Gator Preview Newsletter Summer 2014 | Page 34

Guidance  News     A  Message  From  Your  Guidance  Counselor   High   school   is   like   anything   else   –   the   more   you   put   into   it,   the   more   you   will   get   out   of   it.     Students   who  are  involved  in  clubs,  sports  and  extra-­‐curricular  activities  do  better  academically  and  enjoy  high   school  more.  Getting  involved  gives  students  the  opportunity  to:   Spend  time  with  friends   Meet  new  people   Become  a  leader   Learn  skills  and  interests  for  careers   Relieve  stress   Provide  valuable  service   Try  something  new     Gateway  offers  a  variety  of  extra-­‐curricular  activities  for  students  to  join.  In  addition,  there  are  lots   of   organizations   that   students   can   join   outside   of   Gateway.   Find   out   what   is   available   and   try   to   join   two  or  three.    Guaranteed  -­‐  you  will  have  fun!              Keeping   track   of   extra-­‐curricular   activities   and   awards   is   a   key   part   of   the   college   application   process.     Colleges   pay   attention   to   your   life   both   inside   and   outside   of   the   classroom.     Activities   reveal  a  great  deal  about  you,  which  is  why  colleges  pay  close  attention  to  a  student’s  activities.  Your   guidance  counselor  starts  with  all  10th  grade  English  classes  to  help  students  begin  this  part  of  the   college   admission   process.     Students   begin   a   list   of   all   activities,   awards   and   community   service   they   have  been  involved  in.    Each  year  students  will  build  onto  this  list.    During  your  12th  grade  year,  this   list  will  be  a  part  of  the  college  admissions  packet  and  will  also  be  used  as  students  are  selected  for   scholarships.     As   students   join   more   organizations   or   receive   new   awards,   they   should   notify   their   guidance  counselor  in  order  to  keep  their  list  up  to  date  at  all  times.     • • • • • • •   Guidance  Note:   All   students   who   request   official   transcripts   to   be   sent   to   any   colleges,   scholarships,   summer   programs,   etc.   will   be   asked   to   complete   a   transcript   request   form   in   order   to   document   where   transcripts   are   sent   and   on   what   date.   Students   will   have   to   sign-­‐off   on   each   transcript   sent   on   their   behalf.  Parents  of  all  students  will  also  be  required  to  sign  the  form  allowing  transcripts  to  be  sent.   Seniors   receive   this   form   in   early   September   from   the   senior   counselor   in   their   English   classes.   If   interested,   this   form   can   currently   be   found   on   the   guidance   department   website   at   www.gatewayhs.com.