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For Everybody!

1. Pay attention in school. I know there are a lot of things that we all want to do outside of school (especially because of our collective “stay inside” phase), but those grades are very important for both careers and colleges. ‘Nuff said.
    

2. Do things outside of school. Whether it’s a school club, volunteering, ASB, a job, or helping your neighbor watch their kids, people want to know that you spend your hours doing something productive. Balance is important to your life, but you should always look for new ways to expand your horizons (and your future business connections).
    

3. Do some college/career research. I know for freshmen, sophomores, and even juniors, this may seem tedious or looking too far into the future, a little research goes a long way. Spending 10 minutes a week researching potential colleges and majors eventually makes decision-making a million times easier when it’s time to apply. Also, for those worried about the hefty college price-tag, do some research on scholarships and FAFSA. Trust me, it can turn hundreds of thousands of dollars of crippling debt into Family-Dinner-At-An-Overpriced-Fancy-Restaurant price.
    

4. Don’t procrastinate. I won’t lie; I am a practiced procrastinator. If there was a profession for procrastinating, I would have a six-figure salary and multiple time-shares and beach homes… But procrastination hasn’t helped me at all. Because I didn’t do any research, I am frantically clawing my way through transcripts, college websites, majors, scholarships, counselors, and teachers just to appear decent to the colleges I will be applying to in mere months. From firsthand experience, it is stressful as hell. So, that being said, don’t follow in my footsteps and put effort and time into… well, something.
    

5. Don’t forget to have fun in high school. I know this list is really serious and can be a lot of work, but the good news is that this will not take up all of your time. Have fun! Go skating with your friends, go to the mall, go to dances! We literally live in Suburbia, USA, so the possibilities are practically endless!

 

Now that we’ve gone into what helps everyone we’ll get into the nitty-gritty. Based on your high-school year, what can you be doing now to help you get ahead in the future?

 

Seniors:

College deadlines are coming up. Fast. If you’re like me, you were not using all of that time in quarantine productively, but rather playing video games and sleeping all day. Now that we’re this close to deadlines, you’re panicking.

 

While I can’t simply say “don’t panic” because this is definitely a panic-moment, maybe I can ease tensions just a little bit.

 

How To College: Procrastinator’s Edition
 

1. Get into some clubs, jobs and/or leadership positions. For the class of 2022, we got a little screwed with our basically non-existent junior year, but the statement still stands. While the application process wants people that earn high GPAs and good school grades, they also equally want people who do a lot of meaningful activities because at the end of the day, great students who are active community members tend to get ahead in life (and give more money to their old college). Whether it be a club (like Journalism B-)), a job, or volunteering, just make sure you use your time wisely!
    

2. Above all, stay focused on school. Applying to a bunch of clubs, activities, or job positions is important, but there is something called “senioritis”: when seniors give up on their grades in their second semester because colleges will accept them before their senior grades are final, meaning they won’t see those grades. This, however, can be nothing farther than the truth. Your senior grades are looked at by whatever colleges accept you and they are evaluated. If you do not do well, they can easily rescind your acceptance.
    

3.   Apply on time. This is the most important part of the college process because it’s actually putting your name on their list. Every school has a different time when their list is closed, so you want to make sure and then make double sure that you know the final deadline. Most schools close at the very end of the year, but the most prestigious schools are quirky and close mega-early. If you’re especially planning on applying to any Ivy-League school, get on it ASAP. Even some of the less well-known schools close early, so you really need to pay attention to the deadlines.
    

4. Look for scholarships and apply for FAFSA. I would put this higher on the list, but this is if you are comfortable with where you are in applying to colleges. If you feel that your resume is beefy enough for a college application, we now worry about that crippling-debt price tag. We’ll address FAFSA first; FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will give grants to need-based applicants based on their yearly income. A grant, in simple terms, is free money. In fact, in even simpler terms, this whole process is: the less money you make (and therefore the more money you need), the more money they give.
    

5. Just do it. Personally, as I write this, I am actively and willingly procrastinating. Please, please, please don’t be like me. Just get it done. That’s it.

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Juniors:

As a Junior, your jobs should be more-or-less simple, but very much not easy.

 

1. Focus on school x10. If you’re planning on going to college, Junior year is the equivalent of the first impression; this year is super duper important. School comes first. The reason it needs lots of focus, though, is because Junior year is actually the hardest year in high school.
    

2. Get into clubs, jobs, and other extracurricular activities if you can. Again, I didn’t have the super-cool junior experience, but I’d say try not to overwork yourself with the combination of school and something else.
    

3. Maybe do some volunteer work. I know. Volunteering can be hard and tedious, but it just might land you in college later. And, if you really look, you might find something that piques your interest or even gives you a future major that you’d never expect to pursue.
    

Like I said, this list is pretty short and simple, but it is by no means easy. All else I can really say is good luck!

 

Sophomores and Freshmen:

Before you sophomores crucify me for lumping you with the freshmen, I believe because of the special circumstances of our last year, both classes are about at the same level in the sense of the school, its staff, and its students. Because of this, I thought the tip-list would be relatively similar. That being said, here are some cool tips and tricks to help you in your future!

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1. Get into as many clubs as you can. Truth is, high school doesn’t get easier than freshman year. Second truth is, sophomore year isn’t that much harder. Because your classes aren’t as difficult, it gives you time to explore clubs and activities! Trust me, this can really help you later (especially if you keep track of what you do) and make things so much easier (especially because colleges like to see clubs that you have been committed to for a couple years)!
    

2. Get to know your teachers. We are at a relatively tight-knit high school. That means the teachers can be extra-personal. Many other schools can’t say that. Here at Sonora, some of the teachers can be as good of a friend as any peer! If a teacher seems fun or approachable, get to know them and make a new friend! Not only is it fun to chat with such teachers casually, but they can also write a teacher recommendation for colleges later on. The better they know you, the more they’ll be able to brag about you to whatever college you’d want to enjoy.
    

3. Focus some attention on researching colleges. I know it looks like college is a long way away, but school years fly by and then you’ll be in the same crappy position I’m in.
    

4. Have fun! Please, please have fun during these years! It is the most relaxed you will feel at school for a long time, so it is your time to go to football games, to go to dances, to hang out with friends outside of school, to watch movies together. For your sake and for mine, I’m begging you. Just understand your position and how easy you have it now, because it only gets harder.

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So, there you have it. My list of things you should do to make your life easier. I really have nothing else to say, so… Join the Journalism Club, the best club ever. Also join the Creative Writing Club, also the best club ever. Oh, and Key Club. Actually, just join every club. They’re all pretty great.

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It’s just, Journalism Club and Creative Writing Club are

like another level of great.

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Okay I’m done.