College is about time management. Have a plan, set realistic goals, and apply yourself.

---Moses Muldrow, Coppin State Senior

Build your teamwork and leadership skills by participating in extracurricular activities, summer programs, and community service.

-- Way2GoMaryland Staff

Share your desire to get involved with your teachers and guidance counselors. They can point you in the right direction when seeking information about academic programs and activities.

-- Brittany Brown, Bowie State University Senior

You learn more about yourself academically, when you do the unexpected. Discover your unknown by going the extra mile.

-- Marques Thomas, Towson University Senior

Don't be afraid to ask your guidance counselors about your progress. Counselors are a great resource to help you focus on your academic goals.

-- Kiristin Tunstell, UMES Alumna

Communicate your hopes, desires, and dreams to people who will listen and help you.

--Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, Maryland Daily Record Publisher

Challenge yourself with tough courses.

--Maryland Mentor

If you are unsure of what to study to prepare for a specific career, try learning about the work from a professional in the field you are considering.

-- Victoria Popoola, University of Maryland College Park Senior

Start joining clubs and activities to help reveal your interest and talents.

--Setena Brown, Frostburg State University Senior

Show your ability to reach out to those in need by volunteering at various organizations within your community.

--Marylandmentor.org

When considering college choices, research schools based on an ideal career path (such as dentistry, education, arts, etc) and compare your results by cost.

-- Kasi Rawlings, Towson University Alumna

Think about what fascinates you about the world and use that as a starting point to develop career interests.

--Lilian Johnson, UMBC Junior

Start focusing on your grades now and get involved with your school. Join clubs that your school may have or maybe consider starting your own club with a faculty member.

--Mark Droter, Towson University Senior

Consider shadowing professionals who are on the career path that interests you. If it continues to interest you, ask about volunteering your time to gain hands-on experience in that field.

--Jamase Lucas, Bowie State University Alumna

Participate in activities that require time and effort outside the classroom (such as speech, debate, band, communications, and drama). Your participation in these activities can indicate that you are well rounded and have the willingness to cooperate with others.

--MarylandMentor.org

Write out your ideal college experience (Greek life, debate team, fashion club, political advocacy) and start your college search based on fulfilling that experience.

--Setena Brown, Frostburg State University Senior

Check out our Kids' Zone to play games to build your math skills, learn more about your public or private school and about colleges, and learn interesting facts about education. Visit: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/index.asp

--National Center for Education Statistics

It's never too early to begin preparing for the SAT (the Scholastic Aptitude Test that some colleges and universities require you to take as part of your application). The College Board offers a "Question of the Day" to help familiarize you with the test. Check it out: Click Here!

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Work hard to do your best in math in elementary and middle school. That hard work will pay off well in your high-school and college math courses.

--P.J. Hogan, Vice Chancellor for Government Affairs, University System of Maryland

Communication is the key. Communicate with your parents/guardians, teachers/administrators, and your peers. Get help when you need it and offer it when you don't. "It takes a village" to get where you want to go. Be an active citizen of that village and there will be no stopping you!

--Lynn J. Davie, Parent of College Sophomore

September is College Savings Month. Let the College Savings Plans of Maryland (CSPM) get you on the road to saving for your child's or grandchild's future. Also register for a CSPM webinar to learn how saving can be easy and affordable. Visit: www.collegesavingsmd.org.

--College Savings Plan of Maryland

Check out the youth services pages of the Maryland Workforce Exchange website. There, you will find information about volunteering, careers, paying for college, and other programs and services for youth and teens. Visit: http://mwejobs.maryland.gov/youth.asp

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Set yourself up for success by getting this school year off to a great start. Work to understand and perfect your most effective study habits and use them to do your very best work in all of your classes.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

It's never too early to start thinking about what courses you want and need to take to prepare for college. Throughout middle and high school, work with your guidance counselors, teachers, parents and guardians, and others to make the academic decisions that will put you on the path to college.

--Chancellor William E. Kirwan, University System of Maryland

Hear and learn from students who beat the odds to get into college. Visit www.knowhow2go.org/knowitall.

--The American Council on Education

Before you know it, you'll be back in school. Have you taken time this summer to discuss your hopes and dreams for college with family members and friends? It's not too late and it could be one of the most important steps you take on your journey to higher education.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Check out our Kids' Zone to play games to build your math skills, learn more about your public or private school and about colleges, and learn interesting facts about education. Visit: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/index.asp

--National Center for Education Statistics

Always try to make choices that increase, rather than decrease, your options in the future.

--Mickey L. Burnim, President, Bowie State University

Adopt an "I can" mentality. Challenge yourself by taking AP courses or tackling an extra-credit project. Go the extra mile, get noticed, and you'll be one step ahead of the game. You are in charge of your destiny, and by being proactive, you can succeed — and you WILL.

--Susan C. Aldridge, President of University of Maryland University College

Don't let your financial situation limit where you want to attend college. Seek out scholarship and financial aid information early and look into such opportunities as becoming a resident assistant in your college dormitory to help with the cost of housing. There are plenty of ways around student loans. You just have to be proactive!

--Sarah Elfreth, Former USM Student Regent

Time is ticking. Before you know it, you'll be back in the classroom. Have you read that book, visited that museum, or explored websites to learn more about planning for college? Have you participated in any activities to help improve your leadership, academic, or teamwork skills? If not, get moving and stay on track to college.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Beginning today, think hard about your goals for the future. Begin to shape your coursework and your activities around those goal

--Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley

Some colleges and universities require students to take the SAT or ACT (these are achievement tests) as part of the application process. Check out SAT sample questions at http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day and ACT sample questions at http://www.number2.com/exams/act/daily/question/index.cfm,

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

More than anything else, be honest and true with yourself. Know what is in your heart and strive to be the best student you can be. Do not let your peers talk you out of striving for excellence.

--Jonathan Gibralter, President, Frostburg State University

The end of the school year is a good time to assess your overall academic performance. How did you do? Do your year-end grades reflect your best work? Are there activities that will help you do even better next year? To find out, talk to your relatives, mentors, friends, and others to get tips on what you can do this summer to be even more successful next school year.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

What are you planning to do during your summer break from school? Visit a museum, read a few books, volunteer, or get a summer job. Make sure your summer includes activities that will keep you on the path to college.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Identify the things that you enjoy doing and build on them.

--Ruth Mubita, Mother of 3 College Graduates