Start Now
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/california_colleges_.png?itok=qhsCSvhx×tamp=1692044282)
Create an account on California Colleges (Explore Interests, Colleges, and begin your Academic Planner)
Use this website to create academic plan, explore colleges, and interests for majors.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/california_colleges_2.png?itok=xZOdjgzh×tamp=1692044589)
Talk to Your Family or Trusted Adults About College
Advice for middle schoolers to work on talking to a counselor, family members, or a trusted adult to learn about how to start their journey to college.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/college_board_4.png?itok=3m1y6951×tamp=1692044659)
Create Good Study Habits
Good study habits help you to have confidence in tests and understanding of the subject that is being taught.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/college_board_3.png?itok=F38AFBDs×tamp=1692044741)
Get Involved in Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars help you to build your college application, resume, and interests.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/teen_life.png?itok=2gA8bJ0U×tamp=1692044809)
Use Your Summer to Learn and Explore!
Utilize the summer to explore opportunities and experiences that look good on your college applications.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/college_board.png?itok=xHmjL-7z×tamp=1692044916)
Consider Volunteering!
Volunteering helps build your interests and passions on what to do in college and as a career.
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Expand Your Mind: READ!
Reading in your free time helps your brain and cognitive development, concentration, writing skills, and memory.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/khan_academy_0.png?itok=ImtkKjvX×tamp=1692045011)
Utilize Khan Academy to Study and Learn
Khan Academy helps to build math, english, and science skills to improve on your current and future classes.
College Prep Checklist for Middle School
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/ucla.png?itok=v5T0hwWV×tamp=1694827418)
Middle School Tips for Preparing for College
Tips on how middle schoolers can start their journey on working towards college.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/fsa_eligibility_criteria_2.png?itok=LC1JFTaP×tamp=1694827551)
My Future, My Way: First Steps Toward College
Steps towards starting the journey to college and learning how to begin, what college entails, and planning.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/csu_supplemental_factors_1.png?itok=DdgNWx9M×tamp=1694827639)
Preparing for College
CSU planning tool to help with your academic planner through high school and learning about CSU schools.
![](https://cep.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_brand_widgets_thumbnail/public/student_service_centers_2.png?itok=7ubEYNhQ×tamp=1694827728)
Common App Middle School Checklist
Developing your reading skills, getting involved in opportunities, and asking questions to teachers and family members.