Create an activities chart and/or a resume listing your school activities, community activities, volunteer work, paid employment, accomplishments, honors, awards, etc.  

• Even if this type of document is not required, it will help you begin to identify and describe significant experiences and accomplishments for essays and other personal statements.

• Begin immediately to list all work and volunteer experiences, extracurricular activities, hobbies, clubs, organizations, and special recognition you have received. Think of involvements, experiences, and accomplishments throughout your whole life–even early experiences may be important, if they’re relevant to your goals and interests.

• Download a sample Activities Chart*, which is used by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission for their application packet.

• Talk to your family and friends. Do they remember any activities you have been involved in that you are not thinking of?
   
• Do you have certificates, awards, job descriptions, resumes, etc. stuck away somewhere? Find them and put them in your portfolio.
   
• If you have not done any volunteer or extracurricular work in the past, this may be a good time to start.
   
• Keep records of all activities/experiences in your portfolio.
   
• Use brief but descriptive phrases to describe your experiences, focusing on your skills and accomplishments.
   
• Include awards, certificates, letters of acceptance from colleges, your job descriptions, thank you notes, etc. in your portfolio.

* (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)