I have posted this before on another thread, even though you can learn a lot on these lists there is something to be said for not being your childs college counselor. Having an independent voice providing advise will avoid a lot of unnecessary arguments and tensions with your child. I am not saying you can’t do it yourself, but having a plan that supplements what is provided through school (especially if you are in a large public school where each child might only meet with a counselor once a year) can help the with your sanity. We started in 10th grade, but if I had to do it over I probably would have started in 9th. It doesn’t mean it is at the same intensity it is just a way to prepare for what is to come.
As an example, when my daughter started her first day in high school I emphasized to her that the school counselors told us that it was important for students to find a clubs or two to be part of. She was already involved in activities outside of school but not at school so I didn’t push her. She didn’t join any clubs because she didn’t like the kids, the clubs were too big, they weren’t doing anything interesting, etc… When we engaged a counselor in 10th grade she had to articulate to the counselor what clubs she was in at her school. The next week she joined two that she had an interest in and followed through and has enjoyed them and will have three years and leadership positions in those clubs and the best part is that it was something I didn’t have harp on. It wasn’t anything I didn’t know, but it helped our relationship that it came from a “professional”.