On October 7th, Rosemont students were invited to a College Fair at Glendale high school. At this fair students learned about financial aid opportunities and out of state options, explored career paths, and met with college, university, and industry professionals. The fair was quite organized, and there were a wide variety of college choices. Whether you want to explore community colleges close to home, research culinary institutions, follow a path to medical school, study at an art school, join the armed forces, or go to a prestigious, but local UC school, there was an option for everyone there. There were also presentations and speeches from college representatives such as Berkley to talk about the application process, financial aid, and scholarships. Although the fair did seem helpful, it raises two important questions: Why was a middle school invited to the college fair? Should middle schoolers already be thinking and preparing about college? Being invited to this college fair, along with the appearance of Xello in middle schooler’s lives, raises concerns amongst middle school students and parents. After much research, I think I have found a solution.
GRADES:
While colleges usually don’t look at or ask about your middle school grades, it is still important to do your best in classes, since high schools will look at those grades and determine your schedule in high school, and your high school classes will determine if you get into the college of your choice. Getting good grades in middle school will also help you get into clubs that can further your high school education.
EXTRACURRICULARS:
Extracurriculars in middle school are also very helpful because starting an extracurricular in middle school such as a sport or a musical instrument, you’ll be more prepared and skilled at it in high school, which colleges will look at. Extracurriculars will also help you explore different hobbies and interests, which might lead you to the career that you want to pursue.
VOLUNTEERING:
Many people believe that it is useless to volunteer at events such as elementary school carnivals, or libraries, because high schools don’t count your middle school volunteer hours, and they’ll be required to complete a certain amount of community service hours in high school anyways, so what’s the point? Well, there are many points to volunteering in middle school. First off, one can always help their community, no matter what their age is. Second off, if you want to look at this in a more selfish perspective, getting involved in local community service will give you an idea of what volunteering is like, what you enjoy doing, and it will also get you familiar with local homeless shelters, libraries, and elementary schools, and it never hurts to have a lot of connections before starting your high school volunteering. Also, clubs like CJSF will help you get your volunteer hours over quicker before high school.
Overall, there are many ways to prepare for college in middle school, but the main thing is to not stress about it, and to enjoy your school years before you get into high school and college. You’ll have many more opportunities to stress about your future later.
