Which is the best way to prepare for college?
610745
More than anything else, I would say you should explore what you like and learn what you have a passion for.  From there decide on how you'll fit that into a career.  I had no idea what to major in when I began in college, but I kept looking.  I was skeptical when they told me that college is a place to explore, but it really is; you just have to be intelligent about it.  Find out what really catches your interest (or heart), and fit your education to that.  After 2.5 years of college, as a former high school slacker, I would say that the most important thing is to enjoy what you’re studying.  You just have to jump into college and learn not to limit yourself.  Learn not to pity yourself when you seem to be studying more than what you think is “reasonable.”  Don’t kill yourself with work in high school; it’s more important to learn what you love to do.
443990
Real quickly. You're almost out of time. \n\nSeriously, the best thing you can do for any AP test is practice, practice, practice. Hopefully you have one or more of those books with practice exams. Take all the tests, check all the answers, learn from your mistakes. (But do keep in mind all those books have typos and errors, so if you come across something that seems to contradict information you've learned elsewhere, doublecheck it!) The practice tests also help get you in shape to sit there and answer all those questions for 3-1/2 hours. It's like getting in shape for a marathon. \n\nGood luck. Doing well on AP exams can give you a big headstart in college, more flexibility to take the courses you want to take, and the possibility of graduating earlier.
788974
I am an independent college counselor. Here is what I tell my clients.\n\nFirst, the most important thing you should be doing right now, as a sophomore, is getting the best grades possible. That really is the number one thing that colleges and universities want to see in applicants. \n\nSecond, don't start by asking how you can prepare the best application -- start by asking what types of colleges might be the best fit for your needs and goals. Honestly, the students who have the MOST success in applying to colleges are those who have thought about who they are and what they want out of a college experience, and then developed a college list that matches those qualities but that also includes colleges in a range of selectivities.\n\nThere are over 2500 four year colleges in the U.S. alone, but there is not a single school (even those "name brand" schools everyone knows) that are right for every single student. So, begin by thinking about YOU. Some questions to consider:\n\nWhat do you like about your high school that you'd like to find in a college? What do you dislike about your high school that you'd like to avoid in a college? How do you learn best - do you like classes where there's lots of discussion or classes where the teacher does much of the talking? Do you have a clear career or major in mind, or do you want to explore before making a commitment? What is your group of friends like? Do you want to be around similar people in college, or very different types of people? How would your friends describe you? How would your teachers describe you? How would YOU describe you? What do you think your biggest strengths and weaknesses, both academically and socially are, and what types of colleges would be best for someone with those strengths and weaknesses? \n\nNext, learn about the different types of colleges out there -- don't just think "Gee, I've heard of Harvard, so Harvard must be a good place for me." Find out the differences between a liberal arts college, a research university, a master's level university, a private college, a public university, a specialized college. As a sophomore, visit one of each type in your state or local area. These don't have to be the schools you ultimately apply to - at this point you should  just try to get a sense of what makes each type different and unique, and what they each have to offer you. \n\nAs you begin your research, keep your options open, but ask a lot of questions. What makes a good college? What's it like to go to a large school, a small school, a medium sized school? What's it like to go to a school that has a large number of people in frats or sororities? What's it like to go to a religiously-affiliated school? A school in a major city? A school in a small city? A school in a rural area? A school in the midwest, the northeast, the south...etc., etc.\n\nAs you answer these questions, try to find colleges that fit with you -- both your grades, your interests, your desires. Keep your options open!! Do not narrow your list of possibilities down too early (really, senior year is plenty of time!).\n\nAside from the above, specific things sophomore might consider doing this year: Take the SAT Subject exam in June if you are taking AP bio, AP chem, or AP US History AND have good grades. Talk to your counselor about your grades and course schedule to see if he/she has any suggestions for how you might improve them compared to other people in your school. Find two or three activities outside of the classroom that you enjoy and find meaningful, and get involved. But don't just join a bunch of clubs or do community service because you think colleges might like it on your application --- figure out what you enjoy and pursue it. Colleges want depth, not quantity, and they want to see people who are excited and enjoy what they are doing. \n\nNext year, as a junior, take the PSAT and plan out your SAT schedule (prep as h
916595
1) You can go to a good college and get into any program except for any honors program.\n2) Colleges look at your 10-12 grade year grades, your SAT score and references. \n3) Yeah, well if your GPA is above a 3.0. If your essay is good enough and you have great references. \n4) You can get scholarships whenever. If the scholarship is from the school then you should try at the begging of each semester.\nTry fastweb.com also apply for FAFSA\n5) I so wished I would have gone to a community college first. Some people think that it's crazy, but it's beneficial if you have problems in high school and want to continue your education. You can transfer to WHATEVER university you want to after you graduate community college, if your grades are good.\nIt's also good if you don't feel as if you're ready for a big university with classes full of students and want to start out small.
460486
Obtain a college degree!
