written by Angela South, a guidance counselor

College seems so far away to a freshman, but the path to a great university starts as early as middle school.

Every class taken and every grade earned help determine the path taken the following year. Middle school math and foreign language, among other classes, determine where a student begins their high school journey.

This does not mean that if you start late, you cannot get where you want to go.

On the contrary, all students can earn an academic honors diploma, regardless of what classes were taken in middle school. It is not too late as a freshman.

I truly believe that you can get to the point in your education that you desire, regardless of mistakes, but every mistake makes the road longer and more difficult.

I work with juniors and seniors. By the time I get to work with a student they have already laid the foundation for the opportunities they will have after high school.

To be admitted to many universities and to obtain most scholarships, a student needs an academic honors diploma. Many schools pay very close attention to the courses taken, and expect the senior year to be the most challenging. Many college admission offices and scholarship committees also focus on extra-curricular activities and community service.

Every year I have several seniors who have finally realized that they want to go on to a competitive four year university. Sometimes the student has made too many mistakes before senior year to have the classes, GPA and rank that is needed to get into many of these schools.

I often hear