3 Things to Do at Spring Break if You Have a High School Junior

Spring Break: it’s not just for beach towels and binge-watching Netflix. If you’ve got a high school junior, this one-week breather is also prime time to make serious progress on the college admissions process—without ruining anyone’s vacation vibe.

Here are three high-impact, low-stress things to do at Spring Break if you have a high school junior:

1. Visit a College Campus—Even If It’s Local

Sure, campus tours aren’t quite the same when students are gone, but Spring Break is still a golden opportunity to walk around, check out dorms, and get a feel for the vibe. Even visiting a local school (yes, even one they don’t plan to attend) can help juniors start forming opinions about what they want in a college.

Pro tip: Hit up the admissions office, grab a campus map, and walk around with a list of questions. What did your teen like? What didn’t click? This is how preferences are born—and that turns into a college list faster than you’d think.

Search Tip: Type “college visit checklist for juniors” into Google for printable guides—or, better yet, make your own after the first visit.

2. Start (or Refine) the College List

No need to get it perfect yet, but now is the time to start a college list for your high school junior. Use Spring Break downtime to talk about:

• School size (small liberal arts vs. big research university)

• Location (urban, suburban, rural)

• Majors and programs of interest

• Financial realities (yes, this matters now—not later)

Even better? Open up a shared Google Sheet and start building that list together.

Search Tip: Try keywords like “best colleges for psychology majors” or “affordable out-of-state colleges for high GPA students” to generate ideas that match your student’s interests and academic profile.

3. Talk About Summer Plans

If you’re doing nothing else this break, please do this: make a plan for summer.

Summer after junior year is prime real estate for college admissions. Colleges want to know how students spend their time when school’s not in session—and no, "hanging out" doesn’t count.

Encourage your teen to:

• Look into volunteer work, summer programs, or internships

• Get a job (colleges love students who hustle)

• Explore career paths through job shadowing or self-guided research

• Knock out SAT/ACT prep if it’s still needed

Whatever it is, it should align with who they are and where they’re headed—or help them figure that out.

Search Tip: Type “summer programs for high school juniors 2025” or “volunteer ideas for teens near me” for instant inspiration.

Final Word

If you’ve got a high school junior, Spring Break isn’t just a pause—it’s a launchpad. A few intentional steps this week can reduce stress, clarify goals, and position your student for a strong senior year.

Need a step-by-step game plan? I created the Junior Year Jumpstart Kit for families just like yours. It’s packed with expert advice, AI-powered shortcuts, a month-by-month checklist, and smart tools to keep your junior on track—without the $20,000 consultant price tag.

Email info@futurefindersllc.com to request your free copy.

Let’s make the most of Spring Break—and take the stress out of senior year before it starts.