About

The Dos & Don’ts of Your High School Progression

  • Grade 9
  • Grade 10
  • Grade 11
  • Grade 12
  • Parents
Trevor H. Rusert

Your progression through high school is a journey. It doesn’t always have a straight pathway. There may be bumps in the road, but there are always teachers and counselors who are here to help. 

 

A student in Grades 9 or 10 should not be focused on the things they will need to accomplish in Grade 12. Instead, at the start of each year, focus on the things that are really important to be successful in that year. You will notice that each year the list of things “To-Do” will grow larger and the “Don’ts'' grows smaller. Each year, you will learn more about yourself, your interests, your strengths, and your areas for growth. Each year, if you follow the “To-Do” list below and avoid items on the “Don’t” list, it will lay a foundation for success the following year. The things that we have planned for students each year are sequential and designed to build upon the things you have previously learned.

 

Together, we can get there, one year at a time.

 

Grade 9

  • Do begin to explore your passion

  • Do manage time, study skills, eat well, & sleep well

  • Do make it a habit to see your teachers during office hours 

  • Do meet with at least 5 colleges visiting Graded

  • DON’T break the rules (your ninth grade transgressions might be forgiven but they might not)

  • DON’T worry about IBDP course selections

  • DON’T even think about SAT/AP exams

  • DON’T develop tunnel vision towards one brand-name university

 

Grade 10

  • Do continue to explore your passion

  • Do manage time, study skills, eat well, & sleep well

  • Do meet with 10-15 colleges visiting Graded

  • Do pay attention to Course Selection process in January

  • Do complete your Resume w/ support of OCC  

  • Do establish a standardized testing plan w/ the OCC

  • DON’T break the rules (how you conduct yourself is more and more important each year)

  • DON’T start SAT during school year

  • DON’T study for and sign up for AP exams

 

Grade 11

  • Do find balance between your academics, activities, and personal wellness

  • Do meet with 15-20 colleges visiting Graded

  • Do meet with your college counselor in November to strategize

  • Do discuss a standardized testing plan with your college counselor

  • Do attend your College Counseling Classes during Flex (November - May) where we will:

    • Learn about universities in different countries

    • Research universities

    • Understand admission requirements

    • Demonstrate Interest

    • Refine your resumes

    • Learn about applications

    • Learn about essays

  • Do begin to draft your essays prior to and over the summer

  • DON’T break the rules (at this stage very little will be forgiven by universities)

  • DON’T study for and sign up for AP exams

 

Grade 12

  • Do find balance between your academics, activities, and personal wellness

  • Do continue to meet and explore colleges visiting Graded

  • Do attend our College Counseling Classes during Flex (August - October)

  • Do continue to meet with your college counselor every cycle

  • Do refine, revise, and edit your applications and essays

  • Do have a final list of colleges by September 1

  • Do know your deadlines and requirements

  • Do follow the Two-Week Rule

  • DON’T break the rules