“High school is for fun,” they tell me. While that is mostly true, I can’t help being haunted by the prospect of college applications just a few years away. Am I choosing the right classes? Am I in the right extracurriculars? Is it enough? Am I enough? It’s easy for anyone to start to spiral.

When the college journey seems intimidating, it’s important to remember we aren’t on our own. Most other students think about the future in some form, even if it is still pretty uncertain. One of the largest obstacles to a college education remains funding. In fact, according to US News and World Report, the average cost in 2024-2025 to attend an in-state ranked public college is $11,011 per year with out-of-state students at public colleges coming in at $24,513 per year. Tuition at private colleges is averaging $43,505 per year. With such eye-popping numbers, students must do everything possible to start planning now.

I was curious about what my peers had planned for their futures, and I got various answers. Gillian, a freshman at my high school, is already considering the impact of student loans. She isn’t sure where she wants to go to college yet, but she will go to cosmetology school after two years in community college. 

“Because I will then have the knowledge to get a good-paying job in cosmetology, ” she says. “I’m hopefully going to make enough money to pay for most of my student loans and go to a good school for marine biology. Because my sister is a senior this year, I’m learning a lot about the college application process and a lot about the college application process, and a lot more about college loans in general, which will hopefully make my journey easier.”

Elsa, another freshman in high school, has a little more planning to do but wants to go to Georgia Tech. She says she “plans to split the student loans with [her] parents if they feel like helping out.” While Elsa was not aware of the yearly student loan dollar limits, she was confident she would learn more about it in the future since she “still [has] a long way to go.”

Independent college advisor and co-author of “Follow Your Interests to Find the Right College,” Janet Marthers, suggests that students start as early as possible in gathering information to aid in their college decisions. 

1. Try to have some class

According to Marthers, colleges want to see you take the most difficult classes your school offers. Difficulty, or “rigor,” to the level you can reasonably manage demonstrates your ability to take on challenging work in college. Marthers recommends that if you are on the fence between taking a regular versus Advanced Placement (AP) class, choose to stretch up to the AP class. She says it is far easier to drop down a level than to move up if you find yourself in a class that is too easy for you. She adds that the impact of AP or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes on your weighted GPA can be a much-needed boost.

2. You can say that again

While most high schools only require two years of a foreign language, college admissions offices typically want more. “You might want to bail on foreign language after two years,” Marthers warns, “[especially if you’re] claiming you took a foreign language in middle school. In reality, many selective colleges want to see three to four years of foreign language taken in high school.” Marthers notes the exception to this advice is if you have maxed out what your school has to offer, for example, taking AP French in 10th grade. 

3. Road trip!

Many high school students don’t begin thinking about their college choices until their junior year. But Marthers advises that it’s actually best to start early. She says that “going on a tour as a ninth or 10th grader makes college feel less abstract.” Touring local colleges and universities can be the best way to start learning about what is out there. Marthers adds, “Sometimes the best college tours are when you walk away hating a school. Then can learn to articulate things you don’t want, as well as things you do. This can help you develop a thoughtful rubric to assess schools you may not be able to visit in person.”

In general, high school counselors and independent advisors agree that spending time developing your passions, and seeking advice early, are two crucial moves.

4. Invest in yourself

Colleges are generally looking for well-rounded students who can balance the demands of a course load, social life, and living independently. Those who get admitted to the college of their choice typically spend time doing activities that line up with their interests. Whether that’s a job, internship, or club, make sure an admissions counselor can see how important those things are to you. Don’t treat it as a box to check just to pad your application. It will feel easier to apply for scholarships in your area of interest than for random things you aren’t passionate about.

5. Seek help

While the independent college advising business is booming, you don’t necessarily need to shell out the big bucks to get started on your college journey. Even doing something as simple as starting with a spreadsheet or a journal can begin your research. There you can track college scholarship opportunities, potential majors, and testing deadlines. You will begin to learn what questions you may still have. Most high schools have counselors who can answer questions or point you in the right direction with your research. Private college advisors will also be happy to offer some initial consultations and provide a wide range of fee-based services.