8th Grade Checklist

  • Regularly affirm that you are going to college
  • Think about what your future might be with a college education
  • Strive to earn A’s and B’s in all your classes
  • Push yourself and stay focused on school
  • Work with your school counselor to map the courses you’ll need in high school to get to college
  • Make a “to-do” list every day and stick to it
  • Use your academic planner to write down your homework assignments
  • Continue setting and reaching SMART goals
  • Meet new people and make friends with those who have similar goals for college
  • Become involved in after-school clubs and activities
  • Community service projects are a great way to meet new people and learn new things
  • Understand the courses needed to graduate from high school
  • Become college-savvy; know about college terms
  • Talk to your school counselor about the most challenging courses you can take in high school
  • Know your school policies about homework, attendance, and other important information
  • Make school work a daily priority, including weekends
  • Ask your parent or guardian to help you create a quiet space for study at home
  • Turn in your assignments on time
  • Review your class notes every day
  • Communicate your schedule with your friends
    • If texting and phone calls are a distraction, give your friends a time to communicate with you (say, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm) and stick to it. Sounds silly, but it helps you stay focused.
  • Tell your parents or other caring adults about what you are learning in school
  • Ask your parents or guardians to attend parent-student conferences and college-bound presentations at school
  • Talk to your parents and other caring adults about your college plans
  • Start saving money for college now, and keep saving a little at a time. The earlier you can start saving, the more money you’ll have for college
  • If you have an opportunity to open a savings account at school, do it and try to add to it weekly
  • Learn how to take charge of the money you have by understanding Needs and Wants
  • Aim High
  • Plan
  • Connect
  • Understand
  • Study Smart
  • Talk
  • Save