It is never too early to start thinking about College!

Here are some helpful hints and tips for parents and students starting in Elementary school all the way through High School!

Elementary School (K-6)

Students should be...

• Doing your BEST in school
• Reading a lot!
• Having fun while learning
• Checking out www.kids.gov to learn about jobs and to find fun games to play online!
• Checking out the Kid' Zone at www.nces.ed.gov if you like games such as puzzles and brain teasers!

Parents should be...

• Helping your child develop an interest in reading by reading to him/her aloud
• Checking over your childs homework and track their progress in school; attend parent teacher conferences so you can have a better understanding of your childs strengths and areas in need of imporvement
• Starting to save for your child's education.  Learn about the tax advantages of state college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans at www.collegesavings.org

Middle School (7-8)

Students should be...

• Thinking about college as an important part of your future.  Talk with your parents and other family members about your ideas.
• Starting to save for college...it is never too early to put some money aside.
• Planning on taking challenging and interesting courses during your high school career.
• Exploring different options that high school has to offer students (i.e. attend an open house at BOCES or go on a field trip)
• Working on good study habits
• Trying your best in school and on state testing
• If you begin to struggle in school, be sure to seek out your teacher for additional help
• GET INVOLVED...in your school clubs, sports and activities and also your community...VOLUNTEER
• Talk to adults at school and around the community about their jobs, what is interesting, what sort of education did they need...etc.
• Check out careers at www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/career/index.html

Parents should be...

• Continuing to save for college expenses
• Talking to your child about his/her interest and help them match those interests to college majors and careers
• Helping your child to develop good study habits
• Staying in contact with your childs teacher and counselor so you can be updated on any changes in their behavior or schoolwork
• Keeping an eye on your child's grades and report cards.  Request weekly progress reports if necessary and/or find tutoring assistance

9th Grade

Students should be...

• Talking to your counselor and teachers about what upper level courses are offered at SVCS, how can you be eligible to take them and how do you go about enrolling in them
• Starting to think about career interests
• Starting to keep a list of awards, honors, paid or volunteer work and extra-curricular activities...this will make it so much easier when it comes to your senior year filling out college applications!!

Parents should be...

• Continuing to save for college expenses
• Talking to your child about his/her interest and help them match those interests to college majors and careers
• Helping your child to develop good study habits
• Staying in contact with your childs teacher and counselor so you can be updated on any changes in their behavior or schoolwork
• Keeping an eye on your child's grades and report cards.  Request weekly progress reports if necessary and/or find tutoring assistance
• Start exploring post secondary options

Every Year in High School....

Students should be...

• Updating information with your parents on FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.edu.gov and keep saving for college!
• Making sure you take challenging courses...Remember you want to set yourself apart from the rest of the students you are competing against!  Most colleges want to see 4 years of english; 4 years of social studies; 3 years of mathematics; 3 years of science and many even require 2 years of a foreign language!  Make sure you also take a computer and/or art course in there too!
• Staying involved in school and community activities
• Exploring volunteering or shadowing different careers
• Checking with your counselor to see what courses they suggest for certain college majors/career paths

Parents should be...

• Keeping the conversations going about your child's college plans (or work/military)
• Keeping an eye on study habits
• Encouraging your child to take a difficult and challenging course load while in high school, it will better prepare them for college
• Continuing to save for their college education

Information borrowed from the "College Preparation Checklist" Booklet put out by Federal Student Aid.