Planning Ahead
A student is in 8th grade and says, "I don't need to think about life after high school yet." According to the lesson, what would be the best response?
A. They're correct because college applications don't happen until senior year
B. They should begin exploring their options and thinking about future requirements
C. They should already know exactly what career they want
D. They should focus only on getting a job
Answer: B — They should begin exploring their options and thinking about future requirements.
A student says, “My family can't pay the full cost of college, so I can't go.” Which response best matches the lesson?
A. That's true for most students
B. They should explore financial aid and other ways of paying for school
C. They should only consider the most expensive schools
D. They should wait until they graduate to look for help
Answer: B — They should explore financial aid and other ways of paying for school.
You don't know what career you want at age 17. According to the lesson, does that mean college isn't an option?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Only if your grades are low
D. Only if your parents went to college
Answer: B — No, you do not have to know exactly what career you want before going to college.
A student has average grades but participates in community service and leadership activities. Can those activities matter when applying to college?
A. No, only grades matter
B. Yes, colleges may consider the whole person
C. Only if the student is an athlete
D. Only if the activities are paid
Answer: B — Yes, colleges may consider the whole person, including activities, leadership, and community involvement
Which of the following can be considered a postsecondary education option?
A. Technical school
B. Two-year college
C. Four-year college
D. All of the above
Answer: D — Technical schools, two-year colleges, and four-year colleges can all be postsecondary education options.
Which student is doing the MOST to prepare for postsecondary education?
A. Marcus is waiting until 11th grade to research schools
B. Jayla is exploring careers, keeping her grades up, and learning about different schools
C. Carlos is ignoring his grades because he isn't sure about college
D. Mia plans to decide what she wants to do after graduation
Answer: B — Jayla is exploring careers, keeping her grades up, and learning about different schools. Answer: A — Keep their grades up
Which option could help pay for college WITHOUT creating student loan debt?
A. Grant
B. Scholarship
C. Work-study
D. All of the above
Answer: D — Grants, scholarships, and work-study can all help pay for college without necessarily creating student loan debt.
Which situation BEST matches the lesson's point about choosing a career?
A. Everyone should know their career before entering college
B. Many people discover their interests and career goals while in college or after graduating
C. Career choices must be made in 8th grade
D. Students without a career plan shouldn't attend college
Answer: B — Many people discover their interests and career goals while in college or after graduating.
Which combination could be important when a college evaluates a student?
A. Courses and grades
B. Test scores
C. Extracurricular and leadership activities
D. All of the above
Answer: D — Courses, grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and leadership can all be important.
A student wants to take a year before starting college. Which statement is TRUE?
A. They can never attend college afterward
B. A structured gap year can be an option
C. They must drop out of high school first
D. Colleges won't allow students to take a gap year
Answer: B — A structured gap year can be an option before beginning college.
Why might waiting until 11th grade to start planning create a problem?
A. Students are required to choose a career in 8th grade
B. Students may have less time to explore schools, meet course requirements, and prepare
C. Colleges only accept students who plan before high school
D. Students cannot apply to college during senior year
Answer: B — Students may have less time to explore schools, meet course requirements, and prepare.
Which statement about student loans is MOST accurate?
A. All financial aid is debt
B. Student loans are one form of financial aid, but grants and scholarships may not need to be repaid
C. Scholarships must always be paid back after graduation
D. Students automatically receive enough loans to cover everything
Answer: B — Student loans are one form of financial aid, but grants and scholarships may not need to be repaid.
A student wants to attend college but has no idea what major to choose. What is the BEST advice?
A. Don't go to college until you know
B. Explore different subjects and career options
C. Pick the highest-paying career immediately
D. Choose whatever major your friends choose
Answer: B — Explore different subjects and career options.
A student says, “I'm not the smartest person in my class, so college isn't for me.” Which idea from the lesson challenges this belief?
A. Only perfect students attend college
B. Colleges can look at more than just grades and test scores
C. Grades don't matter at all
D. Students don't have to study in college
Answer: B — Colleges can look at more than just grades and test scores and may consider the whole person.
