Navigating life after high school can seem daunting. Here is a Top 10 list of ways to be better prepared, whether you choose to take a gap year, go into the miliary, enter the workforce or attend a technical college or university. 

1. KNOW YOURSELF:  Achievement, abilities, interests, and ambitions are important factors to be evaluated in setting your goals.
2. BECOME A WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL:  Develop hobbies and participate in school, community, and church activities. Broaden your field of interest through reading and contacts with people.
3. MAKE GOOD GRADES:  Good grades are important. If you are not getting good grades, talk to your teacher about your difficulty.
4. PLAN YOUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM:  Certain courses are required for entrance to college. The Student-Parent Curriculum Information Guide will tell you what courses you should take. The counselor will help you.
5. THE WORLD OF WORK:  Explore the many occupational fields prior to entering high school. Evaluate this information as it relates to your self-evaluation. Don't select an occupation field or goal just because "Uncle Charlie" is successful or thinks it is good for you.
6. PLAN FOR YOUR VOCATION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE:  Start planning your future upon entering high school. Find out all you can about occupations which interest you. Talk to people actually doing the work in which you are interested. For instance, talk to our counselor about contacting people in careers that appeal to you.
7. SELECT YOUR COLLEGE OR TECHNICAL SCHOOL:  Investigate the schools which offer training in the field of your choice. Talk to people who have attended these institutions if possible. Find out the cost of your proposed course and what scholarships the school offers. The counselor will help you with this. Learn about projected demands for the field of employment you select or are interested in.
8. LEARN ABOUT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES:  Check with the counselor concerning requirements, application procedures, and admission testing required at the school of your choice. Some colleges require admission tests. College catalogs, video tapes or disks are available in the counseling office.
9. PLANNING FINANCES:  Parents and students should consider the combination of savings, scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time student jobs when planning the financing of higher education.
10. PREPARE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION EARLY:  Scholarship applications should be completed early. The counselor will assist you with your scholarship applications.