Freshman Timeline

Set academic goals for yourself. Understand the way you learn and retain information. Learn how to study correctly and where to get help before it is too late. Make sure your receive all of your progress reports and report cards, and share these with your parents.
Remember your freshman grades will be on your transcript, and these grades will be figured into your GPA.

Become involved in a wide variety of activities, learn time management skills. This will be an important asset as you join activities and balance academics.
Participate in activities outside of school (church, scouting, volunteer activities, etc.) This is important for scholarships. Some volunteering examples are Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, a homeless shelter, elderly facility, etc.
Start a file in which you keep information on your school activities, honors, awards, leadership positions, employment, volunteer work, and community activities. Be sure to include everything. If you have a home computer, start an "activities & awards" file and update it once a year. This will be very helpful later when your are required to list activities and honors on college and scholarship applications.
Select appropriate 10th grade classes with your guidance counselor in the spring. Be sure to update your counselor on your decision to attend college. Also review your plans with your parents
Plan meaningful activities in the summer.
Start a college savings account; you will be surprised how costly your senior year can be with photos, prom, limo, clothes, yearbook, cap and gown, college down payments, etc. Even if you save $500.00 over the course of your high school career, you can save yourself the panic of not having enough money to cover everything.