How Juniors Can Make the Most of Spring 2025
Junior year is one of the most pivotal years of high school, and spring offers an ideal opportunity for our college-bound clients to get ahead in college planning and test prep.
Prioritizing Spring Break College Visits
Spring break is the perfect time to visit prospective colleges.
Got a client visiting Grandma in Minnesota over break? Encourage them to add a stop at some out-of-state colleges or universities. If they're staying closer to home, suggest a road trip to explore local state schools, and recommend bringing along a friend or family member for support.
Visiting various campuses can significantly help students narrow down their college choices, crossing some schools off the list while potentially adding exciting new options. Junior year is ideal for refining the college list before senior-year pressures kick in.
Advise your clients to schedule campus tours whenever possible. While many campuses are open for self-guided visits, a formal tour often provides better insights and a deeper sense of the school's atmosphere. Students visiting without an official tour should be encouraged to contact the admissions office with targeted questions about majors of interest, campus culture, financial aid opportunities, or campus safety.
Not sure which types of colleges to recommend for visits? Suggest exploring a balanced mix of “reach,” “match,” and “safety” schools. Applying to at least one school in each category helps students discover the best fit and may even yield some surprises.
Spring Testing
The spring may be busy, but it’s also a prime opportunity for students to take the ACT® or SAT®.
Students who have been prepping and are ready should plan to sit for one of the upcoming spring 2025 test dates. It’s also an optimal time for students to retake the ACT® or SAT® if earlier scores haven’t yet met their target goals.
For students who aren’t ready for official testing yet, spring break provides a valuable pause from regular schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Encourage your clients to dedicate focused time to test prep through study sessions and practice tests. Taking a diagnostic practice test over spring break can give students a clearer picture of their current readiness, guiding them to either schedule their official test sooner or adjust their prep strategies as needed.
Leveraging the Spring Semester to Strengthen College Applications
Spring semester is critical for juniors working to enhance their college applications. Academic performance during this period significantly impacts college admissions decisions, as junior-year grades are often the final full-year marks that colleges review.
Remind your students that maintaining or improving their grades this spring will demonstrate growth, consistency, and college readiness. Encourage them to finish their junior year on a strong note.
Additionally, highlight the importance of planning for an active and productive summer before senior year. Recommend summer activities that add value to their applications, such as career-related jobs, internships, or volunteering, which can provide practical experience and help clarify their academic and career interests. Taking summer classes at a local community college can also demonstrate initiative and academic drive.
Spring is also an ideal time for students to meet with their high school guidance counselors. These meetings can help them choose the appropriate senior-year course load—including IB, AP, honors, or dual enrollment courses to best prepare them for college.
Encouraging your juniors to use spring 2025 strategically for campus visits, targeted test prep, and thoughtful academic planning will make a significant difference in their college prep. But remember—it's equally important for them to take breaks, relax, and recharge. Remind your students to spend quality time with friends and family and enjoy some downtime. Balancing productivity with rest will help them finish their junior year strong, refreshed, and ready for what’s next.
Ready to help your students make Spring 2025 their most productive semester yet?
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We provide a full range of ACT® and SAT® prep materials, available in both digital and paper-and-pencil formats, equipping you and your tutors with the tools they need to deliver tailored instruction to help your students reach their full academic potential.
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