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By the time the first day of college rolls around, most students and parents have been dreaming about it for years. Though some students might choose to take a "gap year" between high school and college or opt for community college or vocational schools instead of a four-year university, there are some universal points that apply to anyone looking to pursue higher education.

Start high school with an eye to college

"The key to making a good college decision is to make the most out of high school -- it's the best way for you to learn about who you are, what you like and how you see the world," said Patrick O'Connor, author of "College Is Yours 2.0" and director of college counseling at The Roeper School in Birmingham, MI. "From day one, take the most challenging classes you can manage, learn more about yourself by participating in extracurricular activities and give back to your community with an average of one to two hours of service a week."

There are also specific steps you can take during each year of high school to help ensure a smooth transition to college life. Hint: It starts from the moment the first bell rings.

Freshman year

When college admissions officers look at your high school transcript, they don't just look at the last few years. The path to the college of your choice begins with your first class.

"Colleges will look at a student's curriculum from ninth grade on, and the more the student prepares from the start of high school, the better off they will be," said Dave Roberts, associate director of freshman admissions at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. "Their academic performance will make a difference whether or not they get selected at certain colleges."

Believe it or not, now is also a good time to consider which careers might be a good fit. Students can take advantage of career aptitude tests to help find occupations that suit their personalities.

Sophomore year

During the second year of high school, it is time to start seriously looking at colleges and narrowing your focus. "Make sure you visit at least two or three different college campuses," O'Connor said. "You don't even have to know if you really want to go there -- you just need to see what makes college different from high school and the same, and begin to get a feel for what kind of college feels right to you. It's also not a bad idea to participate in a summer enrichment program on a college campus."

There are a few other points to keep in mind during this second year:

1. Talk to college recruiters. Find out when college recruiters will be at your school and take advantage of their expertise. If there are special admission requirements for the schools you're interested in, you have plenty of time to fulfill the requirements if you start now.
2. Start looking into test prep. You should take your ACT or SAT test during your junior year in order to stay ahead of the game, so test prep during your sophomore year is a good idea. Start researching test prep programs and speak with guidance counselors who can be a good resource for choosing a few options that are right for you.
3. Ramp up your extracurricular activities. College admissions counselors love to see a list of worthy activities outside of school, including extracurricular and volunteer work. If you haven't fostered this side of your high school experience yet, now is the time to find something you enjoy and jump into it.

Junior year

Your junior year is the time to get serious about college admissions, and that starts with testing. You should take the ACT or SAT for the first time in the late fall or early spring. In addition to these very important tests, keep these points in mind:

1. Make a college list. Narrow down your focus even further by choosing a short list of colleges that appeal to you. Start researching them, including programs offered and application deadlines.
2. Visit college campuses. Make a point of visiting while school is in session to get a better feel for the student body and how things work. If the college allows it, you might even be able to sit in on a class.
3. Ask for recommendation letters. Approach a few teachers and ask if they are willing to write a letter of recommendation. Make them aware of the due dates so they have plenty of time to finish the letters.
4. Search for financial aid. Parents and students can work together to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You won't need to submit the form until your senior year, but it's good to know what it is and what information is needed in order to fill out the FAFSA. This is also a great time to start the scholarship search. Even if you think you might not qualify, apply anyway.

Senior year

At this point, you should know which colleges you want to attend, and you're ready to apply. This is when the excitement and the nerve-wracking wait for acceptances begins.

1. Follow the admissions guidelines. Make certain that you are providing each college with exactly what they need, and you are doing it well before the deadline.
2. Keep looking for scholarship money. Just because the initial financial aid assessment is done doesn't mean you should stop trying to get scholarships. Every little bit can help.
3. Watch your grades. If your grades haven't been the best the last few years, now is the time to really crack the books. If your grades are excellent, don't slack off.

Staying on track for college admission

It is important to stay very organized throughout the college search and admissions process. Though there are several computer programs that can keep everything in one neat place, O'Connor says that sometimes "old school" is the best bet. "I recommend a spiral notebook," he said. "It's affordable, easy to keep track of and it will never crash. Create a simple table -- the name of each college, their deadlines, the tests they require, how many teacher letters of recommendation they want. You can also do this on a spreadsheet and paste it into a notebook."

What happens if you miss a deadline despite all the organization? There might be a way around that. "If someone misses an important deadline, the best thing they can do is personally call the college," Roberts advised. "There are many flexible dates in the process that can be adjusted if they call and explain their situation. It's best to call the college to see what the options are."

Communication is key

Finally, remember to talk about the process. Communication between parents and students can go a long way toward making the transition from high school to college a smooth one. "Students need to engage in the admissions process, understand what they are doing and why they are doing it and not let their parents take the lead and handle everything," Roberts advised.

O'Connor agrees. "Parents need to remember that the goal of the conversation is to support their child, not do the work for them. When it comes to applying and transitioning to college, let the student drive the bus."

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