Tips to Ease Stress and Prepare for an Amazing Senior Year

Junior year is winding down, and while it might be tempting to coast into summer, this is actually the perfect time to get a head start on senior year. The work you put in now can make your final year of high school smoother, less stressful, and more exciting as you prepare for college and beyond. Here are some smart ways to get ahead:

1. Visit Colleges in Person or Virtually

Now is a great time to schedule college visits. There are pros and cons to visiting in the summer when students are out of session. One pro is that you may have more time and flexibility, the other is that professors or representatives from specific departments may have more time as well.   Just seeing the environment and getting a feel for different schools can help you figure out what kind of college experience you're looking for—urban or rural, big or small, public or private. If you decide to wait until school is in session, you can “look around” virtually and make a plan for fall visits. Check out CampusReel.org for virtual tours

2. Narrow Down Your College List

After visiting a few schools and doing your research, start creating a focused list of colleges that match your academic, social, and financial goals. You can gather this information from sites such as www.collegexpress.com. Aim to have a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. This list will guide your applications and scholarship searches in the months to come.

3. Prepare for the ACT or SAT

If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT—or want to try again to boost your score—set aside time to prep this summer. Use online tools, practice tests, or even a tutor if needed. A higher score could increase your chances of admission and open the door to more scholarship money. If you are in the Wichita area, we recommend The Tutoring Scene in Andover for test prep courses and subject specific tutoring. For another option, WSU will host a prep class on Monday June 9th, 2025 with PowerPrep

4. Start Brainstorming (or writing) College Essays or Scholarship Essays

Some college essays, including the Common App personal statement, can be started early. The Common App essay prompts will remain the same for next year so you can check them out now and begin brainstorming topics. Writing over the summer means you’ll have time to revise and polish your work without the pressure of school deadlines. The College Essay Guy has great tips!

5. Create a Common App Account

Even though applications won’t open officially until August 1st, you can create an account on the Common App and explore the different sections now. Familiarizing yourself with the process early will help you feel more confident and organized when it’s time to apply. Parents can create a practice account that allows you to explore the application and see what a real applicant sees. This is helpful since most of us did not use the Common App (or even a computer ) when applying to college.

6. Request Letters of Recommendation

Think about which teachers know you best—especially those who taught you in your core junior-year classes—and ask them now if they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation for your college and scholarship applications. Asking early gives them plenty of time to write a thoughtful letter at their own pace. Here are some tips on how to ask from the College Essay Guy.

7. Research and Apply for Scholarships

Start exploring scholarships now so you don’t miss early deadlines. Use platforms like Unigo, Fastweb, Going Merry, Big Future, Appily, JLV College Counseling or local scholarship databases including your school counselors page.  If your school does not have due dates listed for next fall, look back at last year to get an idea of when scholarship deadlines might fall in the next school year. Make a quick spreadsheet to keep track of application dates! Some scholarships are open to juniors or rising seniors and can be applied to right away.

8. Volunteer, Build Experience, Explore Career Ideas

Summer is a great time to explore, build your resume and make a difference in your community. Whether you volunteer, get a part-time job, or participate in community projects, these experiences help you grow—and they look great on college and scholarship applications. Every work or volunteer experience tells you a little more about yourself, what you like and don't like about work, and whether that field of work is of interest to you. You can also use this time to talk to people you know about their careers or job shadow in fields you'd like to explore. Hands-on experience can help you make informed decisions about your future. Wichita peeps - check out the Learning Lab for Hands on Workshops available for teens.

9. Take the True Compass Assessment

If you're unsure about your career path or what you want to major in, the True Compass assessment is a powerful tool to help you discover your natural abilities and align them with potential careers and college majors. Knowing your strengths now can save you time and money later by helping you choose a direction that fits. Making decisions based on interests alone can lead to disappointment - let us help you see what kind of work will be fulfilling and satisfying to you.

10. Spend time with friends!

Enjoy your time off! Junior year is often the most challenging and you've worked hard. Be proud of yourself!

Senior year will be full of milestones and memories, but it also comes with deadlines and decisions. By using your time wisely now, you’ll reduce stress, gain clarity, and position yourself for a successful transition to life after high school.

You've got this—take the first step now, and your future self will thank you!