attending an art school in the South, a teaching school on the East Coast or a tech school out West, collegeboard.com is a great place to start.