b'629 thand 10 th Grade ChecklistPlanning for college begins as soon as you enter high school. Use this checklist to stay on track as you strengthen your academic profile, explore your interests, and build the support you need to become a strong college applicant.Start PlanningChallenge Yourself Academically Use a planner to track your assignments, test dates, Make sure you are enrolled in the most challenging and extracurricular activities, and to organize andacademic courses available at your school (p. 9).prioritize your work (pp. 9-10).Investigate opportunities to take part in collegeCreate a college file to save all your notes, preparation or academic enrichment programscorrespondence, and important paperwork. (p. 66). Take time out to try new things, explore newLearn about college prep programs for highinterests, and find out what is important to you schoolers, like Advance at College, Summer(pp. 7-8). Search, and Upward Bound (p. 66). Begin to build your resum (pp. 12-13).Read books and newspapers to build your Find out if you have access toNAVIANCEvocabulary and knowledge base (p. 10).Family Connection through your school andlearn how it can help you through the college Learn about Standardized Testsadmissions process (p. 6).Take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) as practicefor taking the SAT (p. 28). Ask your schoolAssemble Your College Prep Team counselor about PSAT scheduling at your school. Talk to your parents or guardians about your college It is never too early to start preparing for theplans (p. 6). Begin to research colleges together. SAT or ACT (p. 30). Meet with your school counselor and teachers.Discuss your post-high school goals and plans Explore Opportunities and Intereststogether. Ask about college prep programs in which Join clubs or teams that interest you and takeyou might participate. on leadership roles (p. 9).Prepare Financially Find opportunities to do community service. Begin to explore different careers and Start learning about financial aid and ways to payvisit the U.S. Department of Labor website, for college (pp. 39-55). Understanding financial aidwww.mynextmove.org oroptions early on can help you down the road. www.miproximopaso.org (pp. 7-8). Begin to save money for college expenses.Explore the Roadtrip Nation interview archiveIt is never too early to start saving. viaNAVIANCEFamily Connection for videosVisit www.360financialliteracy.org. of people who have turned their interests into Explore the College Boards tools and webinars:their lifes work. You can also take advantagebigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/of Roadtrip Nation resources by visitingfinancial-aid-basics. www.roadtripnation.com. Visit www.educationplanner.org provided by Research volunteer jobs and internships in fields PHEAA to learn about educational costs and that interest you (p. 9).student aid.Visit colleges with your parents or guardians(pp. 22-23). Try to visit two schools each year,either virtually or when students are on campus.'