As high school graduates prepare to take the next step in their educational journeys, incoming sophomores and juniors are just beginning their searches. Darlene Davenport, Cy-Fair ISD’s director of guidance and counseling,  said it is important for students to take time to evaluate all options.

“You can go from high school into so many different paths—whether it is looking into a four-year or two-year college or military academy,” she said.

Students who treat senior year as a preparation year for college are more likely to be prepared, Davenport said.

“Students should be preparing for the rigor and the reality of college as early as they can,” she said. “Take a tough course load, learn to manage your time and know what to expect when entering your future program.”

Davenport recommended students start a college calendar that keeps track of everything, including dates for standardized tests, essay writing practice, due dates and admissions deadlines. This can help students refine their focus by keeping track of the important dates and pare down the vast quantity of requirements to the essentials, she said.

In addition to attending college events, CFISD recommends students take the ACT and SAT. Taking both standardized tests allows students to decide which is more compatible with their learning styles, Davenport said.

As sophomores, students should have already taken the PSAT, officials said. Juniors can retake the exam with the opportunity to become a National Merit scholar, an accolade that influences scholarship and tuition decisions further down the line.

To prepare for exams, students can take prep courses at their high school campuses or online. Lone Star College-CyFair offers free prep courses.

Lorenzo Hayes is an admissions counselor at University of Houston Downtown, which has a campus at University Park in Cy-Fair. Hayes said students should start preparing for college as early as their freshman years.

“Your class rank matters quite a bit,” he said. “For us, the top 25 percent of the class is automatically accepted.”

Hayes said he also advises students to take AP classes. He said even without getting the actual college credit from the exam, the course itself mirrors the rigor of a college course.

“Students should push themselves in a way that prepares them adequately,” he said. “AP courses give you that challenge.”