Research degrees in graphic design in the library and on the Internet. Look at the types of graphic design careers available. For example, the skills sets of an art director and a logo designer may vary greatly. This information will be helpful not only in determining what kind of design interests you, but also what kind of school you should be looking at.
Make an informational appointment with a few local graphic design studios to determine what kinds of skills their studios look for in recent graphic design graduates. This will help you narrow your search for a university program as well.
Find out what kind of degree programs are in your area. If there is a local college or university nearby that has a degree program and it offers what you want based on your research, consider applying to this school. Otherwise you should consider a program that's outside of your hometown.
Brush up on your drawing skills. While much of graphic design is done on computers, the process of creating graphic design projects usually starts with a rough sketch and mock-ups. These are still often hand-drawn.
Learn how to use modern digital design programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and Quark. There might be other programs as well, and the visits that you made to local design studios should help you determine what those are.
Improve your painting skills. Some graphic designs still use traditional media like painting, so improve your skills to not only add it to your tool box, but also so that you can communicate to other artists you'll be working with during the design process.
Take classes in photography, videography and animation. The graphic designers who possess these skills have the best chance of getting jobs post graduation.
Master web design. Many jobs available to graphic designers today require web design skills.