Summer Tips for Parents of Rising Juniors

Hello, fellow parents! As a mom of a rising high school junior and a rising college senior, I’m experiencing the college planning journey for the second time, and this time, I’m determined to learn from our mistakes and do it better. The first time around, we started too late, which caused extra stress and friction in our house. While most teens have little to no desire to work on school stuff during the summer, it’s the perfect time to get started on some college prep and planning without the daily pressure of high school and all the other responsibilities students have during the school year.

Here are some tips on how to approach the rest  of your summer, enjoy your teen, and make meaningful steps forward in your college prep and planning process.

Summer Tip #1: Embrace the Summer Vibes

First, let’s acknowledge the importance of letting our teens enjoy their summer. It’s crucial for them to have downtime, but we can also add in some productive moments.

• Late Starts: Allow them to sleep in but plan for a productive afternoon or evening.
• Tech Time: I struggle with how much time my teens spend on their phones. While I still institute downtime, I’ve encouraged my rising junior to use her phone for college research instead of endless scrolling. There are numerous apps and websites that make exploring colleges interactive and fun.

Summer Tip #2: Chip Away at the College Planning Process

Summer is the perfect time to start thinking about college in a low-pressure way. Here are some ways you can approach it with your teen:

• Casual Conversations: Use relaxed settings, like during a movie night or a coffee run, to talk about their interests and potential college plans. These conversations can help them start thinking about their future without feeling overwhelmed.
• Interactive Exploration: Introduce online college tours and career assessment tools. Websites like CampusTours and Youtube are great places to find virtual campus tours. This is a great place to start for career search & discovery and an interests assessment. College Board’s Big Future is also a good resource to try.
• Resume Building Activities: Encourage your teen to participate in activities that can be added to their college applications. Whether it’s a summer job, volunteering, internship,  summer camp experience, or a new hobby, these experiences are valuable. 
• Discuss Finances: It’s crucial to have the “College Money Talk” with your teen. Unless money is no object, your teen needs to understand the costs associated with college. Discuss how much the family plans to contribute, look up the overall cost of attendance at a few schools to show your teen how much 1 year of college costs (tuition, fees, room and board, books, travel, and personal expenses), and then discuss what financial gap may need to be covered through scholarships, financial aid, or loans. This understanding is vital for building a realistic college list.

Summer Tip #3: Make the Most of Together Time

Summer is also a great opportunity to bond with your teen. Here are some ways to enjoy your time together while subtly integrating college prep:

• Short Trips: Plan a getaway, even if it’s just a weekend trip. Being away from the usual routine can foster meaningful conversations and provide a break from daily stress.
• Quality Time: Engage in activities that your teen enjoys. Late-night talks, movie marathons, and spontaneous outings can strengthen your bond and provide openings for casual college discussions.

Summer Tip #4: Set Your School Year Strategy

As you enjoy the summer, it’s also important to prepare for the upcoming school year. Here are some practical steps to take:

• Review Course Selections: Ensure your teen’s classes are challenging and aligned with their future goals. Discuss honors, AP, or dual enrollment options.
• PSAT and SAT/ACT Prep: If you aren’t familiar with the PSAT, do some research on it, when it is offered at your school (usually October), and the benefits of taking it as a junior. (You could earn scholarship money just for doing well!) In addition, start discussing ACT and/or SAT tests, look at upcoming test and registration dates, and study prep options for your teen.Your junior year is a good time to take the SAT or ACT for the first time.
• College Visits: If possible, visit a few college campuses. This can be a fun family activity and provide valuable insights into what your teen might be looking for in a college. Doing this in the summer can sometimes be easier, more relaxed, and less pressure – especially if your teen has never visited a college campus.
• Create a Family Calendar: Establish a calendar that you and your teen regularly update. Include school holidays, exam dates, work schedules, sports or extracurricular activities, and standardized test deadlines and dates. This practice helps you see available free time for college tours and downtime while building a habit of calendar management – a habit that will be VERY important when you’re heading into senior year with application and scholarship deadlines.

Finding Balance

It’s natural as parents to feel the pressure and want to push your teen – we don’t want them to miss out on any opportunity that may be out there for them! But remember to find a balance between guiding them and nagging suggesting things that would help, and letting them enjoy their summer. Use the rest of this time before school starts to create a mix of relaxation and productivity. And don’t forget to breathe, smile, and soak it all in.  Five years from now you want to remember the fun times you shared with your teens as you watched them grow and discover who they are, not the stress and anxiety of trying to get everything right.