This student handbook helps students in grades 6 and 7 to prepare for high school and college. It urges them to plan now so that they can get on the right track and take the classes they need. The handbook encourages these students to discover their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and abilities to learn how they can prepare them for their future. It urges them to explore careers and college options and compare jobs that interest them. A case study illustrates the importance of lifelong learning and the advantages of a higher education. They are advised to set SMART goals. SMART goals are defined as Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Tailored. The handbook offers a handy college prep timeline to stay on track for college and a career. It includes a chart showing Washington state's minimum high school graduation requirements as of September 2003 and recommended college-prep courses for high school students. The handbook describes the various types of savings and financial aid options. Finally, this handbook shows students how to tackle such standardized tests as the seventh- and eighth-grade as the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), and EXPLORE[R]. A list of college and career vocabulary terms are given herein. [This publication is part of the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) national effort to encourage more young people to have high expectations, study hard, and go to college. Washington State GEAR UP is a partnership of the Office of the Governor, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the University of Washington.]