Five Things High School Seniors Should Do in February

The shortest month of the year, February is still a busy month (and there’s no added day via Leap Day this year). Here’s just a glimpse at all the celebrations the second month of 2021 has to offer: Black History Month, Financial Aid Awareness Month, Groundhog Day (February 2), Super Bowl LV (February 7), Valentine’s Day (February 14) and more... Amidst all of these important dates, high school students still need to ensure they’re prepared for college throughout their final, high school semester. It can be easy to get distracted in the hustle and bustle of 28 days. In order to help you stay focused this month, here's a list of six tasks high school seniors should do in February.

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Use this checklist to find answers to common questions like “What should high school seniors be doing?” and “How should a should a school senior prepare for college?” This February college checklist for high school seniors will help you ensure your college-bound status is in the green:

Plan Final Virtual College Visits

Maybe you’re lucky enough to have already visited the schools you’ve applied to in person, maybe you haven’t. Whatever the case, it’s time to schedule any last-minute visits to the schools on your list. Some added good news in the latest college visit format is the flexibility. You don’t have to schedule a drive or book hotel rooms to go for a campus tour. Also, college admission offices are more apt to offer personalized visits on a quick turnaround because social distancing logistics/concerns are not a problem via the method of virtual visits.
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Visiting your top-choice colleges virtually gives you the information you need to make the best college decision. These visits make it much easier to narrow down your choices. Before your virtual visit, make a list of questions to ask on your college tour!

Touch Base with Your Guidance Counselor

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From now until your high school graduation, it’s generally a good idea to visit with your guidance counselor/college advisor at least once a semester (that’s the minimum). You want to ensure you’re on the right track for graduation, and that they’re in the loop with your college admissions process. These are the people that are sending your scores to college admissions, and you want to ensure everything is going smoothly! They’re also experts in the college search, so they can often shed light on your college choices and help you with your college admissions decisions.

Complete Your FAFSA (If You Haven’t Already)

Filling out your FAFSA is the key to many financial aid opportunities, on both federal and state levels. You don’t want to miss out on help paying for school because you neglected the form. Even if you’re not 100 percent sure you’ll be attending college this fall—complete your FAFSA! Check with your school counselor to see if your school district is participating in the FAFSA completion competitions happening nationwide. As FAFSA completion numbers are down, educators have taken notice and are providing more chances for you to get the FAFSA help you need. Bonus: Some are offering prizes to students and winning school districts, too! Keep track of your financial aid deadlines so you don’t lose out on any opportunities. If you’ve already filled out your FAFSA, you’re not finished yet. Learn what you should be doing after you’ve submitted yours.

Make Memories

Senior year is full of moments you’ll remember forever. From prom to something as simple as seeing your friends in your virtual classroom discussions– these are moments you’re going to miss one day. Try to soak up all of the moments and memories you can, because they’re going to pass by more quickly than you can imagine. Take photos (let your family take them, too!), make memories with friends and remember to cherish important moments – don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t take on a “too cool” attitude. In the end, the positive memories are what you’ll have, so make plenty of them while you’re able.

Stay on Top of Your Scholarship Applications

We simply cannot create a list without including a scholarship action item – it’s that important! Continue to be diligent in your scholarship search and application processes. Set a scholarship goal for yourself and conquer it. Whether that’s apply for 3 scholarships per week or for five scholarships this month, make sure the goal is something you can accomplish. You’ll find that as you complete your goals you’ll feel inspired, and this can really fuel your ambition to do more! Earning scholarships can really help you pay for college. So, stay on top of your search and apply for all scholarships you qualify for, from now throughout college. Every scholarship application counts, from $500 Scholarships to full-tuition scholarships! Check out this list of scholarships designed for you, Class of 2021 and begin applying today.