While the summer break offers an opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate, it also serves as an excellent occasion to prepare for the approaching school year. Take a moment to review the checklist below to ensure you stay ahead of the game for the upcoming school year!

• Continue to apply for summer opportunities (job, programs, internships,
• volunteering, job shadowing, etc). Pay attention to deadlines.
• Invest in your success by taking time to improve your scores, read, work on Khan
• Academy or enroll in an ACT/SAT bootcamp or impact! program through College
• Now.
• Develop a SMART goal for the next school year.

• Complete ACT/SAT prep by reading and increasing your vocabulary or taking
• practice tests.
• Visit a college campus and/or attend a career fair.
• Begin searching for scholarships and start saving for college.
• Visit a college campus and/or attend a college/career fair.
• Begin researching scholarships that you may be eligible for and saving for
• college.
• Develop a SMART goal for the next school year.
• Participate in an enrichment program, career shadowing, volunteer opportunity or
• job. Keep track by updating your resume.

• Participate in a summer college readiness program, college essay writing
• workshop or other activities that will support your postsecondary plans.
• Participate in a summer ACT/SAT prep program such as a College Now
• bootcamp, impact! or Xplore.
• Begin your college applications. Generally, colleges will have their applications
• online by the beginning of August.
• Create your Common Application account. Check to see if colleges you are
• considering use the Common Application by searching the Common Application
• website.
• Take the ACT/SAT national tests.
• Continue researching colleges.
• Schedule and attend campus visits at schools that interest you.
• Draft a personal statement that can be used on college and/or scholarship
• applications.
• Continue to document your questions and progress regarding your postsecondary plans.

• If you have not done so already, inform an institution of your intent to enroll and
• pay the enrollment fee (if applicable).
• If you plan to use Federal Student Loans to help finance your education,
• complete the loan entrance counseling and sign the Master Promissory Note.
• Instructions are available in your college portal or the financial aid office at your
• school.
• Pay your fall semester tuition, fees and housing/meal plan bill. Direct questions to
• the college’s Student Accounts/Bursar’s office. Second semester fees are usually
• due in December, so keep track of the deadlines to avoid late fees.
• Prepare for placement testing by reviewing college-provided materials.
• Confirm requirements for maintaining your grants and scholarships with the
• college’s Financial Aid office.
• Attend new student orientation.
• Continue to check your college’s student portal for announcements and items on
• your to-do list.
• Enjoy your summer and prepare for your college experience!