As part of the high school junior class, you’re wrapping up high school, believe it or not. Your junior year is an important year; there’s plenty to do each semester to stay on track to college.
We’ve created a month-by-month guide designed to keep you organized and on top of the journey to college. Use this guide to inform you what to do in the months ahead. Consider revisiting this monthly and working with your high school counselor to “check-in” on your college-bound status.
Discuss your college plans with your high school counselor. Developing this relationship will help you two establish the best plan of action.
Start researching colleges. You can find unique and fun ways to do your research, such as following your favorite colleges on TikTok, Instagram, or other social platforms.
Consider the advantages of taking the ACT or SAT as a high school junior and develop study routines for these tests.
Access the August checklist.
Make a list of your top-choice colleges. Consider creating a working document of each college or university on your list. Take notes or make a list of questions you may have about this college.
Ask yourself what you’d like to be growing up. Write down what careers interest you. Keep your mind open and explore career ideas that fit your personality. Many high school counselors have tools to help you find career possibilities that work with your likes and interests.
Find and schedule virtual tours of colleges and universities that interest you.
Have a conversation with your parents or caregivers to discuss how you’ll pay for school. Be sure you’re applying for at least four scholarships per month via Fastweb!
Access the September checklist.
Get involved in extracurricular activities, such as clubs or sports teams. Consider taking on a leadership role in one of these, too.
Start yourself an official Brag Sheet document. It will serve as your student resume and help you to remember all the volunteer work and activities you’re involved in. You can also use this to find gaps or opportunities to enhance yourself academically and personally.
Stay focused on your studies and keep your grades up. If you’re having trouble, contact your teacher or an advisor.
Keep applying for those scholarships!
Access the October checklist.
Schedule a time to meet with your counselor this month. Discuss the careers you’re considering and the list of colleges and universities you’re interested in so far.
Ask your counselor about upcoming college fairs and/or if there are college admissions officers visiting your school soon.
Create a standardized testing plan. Register for AP Exams if you’re enrolled in AP courses this school year.
Access the November checklist.
Use your winter break to do more college research and to take notes in your college planner or binder if you have one. If not, consider creating one to house all your college research, brochures, or viewbooks you may get in the mail.
Volunteer within your local community. You can use these experiences to add to your student profile, Brag Sheet, or college admissions essays in the future.
Prep and schedule for the ACT or SAT if you take these standardized tests.
Finally, this month, use your free time over winter break to complete a few more scholarship applications.
Access the December checklist.
Save any impressive essays or academic achievements in a special place. You can use these accomplishments to update your student Brag Sheet.
Focus on narrowing down your future career choices. Consider job shadowing someone in the industry you’re interested in or picking up a part-time job in a related field. These experiences can help you determine what works with your personality.
Update your Fastweb student profile with any changes or achievements you’ve accomplished in your first semester as a high school junior. This includes joining any clubs, organizations, or sports teams.
Register for any February standardized tests if you’re taking this testing approach.
If you’re considering joining the military or enrolling in a military academy, you’ll want to begin this process your junior summer. If this intrigues you, schedule an appointment with your school counselor or military recruiter to see how they can help you.
If you’ve taken AP courses, discuss whether or not you should take the AP exam with your teacher or counselor. These AP tests can help you earn college credit and show colleges you’re motivated.
Access the January checklist.
Discuss and research financial aid options with your parents and counselor. Consider how you’ll be paying for college and create a plan.
Also, think about what teachers and mentors you’d like to use in your letters of recommendation. Connect with these people and let them know your accomplishments and college plans.
List out connections and professionals from career fields you’re interested in. Consider setting up a time for a job shadow or letting them know you’d be interested in a summer part-time job or internship if they have any.
Begin discussing your proposed senior year classes with your high school counselor. Find subject area holes or courses that you should take to boost your GPA. See what AP courses your senior year offers and determine if they suit you. Planning your senior year class schedule in advance will save you from any surprises later.
Access the February checklist.
Schedule college tours if needed. Sign up beforehand and place these dates on your calendar to ensure they happen. Use this experience to narrow down your college-choice list.
Discuss your letters of recommendation with teachers you’ve selected to write them for you. This gives them more prep time -- before the rush of your senior year!
Apply for as many scholarships as possible now, as your senior year will be very busy. Your junior year is the time to squeeze in a few extra scholarship apps and/or apply for those essay scholarships.
Access the March checklist.
Consider costs when narrowing down your college search. Find out the tuition and other fees required to attend your top colleges. Do these colleges and universities tend to offer generous financial aid packages? This is a smart way to narrow down your list.
Discuss the pros and cons of your college list with your family and/or counselor. They can provide outsider input or suggestions you may not have considered.
Access the April checklist.
Nail down your summer plans. Consider a part-time job or volunteer work in your community. Adding these experiences to your brag sheet (also known as your student resume) will impress college admission teams and give you real examples to discuss in admissions interviews or essays.
Find out the application process for the colleges you’re interested in. Begin practicing with college essay drafts and create a list of items you’ll need to complete these college applications.
Group your choice colleges into segments, like reach, target, and safety schools.
Access the May checklist.
Create a list of must-haves in your college choices. For instance, consider areas of study, clubs, organizations, and social life. Use this as an approach to find the best fit.
Gain work experience; find a part-time job or summer internship for high school students.
Connect with students at the colleges you’re interested in attending. You can find some student experiences on YouTube.
Access the June checklist.
Use your free time this summer to apply for scholarships. Make it a habit by setting a weekly summertime goal!
Connect with students taking the same AP courses as you will in your junior year.
Start your back to school shopping!
Access the July checklist.
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
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Shawna Newman
Managing Editor, Contributing Writer
Shawna Newman is the Managing Editor and a writer at Fastweb. She has over 10 years of experience in higher education. Her direct work with college admissions teams, financial aid officers, college deans, ...
