Q: My daughter is a sophomore in high school. We've just begun the process of researching the college admission and selection process. Aside from providing very basic information, her school college counselors don't meet with parents or students until junior year. My daughter is a good, but not spectacular, student with no idea of what she wants to do or where she wants to go to school. To optimize her choices, I thought we might start working with a paid college consultant now. Does this make sense for us? If so, what should we be looking for in a quality counselor and where do we look?

A: At most high schools – both public and private – the college counseling program does not formally begin until junior year. Preparing for college is just one of the functions of high school, and it ought not overwhelm everything else. And yet many students become anxious about the college process earlier because they are constantly and inescapably bombarded with the topic. School hallways features college posters and pennants, plus announcements of visiting college representatives; newspapers and magazines feature articles trumpeting how application numbers are soaring and how it's so much "harder" and "more competitive" to be admitted. And of course this is New York, where even the word "college" is enough to start palpitations and rumors.

But before you and your daughter succumb to media overload, take a deep breath.

It is early – and too early -- for a lot of things. Your daughter is in 10th grade and has "no idea of what she wants to do or where she wants to go to school?" Completely normal! Who knows, at 14 or 15 or 16, the exact path to follow? She should not, at this point, expect to know what career she wants, or where she ought to go to college.

So I'd say no, you do not need to work with a private educational consultant at this point. There are many fine professionals in this field, but they are costly and I feel 10th grade is premature for using one. If you were to consult me, for example, this is what I would advise your daughter:

Talk to people. Think about the adults around you, the ones involved in your daily life, and others you look up to. Who seems happiest with their work? Who genuinely enjoys the profession he or she chose? Who seems to be able to balance work with other enjoyable activities? Who do you admire?

Go to each one and ask:

• Where did you go to college?

• Did you have a good experience there?

• Why did you choose that school?

• Would you recommend that I consider it? If not, why not?

• What is the relationship between where you went to college and the life you have today?

If you speak to someone who has an advanced degree (for instance a physician, lawyer, pharmacist, teacher, or anyone who has gone beyond a bachelor's degree) be sure to ask about his or her undergraduate school, as my suggestion really focuses only on the undergraduate experience.

Speaking directly to people who have experienced, or are currently experiencing, college life will give you an entirely different perspective than looking at websites, rankings, and guidebooks. In fact, I'd even avoid looking at rankings and guidebooks now. Likewise, when you visit colleges, perhaps next year, try to ask random people you meet – both students and teachers -- about their experiences and opinions.

Make the most of your high school years. Right now, your main responsibility is to do as well as you can in high school and to develop as a thoughtful, humane person. Make academics your #1 priority. If you have difficulty with any particular subject, don't wait for problems to build up -- ask your teachers for assistance. But you also have to enjoy each day! Have you joined some clubs, teams, or activities that enhance your involvement at school? If not, get involved! Do NOT think, "What will look best for college?" Pick an activity or two based on your own interests. If you get involved with something you genuinely enjoy, you will excel at it, and it will make high school more pleasurable for you. What about the community where you live? Are there opportunities for volunteerism on the weekends? Reach outside yourself to help others.

Do not start studying for the SAT or ACT! Instead, concentrate on your academics and READ. Doing well in math will prepare you for the math section of the tests. And students who make a habit of READING constantly will do better on the critical reading sections. Cram-memorizing lists of vocabulary words won't help you in the long run. Reading will. Mysteries, science fiction, magazines such as National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and Time, newspapers -- anything, just READ! Students who develop a strong reading habit generally do well overall.

Ask good questions and learn for the fun of it. Go to museums and concerts and nature walks. Help others. Keep a journal. You will grow personally and intellectually. Next year, your junior year, will be the time to channel all you have done and learned into thinking about college.