This is it. The platform before the short drop into the arena. The training ground before the games begin. As the promise of college draws closer, the pressure of it all sets it. The application process, the earning of scholarships, and the receiving of financial aid are daunting tasks for the average high school student, but when the cannon explodes and tributes plunge into the arena, the preparation of each student is pushed to the limit.

High school serves as the final training ground to hone the skills of English, math, and science, but ultimately the planning and preparation of the students is what will increase the odds of acceptance in their favor. The perilous task of paying for college also looms as an ever-present danger. Students must have the drive to succeed in high school. Challenging courses, extracurriculars and volunteer work all play a role in determining who the dedicated students are from the supine students, and also a role in which students earn scholarships and other types of financial aid.

The scores of the tributes receive on standardized tests are also a key factor in determining the likely academic achievement of students in college as well as their performance in high school. Tests like the ACT, SAT, and PSAT rank possible tributes with nothing more than a number and the highest scores stand out from the competition and draw the attention of the ultimate Gamemakers: the colleges.

While all of these factors present obstacles for students to overcome, the main challenge comes in balancing each of the requirements to become accepted into their desired college. With vigorous training in the forms of challenging classes, with dedicated participation in extracurricular activities, and with unstoppable goals, tributes can strive to become victors in the end.At the end of the games, there will be few victors left standing. It’s up to these tributes to decide their own futures and make their own success.