Future Students

Thunder's Steps to College Success

High school graduation may seem far off, but it will be here before you know it.  Thunder the Bobcat, our GCSU mascot, is here to help as you take steps to prepare yourself for a successful college career with "Thunder's Steps to College Success." These steps are designed to help you prepare for the college search process and college life.

Tip #1: Colleges and universities look for students who take challenging classes in high school. Be sure to take advantage of Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses at your high school. By taking these more difficult classes in high school, your college application will stand out and make you more competitive for the most selective universities. Also, be sure to complete the Georgia Required High School Curriculum during your four years of high school. These course are required for admissions to GCSU and other University System of Georgia schools.

Tip #2: Get involved at your high school and in your community. College admissions directors love to see applicants who give to others and show leadership potential. Find things you are passionate about and invest your time in organizations that will enable you to make a difference. For example, volunteer at a local food bank, join the chess club, try out for a high school sport, or join marching band. Again, focus on things that genuinely interest you and devoting your time will give you both purpose and strong college admissions applications.

Tip #3: Build relationships with your teachers, school administrators, and community leaders. Having great mentors is an important key to success. Teachers, guidance counselors, and principals can be busy people, but they also care about your success. They can provide incredible insight on how to be successful in school and in life. In addition, leaders in your hometown (the mayor, business owners, and even your friend’s parents) can be great resources - and most people in these roles welcome the opportunity to mentor young people. Building your network will provide a wealth of good advice and these same people will write you glowing letters of recommendation to strengthen your admissions applications to college.

Tip #4: Develop your organizational skills. As you’ve probably noticed by now, high school requires more planning than middle school and college will require far more attention to detail than high school. Tracking assignment due dates, test dates, when papers are due, etc. is essential to college success. If you haven’t already, start using an online or paper calendar/planner to organize all of your deadlines. Developing these good habits now will serve you well in college and beyond.

Tip #5: Set yourself up for academic success. Take steps now to academically prepare yourself for college. Make sure you get scheduled to take the PSAT next year. You can speak to your high school counselor about getting signed up. Take advantage of online practice tests for the SAT and ACT. Many free resources can be found online to assist with test prep. We also encourage you to take the most rigorous courses offered by your high school like Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Taking standardized tests and rigorous courses now is a great way to set yourself up for success in college and the college application process.

Tip #6: Look for enrichment opportunities. You can choose to spend your free time now to take advantage of enrichment opportunities. Summer camps, conferences, or clubs can provide great opportunities for personal growth. Often times, these programs are offered for little to no cost. These types of enrichment opportunities not only help you to grow as a person and develop valuable skills, they can also help you know what to look for when it comes to selecting a college.