How you and your child approach this time of the year will likely shape the next nine months and, I dare say, the next many years of their life. I am not trying to sound grand or get your attention. No. The start of the school year always brings a level of emotions that are often bottled up or considered "normal" and worth ignoring. I still remember the first day of school every year after the next. September 15! Meeting my friends after a (what seemed like a) long summer vacation, and even though I came to the same classroom walls of the same school, it was different each year. I had changed over the summer, and so had everyone else. The new school year meant a new me, new teachers, expectations, and challenges. It made me feel like I didn't have a handle on things. I was always catching up until I figured it out. This feeling troubles many of our teens more than the AP Chemistry or AP (fill in the blanks). We all look for familiarity and routine, which takes time to establish at the start of a school year, no matter how mature or grounded your child might be.

So, my point is that students should enter September with a proactive mindset, ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities. It's a time to set clear goals, get involved in activities that align with their passions, and establish a strong foundation for the school year ahead.

At a glance

Upcoming ACT deadlines:

• 9/14 test
• 9/20 registration deadline for 10/26 test

Upcoming SAT deadlines:

• 9/20 registration deadline for 10/5 test
• PSAT/NMSQT: This test isn't just good practice for the SAT but a way to earn Merit Scholarship and this is a very competitive and significant achievement. Did you know that on the PSAT the English Language section is given double weight? With that said, you are in luck since there are still a few spots left in the English Grammar and Academic Writing Class Choose Your Class Time.
• The dates for the PSAT are (most likely) Saturday, October 12, 2024, or Saturday, October 26, 2024 - check to see if your school offers this!

9th graders

If you're a rising freshman, then your job this month is:

• Start strong with good grades. Developing good habits begins with your first assignment. Make schoolwork a priority over your new extracurricular activities, and commit to building strong study habits.
• Attend your school's club fair. It's the perfect opportunity to explore the wide range of activities available. Discover clubs that seem new and exciting, beneficial for college, or simply fun. Gather information on a few that catch your interest.
• Assess the difficulty of your classes honestly. Are you in the right courses? If something seemed like a good fit but now feels off, talk to your teachers, be honest with yourself, and avoid taking on too much too soon.
• Get involved. Dive into the clubs that sparked your curiosity, join a sport, confidently introduce yourself, and continuously meet new people. Freshman year is all about laying a solid foundation, so aim to make yours broad, stable, and rich with experiences.
• Choose your community wisely. The people you spend the most time with can greatly influence your habits, so select your friends carefully. Be open to new connections and give yourself the chance to be pleasantly surprised. Good friends will motivate, support, care for, and share plenty of laughter together.

Parents of 9th Graders:

Stay attentive to potential challenges. Freshman year is often a student's first experience at a new school, and this transition can bring both subtle and obvious challenges. Is your child less social than before? Does a specific class particularly stress them? Are they uninterested in getting involved? Keep an eye out for these signs.

Reflect on your own 9th-grade experience. Remember how things felt new, different, challenging, awkward, and frustrating back then, too? Your child is navigating similar emotions while managing new academic pressures and social situations. Offer support by being patient, asking open-ended questions, and providing guidance without overwhelming them.

Help them stay organized. New environments can lead to disorganization. Suggest and guide your child in establishing good habits early on, such as using planners or digital tools to track assignments and deadlines. Encouraging balance between schoolwork, extracurriculars, and relaxation is key to preventing burnout.

Finally, stay in communication with teachers. Freshman year is foundational for academic habits that will carry through high school. Attending parent-teacher conferences and being proactive in addressing any academic or social concerns can help ensure your child stays on the right track.

10th graders

Sophomore year can be tricky—it's easy to feel lost in the middle. Keep an eye on your child's motivation and academic performance. Are they coasting through the year or feeling stuck between the excitement of freshman year and the pressures of junior year? These middle years are crucial for building a strong academic foundation.

Encourage exploration. This is a great year for your child to explore new interests and hobbies without the intense pressure of college preparation. Whether it's joining a club, volunteering, or trying out for a sport, remind them that now is the time to discover what they love.

Start early with college discussions. Although the college process doesn't ramp up until junior year, it's not too early to begin thinking about long-term goals. Discuss potential careers or fields of study, but keep it low-pressure. Sophomore year is also a good time to start visiting college campuses informally if your child is interested.

Monitor stress and well-being. Balancing academics and extracurriculars can become overwhelming. Make sure your child has time to relax and recharge. Help them develop strong time-management skills and be alert for any signs of anxiety or stress that might indicate they need more support.

11th graders

Junior year is often considered the most challenging. Between standardized tests, more advanced classes, and the looming college admissions process, your child will likely feel the pressure. Pay attention to their stress levels and help them stay balanced.

SATs, ACTs, and AP exams—oh my! Junior year is when these big tests come into play. Be prepared to support your child through test preparation, whether that's through practice tests, tutoring, or study schedules. Remember, these exams are important but not the be-all and end-all. Help them put things in perspective.

College research kicks into gear. Now is the time for your child to begin researching colleges seriously. Encourage them to make a list of schools, attend college fairs, and start thinking about what type of environment they might thrive in—a large university or a small college. Urban or rural? It's also a great time to start considering financial aid and scholarships.

Prioritize well-being. With all the academic demands of junior year, it's easy for students to burn out. Help your child manage their time wisely, balance extracurricular activities, and stay grounded. Remind them that it's okay to take breaks and ask for help when needed. Supporting mental health and wellness is just as important as academic success.

12th graders

Senior year can feel like a whirlwind, especially for students juggling multiple AP classes, extracurricular commitments, and the immense task of college applications. With some students writing upwards of 40 essays, facing tight deadlines, and managing senior-year academics, it's easy to become overwhelmed.

By now, your child should have a clear strategy for managing their workload. Ideally, they've already narrowed down their list of colleges and have made significant progress on their applications. Essays, teacher recommendations, and transcripts should be well underway. If your child is feeling behind or stressed, now is the time to step in and ensure they have a plan for completing everything on time.

This is where the help of a seasoned college counselor becomes invaluable. College admissions have become increasingly competitive and nuanced, requiring a deeper understanding of what schools are looking for beyond test scores and GPAs. An experienced counselor can offer insights that your child might not see on their own—whether it's helping them craft a compelling personal narrative or identifying which schools are the best fit for their unique strengths. A counselor can also help students keep track of deadlines, reduce anxiety, and ensure that no critical pieces of the application process are overlooked.

The Common Application is more than just a form to check off boxes. It's a holistic way for colleges to see who your child is, both as a student and as an individual. From crafting the personal statement to selecting the right extracurricular activities to highlight, students must consider how every piece of information builds their narrative. Beyond the questions themselves, it's about understanding what's implied: What do the schools truly value in a student? How does your child demonstrate not just academic ability but character, initiative, and fit for each school?

Successful applicants are often those who can read between the lines, seeing the subtle ways schools evaluate leadership, resilience, and intellectual curiosity. For example, the essay prompts aren't just asking students to recount experiences; they're asking them to reveal growth, passion, and future potential. Being one step ahead of these questions—anticipating what admissions officers will ask next—is key.

Balancing the demands of AP courses with the intricacies of college applications requires strategic planning and emotional resilience. Helping your child stay organized, encouraging breaks, and ensuring they have support from both you and a college counselor can make this hectic year smoother. Keep communication open and remember that while this process is challenging, it's also an exciting step towards the future.

Of course, for all this and more, we are here to lend a helping hand in all areas of high school and college planning. To schedule your meeting, click here: VOICED