JUNIOR PLANNING CALENDAR

    SEPTEMBER  

• Volunteer for school and community activities.
• Encourage your parents to attend your school's Open House and meet your teachers and school counselor.
• Prepare for the PSAT by studying their guide and taking their practice test if you are planning to attend college and register for the test with your school counselor.
• Review your Progress Report for the first marking period and see your counselor if you are having difficulty.
• Visit the local college and career fairs to continue to explore your options.

• Read books, newspapers and magazines in addition to assigned homework.
• Plan to attend the NACAC National College Fair to continue your college exploration.
• Review your report card. See your counselor if you need suggestions, tutoring, etc.
• Make an appointment with your counselor if you have not yet had a meeting this year. Request a copy of your transcript so you understand how your high school courses are recorded. Review the transcript carefully to verify its accuracy.
• Discuss your career and/or college plans with your counselor and explore the College & Career Web Page to help with your planning. Visit college and technical school home pages. Use the college and career planning books in the Guidance Office and Media Center for additional information.
• Develop a college/tech/career school file.
• If planning to attend college, continue studying for the SATs. SAT scores will improve with practice. See your counselor for practice test booklets.

• Review your PSAT scores with your counselor and discuss the SAT registration process.
• Explore potential careers through reading, searches, interest inventories and course selection. Explore the Career Web site carefully.
• Schedule a meeting with you, your parents and your school counselor to discuss your career, college and/or technical school plans. Your college, career or technical school exploration should continue in earnest.
• Review your Progress Report for the second marking period and see your counselor if you are having difficulty.
• Join winter school activities, including athletic teams, clubs and service organizations. Take leadership positions when possible.

• Rededicate yourself after the winter vacation to achieve better grades. Evaluate your study habits and organization, making changes where necessary.
• Read unassigned newspapers, magazines and books to expand your knowledge, comprehension and vocabulary.
• Register for the spring SATs and possibly the SAT IIs. (Verify if your potential college list includes schools that require the SAT IIs.) See your counselor for a registration booklet and a list of SAT test dates. Continue studying for these tests. Prepare for the SATs by using their study guides and taking their practice tests. SAT preparation CDs by Princeton Review, Kaplan and other test prep companies cost under $30.00 and may be helpful. They can be purchased in most large computer, office supply or book stores.
• Prepare thoroughly for your mid-term examinations.

• Begin planning your course selection for your senior year.
• Review your report card. See your counselor if you need suggestions, tutoring, etc.
• Consider taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This three hour aptitude assessment can be a very helpful career guidance tool that does not necessarily lead to a military career.

• Join spring school activities, including athletic teams, clubs and service organizations. Take leadership positions when possible.
• Review your tentative four-year high school course selection plan. Your schedule should include courses that challenge academically and will expose you to a variety of career possibilities. The course selection should reflect your future plans.
• Visit the local college and career fairs to continue your college exploration.
• Plan spring and summer college open house and tour visits.
• Visit the Financial Aid Web Page to gain a better understanding of possible financial aid assistance. Register for potential scholarship information on financial aid Web pages.
• If planning for college, register for the May or June SATs, and possibly the SAT IIs, if you have not done so already. Consider Score Choice for the SAT IIs.
• Review your Progress Report for the third marking period and see your counselor if you are having difficulty.

• Review your report card. See your counselor if you need suggestions, tutoring, etc.
• Review your planned senior year courses with your parents and make final changes if necessary. Verify that you have completed or are scheduled for all graduation requirements.
• Borrow some college or technical school videos from your School Counseling Office to gain additional information about potential schools.
• Begin writing to colleges, technical schools and career schools (or registering on their home pages) to receive viewbooks and applications.
• Visit some colleges, career schools or technical schools over spring vacation. Call schools in advance and make appointments.

• Take an interest inventory test to assist your career planning process. Visit the Career Web Site to aid in your exploration.
• Review your Progress Report for the fourth marking period and see your counselor if you are having difficulty.
• Visit the College or Technical School Web pages to continue your research.
• Take the Advanced Placement Exams for any AP courses you are taking.

• Begin your summer reading for English class.
• Read non-assigned books, etc.
• Continue to prepare for the SAT exams. Practice, practice, practice.
• Begin planning and developing your college essays.
• Be involved in summer activities including sports, work, hobbies and community and volunteer services. Volunteer work is very important to many colleges.
• Save money for your college or technical school fund.
• Visit potential colleges, career schools or technical schools. Make careful notes and take pictures as the schools will tend to run together as you visit others.
• Update your high school "Brag Sheet" (a list of school and community experiences and awards). Plan how you will add to it this summer and in grade twelve.
• Plan your fall college or technical school evaluation and selection process.