Northern Illinois University

Center for Access-Ability Resources

High School Freshman

As a high school freshman you may not have put serious thought into attending a college/university yet. However, by the time you are 14 and a half, you must complete your Transition Plan with your IEP team. The Transition Plan sets up a timetable for your transition into the world of work or postsecondary education.

Now is the time to be thinking about what you would like to do with your future. Is more education important to you? What interests you? Is there something you would like to explore more as a career interest? Does that interest require a bachelor's degree or more? Who have you talked to about your interests? Is there somebody you know who does the very thing you're interested in doing?

College and universities are going to be asking for your transcripts of your high school years, including your freshman year. Are your grades good enough to get into a university? Do you need to improve your grades and how will you do that?

Remember - the time to choose a university is not late in your senior year but early in your junior year. It's coming fast!