<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>Obviously from the title, I am a freshman (about 10 days into school), that is very motivated and is taking the hardest classes available to me (APGoPo, honors classes, etc). I am currently signed up for the Mu Alpha Theta/Math Team, Science Bowl, and the "Teenage Republicans" clubs at my school. I was wondering how and when you should start building up your college resume?</p>
<p>Any tips/motivational comments/etc would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Join sports/clubs and stick with them-colleges love commitment. Don’t just sign up for a whole slew of clubs, and then stick with them for a year each. Colleges prefer that you find an interest and truly cultivate it rather than dabbling in a bunch of crap you don’t give two about (they know you’re just trying to look impressive). Have cool/different EC (things like volunteer work, a job, cool instrument or hobby, build a portfolio if you like art). Try and win stuff. For example, if you’re a good writer sign up for writing contests. I have a friend who has done a ton, gotten first in nearly all of them, and has even won some money (think she won around 100 bucks in one!). Also, spend your summer wisely. Don’t just lounge around, for summer if the perfect time to do things like Gov. School, summer programs at colleges you might be interested in, getting a job, etc. They like to see you spend time wisely.
High School is short, bud, so enjoy BUT NOT TOO MUCH because college will be lurking over your shoulder like an untimely death and you might want to cry (we all do). So, work hard, really really hard because it will make the application process and choosing of schools so much easier, okay? Also- build relationships with teachers (especially junior year) because when it comes time to get teacher recs (this goes for more than just college, some summer programs require them) you want to have a whole, big selection to chose from.
But even so, make friends, friends are good, DO have fun (high school can be a cool time where you can experience so much more freedom and excitement, plus you don’t have to pay taxes yet or raise a family so enjoy it while you can), take classes you actually CARE about (ex> don’t take AP Chem because it will look good, take it because you WANT to-nothing hurts more than being in a class you hate)
Good luck, you’ll do fine!!</p>