Are you a high school student who’s feeling a little bit jittery about college readiness? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! It’s perfectly normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of college, but fear not, because I’ve got some fun and quirky activities that will help you get ready for college in no time.
Going to a great college is there on every high schooler’s bucket list. Hence, college readiness doesn’t have to be all work and no play. In fact, incorporating some fun activities into your preparation can help make the process more enjoyable and less daunting. So, put down that calculator and grab a snack, because it’s time to get prepared in style!
High school activities to prepare for college success
1. College Research Project
Are you wondering where you’ll attend college? With the College Research Project, you’ll explore different colleges and universities based on location, size, majors offered, cost, and admission requirements. Present your findings to the class and compare and contrast different colleges to make the best decision for your future.
In this activity, students will work individually to research a college or university of their choice, considering factors such as location, size, majors offered, cost, and admission requirements. Once they have completed their research, they will create a visual representation of their chosen college or university, such as a poster or brochure, using both text and images.
Finally, students will present their project to the class, highlighting the most important aspects of their chosen school and explaining why they believe it would be a good fit for them. As a class, students can discuss the similarities and differences between the schools they have researched, as well as any surprising or interesting findings.
2. Time Management Exercise
Do you struggle with managing your workload and finding time for leisure activities? With the Time Management Exercise, you’ll learn how to prioritize tasks, create a schedule, and make better use of your time. Improve your productivity and enjoy a more balanced life with this valuable exercise.
In this activity, students will work in pairs or small groups to complete a series of tasks within a set amount of time, using effective time management skills. The tasks can be tailored to the student’s interests or subject area, such as completing a science experiment or solving a math problem. Before beginning the activity, students will brainstorm and discuss strategies for prioritizing tasks, creating a schedule, and taking breaks.
As they work through the tasks, they will keep track of their progress and make adjustments to their schedule as needed. After completing the activity, students will reflect on their experience, discussing what worked well and what they would do differently in the future to improve their time management skills.
3. Essay Writing Workshop
Do you struggle with writing essays? With the Essay Writing Workshop, you’ll practice writing essays on topics related to college admission. Learn how to structure your essays, improve grammar and coherence, and receive feedback from your peers to enhance your writing skills.
In this activity, students will participate in an essay writing workshop that focuses on topics related to college admission. Students will be given writing prompts and will work individually to write a draft of an essay. After writing their essay, students will be paired with a peer for a peer-review session.
During the peer review session, students will read their partner’s essay and provide constructive feedback on structure, grammar, and coherence. After the peer review session, students will revise their essays based on the feedback they received and then share their final essays with the class. As a class, students will discuss the essays and what they learned about effective essay-writing strategies.
4. Test-Taking Strategies Exercise
Are you nervous about taking standardized exams? With the Test-Taking Strategies Exercise, you’ll learn how to develop effective test-taking strategies and practice with sample tests. Discuss and compare different strategies with your classmates to become a confident test-taker.
In this activity, students will learn and practice effective test-taking strategies for standardized exams. The activity will begin with a discussion of different strategies, such as time management, the process of elimination, and reading comprehension. Then, students will work in pairs or small groups to practice these strategies using sample tests.
After practicing, students will discuss what worked well and what challenges they encountered. As a class, students will share their strategies and discuss how they can be applied to different types of questions. Finally, students will reflect on their experience and identify which strategies they found most effective and plan to use in future exams.
5. Study Skills Practice
Are you looking to improve your study skills? With Study Skills Practice, you’ll learn how to take effective notes, summarize reading materials, and engage in active reading. Share your study strategies with the class and become a more effective learner.
In this activity, students will participate in a study skills practice session to improve their note-taking, summarizing, and active reading skills. Students will be given reading materials and will work individually to practice these skills.
After practicing, students will share their notes and summaries with the class and discuss effective study strategies that they used. As a class, students will reflect on the activity and discuss what they learned about effective study skills.
6. Financial Aid Research
Do you need financial assistance to attend college? With Financial Aid Research, you’ll research different types of financial aid such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Present your findings and discuss the pros and cons of each type of financial aid to make an informed decision.
