But today's high school students will be facing a work-world that moves at warp speed. It's not too early for kids to be thinking about where they might be headed professionally, what they want and need from a college education, and how they'll get there.

The American College Testing Service (ACT) has the following suggestions to get kids on track for the college application process:

Take a Good Look at Your Courses
Take an honest look at your high school program. Are you challenging yourself or just trying to get by with easy courses? You may want to protect a high grade-point average or just take it easy, but experts say the best thing you can do is challenge yourself.

Michael Barron, admissions director at the University of Iowa, says, "Getting into college isn't a strategy or a game. It's about having a great academic record, stretching yourself, taking a risk, and showing that you're reaching beyond yourself. Colleges care about that."

Beyond getting into the college of your choice, you'll improve your chances of doing well once you're admitted if you stick with a more challenging course load now, especially classes like higher-level math. ACT research shows that students who take advanced placement or honors courses consistently score higher on the ACT test, which is an indicator of how well you're expected to do on college-level work.

Brush Up on Academics
If you think it's too late to improve your academic record or you need help getting up to speed before taking the next level of math, get help from a tutor or take additional coursework.

Start Exploring Colleges
College is such a big commitment--emotionally, intellectually, and financially--that Barron recommends that students begin thinking seriously about college as early as eighth grade. Even sixth-graders can start asking questions about the college experience and application process.

Identify your Priorities
What do you want and expect from a college education? What are your talents and academic strengths? What activities and social opportunities are important to you? Regarding academics, Barron asks, "Do you want to be at the top of the heap, the middle of the pack, or really challenge yourself with a very competitive atmosphere?"

Once you've answered these questions, you can start requesting college catalogs. Research the relative costs and locations of schools; check out academic requirements and course offerings; and consider available housing and social amenities. Gather enough information to narrow down your choices--only schools with the best fit for you should make the cut.