The High School Freshman Advice you NEED to Know: How to get into Top Colleges

Tulla Bee
18 Sept 202014:53
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this insightful video, the speaker, an incoming Stanford University freshman, shares valuable advice for high school freshmen. The speaker emphasizes the importance of joining clubs to demonstrate commitment and leadership, and advises students to prioritize academics over extracurricular activities. They also suggest being smart about Advanced Placement (AP) exams, developing effective study habits, and using a planner to stay organized. The video encourages self-study using resources like Khan Academy and YouTube, and highlights the significance of a rigorous academic schedule and maintaining a high GPA. The speaker also recommends finding unique interests to stand out in college applications and stresses the importance of using weekends wisely for homework and studying. They conclude with a reminder to respect hallway traffic in school and offer support for navigating the challenges of the current COVID-19 situation.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 Prioritize academics over extracurricular activities to maintain a strong GPA, which is crucial for college applications.
  • 🏋️‍♀️ Join multiple clubs during your freshman year to explore interests and potentially secure leadership roles.
  • 📚 Develop good study habits and routines early on to manage your workload effectively throughout high school.
  • 📅 Use a planner to stay organized and ensure you never miss any assignments or deadlines.
  • 🤔 Be prepared to self-study or seek additional resources like Khan Academy or YouTube if classroom teaching isn't effective for you.
  • 📈 Plan a four-year academic schedule with the help of a guidance counselor or another knowledgeable adult to ensure you meet all course requirements.
  • 🧠 Challenge yourself with rigorous courses, including AP exams, but know your limits and maintain a balance that doesn't compromise your mental health.
  • 👀 Choose extracurricular activities that you genuinely enjoy, as they will help you build stronger essays for college applications.
  • 🌟 Find unique hobbies or interests that set you apart and can be highlighted in your college essays.
  • 📉 Understand that if your GPA slips during your freshman year, it can be difficult to recover, so aim to keep it as high as possible.
  • 🚶‍♂️ Be respectful of school hallway etiquette by not stopping abruptly and blocking the flow of traffic for other students.
Q & A

  • What is the significance of the freshman year in high school according to the speaker?

    -The freshman year in high school is significant because it is a foundational time for college applications. It's a time to set a good baseline for everything on the application, such as starting clubs and setting the tone for the rest of high school.

  • Why is joining clubs during the freshman year recommended?

    -Joining clubs during the freshman year allows students to explore different interests, demonstrate commitment to activities over four years, and potentially attain leadership positions, which are all viewed positively by colleges.

  • What is the most important tip the speaker gives regarding academics?

    -The most important tip is to always prioritize academics over extracurricular activities. A good grade in a class is more important to colleges than participation in a sport or club that compromises academic performance.

  • Why is it important to choose AP exams wisely?

    -Choosing AP exams wisely is important because while colleges appreciate students taking challenging courses, taking on too many difficult AP exams can lead to lower grades if the student cannot manage the workload, which can negatively impact college applications.

  • What is the speaker's advice on developing study skills and plans?

    -The speaker advises developing study skills and plans that work for the individual during the freshman year. Establishing a good study routine and sticking to it can greatly benefit a student's academic performance throughout high school.

  • How does the speaker recommend using a planner?

    -The speaker recommends using a planner to keep track of assignments and stay organized. Finding a planner that suits the individual's preferences and using it consistently can help prevent forgetting assignments and stay focused.

  • Why is self-study or self-teaching important according to the speaker?

    -Self-study or self-teaching is important because it allows students to learn at their own pace and in a way that they understand best. Utilizing resources like Khan Academy and YouTube videos can be beneficial, especially if a teacher's teaching style doesn't resonate with the student.

  • What is the significance of setting out a four-year plan for high school courses?

    -Setting out a four-year plan for high school courses helps students understand when they need to take each class to successfully complete all their coursework. It provides a roadmap to ensure that they meet all graduation and college application requirements.

