Attending college is a true joy for most students. It represents freedom, independence and the beginning of an adult life. Being admitted to college requires students to prove themselves academically and socially. One of the ways in which you can best represent your abilities is through your academic resume.

Gather information about your grades, volunteer accomplishments, sports awards, leadership accolades and any other achievements from your high school career. Some things you'll eventually want to leave out, but first it's important to take stock of what you have and what will be most helpful in getting you the college admission you desire.

Pick a resume template that emphasizes academic performance and extracurricular activities. There are many resources available online; see the Resources section for examples. Fill in the personal information section and the purpose section. The purpose should state something about what you intend study in your undergraduate work.

Under the education portion, include your major fields of study, your cumulative GPA and your expected graduation date. Include any special honors, such as National Honor Society, National Merit Scholar, dean's list or honor roll. Do your best to highlight academic achievement by pinpointing awards or special recognition you've received for academic performance.

List your extracurricular activities. Use action verbs when beginning your sentences. For example, the following words grab the attention of the reader: "chaired," "spearheaded," "designed," "commissioned" and "performed." Highlight any specific leadership qualities you exhibited in any particular activity. Also, be sure to include any team accolades received (sports championships and the like), even though the main focus of the resume is academic. It's always a good idea to show that you are a well-rounded individual.

Give some information about your skills, abilities and interests. Show the admission committee who you really are. If you've traveled, write it down and explain briefly what it meant to you. If you like politics or veterinary science or cars, explain your reasons and what you do to nurture those interests. If you can type 70 words per minute, put it down and explain its importance. The point in this section is to elaborate on your academic performance by showing you are well-rounded, interesting and a good match for your college choices.