A grounded plan for the year where everything feels like it counts
Junior year. The “big one.”
If you’ve heard the whispers (or full-blown panic) about this being the most important year, you’re not imagining it.
Grades matter more.
Colleges start to take notice.
Test prep ramps up.
And suddenly, your teen feels one step closer to adulthood—and one step further from the little kid you used to drop off at elementary school.
As a college counselor and a mom who’s walked through junior year personally, I know how overwhelming it can feel. But I also know this:
You don’t need to solve everything this summer.
You just need a plan that helps you breathe, take action, and stay connected to your teen along the way.
Here’s what I recommend rising 11th graders and their families focus on before school starts again:
Create a Testing Game Plan (Without the Drama)
Standardized testing doesn’t define your child—but it does deserve some attention this summer.
Start here:
- Decide if your teen will take the SAT, ACT, or neither (some colleges are still test-optional)
- Schedule a diagnostic test to help choose the right path
- Pick one target test date for fall
- Choose a prep method that fits (free online tools, books, courses, or tutoring)
🧠 Pro tip: Don’t overdo it. 1–2 focused hours per week is enough to build confidence without burnout.
Revisit the College Conversation (Lightly)
Summer is a great time to revisit (or gently introduce) the idea of college.
Try this:
- Tour a few local campuses (even casually, on vacation)
- Talk about size, location, and environment preferences
- Encourage your teen to notice what feels good—not just what sounds impressive
- Create a rough list of 8–10 schools they might explore further in fall
📌 Parent reminder: This is exploration, not decision-making. Keep it low-stakes and curiosity-driven.
Refine the Resume and Activities List
This is a great time to build momentum in what matters outside the classroom.
Encourage your teen to:
- Continue involvement in 1–2 meaningful activities
- Take on a leadership role, project, or responsibility
- Start or update their activities resume or tracker (you’ll need this for applications)
- Volunteer, work a summer job, or explore a creative passion
🎯 It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing things that reflect who they are.
Build an Academic Routine That Works
Junior year can feel like a full-time job. Help your teen start building the systems now.
This might include:
- Creating a calendar for due dates, deadlines, and test prep
- Setting weekly study blocks and time for breaks
- Organizing last year’s notes and digital files
- Reflecting on what worked (and didn’t) in 10th grade
🧩 This summer is the perfect time to test new routines before the stakes rise.
Talk About Mental Health and Stress
Junior year is where a lot of teens hit a wall—not because they’re lazy, but because the pressure is real.
Make time to check in on:
- Sleep habits
- Screen time boundaries
- Social stress
- Anxiety or academic burnout
💬 Create space for open conversations—ideally when no one is “in trouble.” Walks, car rides, and casual dinners are gold for this.
Final Thoughts for Parents
Junior year is not a sprint.
It’s a season of growth, challenge, and big questions.
And while your teen may seem more independent, they still need you—your steadiness, your belief in them, and your support behind the scenes.
Want a tool to help you get through this summer with less stress?
Download my Summer Sanity Plan for Rising 11th Graders and Parent Conversation Starters—a checklist with clear action steps, conversation starters, and reminders for you, too.
👉 Grab it here.
And if you ever want to talk through the path ahead, I’d love to meet you.
Schedule a free discovery call
You don’t have to do junior year alone.
Let’s walk it together—with clarity and calm.
