Summer is finally here! Wondering when you should start prepping for the SAT/ACT? Or booking college tours? Or writing your Common App essay? Is it too soon or too late or are you right on time?
Here’s my personalized approach to scheduling:
Map it Out
One of the first things I do with my students is map out a timeline, detailing when they will complete the various tasks on their college “to do” list. Whether we are six months out from application deadlines, or I’m working with a sophomore who has two years to prepare, a calendar keeps students (and parents) from feeling overwhelmed.
When are you Busiest?
Think through your annual schedule and ask yourself essential questions: when is your sports season or your school show? Do you need extra time to adjust to school each fall or do you hit the ground running? Do you have periods off from school during which you can visit colleges? Planning a vacation near some schools you might like to see? Take your tasks and break them into manageable chunks so you don’t feel you have to do everything all at once. Create a calendar, spreadsheet, or checklist so you have a visual guide to what you’ve accomplished and what’s coming next.
Your Timeline is Unique to You
Every student is different and there is no one “right” time to take the SAT/ACT or start visiting schools. A strong math student might be ready to sit for standardized tests by the end of sophomore year. A student with a heavy junior course load might want to delay test prep until second semester so they have time to adjust to their new schoolwork. Some kids love to visit schools and will start in eighth or ninth grade. For others, the idea of being away from home is too stressful to contemplate until later on in high school. Taking time to engage in some careful advanced planning will help you balance your commitments while preserving your sanity. Want help? Book a complimentary informational call with me.
