Lesson Plan
Unlocking College Paths Lesson Plan
Students will understand the essentials of college readiness, connect present actions to future success, and set concrete academic and extracurricular goals toward college preparation.
Teaching college readiness in 8th grade helps students see how today’s decisions shape their future, builds goal-setting skills early, and fosters motivation and self-confidence.
Audience
8th Grade Middle School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive slides, hands-on activities, and personal reflection.
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print one copy per student of the College Profiles Handout, Goal Setting Worksheet, and College Readiness Reflection Ticket
- Review the College Readiness Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with key talking points
- Queue up the slide deck on the classroom projector or display
- Arrange desks so students can work individually and briefly in pairs
Step 1
Introduction to College Readiness
5 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the term “college readiness”
- Display Slide 1 from the College Readiness Slide Deck with definition and key areas (academics, skills, activities)
- Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear ‘college ready’?” and record responses on board
- Emphasize that readiness starts well before high school
Step 2
Exploring College Profiles
10 minutes
- Distribute the College Profiles Handout, featuring brief cases of fictional students
- In pairs, students read one profile and identify which readiness skills that student demonstrated (e.g., time management, strong grades, extracurriculars)
- Reconvene and invite pairs to share one insight from their profile
- Highlight how different actions (course-taking, study habits, clubs) contribute to readiness
Step 3
Goal-Setting Activity
10 minutes
- Hand out the Goal Setting Worksheet
- Guide students to choose one academic goal (e.g., improve math grade) and one extracurricular goal (e.g., join a club)
- Prompt them to write steps they’ll take now and how each goal links to college readiness
- Circulate and support students as they articulate realistic, measurable goals
Step 4
Reflection & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Distribute the College Readiness Reflection Ticket
- Ask students to write: (1) one new thing they learned today and (2) one action they will take this week toward their goal
- Collect tickets as students leave
- Close by affirming that small steps now build a strong college-ready foundation
Slide Deck
Unlocking College Paths
Explore the essentials of college readiness and how your actions now set the stage for future success.
Welcome students and introduce the slide deck. Explain that today’s lesson is called “Unlocking College Paths,” and we’ll learn what college readiness means and how today’s choices shape tomorrow’s opportunities.
What Is College Readiness?
College readiness means having the academics, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in college, such as:
• Strong grades and study habits
• Time management and problem-solving skills
• Participation in clubs, sports, or community service
Define college readiness in simple terms. Emphasize that readiness involves more than grades—it includes skills and activities too.
Why Does It Matter?
• Builds confidence and motivation
• Helps you make informed course choices in high school
• Opens doors to scholarships and programs
• Turns your interests into future opportunities
Discuss why it matters at an early age. Relate to students’ own interests and long-term dreams.
Key Areas of Readiness
- Academics: challenging courses, good grades, study skills
- Skills: time management, teamwork, communication
- Activities: clubs, sports, volunteer work
Walk through each readiness area. Ask for examples from students (e.g., what clubs they’re in, study routines they follow).
Your Turn: Actions That Prepare
Turn to a partner and discuss:
• One academic habit you use now that helps you learn better
• One activity or skill you want to develop this year
Be ready to share one response.
Prompt students to discuss with a partner. Circulate to hear examples and guide the conversation. Collect a few shares aloud.
Next Step: Set Your Goals
Grab your Goal Setting Worksheet and:
- Choose one academic goal and one activity goal
- List steps you’ll take this week
- Explain how each connects to college readiness
Preview the Goal Setting Worksheet. Encourage SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
Worksheet
College Profiles Handout
Instructions: Read each student profile below. For each profile, identify which college readiness skills the student demonstrated.
Profile A: Elena
Elena has maintained a 3.8 GPA in her toughest courses, meets with her math teacher weekly for extra help, and volunteers at the local animal shelter every weekend.
Which readiness skills does Elena demonstrate?
Profile B: Marcus
Marcus organizes study groups for his science class, practices time management by creating a daily planner, and plays on the school basketball team.
Which readiness skills does Marcus demonstrate?
Profile C: Aisha
Aisha tutors her classmates in reading, participates in the student council, and recently learned a new programming language through an online course.
Which readiness skills does Aisha demonstrate?
Profile D: Diego
Diego balances part-time work at a café, keeps up with his honors English coursework, and leads a community clean-up project with friends.
Which readiness skills does Diego demonstrate?
Discussion Prompt
Choose one profile above and discuss with your partner:
- Why are the skills demonstrated by this student important for college readiness?
- What is one action you could take now to develop a similar skill?
Worksheet
Goal Setting Worksheet
Instructions: Use the SMART framework to set one academic goal and one extracurricular goal. For each goal, fill in the prompts below, plan your action steps, and explain how it connects to building college readiness skills.
Part 1: Academic Goal (SMART)
- Specific – What exactly do you want to achieve?
- Measurable – How will you know you’ve reached this goal?
- Achievable – Why is this goal realistic for you right now?
- Relevant – How does this goal support your future college success?
- Time-bound – When will you complete this goal?
Action Steps for Your Academic Goal
List three steps you will take this week to work toward your academic goal:
• Step 1:
• Step 2:
• Step 3:
Connection to College Readiness
Explain how achieving this academic goal will help develop important college readiness skills (e.g., study habits, time management, problem-solving).
Part 2: Extracurricular Goal (SMART)
- Specific – What activity or skill will you focus on?
- Measurable – How will you measure your progress or success?
- Achievable – Why can you accomplish this goal with your current resources?
- Relevant – In what way does this goal strengthen your college readiness profile?
- Time-bound – By what date will you achieve this goal?
Action Steps for Your Extracurricular Goal
List three steps you will take this week to work toward your extracurricular goal:
• Step 1:
• Step 2:
• Step 3:
Connection to College Readiness
Describe how this extracurricular goal will help you develop skills or experiences valued by colleges (e.g., leadership, teamwork, community involvement).
Part 3: Weekly Reflection
- What is the first action you will take this week to get started?
- What challenge might you face, and how will you overcome it?
- How will you celebrate your progress when you hit your milestone?
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: College Readiness
Instructions: Please answer the following before you leave class.
- One new thing I learned today about college readiness is:
- The one action I will take this week toward my goal is: