FALL

• Meet with a school counselor/dean to review academic plans for the next two years and ensure tracking towards graduation.
  • Check for at least one challenging, typically AP or Honors level, class each semester, as well as pursuing areas of interest.
  • Check on courses or programs which might offer college credit- might being the operative word- depends on class, grade achieved, and college, among other things, but it is still beneficial to take college-level classes.
  • Review school resources available for the college admissions process or other post-secondary options.

• Get organized for the college admissions process; the checklist found on the Uncommon College Guide website is a good starting point.

• Register for a local information session or tour at a local college if not done over the summer. Even if that school is not currently in the top 10 it will be great practice and increase knowledge of what to look for and questions to ask.

• Check out virtual tours on individual college websites and check YouTube for a college's channel, if available.

• Check or recheck high school calendar for post-secondary presentations, college rep visits, workshops on financial aid, test and/or essay prep, and add to master calendar.

• If interested in the military (academies or ROTC) or sports or music scholarships, begin researching options by discussing with a school counselor, relevant teacher or coach, or through online research.

• Register for AP exams, normally given in early May, for any fall AP classes if desired.

• Research college fairs in your area, or in an area where you plan to travel. NACAC is one well-known national source.

          WINTER

• If not done previously and desired, register for spring or summer ACT or SAT. Note that a large number of 4-year colleges are test optional or even test blind, a trend that has only grown since the pandemic. Though exercise caution in opting out as some scholarships depend on test scores.

WINTER-SPRING

Junior year is packed with challenges- it is often the most difficult year academically combined with extracurriculars and social life, then add significant tests (AP/ACT/SAT) and the college admissions process, all creating an environment where self-care and balancing tasks is critical. So the items in this section are not intended to overwhelm or all be complete in a month. With the exception of the first two items, most can be completed anytime in a 6-8 month window, so read through and prioritize, with a goal of working on each one in YOUR order of importance and timeframe.

• Keep your grades up! Trends matter, and a lower grade in 9th or 10th grade can be easily overlooked by stronger grades as an upperclassman.
• Register for AP exams for any spring AP classes if desired.
• If not yet done, develop a strong first college list using online search tools and any visits you have taken. In addition to the usual criteria, e.g., geography, academic program, cost, etc., add the following key data to the search: graduation rate (4/6 year), % financial need met (if relevant), freshman retention, housing options, especially after freshman year, career counseling availability, and hidden costs, e.g., transportation, financial aid while studying abroad, fees, etc.
• Consider and apply for a summer job, if possible in an area of interest for college major and/or future career.
• Consider taking a summer class at a community college or elsewhere which might improve a weak area, provide a better background for a more advanced class in senior year or for a possible area of study in college, or simply to pursue an area of interest.
• Without becoming consumed by "things to do to get into college", this is a good time to consider test prep (ACT, SAT, AP) and/or essay prep, particularly if either of these areas are weak spots for you.
• Begin planning with family for senior summer: volunteer and/or paid work, learning opportunities, college visits, family trip, rest, pursuing hobbies, etc.

          LATE SPRING

• Lock down a summer job if applicable.

• If you plan to ask a popular teacher for a LOR, consider asking him/her BEFORE the end of the school year, though check his/her website first to see if relevant information is readily available about the process or timing.

• Prep for any late spring or summer tests.

• Keep reading for your own enjoyment, learning, and/or self-improvement.

          HOME (REPEAT FROM 9TH GRADE)

• Behave responsibly for your own spaces and common areas- clean up after yourself, tidy regularly, and deep clean or help other members of the household deep clean seasonally.

• Become involved in regular home and car maintenance- what needs to be done and when? Find out then help complete those tasks.

• Learn to do your own laundry, including bedding, then own that task.

• Learn to cook a few basic meals or family favorites. Offer to prepare a meal every 2 weeks or so.

• If you don't have regular chores, take initiative, talk to your parent/s and figure out what you can do regularly to help out your household.

           PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (REPEAT FROM 9TH GRADE)

• Read. Read. Read. Even if only 10 minutes per day, though hopefully more, every day read fiction, nonfiction, the news, almost anything- draw the line at most social media, celebrity feeds, and anything that dwells in negativity.
• Keep a journal. Even if you don't consider yourself a writer, develop a habit by writing a few lines about your life, thoughts, feelings, what's going on in the world, a book you read, etc., at least once per week, hopefully more often.
• Pick an activity, class, or event in your comfort zone. Be engaged and enjoy!
• Pick an activity, class, or event outside your comfort zone. Be engaged and learn! (and enjoy)
• Honestly evaluate your health habits- nutrition, exercise, mental and emotional- and pick one to intentionally improve. Ask for help if you need accountability or ideas. Once you have solidly improved one (might take weeks or months), celebrate! Then consider building upon that success with another. We can ALL improve, learn, and grow without seeking an unattainable state of perfection.

          HOME

• Behave responsibly for your own spaces and common areas- clean up after yourself, tidy regularly, and deep clean or help other members of the household deep clean seasonally.

• Become involved in regular home and car maintenance- what needs to be done and when? Find out then help complete those tasks.

• Learn to do your own laundry, including bedding, then own that task.

• Learn to cook a few basic meals or family favorites. Offer to prepare a meal every 2 weeks or so.

• If you don't have regular chores, take initiative, talk to your parent/s and figure out what you can do regularly to help out your household.

          PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Read. Read. Read. Even if only 10 minutes per day, though hopefully more, every day read fiction, nonfiction, the news, almost anything- draw the line at most social media, celebrity feeds, and anything that dwells in negativity.

• Keep a journal. Even if you don't consider yourself a writer, develop a habit by writing a few lines about your life, thoughts, feelings, what's going on in the world, a book you read, etc., at least once per week, hopefully more often.

• Pick an activity, class, or event in your comfort zone. Be engaged and enjoy!

• Pick an activity, class, or event outside your comfort zone. Be engaged and learn! (and enjoy)

• Honestly evaluate your health habits- nutrition, exercise, mental and emotional- and pick one to intentionally improve. Ask for help if you need accountability or ideas. Once you have solidly improved one (might take weeks or months), celebrate! Then consider building upon that success with another. We can ALL improve, learn, and grow without seeking an unattainable state of perfection.