Labor Day has passed and a new school year is underway. As a high school student, now is a great time to prepare for your future educational goals by making your high school experience count.  We at the NHHEAF Network Organizations (Joe College’s home!) are a proud sponsor of Mapping-Your-Future (MYF), a national collaborative, public-service organization offering free career, college, financial aid, and financial literacy information and services for students, families, and schools via the web. MYF has provided a nice “Top 10” list  for helping you and your friends prepare for the future.

Mapping Your Future's Top 10 tips to Make High School Count 

10. Know the terms - Do you know what an elective is? What about your class rank? Do you know how these could affect your 
future? Learn the terms today. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/mhscglossary.htm
9. Make your high school classes count - Take challenging courses and other courses that will help you identify your interests and prepare for college. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/mhsctips.htm
8. Know the basics of class scheduling - Become familiar with the required courses and graduation requirements of your high school. Ask your parents, teachers, or school counselor for help with your schedule. mappingyourfuture.org/CollegePrep/courseschedule.htm
7. Take the right courses during high school - Take the courses you need to get into the school of your dreams. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/courserequirements.htm
6. Use the course planning chart - Use the chart to plan your classes for all four years of high school. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/coursechart.htm
5. Prepare outside of school - Develop effective habits outside of school that will help you later in life. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/afterschool.htm
4. Decide what you'll do after high school - It is never too soon to begin planning for your future. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/mhscfuture.htm
3. Explore your financial aid options for college - There are several programs available to assist you with the costs of college – make sure you are educated about all of them. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/mhscfinancialaid.htm
2. Get started now - Take this information to your parents or school counselor and get their help in planning your future. mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/mhscnextsteps.htm

And the number one tip to Make High School Count is . . .

1. Keep your options open - Are you going to attend college immediately following high school graduation? Should you take your core classes at a community or junior college and transfer to the school of your dreams a year or two later? Should you consider other options? mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/mhscoptions.htm

Hopefully these tips are helpful, and you can always call the Center for College Planning at 1-888-7-GRADUATE ext. 119 for expert advice on college planning.

Make it count,

Rich