Freshman year of high school is exciting, with everything from football games, first homecoming week and looking towards future events. Movies and television shows have often portrayed a high school that consists mainly of extracurriculars and parties. Because of this, students tend to think they have all the time in the world to plan for their future. However, time is mainly about the classes taken and the grades earned. College often appears to be far away, while in reality, it’s closer than any freshman thinks. The process starts the first day of school, from course selections, GPA, clubs and volunteering. As one progresses from freshman to senior year, they must acquire the skills needed to succeed in higher education, if that is the path they want to follow. This is why preparation for college applications should begin earlier than ever. The annual college fair in the cafeteria helps shine light on how students should prepare and learn to market themselves for college and beyond. 

At this year’s College and Career Fair on Oct. 30, local and national universities came to Western to give information to students and parents about their institutions. Most students that go to college fair are seniors looking at potential colleges to obtain information about what each school has to offer. Many seniors wished they had attended the college fair earlier in their high school career. Danna Zisu, a senior, recommends students start attending events, such as the college fair, at an early age for maximum benefit.

“I went to college fair my sophomore and junior year,” Zisu said. 

Zisu applied to all of the major Florida schools from the information she obtained at college fair.

Senior Paula Marin also found that students should start attending these events as early as the tenth grade.

“From my experience [in the college process at Western], I am lost.”

Junior Sarah Fyre is ahead of the game and attends these events to prepare for her future. She says that other students should attend so they have a better idea of the process and can focus on what colleges they want.  

Parents also find the benefits in attending the college fair for convenience, allowing parents and students to be on the same page when it comes to college decisions. 

“I love the fact that the colleges come out and come together and that I don’t have to go to the colleges… it’s right here, very convenient,” said Dywnette Potter-Mallard, parent of junior Taja Walker. 

Senior Jane Dubelier has had a college advisor since the summer before her freshman year. She feels her college advisor has been a great help to her over the years and has lead her in the right direction. She said that without her advisor, she would miss out on opportunities such as the G.E.M. program and her work at Florida Technical College. She credits her class selection and her beneficial test prep to her college advisor. 

Attending the college fair is one of the many steps students should take to prepare themselves for college. The college application process is stressful no matter what, but having the right information and being prepared helps ease the stress and make the process go more smoothly.