Navigating the Road Ahead: The College and Career Blog
October 2023
As we kick off the new academic year, the College & Career (C&C) department is thrilled to introduce our new blog. If you're reading this, you're already part of our online community, and we're excited to provide you with valuable college and career-related information to support your family's journey.
One of the fantastic resources we'd like to highlight is Bigfuture. This website is a treasure trove of future planning tools, offering insights into both college and career pathways. Bigfuture provides career quizzes, essential college information, tips on how to excel in high school, and a scholarship directory. While these resources are undeniably valuable, and we strongly recommend exploring them, one feature that stands out is the Parent Action Plan. For each high school year the Parent Action Plan offers quarterly suggestions for each high school year, helping you stay on track as you accompany your child on their college and career journey.
Let's dive into the recommendations for the fall season:
1. Meet with the School Counselor
While this advice isn't for parents, it's a vital step for your freshman and sophomore students. School counselors are an invaluable resource when it comes to college and career planning. Encourage your children to consult with them about their future goals to ensure they're enrolling in the right courses. In addition to academic guidance, counselors and counseling departments are great resources to provide information on upcoming opportunities such as career speakers, internships, and college tours.
2. Goal Setting
Fall is an ideal time for students to look ahead and set realistic, achievable goals for the next 3, 6, and 9 months. Goal setting empowers students, providing them with direction and a plan for success. Having realistic and attainable goals can be instrumental in student success as it gives them both agency and a plan for what they want to achieve. Did you know that our high school youth have already set goals this year? From mindful journaling to taking on leadership roles in their extracurricular activities, youth in our program have already made meaningful commitments to themselves.
3. Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are incredibly valuable for several reasons, a topic we'll continue exploring in future blog posts. At Colorado Dream Foundation, we particularly value them for self-exploration. These activities offer students the opportunity to discover their passions and build vital soft skills, including public speaking, leadership, and effective communication.
4. Test Preparation (For 10th Graders)
Tenth graders should be aware that many schools begin administering the PSAT this year. The PSAT serves as valuable practice for the SAT, a test that many colleges and universities consider in their admissions decisions. High scores on the PSAT and SAT can also open doors to scholarships. To help your child excel in these tests, check with school counselors for available test preparation resources. Additionally, keep an eye out for upcoming test preparation support offered by the Colorado Dream Foundation's high school program.
As we conclude our inaugural College & Career blog post, we hope that this information equips you with valuable insights and guidance for discussions and decisions on your journey with your children. For more action plan ideas, please explore Bigfuture's Action Plan guides. If you have any questions or feedback, don't hesitate to reach out to Summer Wimberly. Until our next post, keep dreaming big dreams!
