A 12-year-old asks: what could he do now to join a top university later?

A 12-year-old asked on Quora.com: what could he do now to secure his place in the world's top universities? Yes, you read that right — a 12-year-old!

My thoughts were divided on his question. On one hand, I thought a self-motivated kid like him will land on his feet anywhere and be successful. On the other, I wondered whether parental pressure at home was driving this query. Nevertheless, the bits of advice that this yet-to-be teenager got from the forum were informative and helpful for everyone:

• Study hard: GPA matters, so don't neglect your GPA in high school.
• Manage your time: There are too many distractions, from YouTube to Marvel comics. You don't have to give up all of them, but do remember to prioritize.
• Pick a few extracurriculars: When a college application lists more than three extracurricular activities, examiners often think the applicant lacked direction. Focus on a few things and do them well.
• Take initiative: Take initiative in school and outside it to start something new. It shows leadership and creativity — a must for any kind of success.
• Choose your friends well: This, in my eyes, is the most important one. Children at this age need the right set of friends to have fun with and to inspire and learn from each other. One wrong company at this impressionable age can cost many future years.