How do I balance college research with my current workload?

Hi there! I'm a junior, and I find myself being bombarded with school work, extracurriculars, and college research. How do you guys balance researching prospective colleges while keeping up with your academics? I find that it's taking a lot of my time, and I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. I could really use some advice on time management and prioritization. Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi! It's great that you're already starting your college research as a junior, but it's totally understandable to feel overwhelmed. From my own experience helping my child, it's important to set priorities and make efficient use of your time.

First, focus on academics since your transcript will be a substantial factor in college admissions. Allocate dedicated blocks of time each day to tackle any school work and note key deadlines well in advance.

For extracurriculars, try to prioritize meaningful activities where you can showcase your skills, and don't be afraid to cut back on those that aren't contributing to your personal growth or college application in a significant way.

As for college research, consider setting aside a specific time each week to explore and evaluate schools, such as an hour or two on the weekends. Make use of online resources like CollegeVine, which can help you gather information more efficiently. Also, it may be a good idea to create a spreadsheet to keep track of your findings and preferences, making it easier to compare schools later on.

Finally, remember that you don't have to do it all alone. Reach out to your school counselor, teachers, or even friends and family for insights and recommendations. Staying organized and breaking the process down into smaller tasks will make it feel a lot more manageable. Best of luck!