College is one of the most daunting things for a high schooler to consider. It's constantly being pushed in our faces by our school's counsellors, from the second you step onto campus your freshman year, even until after acceptance letters are finished being sent out. The constant exposure to this can make a lot of high schoolers reluctant to face the challenge of researching all there is to know about college.
So, at what point should you start diving into it all? When should you finally face that daunting task and explore all the information out there about college？
If you start as early as middle school, you may not have access to the same quality of resources high schoolers may have. On the contrary, if you start researching too late in high school, you could end up with very rushed research. So, at what point does it all balance out to become the perfect time to start your college adventures?
Middle School (6th-8th Grade)
This is probably the earliest a teenager can actually start thinking about college effectively. Most middle schools begin educating their students on the most basic college information in 8th grade, when students are choosing their freshman year classes. These classes can set the path for what courses you'll be able to take in the later years of high school, which is why many middle schools teach their students about college entrance requirements.
This is a great video that covers all the necessary information to research when looking into different schools!
Challenges of Thinking Early
While middle school is a good time for tweens to be educated on basic information, oftentimes it will leave academically driven students longing for a more in-depth explanation of the college application process, and just college in general.
In a perfect world, that's awesome. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world, and when you start early it can easily become problematic if college research is done without good, credible, and correct resources.
Middle schools often lack the resources to provide good college information to their students, which is why they don't tend to offer it. But, when a student comes up to their counselor with a question, many will feel obligated to give an answer, even if they aren't 100% sure that it's the correct one. This can lead students to confusion, and more questions raised than answered.
The Benefits of Thinking Early
With the right resources, learning about college as early as middle school can really give you an advantage when high school comes along. You'll have a better understanding of what your counselors are talking about, be able to do even more research with time, and even be able to have opportunities that you might not have known about otherwise.
Freshman Year (9th Grade)
Freshman year might still be considered early for some people to think about college. You're typically just out of middle school, and it can still feel like that's where you are.
Between the stress of entering a new school, a new social circle, and added responsibility, the last thing many teens will want to think about is college. However, this can actually be a great time for many individuals to begin researching.
Advantages of Freshman Year Exploration
At this point, you'll probably be in high school, which means you'll have access to resources that actually have the right information and know how to answer any of your questions. You'll be made aware of events like college fairs that are typically advertised to older students, but are open to all ages.
Physical resources such as library books and pamphlets, along with digital resources sent out via email will also be accessible to you as a freshman in high school.
Difficulties in Freshman Year Exploration
One setback that you might come across is the availability of your school's college counselors. Throughout the year, juniors and seniors who are closer to the application process will be making tons of appointments, especially during application season.
This may leave you with less appointment times to choose from, causing a less ideal learning environment for you. However, this all depends on the school's structure, and in a smaller school this shouldn't be a problem. Freshman year is a great time to begin thinking about college!
Sophomore Year (10th Grade)
Sophomore year tend to be a very “meh” year for a lot of people. It's not the first year, but you really aren't close to the end either. One thing you can do to spice it up is start thinking about colleges!
Generally speaking, you will have good access to all your school's resources, as well as a better understanding of college terminology. Chances are, you'll also have classes with upperclassmen who know a lot about the subject.
Advantages of Researching Sophomore Year
As a sophomore, your counselors will be eager to work on getting your understanding of the college admissions process as crystal clear as it can be. You'll be eligible for more college oriented programs such as seminars, camps, and internships, as well as be informed about local college events such as college fairs.
Additionally, after being in high school for a year, some of your classes will most likely be combined with juniors and seniors at your school that are going through the admissions process. They'll be a great resource for any super specific questions you have!
There aren't many disadvantages to thinking at this time. Unless you are super detail oriented and like to plan far in advance, this is a great time to start researching colleges.
Junior Year (11th Grade)
Junior year is definitely the latest to begin thinking about college. You won't have much time to think about what you really want in a college, such as size, major, or location. Counselors will be wanting you to start your research ASAP, and you'll likely be stressed with all the options, especially with application season around the corner.
If you're someone who has procrastinated the college research process, get farther ahead by making an appointment with your counselor and asking for tips on how to speed up the process. They'll definitely have experience with this, so don't worry!
Overall Thoughts
Throughout your time in middle and high school, college will be a subject that you are consistently exposed to and encouraged to explore. While the task may seem daunting at first, once you get organized and find schools that you like to research, the process becomes much easier.
There's never a “correct” time to start thinking about and researching colleges. It's all about picking the time that feels right for you. Whether that be middle school and you have a good resource to go to, or the beginning of junior year and you're someone who likes working well under pressure, starting the journey is all about what feels right for you as an individual.
