Navigating the high school and college preparation journey can often feel like a complex maze filled with important decisions at every turn. From engaging in extracurricular activities to selecting the right college and choosing a major, each step you take can significantly impact your academic and personal growth.
To help demystify this process, I’ve compiled a series of questions and answers based on personal experiences and insights. These aim to provide guidance and encourage thoughtful consideration as you make these pivotal choices. Whether you’re wondering about the value of extracurricular activities, how to curate your college list, or the best approach to picking a major, read on for some practical advice to navigate these challenges.
Q: Do I need to participate in extracurricular activities in high school?
A: No one will force you to participate in extracurricular activities in high school, but I can say from person experience that I highly recommend them. Not only do you get the opportunity to engage with more people from your school community, but colleges also tend to take into account your involvement in voluntary activities like extracirriculars. Activities that you take part in outside of the classroom can be both educational, and fun! There is something for any interest, so I recommend looking out for a club fair or list of clubs from your own school.
Q: How do I make a college list?
A: A college list can be made in a variety of ways. One way, is to look at the sizes of colleges that you prefer. Another way is to look at the programs offered by the college. One more factor to take into account is the price. While you shouldn’t rule out schools due to an estimated cost, you should still have what I call a “finacially-safe” school on your list. This school may be in-state, or a college where you are guaranteed a certain amount of scholarships. Do not be afraid to put a college on your list if it seems too prestigious, you never know what a college actually looks at, so you should apply!
Q: How do I pick a major for college?
A: Personally, I went through quite a few majors before I ended up with my final decision. People change majors in college, or enter undecided, but it doesn’t hurt to have an idea of what you want to major in. I split majors up into a few different categories: maths and sciences, business, and arts. You can create whatever categories you would like, and after creating these categories you can determine what you would actually want to do. I picked by specific major by deciding that I wanted to be in the College of Music Business and Entertainment at my school, and then I looked at the courses offered for each major. After looking at the courses offered for each major, I decided that Audio Engineering Technology would be the best for me. Looking at the classes offered for each major gives a better idea of what each major focuses on, and what you would spend your college career studying.
Kenzie Felix
Kenzie Felix is a freshman at Belmont University majoring Audio Engineering Technology. If you have any questions you would like her to address, please email Harvey Kart at hdkart@aol.com.
