1. College GO! Week 2011

2. Getting Started  Grade 7 Grad Plan folders Read your ONTrack magazine Focus on classes, stay on top of homework! Know your learning style Strive for Pass+ on Acuity & ISTEP+ to qualify for Advanced Classes Discuss your future plans with family members & other adults!

3. Getting Started  Grade 8 Grad Plan folders Read your ONTrack magazine Know your learning style Sign up for the right high school courses Visit DriveofyourLife.org Apply for the Twenty-first Century Scholars GEAR UP program Discuss your future plans with family members & other adults!

4. GOALS Goals are what you need to accomplish to make your dreams come true. Once you decide to take action to make your wish happen, it becomes a goal. What are 3 actions YOU can take to make better grades happen? Push yourself NOW!

5. PLANNING THE FUTURE BELONGS TO YOU! College education=ticket to life success  You will make more money  You’ll live a healthier, fuller life  You’re more likely to get and keep a job  Indiana is counting on you!

6. PREPARING MASTERING MIDDLE SCHOOL  Make Attendance Job #1  Read, Read, Read!  Study Smarter  Ask for Help

7. PREPARING Middle School prepares you for High School CORE 40 diploma- provides you with a solid foundation for work and the real-world CORE 40 Academic Honors diploma- most Indiana colleges require for admission CORE 40 Technical Honors diploma- opens the door for more opportunities in the technical fields

8. PAYING COLLEGE CAN BE AFFORDABLE TO ALL  Start saving now if possible Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plan  Increase your scholarship chances Challenge yourself, Get good grades, Join a club/Play a sport, Explore the Arts, Volunteer  Apply for the 21 st Century Scholarship www.Scholars.IN.govwww.Scholars.IN.gov (before the end of your 8 th grade year!)

9. College GO! Week Contest Why are you going to college? What are you doing to get ready for college? Tell us in a one-page essay and an 8.5”x11” poster or collage. You could win a $529 Indiana CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plan and an Indiana college sweatshirt of your choice! Submit entries to Mrs. Scheidler before October 28

10. Activities Ready for the REAL WORLD? Page 14  What is your perfect life? Circle your answers in each category  Write the cost of your choice on the line under “My Cost”  Add up your total expenses on the last line Can you support your lifestyle? Make sure that your college goals and your life goals match!

11. Activities Find Your Style, HOW DO YOU LEARN? Page 10  Read each statement. Does this describe you often, sometimes, or hardly ever? (check box)  Give yourself points for each checkmark, starting with #1, 7, 9, 12 then #3, 5 and so on  How do you learn best?  Fill out the Learning Style worksheet & place it in your Grad Plan file when complete

12. ASSIGNMENT  Read your OnTRACK magazine from cover to cover  Take your OnTRACK magazine home and go through it with your parents (make sure they read “Parent Power” on Page 7!)  Stay on track: Do whatever it takes to make smart choices and get yourself ready for a successful future!