Steps that parents and children can take to ensure that students properly prepare for college are covered in this guidebook. The guidebook is divided into four steps. In step one, reasons why it is important to go to college are covered. Some of these reasons include better job opportunities, more earning potential, and the increased variety of jobs one can get with more education. In step two, the types of courses that middle school students should take to prepare for college are covered; subjects such as algebra, geometry, a foreign language, English, science, and history are noted. A chart provides a breakdown of the variety of courses children should take and for how many years. Step three looks at college costs and what students and parents can do to prepare for this significant expense. This theme is continued in step four where ideas for paying for college are presented. Some of these payment suggestions entail applying for federal aid, scholarships, loans, and military enrollment. (RJM)