As you reach the midpoint of the school year, check in on your progress. Are your classes going well? Are you balancing your workload effectively? If you’re selecting courses for next year, aim for a balance of rigor and manageability—colleges like to see challenging coursework, but it’s important not to overwhelm yourself.

This semester is also time to start exploring colleges. Consider visiting a local school or checking out a campus while on a family trip. The goal right now is simply to get a feel for different types of colleges—large vs. small, urban vs. rural—so that when junior year rolls around, you have a head start in building your college list. You can also attend virtual or in-person college fairs, like those hosted by NACAC or Colleges That Change Lives, to hear from admissions representatives.