Plan: Is college the right choice for me?
Prepare: What can I do to get ready for college?
Pay: How will I pay for college?

Preparing for College in Middle School

Where to Start

If you’ve thought about going to college after you finish high school, you’re on the right track. Now it’s time to decide how you’ll get there. College may seem like a long way off, but each step you take in your education from now on is a step toward college. It’s important to set your goals and plan the steps you’ll take to reach them.

  •           SMART Goals          
  •           Study Habits          
  •         From Middle to High School        
  •         From High School to College        

SMART Goals

A famous Oklahoman, Will Rogers, once said, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” If you're planning to go to college, it’s important to learn how to set your goals and plan the steps you’ll take to reach them. As you begin setting your goals, remember to “Think SMART!”

A SMART goal is a goal that’s Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based. It’s a goal that’s very clear and easily understood.

Specific
The goal must clearly state what’s to be achieved, by whom, where and when it’s to be achieved.

Example: I want to save $250 by the end of next year.

Measurable
Measurability applies to your goal at the end and to the steps taken along the way to reaching the goal. It answers the question of quantity: How much? How often? How many?

Example: I’ll need to save $3 from my allowance each week and save $94 by eating less junk food and by doing extra jobs around the house, like yard work, painting or babysitting.

Attainable
You should be sure the goals you set are achievable or you’ll get discouraged, and you may not reach them.

Example: If my allowance is $5 a week and I save $3 a week, I won’t have much money left over to spend on other things I need.

Relevant
Your goals must be related to what you want to achieve—not only right now, but further on down the road.

Example: Saving $250 or more each year will be an important step in paying for college.

Time-based
If you have a deadline, you can break your goal down into pieces that will be much easier to accomplish. If you keep reaching the smaller goals, it’ll be much easier to reach the big one at just the right time.

Example: By making monthly deposits into my savings account, I plan to save $250 by Dec. 31.



Next tab: "Study Habits"





Helpful tools

PDF of Degree vs. On-the-Job Training opens in a new tab
Middle School College Planning Checklists
PDF of Ask Your School Counselor Worksheet Opens in a new tab
Ask Your School Counselor Worksheet
PDF of Oklahoma's Promise Flyer opens in a new tab
Oklahoma's Promise Flyer