534912
The golden rule for study is read, review, recall. This you must begin to do from the moment the topics and theories are introduced. Go beyond class notes and buttress these with research clarifying the arguments that surround the topic. It is better to have a thorough understanding and mastery of the subject than cramming to pass a one time exam. You MUST rest i.e. sleep well. Rest your body, mind and spirit. Let go of every anxiety. Take some warm drink (hot cocoa) before going to bed. Get into discussions with your classmates. Develop personal styles of recall. Use associations.Usually you are required to study for 3 hours for every credit unit per week. So do not wait till the exam is so close. In fact that way you can not fail any surprise test. Nothing can replace hard work. The more you study the more you increase your attention span. Sit down, do not answer the phone, do not go to the fridge, concentrate. Choose a spot where you will not be disturbed and if it works for you play your favorite music as background. Good luck.
175433
You want College Board.\nThey have a free scholarship search, and info about schools, as well as planning guides.  It is as close as you can get to a one-stop shop for all your school prep needs. It is a good idea to talk to your school's counslor, but do not count on them to do all the work for you.  Good luck! \nTry this:\nhttp://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/\nthis is the scholarship page, but don't forget to check out the other stuff too.
769923
you want to know the secret?    no one will tell you.  They say "study"\n\nBull crap.\n\nYou make A's in college by taking subjects that have only one answer per question.\n\nSo to make A's in college you would take math, chemestry, accounting, physics, biology, etc.   In these classes you either know the answer or you don't.   I'm not saying these are easy subjects, I'm only telling you how to get A's.   To get an A you need a subject that actually has a DEFINED answer.\n\nand you avoid subject that don't have a single answer.  where you write "papers" etc.   AVOID English, history, humanities, art, music etc.   All subject which are tested by papers and your "argument."
1145831
take college course\n\nthere are many books on the subject
577159
Hi there,\n\nhere's a great website with some good suggestions and practices for you:  http://www.how-to-study.com/Preparing%20to%20Study.htm
850124
Yes, colleges and universities have information packages they send out to prospective students.  Often you can request them on line.  Most universities now have websites that describe their programs so that may be a good place for you to start.  Talk to the guidance counselor at your high school and you may find an excellent source of advice there.  Best of luck.
826881
The most effective way to study, in your case, begins by calling the College Board and postponing your test. While  you will certainly score a certain number of points without preparing for the test (or stress-prepping), you will undoubtedly need to re-take the test at least once to get to your target scores. Aside from wasting the fee, you'll also be wasting hours of your life, not to mention adding sub-par scores to your transcripts. \n\nInstead, take a free practice test with Kaplan, and spend 6-12 weeks studying your weaknesses. Then you can show up for the real thing knowing that you won't even have to do it again.
211841
Study hard to get into college. Retain little knowledge.\nFinish college.\nGet a job at a company with nice perks, work for someone that's never had to work in their life making them money.\nThey wanted you to do stupid tasks like high school and college learning very little, just to make sure you could do busy work and listen to instructions, it's to prepare you for corporations.\nWork 40 years, when you're starting to break down, you have permission to live life.\n\nHave fun, sheep.
117353
Try collegeboard.org, it will give you great background on the process.
1088677
As the others have said, it's really never too early to start planning for college. But besides planning academically (knowing that grades count, thinking of majors, etc) and financially, there are other ways parents and children could start getting ready for college.\n\nOne thing to do is to start visiting colleges in the same spirit as other touristy things you do as a family. Whether near-by day trips or included as part of your more-distant travel, college campuses have a lot to offer to visiting families: museums, performances, etc. Also, many colleges offer outreach programs to high school students, such as summer "day camps" or residential "intensives" that focus on a particular field. This is a great way for high school kids to get an introduction to the college experience and know what they're working towards.\n\nBut another area where it's good to start preparing now is SOCIALLY. As the mother of a college grad and college junior, I've seen so many other kids and their families who weren't prepared for the realities of sex and alcohol on today's campuses. And I mean ALL of them - large or small, "party" school or not. From my experience, too many kids who were raised with the "Just Say No" mentality behave as though Week  One of their freshman year is the time to finally say "Yes, yes, yes." \n\nFamilies and their kids can't go into the college experience with blinders on. Instead, use these years to prepare your daughter to handle more and more responsibility with making her own decisions. (That's where those summer programs on college campuses do wonders, by the way.) From my experience, you're actually better off letting your daughter attend parties or such where there might be risky behavior and have her TALK TO YOU about it, than be the family where kids lie about that stuff.\n\nGood luck!
1065214
The best way to pay for college, in order of best to worst:\n1) Scholarships\n2) Dad's bank! (You lucky student!)\n3) Grants and student loans...ask your school...they usually have loan counselors who figure this stuff out for free for you!\n4) If you can't get a student loan for some reason, i.e. the school isn't recognized by government, or it is a trade school that won't qualify for those loans or you can't get government money for, then, almost always a payment plan is cheaper than getting all your money up front and paying for the school all at once, especially since you can't totally control finishing the program or curriculum.   Have your Dad or someone who knows how to figure your total cost for the loan, including all fees, for both scenarios, (through getting a loan or by the school allowing you a monthly plan)  and then chose the one that is either cheapest, has easiest terms for you to afford paying  or both.\n5) Lastly....try not to get in over your head from the very beginning....heaviest loans should be left for your last year of school.....right before you graduate.  That way, as soon as you get a job you can start paying it back without having a lot of interest accrued yet. \nHEY....Good Luck!
1139219
study and get the A's especially if you are going to college any type of college \nthis will make a difference