Winter break is the perfect moment for juniors to get a quiet, low-stress head start on the college admissions process. With no homework, no exams, and no after-school commitments, students can take a few simple steps now that will pay off in a big way once second semester begins. Even better, these steps line up directly with The 5 Point ACT Jumpstart Mock ACT + Workshop we’re hosting on January 17, giving students a meaningful way to launch the new year.

Here are three things every junior should do before school starts again:

1. Take a Practice ACT or SAT
A baseline score is the starting point for every strong test prep plan. It helps students understand their strengths, see where improvement is possible, and build a realistic timeline for spring testing. Winter break is the perfect time to knock this out, and our January 17 Mock ACT event (hosted in Brookfield, Wisconsin) gives students a free, proctored, test-day experience to get an accurate score.

2. Research a Handful of Colleges
Students don’t need to build a full college list yet, but exploring three to five schools now helps them get a feel for what they want: big or small, city or college town, majors or programs that stand out. This early research makes spring campus visits more meaningful and helps juniors enter the new year with clarity instead of confusion.

3. Draft (or Update) an Activity Résumé
Colleges want to see involvement, leadership, and impact—and they want to see it organized. Winter break is a great time to list jobs, service hours, clubs, sports, and achievements. This résumé becomes incredibly helpful later for applications, scholarships, and teacher recommendation requests. We’ll also be covering résumé strategy during our Jan 17 Workshop.

Final Word
These small steps keep juniors ahead of schedule and reduce the stress that often hits in February and March. Want personalized guidance? Join us on January 17 for our Mock ACT + Workshop, or schedule a free consultation anytime.