Not every young person’s postsecondary path will neatly fit into one of these five situations, so we recommend that you build a hybrid plan utilizing the information available.

Life is not a straight road, and your path may change, but hopefully, this guide will give you some insight on what to do next!

So, let’s begin.

 Step 1

Find postsecondary opportunities where you will thrive and institutions and academic activities that excite you.

 Step 2

Create a plan that provides you with enough time to consider your postsecondary adventure and to consult with your support team. Keep deadlines in mind.

 Step 3

Accept that the future might open unexpected opportunities. Keep your journey flexible and your eyes open to possibilities.

It’s never too early to start planning for your postsecondary future! As you’ll see below, there are many things you can start doing in middle school. Here are some strategies to get you started:

You can start thinking about your career goals and how to achieve them as early as the seventh and eighth-grades.

Academic course opportunities are important for your future plans. Find the right balance of rigor in your schedule and the subject matter that supports the studies you are interested in, but don’t create a schedule that is overwhelming. Take advanced courses like Advanced Placement Calculus, if you can, as successful completion of these courses can earn college credits that will save you time and money when you enroll in college.

Build this academic plan (or plans) early on. Many important college prep courses offered in your later high school years require a level of competency obtained in the early years. Often the higher level of coursework will have limited openings so it is important that you work with your school counselors to map out a program.

Your junior and senior years of high school are integral to launching you onto your postsecondary pathway. Trades have a set of skill requirements you need to meet to practice. Colleges have admission requirements. Be sure you are prepared to determine this next step, not have the decision made for you. Meet regularly with your school counselors to take advantage of the resources available to you at school.

These final two years of high school can provide opportunities for real-life experiences in the forms of shadowing, internships, and part-time jobs. Often these opportunities are competitive for students. Learning about them at the end of your sophomore year is a good idea so you can prepare to apply when the time comes.

Postsecondary planning should be prioritized more during the second semester of your junior year. While graduation might seem far off, college applications can be due as early as senior-year November. Financial aid paperwork – never a simple task – should be started early in your senior-fall to ensure there is time for any follow up and that your admission offers include financial aid packages that have considered all your details.