In this activity, students will research different types of financial aid such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Students will work in pairs or small groups to research the different types of financial aid and prepare a presentation to share with the class.
During the presentations, students will discuss the pros and cons of each type of financial aid and how they can be used to fund their college education. As a class, students will reflect on the presentations and discuss what they learned about financial aid and its importance in attending college.
7. Public Speaking Workshop
Are you nervous about public speaking? With the Public Speaking Workshop, you’ll practice presenting in front of your peers on topics related to college and career readiness. Receive feedback and become a confident public speaker.
In this activity, students will have the opportunity to practice their public speaking skills. The teacher will divide students into groups and assign each group a topic related to college and career readiness. Each student will then prepare a short presentation on the assigned topic.
Once the presentations are ready, each student will present in front of their group, receiving feedback on their presentation skills. This feedback will help them improve their public speaking skills and become more confident when speaking in front of an audience. Students can also enroll themselves in public speaking camps for added benefits.
8. Career Exploration Activity
Are you unsure about your future career path? With the Career Exploration Activity, you’ll research different career paths and present your findings to the class. Discuss how different college majors can lead to different careers and learn how to choose a major based on your career goals.
In this activity, students will research different career paths and present their findings to the class. The teacher will assign a career exploration activity where students will research different career paths, taking into account the education and skills required for each job. Once the research is complete, each student will present their findings to the class, discussing the different paths they found and how each career aligns with their personal interests and strengths.
The class will then discuss how different college majors can lead to different careers, and how to choose a major based on their career goals. This activity will help students explore their interests and gain a better understanding of the careers that may be available to them in the future.
9. Digital Literacy Exercise
Are you comfortable using digital tools for research? With the Digital Literacy Exercise, you’ll learn how to gather information using databases, email, and online collaboration platforms. Share your digital research strategies with the class to become a more proficient researcher.
In this activity, students will improve their digital research skills by gathering information using various digital tools. The teacher can assign a research project related to a particular topic and provide a list of digital tools such as databases, email, and online collaboration platforms to gather information.
Students can work individually or in small groups to conduct research using these tools. After gathering the necessary information, students will present their findings to the class and share their digital research strategies. Through this activity, students will become more proficient in digital literacy and develop research skills that can be applied in their future academic pursuits.
10. Critical Thinking Discussion
Do you want to improve your critical thinking skills? With the Critical Thinking Discussion, you’ll analyze and evaluate different perspectives on a controversial topic related to college or current events. Learn how to apply critical thinking skills to your college coursework and beyond.
In this activity, students will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating different perspectives on a controversial topic related to college or current events. The teacher can host a class discussion on a specific topic and provide different viewpoints to the students. Students can work individually or in small groups to analyze and evaluate each perspective presented.
They can then come to a reasoned conclusion based on their evaluation of the different perspectives. In the end, the teacher can facilitate a class discussion where students can share their conclusions and explain their reasoning. Through this activity, students will develop critical thinking skills that will not only benefit them in college coursework but also in their personal and professional lives.
Conclusion
Preparing for college can be a fun and exciting experience with the right mindset and approach. Incorporating quirky and engaging activities into your preparation can help make the process more enjoyable and less stressful. Whether it’s a college scavenger hunt, a college-themed potluck dinner, or a college knowledge trivia night, there are many ways to make college readiness a fun and social experience.
By taking the time to prepare in a fun and engaging way, you can feel confident and ready to tackle whatever college throws your way. Furthermore, students can also use a college preparation checklist to be sure! So, don’t be afraid to get creative and have some fun while you prepare for the next exciting chapter in your life!
Having a 10+ years of experience in teaching little budding learners, I am now working as a soft skills and IELTS trainers. Having spent my share of time with high schoolers, I understand their fears about the future. At the same time, my experience has helped me foster plenty of strategies that can make their 4 years of high school blissful. Furthermore, I have worked intensely on helping these young adults bloom into successful adults by training them for their dream colleges. Through my blogs, I intend to help parents, educators and students in making these years joyful and prosperous.