High Performance Academics Blog

They may not say much. Or anything. But if you’re the parent of a high school junior or senior, odds are your teen is  feeling  a lot—and keeping most of it to themselves. Here’s what they  wish  they could tell you about college, applications, and everything in between (with a little translation along the way): 1. “I’m overwhelmed—even when I don’t act like it.” They may seem indifferent, distracted, or “fine,” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling the pressure. Between school, testing, and the constant talk of college, many teens are running on quiet stress. 2. “I have no idea where to start.” Most students don’t know how to begin a college search, write a personal statement, or figure out a testing timeline. But they won’t always ask for help—because they don’t want to look behind. 3. “Everyone around me seems like they’ve got it figured out.” Even the kids who look confident are comparing themselves to someone else. Your teen might feel like they’re the ...

If your child is a junior in high school, you’ve officially entered the most important phase of the college admissions process. And yes—it’s normal to feel like you’re behind. You’re not. But now is the time to get organized. Junior year is where the real groundwork happens: the grades that matter most, the decisions that shape your college list, and the pressure that starts creeping into everyday conversations at home. Here’s what really matters—and what you can stop worrying about. ✅ What  Does  Matter Right Now: 1. A Smart Academic Plan for Senior Year Colleges want to see strong, consistent coursework—and that students continue to challenge themselves. Now’s the time to make sure senior year will reflect that. 2. A Testing Strategy That Makes Sense SAT, ACT, or neither? When to test? How to prep? These are decisions that deserve a strategy, not a last-minute cram session. 3. An Early, Thoughtful College List Don’t build it based on rankings. Build it based on fit: academic...