Be a Successful Student Strong academic habits are essential for success in college, career, and life. •Challenge yourself with rigorous coursework when appropriate, attend class consistently, complete assignments on time, and seek support early when you need help. •Build positive relationships with teachers, counselors, and mentors who can guide your academic journey. •Develop leadership skills by participating in clubs and organizations, volunteering in your community, pursuing leadership opportunities, and mentoring others. •Form effective study habits such as maintaining a dedicated study space, using a planner or digital calendar, breaking large assignments into manageable tasks, and reviewing material regularly. This can help you stay on track and reduce stress. •Practice strong time-management skills by prioritizing responsibilities and setting weekly goals. Balance academics, extracurricular activities, work, and personal commitments to achieve long-term success. Minimum Academic Requirements While academic requirements vary among colleges, most four-year colleges require applicants to have: •4 years of English, •3 years of math, •3 years of social studies, •2-3 years of (lab) science, and •2-3 years of a foreign language. Be Proactive About Academic Difficulties Colleges do not seek perfection. They look for improvement throughout high school, especially during your junior and senior years. If you are having difficulty in a class, act quickly: •Ask teachers about improving your grades. •Find out about tutoring options. •Consider attending summer school if needed. Get Involved and Show Leadership Volunteering, working, or participating in extra- curricular activities — while earning good grades — demonstrates your work ethic and commitment to the community. Long-term participation in sports, clubs, volunteerism, and part-time jobs showcases your responsibilities, interests, and talents. Additionally, consider the value of your contributions at home: caring for younger siblings and ailing adult family members, household management, working to supplement household income, translating for non-English speaking family members, etc. •Volunteerism indicates you care about your community and others. •Part-time jobs and internships showcase your responsibility and introduce you to career options that fit your interests and talents. •Caring for family while also completing classwork demonstrates an ability to manage your time. Preparing for College 9 The Most Advanced Classes in Your Best Subject When selecting high school courses, consider what subject is most useful for the field you might study in college. For example, if you plan to major in engineering, you should enroll in as many math courses as possible and take the highest level of math available, e.g., calculus. This will both prepare you for college-level classes in that discipline and also demonstrate to colleges that you are academically prepared. Pathways to Prosperity Bentley University
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