Things to Do Before the School Year Ends If Your Kid Wants to Go to College

There are 4 to 6 weeks of school left for most families. And if your student wants to go to college after high school, this window matters more than you might think. Here are the top things to take care of before you close the books on this school year.

1. Review the Class Requests for Next Year

Course selections for next year are either already submitted or about to be. Now is the time to look at them carefully and make sure they actually align with where your student is headed.

If your student will be a senior next year, make sure their schedule includes academic courses in all four core areas: science, math, social studies, and English. Even if they have technically finished the required credits, colleges are still looking at senior year schedules as part of the application. Senior year is not the time to coast. A light or easy senior schedule sends the wrong message to admissions offices that are deciding whether your student is ready for college-level work.

If your student is currently in high school, check whether foreign language requirements have been fulfilled or are scheduled. Most colleges require at least two years of the same language and some prefer three. If that is not on the schedule yet, now is the time to add it.

Pay close attention to the math class your student is scheduled for next year. Is it the most rigorous course they can reasonably handle? This is especially important for juniors and seniors. One thing worth knowing: AP Computer Science is sometimes offered as a high school math credit, and while it checks the box at the high school level, most colleges do not recognize it as a math credit when reviewing applications. It should not replace Pre-Calculus or AP Calculus on a college-bound transcript. And if your student is still in middle school, make sure they are on track to take at least Algebra 1 by eighth grade. That foundation shapes everything that comes after it.

2. Reflect on Grades and Study Habits

GPA is not everything in the college admissions process but it is a factor and now is a good time to reflect honestly on this school year. What grades did your student earn and more importantly what habits drove those results?

This is not just about college. The effort a student puts into their schoolwork right now is the foundation for how they will approach everything in their adult life. How they handle the priorities in front of them today is often how they will handle the ones that come later. Now is a great time to start building a habit of excellence, not perfection, but genuine effort. Doing your best in the things that matter. Working hard not just in what feels fun or easy, but in everything you commit to.

If this year felt inconsistent, summer is a good reset. Talk about what worked and what did not and head into next year with a plan.

3. Line Up Volunteer Work or a Job for the Summer

If volunteer hours are not already organized, now is the time to figure that out. If your student is old enough to work, start looking at what options are available.

Having structure outside of school builds real character. It teaches time management, responsibility, and what it feels like to show up for something that counts on you. And the stakes are relatively low right now, which makes it the perfect time to practice those skills before the pressure of college or a career turns up the volume.

Colleges notice students who stayed engaged and productive. A summer of meaningful work or volunteering is something worth putting on an application.

Two Bonus Ways to Start Making College Cheaper

Dual Enrollment

If your school or district offers dual enrollment and your student is not taking advantage of it, ask why not. Dual enrollment allows students to earn real college credit while still in high school, often at little or no cost. The savings can be significant and the head start going into college is even more valuable.

CLEP Exams

This one flies under the radar for most families. The College Level Examination Program, known as CLEP, allows students to take a single exam and earn college credit for knowledge they already have. The cost is a fraction of what a college course would run. You can check what subject exams are available and which colleges accept CLEP credit at clep.collegeboard.org. It is worth a look before summer starts.

Action to take

Pick one of these three things and take care of it this week. Pull up next year's course schedule. Have an honest conversation about grades and habits. Or spend 20 minutes researching dual enrollment or CLEP options at your student's school. One step forward right now sets your family up for a much smoother fall.