High School transcripts are what colleges use as a guideline as to whether they will offer a student admission or not after receiving and application. It is a record of every final grade achieved in High School and when averaged out, produces a student’s cumulative grade point average, or GPA.
It is important for students entering their freshman year in High School to be aware of the importance of their High School transcript. They should put forth the same effort into elective classes, physical education, music, and art classes as they do their core classes, as a grade will be recorded and holds the same weight in the GPA. Each year accounts for one quarter of their cumulative GPA so one bad year will have a heavy effect.
Colleges expect a student’s grades to improve throughout their High School years, as it is a clear indication as to how a student will perform in college. As the work gets more difficult, a student’s effort must increase in order to keep their grades up. If the grades trend downward, colleges will assume the student has become lazy and will pass on offering the student acceptance. Consistant grades, advanced placement classes, and challenging courseloads will tell colleges that you are capable of doing college level work.
It is very important to begin good study habits as a young student. This will ensure that the stress a high school freshman feels to get good grades will be minimized since they are already used to working hard for their grades. A parent would be wise to sit with their children each night as the child begins their homework so the child can ask questions and guide the child into good habits. This is a good opportunity for the parent to show they are involved. Studies have shown that most successful students have parents who are involved in their school day.