9th grade

Don’t wait for them to approach you. Find them and tell them you want to go to college. They’ll work with you to outline a path and educate you on the steps you’ll need to take. If you don’t have a counselor, talk to your teachers, administrators, coaches or assistant principals to help you.

Right now, you have more opportunities than you’ve probably ever had to explore your interests and try something new. Take time to find what you like doing. Then keep doing it.

If you’re not feeling stimulated, ask your counselor or teachers about honors or advanced course options. Find out if they’re available, whether you’re eligible, and how to enroll.

It’s never too early to start saving for college or figuring out how to pay for it. There are countless resources available to make college more affordable. Now is a great time to understand what they are.