This has been reviewed and updated on 12/30/2020.

Junior year is a fundamental period of transition for high schoolers. In preparation for college, they must keep their grades up, polish their applications, and take on the SAT or ACT. However, the pandemic is changing college prep for high schoolers, from making it more difficult to schedule a test date to colleges limiting campus tours to prevent infections. The following guide takes a closer look at what your teen should do now to get ready for college.

A College Prep Guide for Juniors

1. Get Involved in Activities

Universities like to see students involved in athletics, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and their community. Make sure your child has been keeping track of all high school activities. Sports and other clubs may be limited due to the virus, but you should still encourage your high schooler to video conference into events and activities. The pandemic has also created new volunteer opportunities, such as delivering meals to individuals affected by COVID-19 and related economic losses. 

They should begin working on their application this year, update it as necessary, and continue polishing it into their senior year. Your child will be able to build an impressive resume while periodically taking their mind off of schoolwork.

2. Prepare for the SAT/ACT

Most students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year. If your student is following this schedule, they should begin test prep in the fall or early winter. While many of the test dates have been canceled due to the pandemic, the SAT and ACT creators are developing digital testing options. 

A tutor can elevate your teen’s potential with customized learning that takes individual strengths and problem areas into consideration. Tutoring will give them the practice and organizational skills they’ll need to achieve impressive scores as well as a familiarity with the unique testing formats. For safety, many test prep companies now offer virtual tutoring. 

3. Get to Know Teachers & Counselors

Teachers and counselors are always important, but they’ll play a particularly vital role in your student’s junior year. For example, counselors are an excellent resource for college information, from the admissions process to narrowing down majors.

Additionally, most universities require letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors, so having a close relationship will result in more personal praise. Encourage your teen to get to know the faculty and discuss their goals, plans, and future.

4. Research Colleges

Throughout the year, your family will be doing a significant amount of research into different universities, admissions requirements, tuition, financial aid, and other college concerns. Look into what schools will best serve your child’s educational and career aspirations. When spring arrives, check out college fairs and schedule visits to campuses your student is interested in attending. Keep in mind that campus visits may be more limited because of the virus. Speak to each college about the options. 

During the research process, create a spreadsheet listing the colleges your child wants to attend. Determine the average GPA and test scores for each school, making sure your high schooler's scores are within range. Next, break the list into a few different categories, including safety, match, and reach schools. This will increase your child's chances of getting into a university when the time comes. 

5. Finish the School Year Strong

When students send in their applications in the fall or winter of senior year, the last grades they will report are from junior year. That’s why it’s essential to finish the year strong. If your student’s focus or grades seem to be slipping, especially with the pandemic adding stress, hire a tutor to keep them motivated and bring their scores back up. Encourage them to work hard. By earning the best grades possible now, they’ll be able to attend the college of their choosing.

Keep in mind that your child may struggle to keep up their grades due to pandemic anxieties. It's important to keep an eye on their mental health and let them know that you understand their fears and worries. If something feels off, and they're not eating or getting enough sleep, speak to a professional. Emotional regulation and anxiety coping skills are crucial to improving grades and test scores and getting through a difficult time.  

Your child’s junior year can be a confusing and busy time, but the right tutor will guide them towards success. Serving Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Cumming, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, and Alpharetta, GA, Peach State Tutoring & Test Prep offers SAT prep, ACT prep, and academic tutoring that will transform your child’s performance and help them build an impressive college application. Their tutors don’t just improve grades—they give students the organizational and motivational tools they need to thrive. They also offer a free SAT vs. ACT evaluation test, which reveals which standardized test will give your child the highest scores. Visit their website for more information about their virtual tutoring services. To connect your child with a suitable tutor, call (678) 824-6890.