‘25

In the second issue of the College Guide Series, Drumbeats has collected a variety of advice and information on where students should be in preparation for college. With advice from Mrs. Robinson, Collegeboard, and current seniors, many Indian Hills students are encouraged to utilize the advice and information given to remain on track for college success.

For current seniors, November and December mark the finalization of early decision applications and tracking deadlines for regular decisions at various colleges. Parallel to the first marking period, seniors are recommended to continue being at their academic best and remaining involved both in and out of school. Mrs. Robinson, the supervisor of school counseling, encourages seniors and juniors to “attend the college visits happening during the school day at Indian Hills.”

Juniors should be organized at the start of the year and plan monthly ways to align themselves for success during their post-secondary planning process. After receiving the PSAT score report, juniors are recommended to reflect and prepare for the upcoming SAT. Juniors should further take advantage of NHS peer tutors to assist them with courses they may be finding difficult. On November 16th, the guidance department hosted information about the college application process. Following that webinar, students and parents are invited to a 1:1 conference with their school counselor to discuss post-secondary planning options. To attend the 1:1 meeting, however, the guidance department asks that juniors remain up-to-date with Naviance to organize colleges of interest and to fill out the appropriate surveys beforehand. Mrs. Robinson recommended that juniors attend the webinar and potential future webinars as it “provide[ed] a great deal of information to students for to-do items that they should focus on over the course of the next few months.”

Current sophomores should continue reflecting on effective and ineffective study strategies to excel in the following school year. Sophomore year is the ideal time to raise GPAs dramatically before junior and senior year. Students are further advised to remain involved in school and out of school. If possible, sophomores should seek volunteer hour opportunities. After receiving the PSAT score report, sophomores should reflect on their score to do their best on the PSAT/NMSQT junior year. “advice would be to start looking at colleges during your junior year or the summer beforehand. I also suggest starting your supplemental essay before school starts (depending on where you’re applying, you might have to write a lot of them)”. Despite the year 2023 coming to a close, following the information in the Drumbeats College Guide, which is being released in each issue, will help students triumph in the upcoming 2024 year and onwards.