Student Success Tips

Freshman Year

Fall

  • Know how to login to your Chromebook, Email and Google Classrooms.
  • Find an organizational system that works for you.  A planner, large binder, printed calendar, if you need help ask your School Counselor.
  • Get to know all your teachers names.
  •  Arrive to class by the minute bell. 
  • Have all your materials for each class period, no back packs in class!

Spring

  • Ask for your transcript to see how many credits you earned 1st semester.
  • Make a plan to make some changes or keep some things the same. 
  • Work to understand your graduation requirements and graduation pathways. 
  • Use after school tutoring early and often. 
  • Get involved in clubs!

Sophomore Year

Fall

  • Plan for the year ahead,  how many credits did you earn Freshman year? 
  • Maintain a calendar/planner with important dates and deadlines.
  • STUDY. Keep up with homework assignments and academic responsibilities. If you are having problems, ask questions and seek help. Continue to build a solid GPA as a sophomore. It is easier now than trying to raise it as a junior and senior.
  • Register for available Dual Credit classes prior to the Ivy Tech registration deadline. https://ivytech.dualenroll.com/users/sign_in
  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
  • Start building your high school resume with activities, awards, volunteer work and extra curriculars. Leadership is valuable.
  • Explore  options for your 3E plans after high school Education, Enlistment or Employment.  Use  Naviance, attend college fairs,  speak with admissions representatives/military recruiters/employers when they come to Jimtown. Job shadows, volunteering and internships help you learn more about careers you may enjoy.

Spring

  • Stay Focused. It is easy to let your grades slide when "spring fever" hits. Keep studying!
  • Develop a plan for your Work Based Learning experiences.  The Elkhart Area Career Center, CareerWise Apprenticeships, or a Jimtown pathway.  Review your plans with your school counselor. 
      • Apply for your selected Work Based Experience. (Elkhart Area Career Center or CareerWise Apprenticeships)
  • Explore Summer Opportunities, a summer job, internship or volunteer position.
  • Plan to  enroll in challenging classes that will help you prepare for your future. Colleges want students to take four or five academic courses each semester.
  • Check summer school classes to keep your credits on track for graduation and in your graduation pathway. 

Summer

  • Participate in activities, work or volunteer experiences that will help with your career goals.
  • Create a summer reading list to boost your skills. Ask your teachers and librarian to recommend books.
  • Take summer classes to stay on track or make up credits as needed.

Junior Year

Fall

  • Expect to have a successful Junior year.
  • Audit your transcript, how many earned credits do you have? What is your Graduation Pathway status?
  • Take the PSAT  in October as practice for the SAT in March.
    • PSAT results are used to identify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program
  • Schedule a college visit, job shadow or interview to prepare for your Senior year. 
  • Update your academic resume
  • Check your email daily. 

Spring

  • Take the SAT

Khan Academy Official SAT Prep: Through a direct partnership with College Board, Khan Academy provides access to various resources, including thousands of practice questions, videos, lessons, helpful hints, and valuable test-taking tips and strategies. Every section of the digital SAT is crafted by Khan Academy's team of math, reading, and writing experts. https://www.khanacademy.org/SAT.

  • Required testing by  the state of IN for Graduation Pathways and some college for admission
  • Colleges select the highest score students earn, it is recommended to take the SAT/ACT more than once.
  • **All Juniors will take the SAT in March.  Additional testing  is scheduled online at www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT.
  • Continue the 3E, Education, Enlistment, Employment search

  • Explore colleges you are interested in attending and schedule campus visits

  • Continue to update  your academic resume (activities, award/achievements, community service, and work experience)

Things to ask yourself when choosing a college... 

What is the best fit for me?

Do I want to attend a large school or small school?

How far away do I want to attend from home?

Do I want to attend a private or public school?

How much am I willing to take out in loans? 

 

Senior Year

Fall
  •  Complete  college applications to meet their priority deadlines. Many colleges deadlines are November 1st.
  • Request to have your high school transcripts to be sent through Naviance. 
  • Ask for letters of recommendation from school staff, community members or people who know you best.  It is common courtesy to give recommenders plenty of time to write the letter. A minimum of two weeks notice is a good rule to follow.       
  • Provide the recommender with a stamped, addressed envelope for them to mail the letter directly to the school.

There are different types of College application deadlines:

  • Rolling Admissions -  decisions are once the application is  received and reviewed. It is a "first come, first served" basis.
  • Regular Decision- there is a set deadline by which your application must be received in order to be considered for admission. Acceptance decisions come on a set date.
  • Early Decision- applicants must attend if you are admitted to this school. You can only apply to one school with this designation. Notification is typically much earlier than regular decision date.
  • Early Action- early notification of admission status. If you apply by an early fall deadline, you will be notified by an earlier date  of your Acceptance decision. 

HOW TO APPLY TO COLLEGE:

Apply through Naviance. Common-App can be used, however you must sync your Common App on the Naviance website. Once the applications are synced each individual application must be submitted separately.

  • Use Naviance to request transcripts to be sent.
  • Request a letter of recommendation three weeks prior to the requested deadline. Naviance can be used to request letters from Jimtown teachers only.  

Spring

  • Complete the FAFSA, available in December 2023.  Whether you plan to attend college or not, all students must complete the FAFSA or sign an opt-out form.
  • Make a goal to complete so many scholarship applications a week. The more applications completed are the more opportunities for money. 
    • Scholarships can be located on the bulletin board in the main school hallway, Naviance,  or outside websites (ScholarshipAmerica, GoMerry, FASTWEB, and individual college websites)
  • Stay on top of your classes, do not let Senioritis take over!
  • Ask for help always! 
  • Submit your after high school plans to Student Services for the Education, Employment, Enlistment recognition board. 
  • Attend the Baccalaureate Ceremony, the Friday before Graduation to receive earned regalia and celebrate your graduating class. 
  • Enjoy the Alumni Banquet meal with fellow alumni, family and friends. 
  • Celebrate at Graduation on June 8, 2024.

Additional Helpful Hints

  • If you are having grade problems in a class, use the following steps to resolve your concerns:
    1. Talk to your teacher about your current grades to gain suggestions for improvement.
    2. Attend after school tutoring in the library
    3. Use Khan Academy, https://www.khanacademy.org/ or Ask Rose https://askrose.org/ .
  • Always listen to homeroom announcements!
  • Check your email starting in Freshman year. Make it a habit to check daily. 
  • Stay involved or become involved in school and community activities. This can help determine your eligibility for National Honor Society or future scholarship opportunities.