Take classes that challenge you to be creative in your thinking and in your approaches to problem-solving.

 Spend some time with your guidance counselor, discussing how your school and your goals can best mesh.  Sign up for your College Board account and take the "My Roads" career and personality inventory.  How do your interests line up with your academic plan?

Try out some activities both in school and in the community. Figure out what's fun, rewarding, and a good fit for your talents and interests.

Read all about it! Pick up a book, rather than the remote, to build your vocabulary.

Get the best grades you can. The difference between letter grades is often one big "E"  for Effort.

Browse through college literature or surf the Web to get an idea of what kinds of schools may be of interest to you.Check out what high school courses colleges require.

Know NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) requirements if you want to play sports in college.

Keep an academic portfolio and co-curricular record.

Begin saving money for college if you haven't already.

Get out and about during your summer break. Find a job, see new sights, do something for someone else, sign up for a special program, like art classes or wildlife exploration.