  • Why should students aim to take the most rigorous schedule possible?

    -Taking the most rigorous schedule possible that a student can handle demonstrates strength and academic rigor, which is a significant factor for college admissions officers. It shows that the student is willing to challenge themselves and excel in difficult courses.

  • What unique advice does the speaker give for college application essays?

    -The speaker advises finding one out-of-the-box activity, job, or hobby that is unique to the student. This uniqueness can help create a strong college admissions essay that showcases the student's personality and interests.

  • How should students manage their weekends during high school?

    -Students should manage their weekends by setting aside at least one day or half of both days to complete homework and studying. This helps maintain a balance between academics and social activities, ensuring that academic responsibilities are not neglected.

  • What is the speaker's final piece of advice regarding GPA?

    -The speaker's final advice is to prioritize academics from the start to maintain a high GPA. A high GPA is a strong tool for college applications, but it's also important to know one's limits and not to compromise mental health or well-being in the pursuit of high grades.

Outlines
00:00
🎓 Starting High School with a Strong Foundation

The speaker, tulubi, reflects on their personal growth and introduces themselves as an incoming freshman at Stanford University. They emphasize the importance of the freshman year in setting a strong foundation for college applications, such as starting clubs and extracurricular activities. Tulubi shares personal tips and tricks for succeeding in high school, clarifying that these are suggestions based on their own experience, not strict requirements for college admission.

05:02
🏋️‍♂️ Balancing Extracurriculars and Academics

Tulubi advises joining multiple clubs during the freshman year to discover interests and gain leadership opportunities. They discuss the importance of commitment to extracurricular activities and how it can look favorable to colleges. The speaker also stresses the need to prioritize academics over sports or clubs if they interfere with academic performance. They suggest that genuine interest in activities is crucial for building compelling college essays.

10:02
📚 Academic Excellence and AP Exams

The speaker discusses the importance of developing good study habits and planning during the freshman year. They recommend using a planner to stay organized and not being afraid to self-study or use online resources like Khan Academy and YouTube for better understanding. Tulubi also advises working with a guidance counselor or an adult to create a four-year plan for high school courses. They emphasize taking the most rigorous course load possible without compromising mental health and finding unique activities to stand out in college applications.

