Stay Sharp
Set aside a little time to help your teen stay sharp over
the break and start some college prep. Use our handy-
‑ CHECKLIST‑
dandy checklist as your guide TO Work with your
teens to get ready for college and beyond.
‑Entering 7th & 8th Grade‑
Read, read, read. Challenge them to read at least
four good books
Job shadow several people in different career fields
Create a list of colleges of interest
Visit a nearby college campus
Work on organizational skills and note taking
Discuss and role-play responses to issues in school like drugs,
bullying, cheating, friendships, dating
Learn basic “on-their-own” skills like ironing, organizing
closets and helping with the household budget
‑Entering 9th Grade‑
Discuss the importance of transcripts since admission
decisions and scholarships hinge on academic
performance starting in the 9th grade
Work on reading and math speed
Begin working on ACT/SAT prep
Attend a leadership or other enrichment camp
Tour college campuses
Talk to guidance counselors about college prep courses
Expand on basic “on-their-own” skills by learning to cook
and prepare meals for the family
Prepare for Drivers Ed
‑Entering 10th Grade‑
Explore summer opportunities such as jobs, internships,
volunteer work related to future career plans
Prepare for the PSAT
Develop a resume
Create a professional email account for correspondence
with admissions counselors
Attend a leadership or other enrichment camp
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Tour college campuses and learn about their
admission requirements
Enroll in college prep courses
Begin saving money for living expenses
Research scholarship opportunities with career
and academic goals in mind
Learn basic car maintenance
Open a checking account
‑Entering 11th Grade‑
Register for the PSAT. Junior year scores count toward
the National Merit Scholarship program
Focus on areas that will help boost ACT/SAT score
Evaluate their schedule to be sure they have all required
classwork for admittance to the university of their choice
Discuss the importance of grades-Application to
colleges begins before senior year grades post
Align summer activities with their career plans
Update their resume
Create a college file with information and correspondence
from their college choices
Visit colleges and schedule interviews with colleges of interest.
Learn how to do laundry
‑Entering 12th Grade‑
Focus on areas that will help boost ACT/SAT score
Develop application essays and have someone proofread them
Apply to colleges and universities
Apply for scholarships
Ask for letters of recommendations. They should give each
person their resume, application forms along with addressed
and stamped envelopes
Create a master calendar of deadlines for admission,
scholarship applications, financial aid applications and events
Discuss traits of good roommates and start looking
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