For the last week, I’ve been talking about how demanding and stressful 11th grade can be for our children.

We know there are many crucial things that need to happen this year to maximize our children’s chances of attending their dream college:

• Getting great test scores and strong grades.

• Completing their Breakthrough Achievements.

• Taking leadership positions and using them to make meaningful contributions.

And a few other important things…

The trouble begins when that feeling of “raised stakes” meets the lack of a plan.

It makes the pressure build up until it starts affecting their performance and mental well-being.

People call it the “Junior Year Blues,” and the fact that we even have a name for it shows how common it’s become for students to struggle. 

But does every student have to struggle in 11th grade? 

The answer is a firm no.

I’ve helped so many families over the years who were unbothered by this so-called “Junior Year Blues”.

Even though their students and their situations were all very different, here are a couple of patterns I’ve noticed:

• Their child is involved in activities they genuinely love (no resume-padding allowed.)

• They began their college prep way ahead of Junior year.

• They spread out their workload to avoid last-minute cramming and burnout.

It’s a simple combination of planning ahead and understanding how to play the admissions game.

No need for expensive tutors or retaking exams again and again, and none of these kids were “geniuses” or “prodigies”.

They were just bright, talented, and ambitious kids who were prepared and confident in their path.

I see no reason why any student can’t get to this point by junior year. 

Even if your child is in 11th grade already, it’s not too late to turn things around.

A few strategic adjustments and the right support system can make this year a time of growth and success—without all the uncertainty, stress, and burnout.

The Admissions Academy for 11th grade students is still open.

We offered some special gifts over the weekend, but if you didn’t manage to sign up, you’ll still get:

• The month-by-month plan I’ll be using to guide students.

• Two group coaching calls per month covering key admissions topics.

• Direct access to me through our platform, so they can ask questions anytime.

It’s everything they need to excel in Junior year and submit an outstanding college application during their Senior year.

Click the link below to sign up for the College Admissions Academy:

https://collegeadmissionssecrets.com/academy

Dr. Agnia Grigas
Founder - College Admissions Secrets
Author - ‘‘How to Win the Million Dollar College Admissions Game’’

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