<p>So do you guys recommend doing anything in middle-school to prepare for college, I'm going into 8th grade next year and I feel like I've been slacking off the past years. My goal is to get in to an Ivy College (Yale to be more exact) and I want to start preparing. So what can I do to prepare or what can I do that will count on my application, or am I to young to be worrying about college?</p>
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<p>I think it’s unlikely that you could really know what kind of college you want to go to at this point, and I don’t think you should just decide where you want to go based on US News rankings or something. </p>
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<p>You’re too young to be worrying about it, but I don’t think you’re too young to think about it if you want. I think people on here are too quick to push away younger kids.
But you definitely shouldn’t feel obligated to think about these things yet if you don’t want to. And you should probably stay away from the Chances forums, because I’ve found them unnecessarily disheartening even though I’ve made threads there. </p>
<p>You could plan out your high school schedule and extracurriculars if you actually think that would be a fun thing to do. Sometimes high-school-level classes you take in middle school will count toward your high school GPA.</p>
<p>Also, the kids on this website are very much above average, and you shouldn’t get the idea that everyone has insane accomplishments and test scores like people on here.</p>
<p>You’re too young to be worrying about getting into Yale. You’re not too young to work hard in school, to engage yourself in fun and interesting activities outside of the classroom, and to commit time and energy to your community through acts of service.</p>
<p>read as many books as you can so you will build up your vocabulary. This way when the SAT comes around your Junior year you will ace the critical reading portion of the test.</p>
<p>Breathe. Calm down. Your in middle school, just enjoy. I didn’t even study for the ACT until my freshman year anyway. I don’t think it’s to early to start thinking about college stuff but you should definitely not be stressing about it. Also, I’m pretty sure you just want to go to Yale because its an Ivy. I had the same mindset when I was a kid. Just remember that Ivy League college does not equal high paying job. Yes, the Ivy League is full of great schools but there are so many great schools out there. You will discover them later in the college process. For now, just chill. Your fine.</p>
<p>My tips are simply.
- Relax. It’s middle school. Enjoy your free time before it’s high school and you are coming home at 7 every day.
- READ A LOT
- Put effort in your work so you get used to producing high quality work.
- TRY TO FIGURE OUT YOUR PASSIONS!!!
^imo the most important thing</p>
<p>I think it’s really important at your age to start practicing for some sport that you want to join in high school. Consistency is really important in high school so if you can start an extracurricular Freshman year and keep doing it till senior year, that’d look great for colleges. However, you can’t start anything freshman year if you don’t do anything. Therefore, go take those tennis lessons, join that soccer camp, take that art class, etc.</p>
<p>I would say take your school work seriously, become more independent (e.g. learn how to manage your own time, if you’ve been relying on Mom to do that) read a lot, and try out different things so that you can figure what you enjoy and choose what to do in high school based on that.</p>
<p>This book might interest you: “How to be a High School Superstar” by Cal Newport</p>
<p>Since colleges don’t really care about what you’ve done in middle school, you really shouldn’t worry so much. On the other hand, it is always good to be a conscientious student. If you feel as if you’ve been slacking off, now is a good time to get into the habit of working harder before your grades count. Other than that, don’t stress yourself out too soon. Trust me, you’ll have PLENTY of time to stress out about college once you are in high school. Enjoy life!</p>
<p>Just know that unless you are taking HS credit classes in middle school, most commonly say, Algebra I, your academics basically reset and become forgotten once you enter high school. So if you’ve been slacking off in middle school, no one will ever know. Same goes with extra-circulars unless its something on-going like being a boy scout. As mentioned above, if you don’t already play sports, look into joining one in middle school and trying out in high school. Not only is playing a sport for 4 years fantastic for college, it gives you something to do and makes you friends. If sports isn’t what you’re interested in, find something else. Theater, art, habitat for humanity, whatever. Know what your interests are when you go into high school so you can demonstrate to those selective colleges you think you want to go to what you’re passionate about. Being a 4 year member and position holder of X is a lot better than joining A B and C clubs for half of junior year. </p>
<p>Honestly the best thing for you would be to avoid this forum until at least halfway through your freshman year. As stated, this forum represents very competitive and decorated college bound high school students, and is by no means the ‘average’.</p>
<p>I think the best thing you can do to prepare now is to just get good grades in your classes now so that you can enter strong honors high school classes. And get involved in a lot of activities right away in high school, and make sure you keep grades high in high school, but other then that, middle school means nothing.</p>
<p>Please get off College Confidential. You’re in middle school for crying out loud. Read some books and newspapers, make straight A’s, and play one sport/musical instrument very well.</p>
<p>It’s good to start early in middle school. Though not too much you can do. Look at high schools first check if they offer AP or. Ib classes. If you’re doing a class like algebra or something that will show up on your high school transcript put effort in. Lastly look to see if you can find someplace to volunteer on weekends or the summer like a library. A long and arduous journey awaits you, be prepared!</p>
<p>This site will hurt you/ make you prestige-crazed!! Enjoy Life! !</p>