Our Top 3 Tips for High School Juniors to Make the Most of Spring Semester
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE PANIC!
OK, now that you’re alert: know that you still have this spring to wrap up your junior year effectively while you set up your senior year. Follow these #11thgradetips for the best high school wrap-up and #college-bound prep!
1. Make an Academic Big Push
It is common knowledge that 11th grade is a pivotal time academically. This is the point where students show a record of excellence (or clear improvement) or they feel overwhelmed and fall apart academically. Timing considerations: if students submit college applications early, grades in 12th grade will likely not show up in time. On the other hand, if juniors give a final push to boost grades during the second semester, this goes a long way in showing commitment and growth.
2. AP Exams, ACT, and SAT
If you’ve put off prepping for the ACT and SAT till this spring, understand that you are facing a time crunch with AP exams as well as regular class final exams around the same time frame. Having said that, you still have a small window to map out timing of the ACT & SAT (go to #www.act.org and #www.collegeboard.com for exam registration deadlines). Though not ideal, 11th graders may also focus on AP exams this spring and wait till this summer to prep for ACT & SAT. Check with learning centers and test prep professionals for advice. ACE Tutoring of Poway and San Marcos offer FREE skills diagnostics, including ACT and SAT practice tests, at certain times of the year. Contact the center closest to you for details. Visit www.acetutoring.com and submit a contact form.
3. Plan your senior year
Your college eligibility is primarily based upon numbers: GPA and test scores. However, college admissions counselors also review the student as a whole package. They want to know your interests and contributions at the academic and community levels.
If you are leaning towards joining a club, try for leadership positions. If those are filled, go for the roles that would exhibit your multi faceted personality and show your commitment to a worthy cause.
Good news: once you nail down the time urgent tasks this spring, you can defer other priorities to this summer.
It’s not too early to plan for your summer priorities. Certain projects, such as volunteering, require lead time.
Avoid the summer brain drain! Consider enrolling in an academic summer camp to fill any foundational skill gaps. If you already have a strong foundation in reading, writing, and math, consider getting a jumpstart on your fall courses. Some learning centers, such as ACE Tutoring, offer bridge courses to prep students for their math and science courses.
Write your college essays. This is one of the few college prep tasks that can wait till the summer before your senior year. Once you narrow down your college list and obtain the essay prompts, you can start to draft essays. Summer is the ideal time to focus on this task. During the fall, you will be busy with daily school assignments and other activities.
Now that you know the general idea, you’re ready to tackle these priorities, right? If so, great! If not, don’t hesitate to seek advice from high school counselors, college advisors, teachers, and other education experts. Good luck this semester and make the best of your time!
Contact the academic coaches at ACE Tutoring learning centers for more information and offers. Call Poway/RB 858-748-8873 and San Marcos/Carlsbad 760-599-8873. We are here to help you ace the rest of your high school experience!
