3 Ways High School Freshmen Sabotage Their College Dreams

Are you already thinking ahead to high school? Are you excited about the possibilities? You have every right to be! High school is an amazing time, full of new adventures and learning experiences.

If you have lofty aspirations when it comes to your future, however, you need to focus on your college admission goals sooner, not later. Far too many freshmen make mistakes in the early days of their high school careers that end up sabotaging their goals and hurting their university prospects down the road.

What Are the Worst Mistakes High School Freshmen Make?

If you want to avoid problems when it comes time to seek admission to your dream university, avoid the following mistakes:

1. Thinking Your Freshman Year Doesn’t Count

If you hear anybody say that your freshman grades won’t count toward your grade point average (GPA) or appear on your transcript when you apply to college, that’s a myth – one that seems to get told over and over.

From the moment you start high school, everything you do (and every grade you get) will eventually be part of your college application. If your grades are dismal during your freshman year, it’s going to be difficult to pull them up high enough later to get into a top-tier school. Even though you’re adjusting to a whole new school and new routine, this is no time to slack off academically.

2. Believing Your GPA Is the Only Thing That Matters

It’s equally dangerous to think that a fantastic grade point average is all you need to have your pick of schools when you’re ready for college.

These days, universities not only look at GPAs, but the types of classes you took during your high school career. College prep work is a necessity, but you should also take advanced placement (AP) classes and participate in independent studies to really show your mettle to the admissions board. A “B” in a really advanced class in a difficult subject is worth more on a transcript than an “easy A” from some other class.

3. Sacrificing Your Extracurricular Life for Your Academics

It’s great to be studious and dedicated to your grades – but upper-level universities want well-rounded students who are adept both in the classroom and in life. Don’t overload your class schedule so much that you have no time for extracurriculars, whether they’re creative, athletic or industrious.

When it comes time to apply to college, you want the admissions board to see you as a whole person – not just a collection of classes, grades and test scores. Your hobbies, the business you started online, your part-time job, your social media channel, or that black belt you earned and other side interests are what make you unique. If you haven’t already found your niche, now is the time to explore.

You’ve probably figured out by now that your “permanent record” from grade school (including that one incident that got you sent to the principal’s office) won’t follow you forever, but your high school record is another story. When it comes time to apply to college, all four years of your high school career will be under the microscope. The sooner you begin working with an experienced college admissions counselor, the better.