by Meggan Mattson & Mike Deutsch
Juniors, you just finished what is arguably the most important year of high school for college admission purposes. AP tests are completed, finals are over and done with, the sun is shining a bit more, and you are ready to relax the summer months away. But, your looming college applications are adding undue stress to your break from academics. Here are a few tips to help reduce your stress level and enjoy the much-needed break from school:
• Allow yourself to take a break and relax! You deserve it! Catch up on sleep, recharge, enjoy the outdoors, & spend time with friends. But…
• Don’t procrastinate. Yes, take a break, but don’t put off all of your college applications, essays, and summer reading assignments until the week before school begins in the fall. If you can divvy up this work to complete a little each week it will feel much more manageable.
• Don’t try to pack too much into your summer plans. Overextending yourself during your “time off” is sure to lead to stress.
• If you have not participated in community service activities yet, now is not the time to frantically add it over the summer just to boost your résumé. Don’t add volunteer work for the wrong reasons...make sure it is something meaningful to you. Trust us...colleges can tell the difference!
• Get organized! Not only will it help you stay on top of your college applications, but it will also help get you through your senior year successfully.
• Make some college visits to schools on your application list…make sure they are a good fit when you step foot on campus before you spend the time, money, and energy sending in an application.
Meggan Mattson and Mike Deutsch, both former high school counselors, created College Fit Counseling, LLC to help students and families navigate the college search and selection process. They assist with all pieces of the process: from creating a college list of “good fit” schools, through college applications and essays, and into applying for financial aid and scholarships. Visit our website at www.collegefitcounseling.com for more information on services offered. Or, contact us at meggan@collegefitcounseling.com or 773-807-4079 with further questions and to see how we can help you.
Juniors, you just finished what is arguably the most important year of high school for college admission purposes. AP tests are completed, finals are over and done with, the sun is shining a bit more, and you are ready to relax the summer months away. But, your looming college applications are adding undue stress to your break from academics. Here are a few tips to help reduce your stress level and enjoy the much-needed break from school:
• Allow yourself to take a break and relax! You deserve it! Catch up on sleep, recharge, enjoy the outdoors, & spend time with friends. But…
• Don’t procrastinate. Yes, take a break, but don’t put off all of your college applications, essays, and summer reading assignments until the week before school begins in the fall. If you can divvy up this work to complete a little each week it will feel much more manageable.
• Don’t try to pack too much into your summer plans. Overextending yourself during your “time off” is sure to lead to stress.
• If you have not participated in community service activities yet, now is not the time to frantically add it over the summer just to boost your résumé. Don’t add volunteer work for the wrong reasons...make sure it is something meaningful to you. Trust us...colleges can tell the difference!
• Get organized! Not only will it help you stay on top of your college applications, but it will also help get you through your senior year successfully.
• Make some college visits to schools on your application list…make sure they are a good fit when you step foot on campus before you spend the time, money, and energy sending in an application.
Meggan Mattson and Mike Deutsch, both former high school counselors, created College Fit Counseling, LLC to help students and families navigate the college search and selection process. They assist with all pieces of the process: from creating a college list of “good fit” schools, through college applications and essays, and into applying for financial aid and scholarships. Visit our website at www.collegefitcounseling.com for more information on services offered. Or, contact us at meggan@collegefitcounseling.com or 773-807-4079 with further questions and to see how we can help you.
