Junior Year Is Almost Over—Here’s What You Should Actually Do This Summer

It’s happening.

The school year is winding down. The cap-and-gown selfies are flooding your feed. And suddenly, it hits you: your kid is about to become a senior.

Cue the panic.

If you’re a parent of a high school junior, you’ve probably heard it all:

“Start visiting colleges!”

“Register for the SAT!”

“Find an internship!”

“Build your resume!”

“Finalize your list!”

“Write your essay!”

“Sleep is optional!”

Okay, maybe not that last one (but some advice makes it feel that way).

Let’s take a deep breath. Then let’s get real about what actually matters this summer—for students heading to college and those still figuring out their path.

What’s the Point of the Summer Before Senior Year?

Whether your student is college-bound, career-focused, or still undecided, summer is a unique window to:

• Build clarity about next steps

• Create breathing room for senior year

• Take real ownership of their future

But that doesn’t mean it has to be packed with pressure or overloaded with to-do lists.Let’s break it down.

For College-Bound Students: Focus on the Big 4

If your student knows they’re headed to college, the summer before senior year is prime time to make progress on the parts of the process that are hardest to cram into the school year.

1. Build a Smart College List (That Won’t Break the Bank)

Too many families wait until fall and throw together a list based on rankings and vibes.

Instead: Use AI tools, your budget, and real student fit data to build a balanced list with actual scholarship potential.

2. Draft the Personal Statement Early

The college essay is one of the few parts of the application that your student fully controls. Writing it during the chaos of senior fall = stress and subpar results.

Instead: Use the summer to brainstorm and write a rough draft—especially with help from tools like the Essay Brainstorming Workbook or our free Storytelling Questionnaire.

3. Visit (or Research) Schools the Smart Way

In-person visits are helpful—but not essential for everyone.

Instead: Try a hybrid approach. Tour one or two schools, but also explore virtual tours, student-led YouTube Q&As, and AI-generated comparison tools that break down cost, fit, and vibe.

4. Finalize a Financial Strategy

This is where many families get blindsided. That shiny dream school might not look so great when you see the real cost.

Instead: Use this summer to run Net Price Calculators, explore merit aid policies, and create a shortlist of “financial safety” schools. Our College Budget Planning Workbook is a great tool to get started.

For Students Who Aren’t Sure About College (Yet)

Not every student is ready to commit to college—and that’s okay. In fact, rushing into the wrong path is one of the most expensive mistakes a student can make.

Here’s how summer can help clarify what comes next:

1. Do a Self-Check on Readiness

Is your student feeling burnt out? Do they have a clear goal—or are they applying just because everyone else is?

Use this Post-Graduation Quiz to explore their academic motivation, financial readiness, life skills, and long-term goals.

2. Explore Other Pathways (Without the Pressure)

Summer is the perfect time to dip a toe into different post-high school options like:

• Apprenticeships or trade skill programs

• Career shadowing

• Dual-enrollment for a semester

• Volunteer or community-based projects

• Certification programs in tech, health, or business

• Paid work that builds life skills (and a savings cushion)

Try our Gap Year Exploration Worksheet or College Major Match Kit to get the conversation started.

3. Reflect—Don’t Just React

Sometimes the best “college prep” isn’t applying to college—it’s giving your student time to figure out who they are outside of school.

Carve out quiet time this summer to reflect, journal, talk about goals, and discuss big questions like:

• What does success look like to you?

• What kind of lifestyle do you want?

• What motivates you?

If your student doesn’t know the answers—that’s exactly the point.

Sample Summer Plan That Works for Everyone

No matter what your student’s path, here’s a flexible structure that keeps things moving without burning them out:

Week	Focus
Weeks 1–2	Reflect & plan (goals, surveys, family conversations)
Weeks 3–4	Explore options (college list, work, skill-building, essay drafting)
Weeks 5–6	Take action (visit schools, apply for part-time jobs, schedule a shadowing experience)
Weeks 7–8	Review progress, adjust plan, finalize senior-year priorities

Tools to Help You Get There

You're not in this alone—and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Everything I teach is designed to help families save time, reduce stress, and make smarter decisions using AI and real-world strategies.

Here are a few of my favorite tools to use this summer:

• College Admissions Glossary – Cut through the lingo

• College Fit Discovery Kit – Build a list based on you, not hype. Reach out and we can show you how to do this in minutes, not weeks!

• Essay Brainstorming Workbook – Get that first draft out of the way

• Post-Graduation Pathway Quiz – Figure out if college is the right next step

Final Thought: You Still Have Time

Don’t let the countdown to senior year scare you.

Summer is a tool, not a test. It’s a chance to breathe, reflect, plan—and start senior year with clarity, not chaos.

And if you’re not sure where to begin? That’s why I’m here.

Let’s make this summer count.