Today's lesson for tomorrow.

Raising awareness about college in the classroom can have a significant impact on your students at any grade level. One of the most effective ways of integrating the idea of higher education into the curriculum is to encourage students to consider their own goals and aspirations through targeted activities like these:

Using the calendar as a starting point, you might organize a college day/week/month at your school in conjunction with other teachers and the administration. Promote awareness through "t-shirt days" and "college of the day" spotlights.

Conduct direct classroom activities, like having students choose/represent careers at random and then investigate which degrees are required. Your efforts to bring college to the forefront at school will make a real difference.

Consider inviting notable alumni into the classroom who went on to college from your school. They'll provide an accessible example for your students and show how the goal of postsecondary education is achievable in their own situation.

Whatever you do, be sure to have plenty of current information (brochures, viewbooks, etc.) on hand if your students follow up and show interest in a particular school or are considering college for the first time. It can be a valuable takeaway that fosters future conversations both at school, and most importantly, at home.