Goals to Hit Before Graduating High School

What should be my main goals during these high school years? What are the most important things that I should try to accomplish before tossing that grad cap in the air?

Your high school years can be a significant time in shaping your future. Here are some key goals that can help guide you through this period:

1. Academic Excellence: Strive for good grades in the most challenging courses available to you. This demonstrates both academic prowess and ambition to higher education institutions. If you can, try to finish high school with a competitive GPA, ideally 3.5 or above.

2. Standardized Test Scores: Work towards achieving a high SAT or ACT score. Though some colleges have gone test-optional or test-blind, getting a good score can still be beneficial for those that require or consider them.

3. Extracurricular Activities: Join and be active in extracurricular activities that genuinely interest you. Quality trumps quantity, so aim for a deep involvement in a few activities over a shallow participation in many.

4. Leadership Roles: Try to secure leadership positions in your extracurricular activities. This shows colleges that you possess initiative and responsibility, traits that can set you apart from other applicants.

5. Community Service: Engage in community service or volunteering. This contributes to personal growth and demonstrates a commitment to helping others, which is attractive to colleges and potential employers.

6. Start a Resume: Begin building a resume. Include your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, work experiences (if applicable), and other noteworthy accomplishments. This can be very helpful when you start applying to colleges or jobs, and it's easier to add to it over time than make it all at once when you need it.

7. Explore Interests and Careers: Consider what you might want to do after high school. This could involve taking classes in areas you're interested in, setting up informational interviews with professionals in the field, or trying internships or job shadowing where possible.

8. College or Post-High School Planning: Start researching colleges, military service, or other career paths depending on your interests. It might be helpful to make a list of potential colleges and plan campus visits.

9. Prepare for Independence: Learn some essential life skills, like managing your time, setting a budget, cooking simple meals, or doing laundry. These skills will be particularly useful if you plan to move out after high school.

Remember, though, that everyone's high school experience is unique, and so these are suggestions, not hard-and-fast rules. Spend your high school years exploring your passions, learning new things, and growing as a person. And don't forget to enjoy them! They can be some of the best years of your life.