Freshman year is the time to familiarize yourself with your school and its course offerings. Check out which APs your school offers, and which ones interest you.

Get to know your guidance counselor, they'll be very helpful for the rest of your time in school.

Sophomore year is the perfect time for creative exploration. By now, you will have become familiarized with your school and its inner workings, leaving an amazing opportunity to explore new passions. Join that new club that sounds interesting! Try a sport you think you might be good at!

Consider taking the PSAT. It can also be taken junior year, but taking it once Sophomore year can serve as good practice.

Continue focusing on schoolwork and maintaining good relationships with your teachers. Keep up the great work!

Junior year is when you need to start constructing your score portfolio. This is the year when you will sit for the SAT or ACT, as well as the year where you would take SAT subject tests.

You will need 2 teacher recommendations when applying to college, and many colleges prefer that those teachers be from Junior or Senior year. Forge good relationships with your teachers!

This is the year to go on college tours. Take advantage of school breaks and check out schools you would be potentially interested in applying to.

Try to challenge yourself with more difficult courses! This may include AP courses, IB courses, or honors courses.

Senior year is when you will apply to college. Early decision and early action applications are typically due in early November, while regular decision applications are due in the beginning of January.

While applying, remember to stay on top of all deadlines. Remind your teachers what colleges you are applying to and when those deadlines are so they can submit your recommendations on time.

College decisions are typically released for regular decision in early April or late March. Once decisions come out, there are only two things left to do: graduate, and celebrate!