Put yourself on a schedule and follow it scrupulously. Have your timetable start 18 months before your study. And remember when you schedule things that earlier is always better than later. Don't procrastinate yourself into missing a deadline. Also, if you don't begin early you won't have enough time to research all of your options.

18 months

Once you know what you want to study you can begin your search of possible schools that match your interests. So the first step should be doing a self-evaluation. Take a look at what you like to do, what you want to do, and what career would match those interests. Once you discover what you want to study you can begin looking for schools that fit that career goal.

At this point you should also register for and prepare for taking standardized tests and entrance exams. Taking these tests now will give you plenty of time to re-take them later in case you don't do as well as you wanted to.

This is also a good time to begin your search for financial aid. Remember, its the early bird that catches the worm. Beginning early will give you plenty of time to find adequate aid.

14 months

Narrow down your list of possible schools to about five. These will be the schools that you will apply to. Write the schools and request information and admissions forms. Start a folder for each of the five schools to keep copies of all of your correspondence and other information. Begin reading up more extensively on the colleges in which you are interested. 

When picking which five schools to put on your list try to pick two schools that you would like to go to but may not accept you, two schools which you like and which you think may accept you, and one school that you are positive will accept you.

Keep working hard in high school. Don't let your grades slip as your grades in the courses you are taking in high school will count heavily in the admissions decisions.

12 months

Request any additional information you may need. Start gathering the required information to apply. Figure out who you will get letters of reference from, get your transcripts from your school, and begin writing your application essay. When you go to get your letters of recommendation, keep in mind that the best references are usually going to come from your teachers and your school counselor or principal.

At this point you may consider retaking your entrance exams if you weren't comfortable with your previous scores.

10 months

Complete all of the application materials and mail your applications. As soon as possible inform each of the schools that you are accepted into of your decision to accept or decline their offer.