Congratulations, you have graduated from high school! Now what? The summer before your freshman year of college is valuable time that can be used to prepare yourself for a new stage in your life. While this is a great opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family, you can also make the most of these summer months by preparing for your college career.
Here are four ways you can be productive and proactive the summer before your freshman year:
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Submit Dual Credit
If you were a student in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), CTE or dual-credit courses, you have spent the last four years working hard to earn college credit. Do not let these credits go to waste! Ensure that all the college credits you have earned in high school get transferred to your university by submitting the necessary documentation. Documentation may include transcripts, test score reports, and even course syllabi. Academic advisors will review your documentation and award the credits earned.
With our unique dual-credit model, students at Nevada State High School can earn over 60 college credits by the time they graduate by taking 5 or more college classes each semester. Transferring these credits to a four-year institution can save students up to $80,000 in college tuition and allow them to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in only 2 years.
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Build a Budget
Now that you have decided on the college you will be attending, you have a strong understanding of your financial situation. Create a budget that considers all your educational and personal expenses. Working through a budget will give you a clear picture of the income you will need to generate your freshman year of college. With a budget, you will be better prepared when exploring employment opportunities and work study options. Based on your budget, you may even make changes to your housing arrangement or meal plan to better suit needs.
At Nevada State High School, students learn how to manage college finances by researching scholarships, learning about the FAFSA application process, and completing a college debt calculator for their schools of interest. This proactive research helps students make the best financial decisions for their educational future. By the time freshman year arrives, students can see the benefits of their prudence and planning.
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Update your Resume
While you may not have used a resume very often in high school, updating your resume is a great task to complete before your freshman year of college. Between applying for internships and scholars’ programs to creating an account with your university’s career center, every college student will need a resume at some point. Keeping an updated resume will also allow you to quickly take advantage of any career opportunities that may arise. Taking time during the summer to set up a LinkedIn profile may also be beneficial. LinkedIn is the most popular online business-to-business platform. It is a valuable tool that can be used to connect with your new college classmates and professors.
Students at Nevada State High School learn how to write and format a strong resume that includes work experience, curriculum highlights, community service, skills, and extracurricular activities. Students are taught the art of writing strong job descriptions and cover letters and are given several opportunities throughout the school year to participate in mock interviews with peers and community leaders. All Nevada State High School renegades keep an updated copy of their resume in their Regent’s portfolio, so it is accessible for college interviews, scholarship applications, and more.
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Research your College
Take time to explore your college’s website. Learn about the curriculum, campus, and history of the institution. During this research, you can brush up on the college’s requirements and the available programs of study. You may even be able to look up individual degree plans for the programs that most interest you. While you are searching the web, also take some time to get to know your new town or city (for those students moving away from home for college). Research the culture and the nearest landmarks and attractions!
College Research is part of our curriculum at Nevada State High School. Students explore the coursework, locations, and costs of the colleges they are interested in. Students can then compare their top choices to decide which school is the best fit for them. By finding a best-fit college, students reduce the chance of transferring or wasting time and money on classes that are not aligned with the degree they want to pursue.
Starting Strong
By completing these four simple tasks, you will feel organized, energized, and ready to step foot on your college’s campus in the fall!
If you are not graduating quite yet but are looking to get ahead on your college career, apply to Nevada State High School today! Registration is now open for students seeking a real college experience.