Making the Most of Summer: A Guide for Parents of Rising High School Juniors
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
As your teen wraps up their sophomore year, it’s natural to wonder how the next two years will unfold—especially with college on the horizon. Junior year is a pivotal time when academic rigor, leadership, and college planning start to converge. While it might be tempting to treat summer as a full break from school, it can actually be a golden opportunity to help your child get ahead without sacrificing relaxation and fun.
Here’s how you can use this summer to support your rising junior in preparing for the final stretch of high school—and the exciting journey to college.
1. Encourage Academic Reflection and Goal-Setting
Take time together to reflect on the past year. What subjects excited your teen? Which areas were challenging? Use this conversation to help them set clear academic goals for junior year, which is often the most demanding.
Tips for Parents:
Review transcripts together to track GPA and graduation requirements.
Talk about course selection for junior year—consider AP, honors, or dual credit classes if appropriate.
Encourage developing stronger study habits or time management skills if needed.
2. Plan College Exploration Activities
Summer is a great time to begin exploring colleges without the pressure of school. Even if your teen isn’t ready to make a list yet, now’s a good time to gather information and spark interest.
Ideas to Explore:
Take campus tours (virtual or in-person).
Attend college fairs or info sessions.
Research potential majors or career fields using resources like BigFuture (by the College Board) or YouScience.
Discuss what type of college environment (big or small, close to home or out of state) might suit them.
3. Start Building a Résumé and Portfolio
College applications will ask for more than grades—they’ll want to know who your teen is outside the classroom. Help them build a résumé that reflects meaningful growth and interests.
What to Include:
Extracurricular activities
Volunteer work or community service
Awards and honors
Jobs, internships, or summer programs
Even starting a document to track these things will be helpful later when it’s time to fill out applications.
4. Encourage Reading and Writing Practice
Reading widely can sharpen vocabulary, critical thinking, and reading comprehension—skills crucial for both school and standardized tests. Writing regularly can also make future essays less daunting.
What You Can Do:
Encourage your teen to read books related to their interests or college majors.
Suggest keeping a journal, blog, or writing short essays or creative pieces.
Explore sample college essay prompts together, just to get the wheels turning.
5. Discuss Standardized Testing
Junior year is when most students take the PSAT (which can qualify them for National Merit Scholarships), SAT, or ACT. Use the summer to lightly prepare—without the stress of regular schoolwork.
Steps to Take:
Research whether the SAT or ACT is better suited to your teen’s strengths.
Use free prep tools like Khan Academy (linked with PSAT scores) or ACT’s official resources.
Consider a diagnostic test or low-pressure practice sessions to build confidence.
6. Look into Enrichment Opportunities
Not every learning experience comes from a classroom. Summer programs, internships, or volunteer projects can help teens explore interests, build skills, and even spark a college essay topic down the line.
Suggestions:
Research local summer camps, workshops, or university-sponsored pre-college programs.
Encourage part-time work or volunteering aligned with your teen’s interests.
Even independent projects—like coding a website or launching a fundraiser—can be résumé-worthy.
7. Talk About the Big Picture
College planning isn’t just about test scores and applications—it’s also about discovering identity and values. Keep the conversation open about goals, fears, and dreams.
Topics to Explore:
What kind of impact does your teen want to make?
What kind of life or career excites them?
How does college fit into that picture?
These talks help build self-awareness and motivation, which are just as valuable as GPAs and extracurriculars.
Final Thoughts for Parents
You don’t have to turn summer into a bootcamp, but gently weaving in a few of these activities can make a big difference come junior and senior year. Think of this season as a bridge: a time for your teen to recharge and start walking intentionally toward their future.
As a parent, your encouragement, organization, and partnership can help make the next two years less stressful—and a lot more fulfilling.
Here’s to a productive, balanced, and inspiring summer!
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