High School Articles

From test prep to smart money tips, we're here to help you make high school count—inside and outside of the classroom.

Crush every year of high school

Freshman or senior, your next move matters. From SATs to part-time gigs to college plans, these to-do lists help you tackle what you need to stay ahead.

How to save money in high school

Got birthday cash, allowance money, or side-hustle income? Don't just spend it—grow it. Our tips make saving simple (and worth it).

Ace your interview

Get ready for your next interview with confidence. Learn how to tackle short-form questions that test your clarity, creativity, and quick thinking. Plus tips to stand out from the crowd.

Where should I put my first paycheck?

Got your first job? Then it's time for a student checking account. You'll get benefits like no ATM transaction fees from us, no overdraft or monthly maintenance fees, and more.

100 extracurriculars!

Do something you love, try something new, make new friends—extracurriculars are fun and look great on college apps.

PSAT guide: Who is eligible, test taking tips, and more

Most high schools juniors take the PSAT. Learn testing tips, myths, and why you should take the PSAT seriously.

12 helpful standardized testing tips

Go into the ACT / SAT with confidence. Learn tips and tricks to help you crush those standardized tests come test day.

ACT percentiles and rankings what's a "good" ACT score

See how your ACT score stacks up against other students. Learn about ACT score percentiles and rankings and what that means for college admissions.

Let's talk about C’s – Is it really a bad grade

A "C" simply means "average." Get context around that grade and steps you can take to improve your GPA.

15 tips for a solid study session

From organizing your study space to getting enough sleep, learn tips and tricks that are guaranteed to help you have a perfect study session.

A guide to taking AP classes in high school

Taking AP classes in high school could be super beneficial. Click here for a guide complete with pros and cons, tips, FAQs and more.

How to start searching for colleges a step-by-step guide

You know you want to go to college, but where do you start looking for colleges?

60+ part-time job ideas for high school and college students

Earn extra cash while going to school. Not sure what to do? We’ve got tons of great part-time job ideas for high school and college students.

A complete guide to recommendation letters

Reach out to teachers, coaches, or mentors to get those glowing letters of recommendation. See how a great letter can boost your college acceptance chances.

What are my options after high school

Explore paths after high school—from college to careers, trades, gap years, and more.

© Citizens Financial Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Citizens is a brand name of Citizens Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

For additional information, please click the † symbols throughout this page to view our Checking disclosures.

College Raptor, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Bank, N.A. (Citizens)