2. 14% The percentage of high school students who did not finish high school last year in Tennessee

3. WHY? Academic Failure Academic Failure Poor Decisions: Drugs, alcohol, hanging out with the wrong crowd Poor Decisions: Drugs, alcohol, hanging out with the wrong crowd Attendance Attendance Family situation vs. school values Family situation vs. school values Fill in the blank... A high school dropout is eligible for ___% of jobs in America 60% of jobs in America require a college degree 10

4. Transitioning into High School Katie Moran Northern Middle TN Outreach Counselor

5. What is High School going to be like? Size of the School A Bigger Campus Wider variety of classes Teaching Styles (more focused on subject matter than individual student) Size of the School A Bigger Campus Wider variety of classes Teaching Styles (more focused on subject matter than individual student)

6. Prepare for High School Know the programs and procedures Visit the high school Review the high school website

7. Make the Most of High School o Stay involved – join a club, sport, volunteer o Keep your grades up – 9 th -12 th counts o Choose to take rigorous courses – challenge yourself o Communicate with teachers & school counselors o Get ready for higher academic expectations o Make new friends o Work on improving typing skills o Get a tutor and a mentor if needed o Make wise choices – choosing friends, where to go, what to do

8. POP QUIZ! ANSWERS ACT (American College Test) Grade Point Average (GPA) Prerequisite Extra-Curricular Activities Credit QUESTIONS National Test taken by all Tennessee students Computed based on number of courses taken and grades earned in those courses Course which must be taken before you enroll in another related class Activities or programs that may meet outside of the regular school day Unit earned upon successfully completing a high school course

9. Learn How to Be a Better Student Sit close to the front Ask questions – if you don’t understand, chances are your classmates don’t either Keep up with assignments Ask for help – your teachers want you to succeed! Learn keyboarding skills Learn to take notes Learn to proofread your work and look for mistakes

10. Homework HIGH SCHOOL HOMEWORK:  written assignments  reading  reviewing class notes  studying for tests  completing projects  previewing the next lesson  Plan homework schedule in advance, especially during busy weeks and extracurricular activities  Make sure you complete every assignment and turn it in on time How many hours should you set aside each day for homework? At least 2 hours!!

11. Words of Advice from a Freshman Counselor Vision/Planning...(it is ok to enjoy the moment. However, have a plan for each year/after graduation) Time Management... (procrastinating/taking on too many projects/activities) Organization... carries over to the thought process (cluttered locker, cluttered mind)

12. What do I want to be when I grow up? When I graduate from high school, I want to be……. I want to be this because…... What is your favorite subject? Think about careers related to that subject.

13. Choosing a Career - Learn More About Yourself Take a look at: Your skills Your career goals Your interests Focus on careers that: Pertain to your personality Represent the lifestyle you want Reflect the goals you have set for yourself Try it out: Volunteer in a related field Work part-time Job shadow for a day or two Do an internship once you’re in school Comprehensive Assessments Give Immediate Results Career Interest Assessment Skills Confidence Assessment Work Values Assessment Begin Your Career Portfolio www.planningyourdreams.org Username and Password Ask counselor for Activation Code Tennessee College and Career Planning System

14. Choices After High School Vocational/ Technical School 4 year College/ University Work Military 2 year Community College

15. What Do Colleges and Businesses Expect from High School Students... ?  Basic Math  Problem Solving/Critical Thinking  Verbal Communication  Teamwork  Organizational Skills  Professionalism (being on time, work ethic, dress, attitude, etc.)

16. Vocational School / Career Center Benefits: Hands on experience Program shorter in length – 18-24 months Lottery assistance available Prepares you for work Attend after high school if you want to become a(n): Nurse (LPN) Mechanic Administrative Assistant Welder Security Officer

17. Community or Junior College Benefits: Easy transition from High School Small in size Low cost Close to home Great place to prepare for 4 year colleges Attend after high school if you want to become a(n): Manufacturing Machinery Operator EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Early Childhood Education Specialist (Daycare) Nurse (LPN) Culinary Arts Or one of the many other possibilities

18. Colleges & Universities - Public & Private Benefits: Prepares you for a great career Larger More activities, clubs, sports, Greek life Internships, co-ops, study abroad Can continue graduate studies Attend after high school if you want to become a(n): Teacher Social Worker Physical Therapist Computer Programmer Architect Business Owner Scientist Journalist Engineer Or one of the many other possibilities!

19. Join the Military Take the ASVAB Talk to a recruiter Need basic skills Learn a useful trade or make a career in the military Ask about educational benefits

20. What Can You Do Now? Research colleges via the internet Going to College Start your resume to keep track of awards/honors and activities/volunteer work Research scholarships Attend college fairs or meet with college representatives at your school Schedule a campus visit

21. Begin your college search by viewing virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses!

22. Freshmen Keep your grades up. Register for appropriate classes. Understand High School Records – a list of a students final grade and credits earned in each course taken while in high school. Sophomores Plan your finances. Research colleges and careers. Practice taking college entrance exams. Juniors Attend college fairs. Take college entrance exams. Visit college campuses. Research/apply for scholarships. Seniors Submit college admissions applications/Watch out for deadlines. Take or retake the ACT or SAT. Apply for scholarships. Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA. College Planning Tips for Underclassmen

23. Words from High School Graduates Freshman year is the time when you need to be serious about school: Set a high GPA, join a club, stay on top of your work. If you do that, the rest will come easy. — Sara Angel Freshman year is the time when you need to be serious about school: Set a high GPA, join a club, stay on top of your work. If you do that, the rest will come easy. — Sara Angel Do things as soon as they're assigned. Then you can do what you enjoy. — Rob St. John Do things as soon as they're assigned. Then you can do what you enjoy. — Rob St. John The freedom and responsibility of high school made me grow up. The new environment and the freedom are motivating. It's way different from middle school. Set aside time to do schoolwork. You have to set your priorities straight. — Dana Jackson The freedom and responsibility of high school made me grow up. The new environment and the freedom are motivating. It's way different from middle school. Set aside time to do schoolwork. You have to set your priorities straight. — Dana Jackson Get involved. You'll be surprised how many cool people you'll meet through common interests you have. You'll learn time management, and you'll have a better connection with your school. — Emily Schwartz Get involved. You'll be surprised how many cool people you'll meet through common interests you have. You'll learn time management, and you'll have a better connection with your school. — Emily Schwartz

24. Advice for High School... Social Media can positively or negatively affect your goals for the future...be careful of what you post!!

25. Make the Most of High School College may seem far away, but the future can come at you very fast. " 30 years from now, it won't matter what clothes you wore, who your friends were or how your hair looked. What will matter is what you learned and how you used it."

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