LakerLately

Seniors: no matter your plans after high school, a comprehensive research about your path is essential for helping make the transition as smooth as possible. A well-researched path will avoid wasted time, wasted money and added stress whether you are attending college or pursuing a job. Invest time now to save time later. Many of you may have submitted your college applications - congrats! Some are still working on them - keep chugging away! Many of the junior college applications are starting to also become available so be sure you start that process this month or next if you are planning to attend a 2-year college after graduation. Finally - ensure you’ve completed your FAFSA or CA Dream Act to help fund your education or training after HS. The deadline for CA is March 2nd.

Juniors: other than working hard in your classes - your main job is to research college and career paths that interest you. Spend the time to read, explore, and write down items that you discover on college, trade school or job posting websites that pique your interest. It is okay to start with things that are very broad like location or pay scale, but try to dig down deeper into the level 3 and 4 type info. Ask yourselves the Why and Why Not questions (why does this school or option fit me and why may it not fit me?) - you are about to make a HUGE investment in yourself (often both in time and money) and you really need to be well informed. The last thing to look into is if you need to take any tests this spring (like the SAT/ACT). Many colleges are now test-blind or test optional, but it is up to you to determine if any school you are considering requires an exam from you. Not a ton of info is out at this point about it so you have to look at your ability to take on the potential risks of testing and if you feel it is important. In a normal year - 11th graders start testing usually in December or March. This year - you may decide to wait but have a conversation about it with an adult in your life and try to make a plan.

Sophomores and Freshmen: the best thing right now that you can do for your future is to work hard in school. The 9th and 10th grade years are foundational to many post-high school plans and by doing well - you keep all your doors open. Make a habit of doing 1-2 hours of studying/homework/research a night. Make a habit of attending your teacher office hours regularly to check in. Invest in the teacher relationships now - they pay off throughout high school. Pay attention to what you are enjoying about your learning and school experience. Many of those items can be great hints as to potential future career paths or college majors. With regards to college/careers - most people start with thinking about a major that leads to a career but you typically want to flip it. Start thinking about general career paths that sound interesting. Spend time reading or watching videos about them on Naviance, Google or YouTube. Your future career plan is often the indicator of what you should eventually study or pursue for training - not the other way around. Please ask questions and do your best to be an active participant in your learning!