3 Things Your Senior Should Do in August

If you have a senior and they've spent the summer working or lounging before their big year...it's time to get their butt in gear. Here is what they have done by August 31st.

1. Have a shortlist of schools
By now, your senior should know, generally, where they want to go. But now, they've got to start making decisions. They should sit down and have a shortlist of about 10-13 schools that meet their requirements. Make sure they have a good variety of schools, some a little bit more of a challenge to get into and some that are more or less a no brainer.

2. Have a few essay topics ready.
No matter where which school your senior applies to, they're going to have to write an essay. Make sure he or she has a list of topics they want to write about. These essays aren't long but they may be more important than your child thinks. Make sure they have a solid topic down before school starts.

3. Get the SATs/ACTs done or near-done.
Your child's not going to be wanting to take the SATs again, halfway through senior year. This is the time to either quit while you're ahead test-wise, or take the SATs one last time. Get that headache out of the way.

7 Things That Annoy Your Professors the Most

1. Students who cut class.
2. Sleeping during class.
3. Not reading the assignment.
4. Excuses.
5. Feeble attempts at charming them to get a better grade.
6. Asking for too many extensions.
7. Cheating and plagarism.

Your Senior Year Timeline

September-November
Keep taking those challenging classes and do well. Beware of that "senior slump".

Have a list of the schools you want to apply to and gather all the applications. Weed through and get a final list.

Have a list of the college's deadlines!

Register and apply for scholarships now!

Ask your teachers for their recommendation letters. They'll be swamped come December but if you get in early you'll get a more thoughtful fresh one.

Brainstorm your essay topics.

Submit Early Action applications, they're usually due Nov. 1

Dec.-Feb.

Send out your applications! Don't forget to include everything they ask.

Keep applying for scholarships.

Don't let your grades drop. School may rescind their acceptance if they see significant grade slippage.

March-May

You're almost done~ Just wait it out until you get your acceptance letters.

If you are waitlisted, write the school a letter to show you're still interested.

Make a decision. Make sure it's your decision. You'll have to attend the school so make sure you like it.

Go to all freshman orientation activities. They'll make you feel more welcome and excited for the fall.

5 Steps to Picking Your Major

1. Ignore everyone's advice. YOU are going to have to take 6-10 classes on this subject and YOU are going to have to write a 30-50 page paper on the topic. Make sure its something you're interested in.
   
2. Don't think about grad school. You can go to law school with a degree in biology or med school with a degree in sociology. Have fun in college, do well in your classes and that grad school will be clammering for that kid with the interesting major.
3. Take Your Time. Don't commit on Day 1. Test the waters. Maybe you thought you'd love Psychology but after taking a class you realize its not your cup of tea. Snoop around and see what really gets your blood pumping.
4. Go broad. Some majors are more inclusive such as American Studies or Liberal Arts. You take a class in multiple disciplines so you don't have to choose.
5. Your major doesn't dictate your future job. You can do just about any job with just about any major.
   

7 Tips for Picking Your Classes

1. Keep track of when your classes are. Try to give yourself a logical schedule. Make sure you schedule in lunch!
2. Don't wait too long in between classes that require you to remember things from class to class, like Spanish or French. If you wait a year in between you'll be liable to forget quite a bit.
3. Go for a variety. If you have 4 reading-intensive or lecture-intensive classes you'll get burnt out.
4. Expand your horizons. If you're a bio major try that psychology class or that journalism class. Keep an open mind.
5. Vet the professors. Ask around. Make sure they'll suit your personality.
6. Get the prerequisites and general education classes out of the way. Keep track of basic requirements and stay on top of them.
7. If a class is full, email the professor and see if they can put you on a waiting list.

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Freshman Orientation

1. Show up. Go to orientation. Even if everyone in your family has gone to this school, go. You're not going for the rich history lesson.
2. Go alone. Don't go with the parents or friends. It'll be scary but you will be more willing to branch out.
   
3. Talk and smile to everyone. Be friendly.
4. Study the map of the campus and get a good sense of where you are. It'll save you time when you start class and have to be somewhere in a hurry.
5. Ask your orientation leaders and other students about classes you are considering taking before you sign up. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches later on.
   

6 Reasons to Study Abroad

1. You want to broaden your horizons and life experiences.
2. Your career goals would be enhanced by experiencing other cultures, such as international politics or economics.
3. You'll get academic credit.
4. You're a language major and want to be immersed in the culture.
   
5. You want the opportunity to go somewhere nontraditional and study culture and political change in places like South Africa or Madagascar.