It’s your junior or senior year of high school, congratulations, you’ve become an upperclassman. The work doesn’t end here. Everyone says Junior year is the hardest year with school activities and everything else you’ve been doing to make colleges impressed. So how do you fit in college visits and everything else on top of that???

College visits are extremely important. Many schools look at demonstrated interest: showing them how much you care about their school. Visiting schools can be just one of the many ways to show demonstrated interest. But you can also open and reply to their emails. Yep, I bet you didn’t know they track who opens and responds to their emails. It’s also important to reach out to your admissions counselor. On every college website they will have the contact information for admissions offices. By introducing yourself and explaining who you are shows a personal interest and connection that all schools are looking for. You can also go to college fairs and admissions events in your area. Many schools, counties, and states hold their own college fairs/admissions events. Again, going to these events show your demonstrated interest in the school. 

Second, prepare your essays. Many English teachers are willing to give you class time to work on your essays or assist you in writing them! This is a free and accessible resource, USE IT! By starting your essay ahead of time you will have a lot less stress than if you are rushing to do it in the beginning of your senior year. 

Next, ask for letters of recommendation in advance. Teachers are so busy with letters of recommendations. They get extremely overwhelmed once they are asked in June. So many students pressure teachers and rush to get letters. Make sure you discuss it with your guidance counselor. Find out who you have strong connections with, who you did well in their classes, and who will write professional and positive letters of recommendation about you. Make sure you ask politely and ahead of time. 

Along with letters of recommendations come brag sheets. I would recommend doing your brag sheets at the end of your Junior year BEFORE the summer begins. By having everything ready before summer, you will begin to enjoy your summer more and have more opportunities for fun. Also by doing your sheets before summer, you allow teachers more time to write and proofread your letter. Third, teachers are so much more likely to write a better recommendation when they are relaxed on the beach in the summer time than when they feel pressured to get everything done in the middle of October. 

Whether you are just starting junior year, or in your underclassmen years, it’s important to plan for your future and listen to different tips and tricks from people who have experienced this before!