Exploration and discovery are what makes science so exciting. And you can get started on your own through the internet. Look to sources like Youtube, Kahn Academy, Chemistry KibreTexts, Reddit, Quora, and Google Scholar. Actively seek out opportunities like volunteering, internships, and networking. You can even sign up to the email chains for university departments that seem interesting to you to stay up-to-date with their latest work.

Unfortunately, experiments don’t always go as planned. Things will often go wrong or you may not get the result you were hoping for. When situations like these arise it’s important to remember to ask for help. After all, smart people aren’t just born that way. They’re just willing to learn, to practice, and to ask for help in order to solve a problem. Speak to a school counselor or someone with experience in higher education, participate in school clubs or programs, visit nearby university campuses and departments of interest, and learn to be comfortable asking questions.

Don’t be afraid to try new things and get out of your comfort zone. It sounds scary, but being new at something is the most amazing spot to be in! Think about it. At this stage, no one is expecting you to be the best. Your only job is to be a sponge that absorbs the information you’re being taught. You can carry the good experiences with you for confidence, and learn to use the bad experiences to push you toward becoming a better version of yourself. Just don’t forget to enjoy the journey.