Juniors: Homework for this Winter

Hello there, Class of 2025!

I hope this finds you rested and ready to take on Spring Semester of Junior Year, a time of reflection and research. In five short months, I'll be classifying you as "Rising Seniors"--but you've got homework to do before then.

Here are ten actions you should be taking THIS WINTER to set yourself up for senior year.

1. Count your cash.

Before you hop on all those glossy college websites, you need to know if you’re in the market for a used Honda or a 2024 BMW. Ask your parents: Is your budget tiny or terrific? As a student, will you be expected to kick in cash? If so, how much? Is there anyone else in the family who will help fund this journey—a grandma or godmother? If yes, your conversation needs to include them. Is the conversation uncomfortable? Oftentimes, yes. Welcome to your first adventure in adulting.

2. Think big vs. small.

Just as you have a favorite style of jeans—wide leg, flair, skinny, boyfriend—you need to look inward to figure out how you best learn. This is called “college fit.” Do you prefer intimate round-table discussions? Or do you flourish in anonymity? Do you prefer competition to collaboration? Your learning style is THE MOST important factor to consider when choosing higher education. After all, you’re paying for an education—this is not camp.

3. Think near vs. far.

Next, you need to consider how close to home you want to be. Are you loving Texas culture or would you prefer to explore another region of the nation? Each area of the United States has a specific feel—vibes and values even vary among Southern states. Moreover, know that attending school far from home IS a hassle and costs more than enrolling within a three-hour drive. Consider those three-day breaks: Do you want to snuggle your beloved Cocker Spaniel in your childhood bedroom or surf the Pacific with your new friends? It’s easy to get to your dog if you’re down the street; it’ll be $$$$ if you must fly to her.

4. Think rah-rah vs. no-rah.

Consider what kind of fun you’d like to have in college. For example, some social scenes revolve around football, but if you’re not a sports fan, you might find yourself without anything to do on a fall Saturday afternoon. Alternatively, you might be happier perusing a museum, going to a rock concert, thrifting or ice skating. Many colleges don’t spend money on athletics but offer plenty of other memorable shenanigans.

5. Think music vs. nursing.

The availability of your intended major is key to your college choice—but also note the number of people in it. Vibrant programs colleges aim to expand will still be standing in a decade—which means your degree will remain viable in the marketplace. Chose a tiny program folks in the field haven’t heard of and you might hurt your chances of landing a job in it.

Note, too, that about half of freshman change their majors which means that you want to give yourself some options. For instance, you might start with an interest in business but then realize you hate data analysis and switch to communications. When you’re shopping for schools, consider your “overlap interests” which could be mined for academic tracks.

6. Continue to rock HS.

The single biggest factor in college admissions is how you do in your high school courses—over time. If you flailed as a ninth grader, that’s okay. Colleges are looking for a track record of improvement in the toughest courses you can manage. The rule of thumb is that teens do as well academically in college as they did in high school, so if you earned mostly As and Bs expect a similar outcome in grades 13-16.

7. Continue or develop new interests.

Colleges want to admit interesting people—so go do interesting things you love. There’s no “right” prescription here: Pick up disc golf, learn to throw pottery, raise guinea pigs, take up a cause. Admissions officers aim to fill chairs with people who have things in common—and with those who can teach their peers new things and share new ideas. This makes for more interesting classroom conversations.

8. Lead—or don’t.

Some teens pack their resumes with supposed leadership jobs to impress yet there are all kinds of ways to serve as a community builder. The quiet introvert can have as big an impact as the well-connected extrovert—you simply need to frame your narrative in a way that’s meaningful. Moreover, joining an organization for the resume bullet only sucks the only real resource you have as a teen—time. Consider: Is it more interesting to sit through some boring National Honor Society committee meeting or do weekly ride-alongs in a regional ambulance? Which student is more appealing to a college?

9. Go shopping.

Once you’ve compiled your list of “must-haves,” go check out schools. Take the official tours—but also call friends of friends enrolled and treat them to coffee. Don't be shy: College students are frank about their experiences and will give you the skinny on the school’s reputation. Ask why they like it—and what they want to change. Is the institution about what they expected? Why or why not? What are three things they want you to know about University of X?

10. Write essays early.

Even if you aren’t sure where you want to apply to college you can craft college essays the summer before your senior year. This is an imperative move that allows you to do your best work without pressure. If you do wait, you’ll find yourself juggling present commitments with future ones. Recognized that applying to schools is a ton of administrative work as well as emotionally exhausting. You'll want square away the tough load—the writing—so that you can carefully weigh decisions while balancing your high school life.