Focus

Five Things High Schoolers Considering College Must Know

Applying to college, and more than that picking your favorite major is tough. But if one takes these five steps one should be ready to embark and a long and successful career of his/her choice. 

1. Life Time Earnings Potential: I know this is the last thing on your mind. But it is important to consider this feature to set a long term goal of success for yourself. You cannot lay a path, unless you know what your final goal is in life. This might take a little bit of your time, but visit your local library spend a little time with your librarian and explore the data the the government has made available publicly. Pick a number of careers that would pay in your expected range.

2. Choose What you Enjoy Most: Life time commitment to your career is important. So you must enjoy what your job entails you to do day after day, year after year, for the largest part of your life. Narrow the career based on what you enjoy most. Narrow down your list from the first criteria based on this second criteria. This would leave you with only a couple of choices.

3. Consider what you are good at doing: You want to be the best in your career, not average to be successful. You would like to do the most you could do in your job, to help yourself and others around you. This is the most crucial point to consider before embarking on your major of your choice for your coveted career. You must be good at it. Meet persons (you do not need to meet a lot, jut meet one or two) in your favorite career, talk to them, about the best and worst of their careers. Take notes, and think.

4. Set your Goals, and Set them High: After the third step you should be clear on what you want to do for your future career. Set clear goals on what you want to do and always set the goals high. Make your notes, plan ahead. At this step you can take help from your parents, councillors, older siblings, and any mentors. 

5. Where to go to College? Take help from your teachers, parents and mentors, and check the data made available by the Federal Government about each college. Not every college is equal and not every major in every college is created equal. Find out which college has the best program for your major. Consider the costs, and plan with your parents. 

Good luck for your bright and happy future!