As schools will be looking at your first semester grades, it's critical not to drop the ball. Study hard and remember that your small investment in time, working toward these exams, can seal your admissions to the school of your dreams.
Students who work hard for three years and then show lower grades senior year aren't often admitted to the top schools. If you're hit by "senioritis" in the first semester, fight it any way you can. You'll be competing with students who have perfect grades all the way through, so don't harm your chances at this finish line. And wouldn't you want to do work you're proud of?
To help focus:
• Dedicate enough time to make sure you have studied sufficiently. Worrying that you didn't work hard enough will hurt your test performance as you will second-guess yourself.
• Put a picture of your dream school nearby. Remember your goal!
• Plan a small treat for yourself when you get back those good grades.
HOH Tip
GPA is the first thing schools look at. The second, the strength of your schedule: how rigorous were the courses you took; how hard were you pushing. Tests are usually the third thing schools look at. In the admissions office's view, grades and performance in high school are the best indicators of success for your first year of college because they demonstrate what kind of student you are.