Information provided by College Essay Guy

Take a strengths assessment (you can take the VIA Strengths Assessment, and many other questionnaires, through UPenn’s Authentic Happiness site—you’ll have to create login credentials) and try a personality inventory (personality psychologists generally use either the HEXACO or the Big 5) to learn more about your strengths, challenges, and communication and learning style.

Take a personality assessment to learn more about your strengths, challenges, and communication and learning style.
Explore and engage with extracurricular activities (e.g., clubs, sports, community service, fine and performing arts, work, and other in-or out-of-school activities) that align with your values and strengths
- Explore in the “Extracurriculars Tab”
Keep track of extracurricular activities, summer experiences, academic honors, and other achievements.
Develop your time management and study skills.
PSAT: Some high schools allow you to take the October PSAT (which is how you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship) as a freshman.
Take an interest assessment to explore possible college majors and careers. (And here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about your major.)
Plan your high school classes using insight from the bullet above.
If possible, meet with your school counselor to explore clubs, classes, and discuss course selection. Start building a relationship with them by doing this regularly.
Parents: Start exploring how to pay for college.
Athletes: Become familiar with the NCAA and NAIA athletic recruiting requirements.
Participate in Summer Reading.