If you’re thinking that 9th grade is too early to start preparing for college, you’re wrong. It’s never too early to start.

If your dream is to go to college as soon as you finish school you can and should start planning for college during your freshman year. You want to make sure you’re on the right path and with plenty of time for your process to eventually reach your goals.

What you do in 9th grade will surely impact your college applications and influence admissions decisions.

Below, checkout the five most important tips for 9th grade college planning.

1. Take the right classes

Talk to your counselor to ensure that you’re on a college prep track. The most selective schools want to see that you’re challenging yourself and taking some of the hardest classes that are offered at your school.

You don’t have to take every single honors or AP class, take the ones you are good at. It is important to demonstrate that you can do well in the most difficult classes.

2. Get Good Grades

Believe it or not, your freshman year grades do matter for college admissions and will influence your high school GPA.If you get good grades in 9th grade, you’ll be more likely to get good grades in your sophomore and junior years. You’ll have developed the skills and habits that will allow you to continue to be successful in your classes and your GPA will be very attractive.

3. Get Involved in Extracurriculars

You don’t necessarily need to do activities through your school: it’s fine to look for volunteer organizations and other groups you coils join outside school. The point here is to start figuring out what the biggest interests and passions are, and how these could translate into possible academic or professional paths. Colleges love to see your commitment with extra activities.

4. Start Preliminary College Research

In ninth grade you don’t necessarily need to know which college you want to go to. But it is important to start thinking about what you’re looking for in a college. What do you want to study? What geographic region do you want to be in? Small or a big school?  You can also visit local college campuses to see what they’re like and get an idea of what college life looks like.

5. Involve Your Parents

This tip applies to students whose parents are unfamiliar with the college application process or your parents aren’t pushing you to go to college, you can let them know about your desires to attend. If you get them involved with your college planning, they can be more supportive and helpful.

Many parents worry about the cost of attending college.You may want to be informed about financial aid and how to save money for college. Don’t give up! Between grants, scholarships and loans you can make your dreams come true.