College applications require a dedication and focus that many high school juniors and seniors are simply not ready to give. This means that the college application window is a time of great change in the lives of these students. As well, this is a great opportunity for parents to subtly guide their soon-to-be graduates toward more self-sustaining practices and approaches to life beyond the home that they’ve grown accustomed to over the years.
The USDA estimates that it costs a family around $234,000 to raise a child from birth to 17, but the expenses of life only grow as students age out of childhood and consider entering college, the workforce, and beyond. Planning now for the rigors of life that lie ahead is an incredible watershed moment in the development of an aging teenager. Remaining organized during this process is essential to making the search and application strategy streamlined, simple, and successful.
Table of Contents
Build a planner for the academic year so you never miss a deadline.
The easiest and first step that any family must take when they have a child hoping to head off to college in the coming months or years is to start with an academic planner. Many people start with templates, but working to design your own planner that goes above and beyond the simple foundation of an academic calendar is a must. The best student planner is one that provides customization options and ample space for additions to days, months, or semesters. A planner is a crucial tool for a seasoned athlete looking for a scholarship in their field, as well as a Dean’s List student considering a range of top academic institutions. No matter what type of high school student you are, a planning tool will help you streamline the application process and eliminate any unnecessary stressors from this busy time.
A planner provides you with to-do list options as well as a calendar that can help you maintain all the important dates without having to rely on your memory. Writing down all the information that you’ll need to hit all the essential windows and dates is a must for anyone hoping to maximize their chances at each school they apply to.
Speak with a professional counselor for tailored help.
Planning tips can be found within the packaging and materials that come along with a calendar, bullet journal, or customized personal planner, but more targeted college application help is sometimes warranted. Speaking with educators at your school and even a third-party college admissions advisor can help you navigate all the swirling questions that you may be trying to find answers to during this time. As your junior year comes to a close and the final year of high school begins, there’s a mad dash to finish off all the essential tasks that students are required to complete in order to make the leap into colleges across the United States.
With tailored application guidance from an admissions advisor, boosting the prowess of your SAT score, application essay, and other application materials can be made easier and more transparent. The truth is that not every student will need to take the SAT over and over again; likewise, some students benefit greatly from the use of an ACT score instead and require weeks or even months of intensive work to perfect their essays. Speaking with a professional—in tandem with the calendar and planning you’ve built to accommodate deadlines—is the best way to ensure that you’re doing all that you can in order to place yourself in the best possible position for success.
Every student is looking for something different in their college experience. With these approaches to the application process, you just might enjoy the journey to that goal a bit more.