Begin your preparation beginning your freshman year of high school. Students need to start taking advantage of volunteer opportunities, clubs, sports, academics, and competitions. Don't worry these activities do not have to take up all of the students times, but they can easily be worked in. Make sure your student participates in some type of activity like this at least 4 times a year.
Once your student begins participating in programs, have them take a camera with them to big events to take pictures to document the activity. These pictures come in handy for scholarship applications that ask you to show what you've participated in or for the applications that allow you to answer their questions in any way that you would like, i.e., make a scrapbook.
Be sure to keep these photos digitally (it's cheaper) in a file labeled clearly (the name is up to you) on your computer. Or, you can go ahead and have the prints made and keep them in a scrapbook of your own for easy access.
Each event needs to be kept in a log. I prefer using a spreadsheet because it is simple to view and to insert the information. Here is a list of what you need to document:
Grade
Date
Name of Event
Position
Duties
Name of Reference for your Attendance
If you take the time to prepare thoroughly, then filling out scholarship applications are a breeze. Be sure to document every activity. Here are some examples that can should be documented:
Staying After School to Tutor
Visits to Nursing Homes
Donations to Local Charities (Items & Monetary)
All Club Activities (Document Meetings & Positions held also)
All Church Activities
All Community Organization Activities (ex: American Legions, Rotary Clubs, etc)
All Sports (Community & School)
Awards Won (Yes, Prom King/Queen or Student of the Month definitely counts)