STEM majors are among the most popular and competitive majors at most colleges. Whether you are trying to be the next Steve Jobs, Marie Curie or C. V. Raman (or even just trying to go to an excellent college for STEM), you need a good strategy. It is never too early to start! Just by reading this blog, you are taking an essential first step to setting yourself up correctly. Now, you just need to take the proper steps and follow through. But how? We are glad you asked; let’s break it down.
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Explore What You’re Interested In
During your freshman year, you need to zero in on what you hope to study. STEM is a big field, and ideally, you should already have an inkling of what you are interested in. If you already know you are interested in engineering, take some time to learn the difference between biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering. Or if you love “science,” ask yourself, “Am I more of a biology, chemistry, or physics person?” The more specific you can get, the better; for example, we would always prefer a student who knows they want to study Environmental Science with a minor in Computer Science because they hope to explore how software can model climate change than someone who “IDK likes Bio and wants to do STEM.”
Finding your specific academic niche (aka your particular scholarly interests) takes work. You want to learn as much as possible. We highly recommend reading some books. Make your own reading list! We know what you might be thinking, “Books? I am not an English major.” Trust us: colleges want students who read during their free time, whether they are studying history or biology. And yes, there are books about math! You can supplement your reading list with journal articles, podcasts, and even news sources. We also love online classes. There are a ton of pre-tapped, often free, classes that you can take online. These are a great way to learn more about subjects you are passionate about. Remember: the point of freshman year is to start to figure out levels of specificity within a niche. And the easiest way to get a taste of a bunch of things is to read.
Do Well in School
We probably don’t need to tell you this, but you must do well in school. While freshmen usually don’t have a ton of options when it comes to choosing classes, you should also take the most challenging courses you can. You need to do well in all your classes, not just the STEM courses.
Freshman year can be an adjustment. Your classes might be harder than they were in middle school. If you feel yourself falling behind, be proactive! Go to tutoring, sign up for office hours, or make a study group.
Extracurriculars
Get involved in extracurriculars that connect to your academic interests. A great way to start is by joining clubs. If you are interested in math, join the Mathletes. If you are more of an engineering person, join the robotics team. Most schools should have (at least) a somewhat related club to what you hope to study. However, if yours doesn’t, think about starting one.
Often, STEM students also volunteer as tutors either at their school, a community center, or local middle schools. This is another great way to get involved. You can also look for related events and competitions such as hack-a-thons, science olympiads, or science fairs.
The most important thing is to get involved outside of class. Don’t just sign up for a bunch of clubs randomly. Instead, choose a couple that you can commit to and grow with.
Summer Plans
This is another subject we have a whole blog about. Honestly, when working with freshmen, we focus a lot of energy on crafting an excellent summer plan. Students are generally less busy in the summer, and it's a couple of months where the sky's the limit. If you don’t know where to start, we recommend looking at summer programs at colleges. Many colleges offer summer programming for high school students, and it's the perfect way to start building a history of academic engagement outside of school. These programs vary in the classes they offer, dates, and cost. Find a program that works for you. If you don’t know where to start, we can help!
Outside of programs, you can also look for job shadows. While most internships/jobs are looking for slightly older candidates, job shadows are a great way to get your foot in the door. Reach out to your local network and see if there are opportunities for you to learn more about jobs in the STEM fields.
It's never too early to start planning for college. We know it's a long way away, but taking these first steps will set you on the path to success. A little strategizing early on can make all the difference, so don’t drag your feet!
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