College Admissions Consulting Five Tips To Help Your High School Junior Deal With Stress Written by Kara Courtoison March 2nd, 2012 I came to College Coach with a combination of experience in college admissions and teaching in elementary and high schools in Washington D.C., California, and Florida. Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame, I volunteered as a teacher for two years with an AmeriCorps-sponsored program while earning a master of arts in teaching. Having taught in urban areas with students who had great needs of all varieties, I was honored to transition to working in college admissions at Barnard College. I traveled extensively, recruiting a huge diversity of academically gifted young women from the Midwest, NYC public high schools, and internationally. College admissions at a highly selective college gave me the unique opportunity to mesh my classroom teaching experience with an ability to understand what colleges seek in their students today. Additionally, having been a competitive high school athlete in track followed by rowing on the varsity crew team at Notre Dame, I know the extra demands student athletes juggle. I enjoy helping them figure out how to balance their athletic interests with their academic goals. Learn More About Kara college admissions advice, high school resume, Helping Your High School Junior With Stress: 5 Tips for Parents It’s not uncommon at this time of year as a parent of a high school junior to think “What is going on? Is this year ever going to get any easier?” It sometimes feels endless: the number of tests students need to take on top of their most intense academic demands thus far in high school, trying to research and visit colleges, juggling what are probably multiple after-school activities, and of course, Driver’s Education! Phew! Well, maybe it helps to know you are not alone. When parents who have survived junior year commiserate with you, most of them will very likely let you know that, though the college application process isn’t a walk-in-the-park and the stress of waiting for decisions can be a nail-biter, somehow, senior year is actually easier. So, how do you deal now? Beyond running away to a different country or pulling the covers over your head, we recommend trying to infuse as much down time and balance into your family’s life as possible. Here are a few quick suggestions. Simplify. Perhaps rather than plan a super busy school vacation, you might want to choose, instead, to spend a few quiet days at home, going to the movies, cooking comfort foods, sleeping late, exercising, and just getting caught up. Do Less. Even if you feel compelled to visit fifteen different colleges during a school vacation, you might do better to visit two during a long weekend or take a day off of school for visits. Try using most of your vacation for relaxing and recharging. Slow Down. Though you might have “heard” from other parents that your student should be completely done with visiting colleges and taking all standardized tests before junior year is over, that is not necessarily true. You have to do what works for your family. Many students might do better spreading things out so that they’re doing test prep over the summer after junior year, gearing up for their second run at the SAT in October, or even visiting some colleges in the summer. And if you feel you then need to see colleges when schools are active and in session, you can return for an interview (if it’s offered) or wait to see if your son or daughter is admitted first. Get Organized. The first step to feeling “in control” is to have a well thought out college plan. Plotting out the “must DOs” and the “nice to DOs” on your family and school calendar for the next six months provides a visual road map that can help you to actually “see” how you can get it all done (remember the school calendar for next year is already laid out and may be available to you online). Check out College Coach's college admissions timetable for parents for some pointers. There is plenty of time, but now is the time to figure out how to maximize it. Have Fun. Try not to lose sight of the joy of what’s happening amidst the challenges and the exciting journey ahead. As often as you can, try to maintain balance with what you and your family values doing together, whether it’s fishing, playing games, traveling (outside of college visits!) cooking, or walking your dog. Don’t forget to enjoy the time you have with your kids while they’re home (all under one roof)! Junior year is admittedly the toughest year of a high school student’s life, but in every part of life there is need for balance. Aim to enjoy the process as much as the outcome! Related Resources Read | Posted on May 1st, 2024 Types of Institutions: Liberal Arts & Polytechnic; Loud Budgeting Read | Posted on April 24th, 2024 College Recommendation Letters; Focusing on Best Fit Colleges Read | Posted on April 17th, 2024 Unhappy with Acceptances? Late Applicant Tips; Saving for College
