To help keep you on track for your tedious college search and relax you a bit, we’ve come up with a simple list of things you should take care of this September. We’ve made two different checklists. One for juniors and one for seniors. So turn on some Marvin Gaye, sit back in your La-Z-Boy, and try to calm you nerves as you check off these simple tasks:

Juniors

• Keep your grades up—admissions counselors look closely at your junior year grades
• Stay involved and take on leadership roles in your extra-curricular activities
• Prep for ACT or SAT, and review winter/spring test dates at actstudent.org and sat.collegeboard.org
• Think about teachers/coaches/community members/employers you can ask for recommendations in near future
• Meet with your school’s college counselor to discuss your goals and make sure you’re on track for graduation
• Start building your college list on Cappex.com

Seniors

• Get to work on admission essays
• Take charge in your extra-curricular activities and continue to demonstrate leadership
• Check-in with teachers/employers/community members/coaches you’ve asked for recommendations and provide them with materials and deadlines
• Prepare your parents to complete the CSS/Profile® for financial aid so they can submit it as early as November if you plan on applying to private colleges
• Order and send official ACT/SAT scores and your high school transcript to all colleges
• Review all college application materials and take note of deadlines

All high school grades: Apply to scholarships scholarships scholarships!

Are we missing anything? Leave your advice in the comment field below.