A student says, “If I go to college, I won't be able to make money.” Which response best matches the lesson?
A. Students cannot work while attending school
B. Students can potentially work part-time or seasonally while attending school
C. Students should never work during college
D. Students can only work after earning a degree
Answer: B — Students can potentially work part-time or seasonally while attending school.
A student says, “I'm not sure if I want to go to college, so there's no reason to worry about my grades.” What is the biggest problem with this thinking?
A. Everyone must attend college
B. Good grades and the courses you take can affect future education options
C. Grades only matter during middle school
D. Grades automatically guarantee a scholarship
Answer: B — Good grades and the courses you take can affect future education options.
A student refuses to consider college because they are afraid of graduating with student loan debt. What should they learn about first?
A. Only private loans
B. Grants, scholarships, work-study, and other forms of financial aid
C. How to avoid applying to college
D. How to borrow as much money as possible
Answer: B — They should learn about grants, scholarships, work-study, and other forms of financial aid.
Which statement is closest to the lesson's message about college and earnings?
A. A college degree guarantees a high-paying career
B. Nobody can succeed without college
C. Some people succeed without a degree, but education can provide greater career and earning opportunities for many people
D. College has no relationship to future earnings
Answer: C — Some people succeed without a degree, but education can provide greater career and earning opportunities for many people.
A student is worried they won't fit in because they come from a different background. Which response best matches the lesson?
A. Colleges usually only accept students from similar backgrounds
B. Colleges can have people from many backgrounds, interests, and experiences
C. Students cannot find people with similar interests
D. Students should avoid joining clubs
Answer: B — Colleges can have people from many different backgrounds, interests, and experiences.
Which student is using the most flexible approach to life after high school?
A. “I have to go to a four-year college or I'm failing.”
B. “I'm going straight to work and will never consider education.”
C. “I'll explore different postsecondary options and choose the path that fits my goals.”
D. “I need to know my exact career before doing anything.”
Answer: C — “I'll explore different postsecondary options and choose the path that fits my goals.”
Which statement BEST explains why early planning is important?
A. Students need to decide their entire future before high school
B. Early planning gives students more time to explore options, meet requirements, improve academically, and prepare financially
C. Students who plan early are guaranteed to get into college
D. Students cannot attend college unless they start planning in 8th grade
Which statement BEST explains why early planning is important?
A. Students need to decide their entire future before high school
B. Early planning gives students more time to explore options, meet requirements, improve academically, and prepare financially
C. Students who plan early are guaranteed to get into college
D. Students cannot attend college unless they start planning in 8th grade
Answer: B — Early planning gives students more time to explore options, meet requirements, improve academically, and prepare financially.
Which student is making the BEST financial decision when planning for postsecondary education?
A. Alex assumes college is unaffordable and doesn't apply
B. Brianna only looks at the advertised tuition price
C. Carlos researches grants, scholarships, work-study, and loan options before deciding
D. Daniel chooses the school with the highest tuition because he assumes it must be better
Answer: C — Carlos researches grants, scholarships, work-study, and loan options before deciding.
A student says, “I don't want a four-year degree, so I don't need postsecondary education.” Which response challenges this belief?
A. Everyone has to attend a four-year university
B. Postsecondary education includes options such as technical schools and two-year colleges
C. Students who don't attend universities cannot have careers
D. Technical schools are not considered education
Answer: B — Postsecondary education includes options such as technical schools and two-year colleges.
A student struggles with studying but wants to attend college. Which advice BEST matches the lesson?
A. College will automatically be too hard
B. Learn effective study strategies and seek help from professors or tutors when needed
C. Avoid difficult classes
D. Don't attend college
Answer: B — Learn effective study strategies and seek help from professors or tutors when needed.
A student says, “I've already been in school for 12 years. That's enough. I don't want to study anything anymore.” Which idea from the lesson challenges this belief?
A. Postsecondary education is exactly the same as high school
B. College allows students to study subjects that interest them and choose a major or area of study
C. Everyone must attend college
D. Students don't get to choose what they study
Answer: B — College allows students to study subjects that interest them and choose a major or area of study.