Perhaps the best and the smartest commitment you can make is to work hard to prepare for college, get admitted, and earn your degree. Doing so will offer you a future of tremendous opportunity.

--University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. Kirwan

Find a mentor to help you stay on track to college. To learn how, click here to visit the website.

--Maryland Go4It

How are you spending your summer vacation? Broaden your horizons and visit some of the wonderful museums in Maryland and in Washington, DC. What you discover might amaze and inspire you.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Get answers to common questions about college: Read the "college q&a question of the week" at www.college.gov

--U.S. Department of Education

Read any good books lately? Need some suggestions? Visit your local library and get some tips on interesting and exciting books. Read a few during your summer vacation and improve your reading and comprehension skills. Strengthening these skills will help prepare you for college admission and success.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Everything you need to research college is free. There are so many wonderful resources to investigate college options on the Internet, and all of the reputable ones come at no cost. Also, use all of the services offered by your school's guidance office. They are there to help you.

--Jonathan Gibralter, President, Frostburg State University

Want to learn four basic steps to college? Visit the American Council on Education's KnowHow2Go site: www.knowhow2go.org/main_4steps.php

--American Council on Education

It's never too early to start saving for your child's college education. Want to learn more? Visit: www.collegesavingsmd.org.

--College Savings Plans of Maryland

Get help and advice from your counselors and faculty. That will help you pick the right courses. My experience has shown me that the resources (for academic success and financial aid) are out there, and that any goal is attainable no matter how challenging it may be. You just need to put your mind to it. I wish I had started earlier (to get ready for college) so that I would have been better prepared.

--Summer Norris, criminology major, University of Maryland, College Park

Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Try to take your strengths to the highest level and work on improving your weaknesses.

--Jonathan Gibralter, President, Frostburg State University

My experience has shown me that the resources are out there and any goal is attainable, no matter how challenging it may be, as long as you put your mind to it. I am so happy to see so many parents here with their middle children taking the initiative to start early, and get the information needed to take the right course needed because it is very important. I wish I had started earlier so that I would have been better prepared for college.

--Summer Norris, University of Maryland, College Park Junior (comments at May 8 Way2GoMaryland event)

Hear and learn from students who beat the odds to get into college. Visit www.knowhow2go.org/knowitall

--The American Council on Education

More than anything else, be honest and true with yourself. Know what is in your heart and strive to be the best student you can be. Do not let your peers talk you out of striving for excellence.

--Jonathan Gibralter, President, Frostburg State University

If your child is struggling with math, get help early. Talk to the teacher, guidance counselor, or principal. You might find an older student, or a college student, or even a professional tutor to work with your child. Don't feel bad if you can't help your child with math. What matters is that your child gets whatever help he/she needs.

--Maryland Business Roundtable for Education

With summer vacation not too far away, start looking for camps, volunteer positions, jobs (if you're old enough to work), and other opportunities that can help you enhance your skills, learn more about your interests, and just explore and have fun. Participation in such activities will help prepare you for college.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Challenge yourself with your classes. Take courses that will encourage you to work hard. College admissions offices are looking for students who have taken challenging courses.

--Jonathan Gibralter, President, Frostburg State University

Always try to make choices that increase, rather than decrease, your options in the future.

--Mickey L. Burnim, President, Bowie State University

Take a language other than English.

--Maryland Secretary of Higher Education James Lyons

Get involved in an activity or organization and you are guaranteed to have a more fulfilling experience. Your success in small or large settings often relies on your ability to be able to identify with a group and relate to others. Being connected through at least one activity or organization can make even a large campus or school seem smaller and easier to navigate.

--President Robert L. Caret, Towson University

Don't let anyone deter you from your dreams. You can control the influences in your life. Take charge now.

--Governor Martin O'Malley

Use FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to find out how much federal student aid your child might receive. This information will help you plan ahead.

--U.S. Department of Education

Get involved in as many activities as you can, as early as you can to develop leadership and team-building skills — skills that will help lay the foundation for a successful college experience. School clubs and activities, sports, community programs, and volunteer opportunities are great ways to get involved. Don't hesitate to raise your hand!

