FARMINGTON – Jamie Bondar’s mission: To get students thinking how their actions as freshmen dictate the course of the rest of their lives.

Mt. Blue High School invited Bondar to speak to freshmen and some of their parents Thursday morning during an assembly.

Bondar, a doctoral student who teaches English at Tufts University, was there to stress the importance of making every day count.

Using examples from his own high school years, he acknowledged that, before he spoke with his guidance counselor his freshman year, he “had more important things to think about.”

Like what was going on Saturday night.

His counselor told him one thing, he said: that there are 800 days of school in a high school career, and that every wasted day counts.

Bondar stressed to the Mt. Blue freshmen that they have one shot “to make the most of it.”

He cited these statistics: Nine out of 10 freshmen, when asked, will say that they want to go to college. By their senior year, that number is down to six of 10. Of those, only three will actually graduate from college.

This shows how the “choices you make starting now” will mold the future, he said.

The key points: creating momentum, keeping on top of grades, pursuing outside activities, and scoring well on standardized tests.

Since grades are such an important factor, Bondar suggested ways that students can improve how they get the job done.

He talked about focusing 100 percent. He offered special note-taking techniques. He passed along tips for test taking.

He demonstrated that not knowing when a homework assignment is due leaves the student with a sinking feeling. Getting organized can eliminate that feeling.

He also added that the core classes are essential: Never give up in those classes.

Bondar is part of the Making it Count program, presented free to schools across the country and sponsored by several national companies. More information may be obtained on the Internet by visiting www.makingitcount.com.