Top Tips to Make the Most of High School

While high school can be overwhelming at times, it is also the start of an exciting new chapter in your life. The earlier you start planning ahead and getting into the mindset to succeed, the more enjoyable and stress-free your high school experience can be. Freshman year, you don’t have to worry about admissions tests, look at colleges, or apply for financial aid. Thus, it’s the perfect time to start taking the first steps on the path that will take you to your dream school. In this guide, we’ll share our top tips to make the most of high school, including a checklist for success, strategies for building relationships, and how to choose the right classes. 

Freshman Year Checklist for Success 

Here’s a quick checklist of what you can start doing in your freshman year to prepare you for the next four years of high school and, ultimately, college.

• Establish a consistent study schedule.
• Use active study and note-taking techniques.
• Get the best grades you can.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Challenge yourself in school.
• Learn about the PSAT, SAT, and ACT.
• Build relationships with teachers, counselors, and mentors.
• Choose the right high school classes.

Establish a consistent study schedule.

Consistency is key to academic success. Don’t get discouraged if it takes you a bit to find your rhythm; habits aren’t formed overnight. You want to set aside time each day for studying and homework to manage your increased workload without feeling overwhelmed.

• Choose a regular study time that works best for you—whether it’s right after school, in the evening, or early in the morning.
• Use a planner or digital calendar to track assignments, tests, and deadlines so you stay on top of your work.
• Avoid cramming! Completing assignments and reviewing material daily helps reduce stress and improves learning.

Use active study and note-taking techniques.

Taking good notes is a critical study skill. One effective way to organize your notes is by using a table format that breaks down information into sections:

• Main Ideas: Use the left column to write down key points or topics discussed in class.
• Details: In the right column, add supporting details like facts, examples, or explanations.
• Summary: At the bottom of the page, summarize what you learned in a few sentences.

You can experiment with how you structure your table—highlight key points, color-code sections, or add symbols to make your notes easy to scan and review. This will keep things organized and clear, which will help when you’re reviewing later.

Get the best grades you can.

Remember, your freshman year grades do count. They will affect your GPA and will be viewed by colleges. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll have plenty of time to bring your grades up later. Every year will affect your overall chances of getting into the college of your dreams.

Participate in extracurricular activities.

These can be activities organized by your school or activities that you do outside of school. While this is a great time to figure out what your skills and interests are, be willing to try activities that are new to you, whether it’s volunteering, a new sport, or a club.

Challenge yourself in school.

Select classes that will stretch your knowledge and skills—and impress colleges down the road. Don’t just stick to easy, boring classes to keep your GPA up. Your lack of enthusiasm will backfire both in the classroom and beyond. This is also a great time to map out the classes you’ll take over the next few years.

Learn about the PSAT, SAT, and ACT.

Even though you don’t have to worry about prepping for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT at this point, you can get a head start by learning more about the tests. Keep in mind that many students underestimate the PSAT. In addition to helping you score higher on the SAT, this test can actually help you win scholarship money for college!

How to Build Relationships During High School

Building strong relationships with teachers, counselors, and mentors is key to your success both in high school and beyond. These connections provide guidance, help you handle challenges, and can open up opportunities like advanced projects, special programs, or personalized advice. These types of relationships are also important when it comes to getting recommendation letters for college applications, scholarships, jobs, or other things you may be applying to. When your mentors know you well, they can write letters that really highlight your individual strengths, character, and progress, making your applications stand out. Keep reading to learn how to build and maintain relationships starting your freshman year.

Identify teachers, coaches, or counselors who might be potential mentors. Look for people who have taken a path you’re interested in, share similar interests, or can relate to your background and experiences. Introduce yourself early and share your interests and goals. You don’t need to rely on just one mentor—having multiple mentors can provide you with different perspectives and guidance. Talk with them outside of class. This could be during the set hours your teachers have available, by email, or at school events. Regular check-ins can help maintain a supportive relationship and allow for ongoing guidance.

Build strong connections by proactively engaging with your teachers and mentors. Don’t always wait for mentors to approach you. Take the lead in creating opportunities that showcase your character and abilities. Proactively seek opportunities to contribute, such as leading group projects or organizing events. Also look for opportunities to build connections beyond academics. Join extracurricular activities or projects in which your teachers or mentors are involved. Taking initiative not only helps you grow but also makes a strong impression.

Support your mentors and peers by offering help where it’s needed. Assist your teachers with tasks or school events, and look for ways to help other students, such as tutoring or guiding group projects. Contributing to your community demonstrates collaboration and strengthens your relationships.

Show appreciation for the support you receive. A simple thank-you note can go a long way and show your mentors that you really appreciate their help. One powerful way to express gratitude is by paying it forward. As your relationships with mentors grow, look for opportunities to support younger students or peers who could benefit from your experiences. By sharing what you’ve learned and helping others, you not only give back but also build stronger connections within your community. This act of paying it forward continues the cycle of mentorship, fostering a more supportive and connected environment for everyone.

Choosing the Right High School Classes

Depending on how your high school allows you to schedule classes (if they do at all), you may have a good bit of leeway when choosing electives. If you’re able to choose a few of your electives, this newfound freedom, although exciting, can be a bit overwhelming. Keep reading to learn how to choose the right high school classes for your Freshman Year and beyond.

Use your past experiences to help you develop your class schedule for the upcoming semester. Did you take a class that really piqued your interest? If you took chemistry and really enjoyed it, you might consider science-based electives. If you had to take an arts class and really loved that, perhaps look into dance or choir to ease some of the stress of the day.

Additionally, were there any teachers you really enjoyed and had a special connection with? It’s never too early or too late to begin building relationships with those who might write your letters of recommendation one day. Sometimes guidance counselors or front-office staff need assistance, so you can check whether any teachers or faculty need extra help during a class period.

If you are planning on applying to a college’s pre-medical, pre-dental, or otherwise pre-professional program, you might want to think about using this opportunity to pick classes according to what will help your college application. For example, if your school offers an EMT course and certification, think of how fantastic that credential will look on your application to the science honor society! If you’re considering going pre-medical, take a biology or anatomy course to make assimilation into college science classes easier.

You can also consider taking an AP elective—once you pass an AP exam, that class counts as a college course credit. This means you come into college with more credit hours (that you didn’t even have to pay for!), and it could potentially mean you graduate early. Talk to your teachers and counselors about AP classes and how they count towards college prerequisites; the more AP exams you pass, the more you increase your chances of admission to your dream college.

Don’t be afraid to make a class schedule that mixes business with pleasure. If you are a singer, you could choose Choir and Jazz Choir as two electives. Some schools offer “tech” classes, where you learn a new trade (cosmetology, mechanics, web design, etc.) in place of a traditional class period. This can be a great opportunity to discover a new love for something or give yourself a chance to relax during the day in a subject you are comfortable with (if you’re a great artist, take a drawing elective!).

While it is important to keep college in the back of your mind in everything you do, it is also equally important to find a balance in your class schedule and do things that bring you joy. Don’t overload yourself with difficult classes and burn out before you even start university. Try to counter each difficult class with something that you have a genuine interest in, but more importantly, choose classes that you want to take, not ones you think you should.

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Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by the Kaplan College Advising Team. With the widest range of collective expertise, Kaplan’s college admissions consultants have perfected the playbook for acceptance.