Spring

You're almost there -- keep your head in the game and avoid senioritis! Don't buy into the belief that your grades don't matter anymore. If you don't maintain your GPA, a college may rescind your admission.

Study for the AP exams -- a score of a 4 or 5 may help you get credit for courses in college, which can save you time and money (not to mention the hassle of taking a class you're not interested in!).

Send all of your AP exam and SAT II scores to the college you will be attending. Your high school counselor will take care of sending your final transcript to the college you are attending, but if you have any questions or concerns, just ask.

Carefully review the colleges that have accepted you. Visit their campuses if you can, or email counselors in the department that houses your major. Then make a decision about where you want to attend. Be sure to check response deadlines!

Make an appointment with a financial advisor so you can learn about borrowing money for college. Many college grads find themselves buried deep in student loan debt, but this doesn't have to be the case for you! Talk with an advisor about how to manage your money well in college. Consider getting a job during the summer so you can save up for expenses during the school year.

Fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) early in the semester so you can find out if you qualify for any additional aid, like federal scholarships and grants.

Have a good time in your last few months of high school, but keep making good decisions -- even if you feel awkward for not following the crowd.

Write thank you notes to everyone who has helped you along the way, from teachers who wrote you letters of recommendation to coaches who helped you get to state.

It's OK to feel a mix of emotions. You are getting ready to leave high school and quite possibly the area you grew up in! You may worry about friendships fading away and how you'll start over in college. And at the same time, you should feel proud of all the hard work you've put into your 4 years of high school. This is a very exciting time - reflect back on your high school years and realize how much you've grown and learned. Congratulations! You are ready for the next step - college.

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