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High School Planning

GRADE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

In each year of high school there are tasks students should be aware of and consider doing. Below are examples of those tasks in each year of high school.

Things to think about in your freshman year include ...

  • Come to school every day that you can! Attendance is crucial to high school success. You cannot learn if you are not here.
  • Complete your work. Classwork, homework, and studying are equally important. 
  • Ask questions often. If you don't understand what your teacher is teaching, ask for clarification. Your teacher doesn't know how to help if you don't let him or her know you are struggling. 
  • Get help if needed. Go to your teachers during Power Hour tutorials if you are struggling. 
  • Get involved! We have numerous clubs, activities, and sports to help enhance your high school experience. 
  • Start exploring post-secondary options. You don't have to know what you want to do after high school, but it's important to begin to think about your interests.
  • Don't fall behind. It's really easy to drop your GPA, and very difficult to raise it back up. 
  • Your School Counselors want to help you reach your fullest potential, so you have plenty of options after high school. We will support you, advocate for you, and talk to you anytime. 
  • Take courses that challenge you.
  • Concentrate on making good grades.
  • Create a free CFNC account to record your courses, activities, and more.
  • Explore career interests and take interest profiles like the free profile at CFNC.org.

 

Things to think about in your sophomore year include...

  • Come to school every day that you can! Attendance is crucial to high school success. You cannot learn if you are not here.
  • Complete all classwork, homework, and study often.
  • Get help if needed. Your teachers offer tutoring during Power Hour. Take advantage of those opportunities
  • If you haven't already done so, get involved! We have numerous clubs, activities, and sports to help enhance your high school experience. 
  • Continue to explore post-secondary options. 
  • Challenge yourself and don't compare your academic strengths or weaknesses to your classmates. Do the best you can with what you have.
  • Don't fall behind. It's easy to drop your GPA, and very difficult to raise it. 
  • Meet with your School Counselor to review your course load and make sure you are satisfying high school graduation and college entrance requirements. 
  • Begin to study for standardized tests. 
  • You will take the PreACT in the fall. The PreACT is excellent practice for taking the ACT.  
  • Talk with family and friends about their educational experiences. 
  • Register for rigorous courses for your junior year. Rigorous looks different for everyone. Talk to your teachers and school counselor to ensure you are on the right track.
  • Your school counselors want to help you reach your fullest potential, so you have plenty of options after high school. We will support you, advocate for you, and talk to you anytime. Engage in the process!

 

Things to think about in your junior year include…

  • Continue exploring post-high school options. Meet with your school counselor to discuss your plans.
  • Go on college visits.
  • Meet with military recruiters if you plan on a career in the military.
  • Take challenging courses in school and do well academically.
  • Take advantage of the dual enrollment options through the Career and College Promise program.
    • Meet with our Coastal Carolina Community College rep – Ms. Hamp to discuss the dual enrollment steps and process.
  • Continue to engage in clubs, sports, and community organizations.

 

Things to think about in your senior year include…

  • Finalize your list of colleges to which you plan to apply and begin the application process. Many in and out-of-state colleges use the Common App to apply to college. The NC Community Colleges use CFNC (as do some of the four-year colleges in NC). Most college applications to four-year colleges are due October 15th or November 1st.
  • See Ms. Kameenui in the Counseling Office if you need your transcript sent to a college or scholarship organization.
  • Register for and take the ACT/SAT again if you are not happy with your score.
  • If you know the college or scholarship(s) to which you are applying requires a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, be sure to provide them with a brag sheet at least two weeks before the application or scholarship is due.
  • For those planning on a career in the military or just want to take a comprehensive career assessment, sign up for and take the ASVAB.
  • Student athletes planning on playing sports in college, be sure you go over the NCAA Eligibility requirements with your coach and complete the eligibility certification process through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • As always, continue getting good grades and seek out help from your teachers if you are struggling with a class.