--Susan C. Aldridge, President, of University of Maryland University College

Check out knowhow2go.org, a campaign of the American Council on Education, for even more tips on preparing for college.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Try to find out what you're interested in early by doing research, getting involved in different activities, and working hard in your middle-school classes. By doing that, you can choose the high-school classes needed to prepare for college.

--Bryan Davie, Senior, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Prince George's County

Challenge yourself by tackling the ACT Question of the Day. Some colleges require applicants to take the ACT as part of admissions requirements. Visit http://www.act.org/aap/ to learn more.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

You are never too young to think about your future. Find a mentor who can help guide you as you choose courses and extracurricular activities. Take advantage of their experiences and learn positive behaviors and skills from them that can benefit you later in life.

--Susan C. Aldridge, President of University of Maryland University College

Visit www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/early to find out why you should consider college now and how to pay for it.

--U.S. Department of Education

Beginning today, think hard about your goals for the future. Begin to shape your coursework and your activities around those goals.

--Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley

Adopt an "I can" mentality. Challenge yourself by taking AP courses or tackling an extra-credit project. Go the extra mile, get noticed, and you'll be one step ahead of the game. You are in charge of your destiny, and by being proactive, you can succeed — and you WILL.

--Susan C. Aldridge, President of University of Maryland University College

Take algebra or pre-algebra in the eighth grade.

--James Lyons, Maryland Secretary of Higher Education

During the holiday break, take some time to talk to family members about your dreams for college

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Create good study habits now that you can carry with you to college. Figure out creative ways to learn and retain new information such as making flash cards, writing outlines, or singing jingles — there are many ways to help with memory retention. Consider working in study groups with other students to prepare for big exams or projects. Study groups are a great way to get help if you need it and stay motivated.

.--President Robert L. Caret, Towson University

Do you think you're not smart enough? Do you think you can't afford college? There are programs for everybody and there are scholarships, grants, work-study, athletics, loans, military service, and the list goes on. There are people in your school who can help you. Ask a teacher or guidance counselor and they will be happy to help you. You just have to want to do it.

--Patrick Correlli, Senior, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Read, read, read! Whether it's Washingtonpost.com or your father's Economist, reading is the best way to build your knowledge beyond the classroom. And it's never too early to learn what interests you, and where your passions lie.

--Susan C. Aldridge, President, University of Maryland University College

It's okay to fail. I lost my first election by less than 50 votes and it made me a better candidate and a better public servant.

--Governor Martin O'Malley

Work to understand and perfect your most effective study habits and use them to do your very best work in all of your classes.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Talk to your school counselors about courses (classes in middle and high school) that will prepare you for college.

--Maryland Secretary of Higher Education James Lyons

Surround yourself with role models, and don't be afraid to learn from others.

--Governor Martin O'Malley

Don't let your financial situation limit where you want to attend college. Seek out scholarship and financial aid information early and look into such opportunities as becoming a resident assistant in your college dormitory to help with the cost of housing. There are plenty of ways around student loans. You just have to be proactive!

--Sarah Elfreth, Towson University Senior and Member of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents

Each of you has a story. Our stories represent the sum of all of our experiences, especially our experiences as children. Our stories also include what our parents, grandparents, and other family members have gone through in their lives. I encourage you to ask your family members, especially the older ones, to tell you their stories.
As you get older, you will see how your story is connected to their stories. Stories motivate us all.

--Freeman Hrabowski, III, President, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Don't be afraid to aim high, even if it means falling short. Setting goals allows you to hold yourself accountable.

--Governor Martin O'Malley

Challenge yourself by tackling the SAT Question of the Day. Some colleges require applicants to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). Visit http://apps.collegeboard.com/qotd/question.do to learn more.

--Way2GoMaryland Staff

Get involved now! The best way to show that you are a well-rounded student is to get involved in extra-curricular activities. Athletics, student government, poetry reading, service, art — whatever you enjoy doing most, find a group to join and get involved!

--Josh Michael, Senior, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

It's never too early to start thinking about what courses you want and need to take to prepare for college. Throughout middle and high school, work with your guidance counselors, teachers, parents and guardians, and others to make the academic decisions that will put you on the path to college.

--Chancellor William E. Kirwan, University System of Maryland

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and to learn something new.

--President Barack Obama, 9.8.09 Back-to-School Event Remarks