High School Planning Timeline

8th Grade
All 8th grade planning steps are shown.
College Planning steps are highlighted.

Counselors, teachers, parents and friends are all good sources of information.
Ask them any questions you have about college, in addition to doing research on your own. 		 
Study hard!
Make sure you use good study habits and keep your grades up.		 Successful Study Techniques 
Start saving for college.
You might want to consider signing up for a college savings account.		 College Savings Calculator 
Start thinking about the courses you'll take in 9th grade. Your Plan of Study 
Find out from your guidance counselor what you can do now to start getting ready for college.
If you have a choice of classes in junior high, take ones that will challenge you and prepare you for college. Ask about the classes you'll need to take in high school to meet college admission requirements. In Illinois, it's recommended that college-bound students take at least the following high school courses:

  • four years of English
  • three years of mathematics, including algebra and geometry
  • three years of laboratory science, including biology and chemistry
  • three years of social studies, including history and government
  • two years of electives, chosen from foreign language, music, visual arts, theater, dance and vocational education
 
Find out about academic enrichment programs, including summer and weekend programs, available through your school or local colleges.  
Don't forget about extracurricular activities like sports, performing arts, volunteer work or other activities that interest you.  
Investigate Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and other honors-level courses you can take in high school to help you prepare for college.  
Take the ACT EXPLORE test to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning.
It's good practice and your scores won't count towards your college application. 		ACT Explore Getting Ready for College