Preparing for College
Getting ready to go to college starts long before you make your first campus visit. You must prepare yourself academically now, so you meet the coursework and grade point average requirements to be accepted to the right school for you. Also, don't wait until the end of high school to figure out what you're looking for in a college. Start comparing colleges now so you'll be under less pressure as a senior.
Before high school
- Talk to your family. Let them know you're interested in going to college. Ask them questions about their careers and the training they received. Discuss your possible career interests.
- Work hard in school. Take challenging courses in middle school so you're ready to take the classes in high school that you need to get into college. Choose elective classes related to careers you're considering.
- Develop strong study skills. If school work comes easy to you, you might not be learning the organization, time management, and study skills you'll need to succeed in high school and college. Talk with your school counselor about study skills workshops or tutoring programs available in your community.
- Tour colleges. If there's a college nearby or you've got a brother or sister going to college, ask your parents to take you for a visit. Think about what you like and what you don't.
Kedric Meredith is a senior Accounting major who has maximized his degree work by completing two internships. He worked a semester at COUNTRY Financial in Normal, and another with KPMG in Chicago. He enrolled on a full scholarship as a member of the Redbird football team. “I’ve been happy at Illinois State,” Kedric said. “I am getting a great education at a great school with a great College of Business, and I’m playing for a Division I team in a great conference. The most important thing about it is that I represent the University.” 