- So, Why Should You Even Care About College Prep in 2025?
Look, I get it—college talk is everywhere, and honestly, it’s kind of exhausting. But with tuition prices shooting up faster than your phone’s screen time and college apps turning into some kind of Olympic sport, you can’t just coast through high school and hope for the best. Whether it’s nailing the SATs, flexing your club skills, or just figuring out what you like, you gotta be a little strategic. I’m about to drop my top 10 tips for surviving this wild ride—and maybe even coming out on top. Buckle up.
- Get Obsessed: Follow What Actually Fires You Up
People always say, “Find your passion!” and, yeah, it sounds cheesy as hell, but it’s real. High school’s this weird buffet—clubs, sports, AP classes, drama, coding, you name it. Don’t just pick stuff that looks good on paper. Try everything. Be weird, be bold. Colleges? They’re not looking for robots with perfect resumes. They want someone who actually gives a damn about something. So, go geek out over art, start a podcast, build a robot army—whatever. The more you’re into it, the more you’ll stand out.
- Don’t Sleep on Your Classes: Stack Your Academic Deck
Alright, let’s keep it real: grades still matter. You’re not getting into your dream school with a transcript that looks like spilled alphabet soup. Focus on the basics—math, English, science, history. And if you can, crank it up with AP, IB, or whatever challenge your school offers. Yeah, it’s tough, but colleges eat that stuff up. Push yourself, but don’t fry your brain. Learn, screw up, get better. That’s what counts.
- Extracurriculars: Stop Being Boring, Show Off Your Real Self
You’re more than your GPA, trust me. Dive into stuff outside class—sports, theater, debate, eSports, volunteering, whatever floats your boat. Want to start a club about obscure 90s cartoons? Do it. This is where you show what makes you actually interesting. Schools want to see you’re not just another clone—they want the full you, quirks and all. So, go do your thing. Lead, create, hustle. Your vibe will catch their eye.
- Time Management: AKA Not Losing Your Mind
Okay, confession: nobody has their life together in high school. But if you wanna make it through in one piece, you gotta at least fake it. Grab a planner, use your phone calendar, scribble notes on your hand—whatever works. Block out your week so you’ve got time to study, binge Netflix, AND hang with friends. Is it perfect? No. Will you mess up? Absolutely. Just don’t let procrastination eat you alive. Find your rhythm and stick with it… mostly.
- Volunteering: Make Some Good Trouble
Here’s the secret: giving back isn’t just for your college app. It actually feels good (shocking, I know). Pick a cause that doesn’t suck—animals, climate, mentoring, whatever. Volunteer your time, or go big and start something from scratch if you’re feeling spicy. You’ll meet cool people, learn stuff you can’t in a classroom, and yeah, admissions folks will notice. Plus, it’s way better than scrolling TikTok for 4 hours straight.
- Wrapping It Up: Give Yourself Some Credit, Seriously
If you made it this far, congrats, you’re officially ahead of half your class. This whole college prep thing? It’s a marathon, not a TikTok trend. You’re gonna mess up. You’ll ace some things and bomb others. That’s normal. Celebrate every little win, laugh off the fails, and just keep hustling. Your weird, awesome, hardworking self is paving the way for something big. Don’t forget to breathe and enjoy the ride—even when it’s bumpy. College is just the next chapter, not the whole book. Now go get it. 🚀
