Junior Newsletter
by Dave Hiebner
October 11, 2006
Junior Newsletter
October 7, 2006
I hope your junior year is off to a great start. I will be sending out newsletters to you periodically during the year. I plan to address issues that are of importance to you in your career planning, college selection, etc
The first issue that I would like to discuss is your future. Have you stared to think about it? It is not too early to begin the process of college and career selection. What are your interests? What would you like to do if you could do anything in the world? What do you see yourself doing in 20-30 years? Do your plans include post secondary schooling or training? Do you need to look at four year or two-year schools, trade schools, on the job training or the military? If you plan to get a job, where do you look and what skills will you need?
For some, this will be the one of the largest decisions they will ever make. Even if you have no idea what it is that you want to do, it is important that you begin the process of career and college selection because one can never have too much information.
Each year in high school is important if you want to keep options open for life after high school. Whether you are planning to go to work, to a training program, or to a college directly after school, the course you plan to take in high school will matter.
Juniors – This is an important year!
Many colleges will be accepting or rejecting students based upon their class rank and performance as it stands at the end of their junior year. Similar decisions for scholarships and other awards will be performance results at the end of your junior year. The best formula for scholarship success is 1. a high class rank and 2. a high ACT/SAT test score. In most cases they go hand in hand and are determined by the efforts put forth in regular class activities.
ACT/SAT Testing for College Entry.
Some juniors have concerns about taking the ACT or SAT. I encourage ALL college bound juniors to take the ACT during the second semester of their junior year. The reason for waiting until second semester is that a number of the questions used in the ACT and SAT relate to courses that juniors are not currently taking. Taking the test earlier in the year means that the student has not had enough of the proper course work to tackle these tests. Students who take the test prior to second semester might not score as well
Testing in the second semester of the junior year permits an early introduction to the tests with ample opportunities to re-test later.
For a list of second semester ACT Test dates please check the counseling bulletin board outside of the secondary office.
THINKING ABOUT ATTENDING A TECHNICAL SCHOOL?
If you are thinking about attending a Technical school after you graduate, now is the time to be researching. Some schools like Southeast Community College have long waiting lists for their programs like auto mechanics, auto body and building construction. The sooner you are enrolled, the faster you move up the waiting list.
HELPFUL WEBSITES IN COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING.
PSAT/NMSQT – Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
The PSAT/NMSQT measures verbal reasoning, critical thinking, math problem solving, and writing skills you have developed over many years, both in and out of school. You won’t have to recall facts from literature, history, or science. You won’t have to write an essay and you won’t need to memorize math formulas.
The test is not for everyone. I have given letters to juniors who are in the top 30% of their class informing them of the test. The PSAT is also great practice for the ACT or SAT.
The test costs $12.00 and will be given Wednesday, October 18, periods 1-4.
(if you are writing a check they should be made out to the Centennial Activity Fund)
COLLEGE VISITS
As a junior, you are allowed two college visits to the college of your choice. I will set those visits up for you if you are interested. If you have questions or need information on colleges, please see me.
Junior Newsletter
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