46 Knowing What to Do When When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt Everybody knows that getting into college today takes work. But it's possible to reduce the stress level if you use this cheat sheet. Here's a list of what teenagers, and in some cases, their parents, should be doing beginning in the freshman year of high school. Freshman Year Enroll in strong college prep courses. These classes can prepare you for the workload that may await you in college. College admissions officers want to see that you've taken challenging courses. In fact, colleges routinely put more weight on grades and the strength of your high school's curriculum than they do on standardized test scores. Meet with high school counselor. Find out what classes you need to take during the next four years to satisfy, at a minimum, the requirements of your state universities. Also ask about academic coursework that private schools might require. Get extra help. If necessary, find a tutor for difficult subjects and/or attend summer school. Kahn Academy (www.khanacademy. org) is a great (and free) online resource for students needing help or desiring enrichment that focuses primarily on math and the sciences. 216