It's Time to Begin Planning Courses for Next Year

A New Year, a New Start

It's the season to make a fresh start, whether you're resolving to eat better, to save money or to learn a new skill. It's also the time for students to begin planning courses for next year. Whether your student is in middle school or almost in college, it's time to check progress and think about the future.

A high school diploma doesn't necessarily mean students are ready for college courses or job training.

College courses and job training are more difficult than most students realize.

Help your student understand how learning opens up options for the future.
Analyze grades and test scores to see what needs work.
Talk with teachers to find out how to build on academic strengths, especially those areas that are important to career interests.

Talk with your student about careers and college.

Paint a picture of what's ahead so he or she knows why hard work now is important.
Guide your student to make decisions based on interests and not on the opinions of others.

It's never too early to plan for the future, and missteps can always be corrected with redirection and hard work. For more help on college planning, visit ACT's college planning checklist.