🤓 Utilizing Weekends and Maintaining a High GPA

Tulubi shares a study tip about effectively using weekends for homework and studying, as the transition from middle to high school can change one's schedule significantly. They caution against slacking off or overexerting oneself, which can lead to a drop in GPA that is difficult to recover. They highlight the importance of a high GPA for college applications and encourage prioritizing academics to maintain it. The speaker also humorously advises against stopping in the middle of school hallways to check class schedules, as it can disrupt the flow of traffic.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Glow up
The term 'glow up' refers to a significant improvement in one's appearance or personal development over time. In the video, the speaker uses this term to reflect on their personal growth since their first video, which is a way to connect with the audience on a personal level and set a positive tone for the content that follows.
💡College freshman
A 'college freshman' is a student in their first year of college or university. The speaker identifies as an incoming college freshman at Stanford University, which is a significant part of their personal narrative in the video. This status is relevant as it lends credibility to the advice being offered, as the speaker has recent and relevant experience with the college application process.
💡High school freshman year
The 'freshman year of high school' is the first year of secondary education in the United States, typically for students aged 14 to 15. The video emphasizes the importance of this year for setting a strong foundation for the remainder of high school, particularly in terms of college applications. It suggests that activities and achievements during this year can have a lasting impact on a student's academic trajectory.
💡Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities are pursuits undertaken by students outside of their academic curriculum. The video discusses the value of joining clubs and participating in sports during the freshman year to demonstrate commitment and leadership, which are attractive qualities for college applications. The speaker also advises not to continue with activities that conflict with academic success.
💡Academics
Academics refer to educational activities, especially those related to scholarly study and research. The video stresses the importance of prioritizing academics over extracurricular activities, as good grades are crucial for college applications. The speaker warns against overcommitting to activities that might compromise academic performance.
💡AP exams
AP, or Advanced Placement exams, are standardized tests that high school students can take to demonstrate their college-level knowledge in a particular subject. The video advises being smart with AP exams by knowing one's limits and pushing oneself without overextending, as these exams can be both challenging and beneficial for a student's GPA and college application.
💡Study skills
Study skills are techniques and strategies that help students learn and retain information more effectively. The video encourages the development of personalized study plans and routines during the freshman year to establish good habits that can be maintained throughout high school.
💡Planner
A planner is a tool used for organizing and managing time effectively. The video recommends using a planner to keep track of assignments and stay focused, which is particularly important for managing the increased workload in high school.
💡Self-study
Self-study refers to the process of learning independently without formal classroom instruction. The video suggests that students should not be afraid to self-study or self-teach using resources like Khan Academy or YouTube if they find that their teachers' teaching methods do not align with their learning style.
💡Four-year plan
A 'four-year plan' is a strategic outline of the courses a student intends to take throughout high school to meet graduation requirements and prepare for college. The video emphasizes the importance of working with a guidance counselor or another knowledgeable adult to create a four-year plan that ensures the successful completion of all necessary coursework.
💡Out-of-the-box activities
Out-of-the-box activities are those that are unconventional, unique, or not commonly pursued by most students. The video suggests finding one such activity to make a student stand out in their college application, as it can provide a distinctive angle for college essays and showcase the student's individuality.
💡Weekend utilization
The term 'weekend utilization' refers to how students use their time during the weekend for various activities, including studying and homework. The video advises students to use their weekends wisely by dedicating time to complete homework and studying, which is crucial for staying on top of academic responsibilities.
💡GPA
GPA stands for Grade Point Average, which is a numerical measure of a student's academic performance. The video highlights the importance of maintaining a high GPA, particularly a 4.0 unweighted GPA, as it significantly improves a student's chances of college admission success.
Highlights

The speaker, tulubi, has noticeably improved their appearance in the past six months.

Tulubi will be an incoming college freshman at Stanford University in the class of 2024.

The importance of freshman year in setting a strong foundation for high school and college applications is emphasized.

Joining clubs during freshman year can help students discover their interests and potentially lead to leadership roles.

Prioritizing academics over sports or extracurricular activities is crucial for maintaining a strong GPA.

Students should pursue activities they genuinely enjoy, as this passion can be effectively conveyed in college essays.

Being smart with AP exams and knowing one's limits while also pushing oneself is advised.

Developing good study skills and plans early on in high school is essential for long-term academic success.

Using a planner is highly recommended for staying organized and on top of assignments.

Self-study and utilizing resources like Khan Academy or YouTube can be beneficial for mastering subjects.

Creating a four-year plan for high school with the help of a guidance counselor or another knowledgeable adult is important.

Taking the most rigorous schedule possible that a student can comfortably handle is suggested for college applications.

Finding unique extracurricular activities or hobbies can make a student's college application stand out.

Using weekends wisely to complete homework and studying is a key strategy for managing high school workload.

Maintaining a high GPA is important for college applications, but it's also crucial to balance this with mental health.

Navigating high school hallways efficiently to avoid causing disruptions is a social tip for freshmen.

The video acknowledges the impact of COVID-19 on the current educational landscape and adaptability.

Tulubi encourages viewers to subscribe for future content about their journey at Stanford University.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

advice for high school juniors 🌵 what you need to know about classes, activities, + life

so you want to take 10+ AP classes...

how i'm planning for 6 ap exams (2019)

How many AP classes should I take?

#Transizion How Many AP Classes Should I Take: The Best Video Guide

how to self study ap human geography (and get a 5)

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
High School TipsCollege ApplicationsAcademic BalanceExtracurricularsLeadershipStudy SkillsAP ExamsTime ManagementStanford UniversityFreshman YearSelf-Teaching