A Summer Guide for Juniors: How to Prepare for College Applications and Senior Year

Summer is just over the horizon, and many juniors find the prospect of fun-in-the-sun overshadowed by looming college applications and their fast-approaching senior year. Preventing stress from overtaking one’s life is a challenge for many, and pressures from parents, teachers, and friends can contribute to a feeling of drowning – a feeling of falling behind, or unpreparedness. To any high school junior who may be experiencing this – you are not alone! It’s extraordinarily normal to feel unprepared for the guaranteed whirlwind of senior year, and what comes after. 

“Any junior that feels behind – you’re not behind,” said Ana Luna, one of the college and career counselors here at SBHS. “So just start. Start moving now, and the dots will connect.”

Luckily, there are many things high school juniors can do this summer to prepare for everything that accompanies the final year of high school. Trying to “do it all” will lead to even greater stress and burnout. Instead, focus on one or two things that feel like they’d be the most beneficial to you. An ability to efficiently balance work and play this summer is a crucial tool to allow for rest and recuperation, while easing anxiety by preparing in simple and vital ways. 

One of the easiest and most beneficial steps to complete before senior year starts is creating a Common Application (Common App) account, and starting to draft your essays. The Common App is a standardized college admissions platform used by over 1000 colleges and universities worldwide. Creating an account is quick and easy, but filling out the actual application can be quite time-consuming. Information like test scores or the address of your last internship are not always easily accessible, and trying to call your parents or scurry around the house looking for a specific piece of paper will only elongate the process. It’s much better to ensure you have everything you need before applications open on August 1. Essay prompts for the 2026-2027 school year have remained the same, and can be found on the Common App website – having a few rough drafts complete before the start of the school year will allow for much more time to get feedback, edit, and focus on submitting any other applications specific to colleges. 

Creating a solid list of colleges to apply to is also a good thing to have done before entering senior year. The SCOIR app – which can be found already on the school iPads – has a few different quizzes to help narrow down college options, and figure out what school will be best based on your interests. If possible, campus visits are a great thing to do this summer as well.

Summer is also a perfect time to find workshops and internships to help buff up your resume. “Internships are a great way to have fun and to develop your passion,” said Luna. “If you’re doing an internship that has to do with what you’re passionate about… that alone will help balance… work and play.” If you’re not sure where to start when searching for internships, the college and career center is a great resource. The college counselors are able to help students find internships that fit them and their interests.

Luna also advises all students to visit the Cal Kids website as soon as possible. If a student qualifies, they can get free money for college that will continue to grow the longer it sits in their account. “The earlier that you log on, the better chance you have of getting that money to grow. It’s almost like a stock account type thing,” said Luna.

Other things to keep in mind this summer is potentially signing up for a fall/winter SAT if needed, researching scholarship opportunities to apply for, and keeping an eye on community calendars for workshops and classes to help write your essays.

Prepping for college and senior year is a stressful yet exciting time. Remember, you’re not behind – if any of these things are floating around in your mind, you’re most likely ahead. For juniors, this summer is a time for preparation – but don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the sun!