Summer

Schedule senior pictures, this may seem a bit early since your kid hasn't started school, but when you see the rest of stuff you have to do all year long you will be thankful you got it done and out of the way, plus you get to enjoy them all year long. 

Click the link for a free consultation: Pre-Booking Consultation

Spend time with them, this important once graduation happens they will be ready to fly away. This may be the last time they live at home. 

College applications, it’s time to start thinking about getting the college applications in.

Schedule standardized tests, the two major tests, the SAT and the ACT, are still the gold standard in standardized testing. Colleges need scores from at least one of these two tests. Have your child take their test early in the year, in case they need or want to retake it for a chance at a better score.

Fall

Visiting college campuses or trade schools, it’s such a wonderful experience to take a mini vacation with your seniors to help them choose where they will be going after they graduate.

Get Recommendation letters

Make sure to ask for recommendation letters. College applications often need or recommend letters of recommendation. Remind your child to ask about these letters early on. Asking a teacher, coach, or another mentor to write a letter of recommendation is a display of respect. In addition, show them more respect by giving them ample notice.

Fill out Federal Student Aid

Help your child fill out the FASFA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, opens in late fall. Students will need some income information from you to complete it. It’s free and doesn’t take very long. FASFA Link

Order Cap, Gown, and Graduation announcements

Plenty of cushion should be here. There are often backlogs or hold ups with companies that handle these services. That is to say, don’t wait until the last minute.

Teach them some necessary life skills. Laundry isn’t the only thing you need to teach them about before they leave the nest. Omg there are so many things, changing a flat tire, dead battery, calling mom is a must lol.

Give them a beautiful gift

Only one. It doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive, or large. But it should be meaningful. Jewelry and watches are typical. Whatever it is, make sure that you impart a sense of responsibility and trust to them.

Spring

Have your child meet with their academic advisor

Make sure all their ducks are in a row for graduation. If something’s amiss, figure it out quickly. The school faculty might not tell your child whether they are graduating before it’s too late. Above all, make it your child’s responsibility to own their graduation.

Send out graduation announcements

Do this three weeks before graduation. These are my favorites. I love seeing all my kids and nieces and nephews and friends showing off who they are with their senior pictures.

Plan a graduation party

This is such an amazing way to show off to your seniors and to celebrate with family and friends. It can be a little stressful, but make sure you make it simple and enjoy the party with your seniors. If you can ask them what they want. One of my seniors didn't care about the details.

Remind your child to thank their teachers or coaches

These are the people that have poured into your child with wisdom, work ethic, and good examples. It can often be a thankless job, but they love it. Remind your child to give them recognition. They’ll appreciate it and continue to mentor others for a long time to come. This senior year to-do can often go overlooked, don’t let it pass by!

Plan a senior trip with (or for) them

Here’s another one that your senior will love if you take the reins and plan for them. Allow them to give you some guidance, but hammer out the details for them. However, this trip doesn’t have to be long or lavish, but it should be somewhere new and different. The trip doesn’t only serve as a celebration, it is also a rite of passage from high school childhood into adulthood.

Let up on the leash

They’ve done all they can do for graduation and college or trade school acceptance. That is to say, let them have fun and enjoy the rest of their time. Hey, enjoy it yourself, and watch your seniors grow into amazing adults.