What is Success?

Self Management Skills Self awareness Emotion management Self-confidence Stress management Resilience Skills to forgive and forget Persistence and Perseverance Patience

Influence / persuasion skills Team work skills Leadership skills People Skills Communication skills Presentation skills Influence / persuasion skills Team work skills Leadership skills Skills in dealing with difficult personalities and difficult situations Ability to think / communicate on your feet (under pressure Interpersonal relationship skills Organizing skills

High School Success Regular attendance Take advantage of extra opportunities Attentive in class Talk directly to their teachers about grades and work with them during tutorials Turn in all assignments Take pride in work

High School Success Participating in fine arts and athletics Taking challenging classes Finding a great group of friends Working with a clear set of goals for college, career, and beyond Participating in extracurricular activities

Community Service and Extracurricular Activities Community service and extracurricular activities play an important role with colleges and scholarship committees. Become involved in school and community activities now – don’t wait until your senior year Seek activities and opportunities relative to your future career plans Visit the Northwest High School Counseling website for volunteer and community service activities Start an activities record including all school and community activities, leadership positions, honors, awards, uniques educational experiences, employment, and volunteer work. THE BIG EVENT! April 5, 2014 Be sure to update this record at least once a year.

To Do List for College Admissions 9th Grade Study: grades are reported on your permanent transcript Select challenges classes Explore extracurricular interests and volunteer work Start an activities record listing honors, awards, and activities Take the PSAT Start a college savings account Visit college websites and campuses Research college information Visit the NHS Counseling website for helpful resources

Common Mistakes My 9th grade year doesn’t count; I have plenty of time to make it up. I chose this class because my friend is taking it. I skipped 4th period because it won’t hurt to miss one day of that class. I don’t feel like doing my homework, so I’ll just do well on the test. I don’t have time to join school clubs because I have to spend my free time studying. Everyone else understood the teacher’s explanation but me; I am too embarrassed to ask the teacher for more help. I am afraid to tell the teacher about the problems I am having with this class. I want to take blow off classes during my senior year.

Graduation Programs The Recommended Program: 26 Credits 4 English 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social Studies 2 World Languages (same language) Spanish, French, or German 1 Physical Education 1 Fine Art Art, Choir, Dance, Theatre Arts, and more ½ Credit of Communication Applications (Speech) 5 ½ Elective

Graduation Programs, cont. The Distinguished Program: Designed for students who want to achieve beyond the state recommended graduation requirements Criteria for the Distinguished Achievement Program Meet all requirements of the Recommended Graduation Program Requires 3 credits of a World Language Obtain a combination of 4 of the following advanced measures or through independent research project AP classes with scores of 3 or higher on the AP Exam National Merit Commendation (PSAT) College courses must earn a B or higher

Tips for choosing classes 4 years to take 2-3 years of foreign language 12 elective spots—Fine Arts, PE, 1 semester of speech The courses you take now give you more room!! Being PreAP ready—look at strengths, choose 2(discuss balance with 3-4)

Mapping Out the Next 4 Years Counselors from your high school will come in the spring Look at ALL 4 YEARS—make sure you have room Fun vs. balance vs. rigor