Here are more reasons why education will be an important part of your future:

There are many opportunities for education beyond high school, including state and private colleges and universities, local community colleges, and technical schools. Think about what is available and what is right for you.

Take the Right Classes

Taking the right classes right now will help you get ready for high school and give you the skills you need to succeed in college.

What to Take, When to Take It
Classes recommended by the United States Department of Education:

• Algebra I in 8th grade
• Geometry in 9th grade
• English, science, and history or geography every year
• Foreign language, computer, and visual or performing art classes are also recommended

Accepting the Challenge
Be willing to accept a challenge. Take tough classes. Easy classes may not prepare you academically for high school and don't look all that great on your transcripts, either.

Working Ahead
Look into taking high school classes ahead of schedule. This will leave you more time to take upper-level courses later. Looking forward will keep you one step ahead on your way to college.

Doing Your Best
Whatever classes you decide on, take them seriously. It's worth your time to study hard and get good grades. In most cases, your high school transcript will include the grades from your 9th grade year, and college admissions counselors will consider this transcript when the time comes. So get the best grades you can now - you'll be glad you did later.

Get Involved

Middle school is more than just showing up for class. Getting involved in extracurricular activities, or activities beyond your actual school work, is a great step to take on your way to college.

Here are some ideas:

• Participate in athletics
• Learn to play an instrument in the orchestra or marching band
• Join the choir
• Volunteer for a cause that matters to you
• Try out for a school play
• Raise money for charity
• Join a club or committee
• Work on the school paper or yearbook

Why be involved?

• Activities are a great chance to meet new people and try new things.
• You’ll never know if you’re an awesome cellist or ping-pong player if you never try.
• Even if you aren’t great at something, you can still have fun.
• It looks great on college and scholarship applications.

Keep track of your activities by completing the Activities Résumé at www.educationquest.org.

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Now is the time to start thinking about your future. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?

What are my interests?
Think about what you enjoy and what you are good at.

What careers make good use of my skills?
For example, if you love science, think about becoming a chemist or a doctor. Check out the following sites to learn more about different careers:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
http://www.mappingyourfuture.org/planyourcareer/careership

Will I enjoy the career I have chosen?
Shadow someone currently in that career position to observe what the work is like.

What subject should I study in college?
If you're not sure what subject to focus on in college (your "major") to help you achieve your career goals, your guidance counselor can help.

Am I taking the right classes right now?
Along with taking the right classes to prepare for college, you should take classes related to your intended major/career. For example, if you would like to teach Spanish, make sure you take every Spanish class you can.

Now develop a plan for how to get there. This plan is your personal career plan and should include all the steps you'll need to take to reach your ultimate goal - the career of your dreams.

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It's never too early to begin saving for college. The sooner you and your parents begin saving, the better off you'll be.

Saving is the best way to prepare for the costs of college. Try to set aside as much as you can each month or each week. Every little bit will help.

Study Smartly

1. Get organized!
Develop a system that works for you to make sure you're on top of everything that needs to be done. Try a "To Do" list or a folder for important papers and worksheets.

2. Manage your time wisely
Get that homework done before turning on the television. Develop a schedule to make sure you have time for everything you need to get done.

3. Listen carefully in class
Paying attention in class is very important. Listen to your teachers and pay attention to the questions other students ask - all of this can help you understand the material.

4. Read, read, read
Read your textbook closely and carefully, and reread it if you don't understand.

5. Take good notes
If it's important enough for your teacher to write it down, you should write it down, too. Hint: it will probably be on the test.

6. Ask questions
If you don't understand, you're probably not alone. Don't be afraid to ask.

7. Know your study style
Figure out how you study best: with music or in silence, alone or with classmates, then study that way.

8. Be a smart test taker

• If a test is multiple choice, try to eliminate the answers you know are wrong.
• When facing an essay test, plan ahead for what you're going to write to make sure you haven't left anything out.
• Pay attention to your teacher's style of testing. Look at past tests to figure out what you missed and why.

Think About Your Future

Show Me the Future, http://showmethefuture.com, is an exciting game that gives you a fun way to help you think about your future! You'll be assigned an identity including a job and a family, and you get to make choices like what kind of home you'll live in, the type of vehicle you want to drive, and the amount of your income to spend on food, clothes, and entertainment.

Play the game again and again - it's different every time. And each time you play, you'll learn a little more about how to make the best choices you can in your own life.

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Surf the Web

Are you looking for the best web information on education, planning ahead, and study tips? EAC has developed a brochure for just this purpose.

Middle School Students Surf the Web is a guide to the Internet's best:

• Stay-safe web tips
• Information on planning ahead for college and careers
• Sites that help you get money-smart now
• Sites designed for surfing the web safely
• Sites designed for fun and learning
• And much more!

The Middle School Students Surf the Web brochure is available from your school counselor or by calling EAC at 1-800-592-1802, ext. 4302.