- Who it's for
- Youth / Young Adult, Outside Caregiver, Inside Parent
- Child / youth age
- Ages 16–24
- Geography
- National
- Action type
- Plan
- Reading time
- About 6 min
- Last verified
- August 2026
What this is
A year-by-year checklist for students and the adults supporting them.
Why it matters
Small steps taken early — coursework, testing, a running list of accomplishments — make senior year manageable.
What you should know
- 9th–10th grade: build a habit of saving certificates, awards, and activity records in one place.
- 11th grade: research schools, visit campuses or virtual tours, and identify two teachers who could write recommendations.
- 12th grade: track deadlines on a single calendar and submit financial-aid forms as early as they open.
- Community college transfer pathways can be lower cost with the same destination degree.
Talk about it
Ask the young person what kind of place they want to be in after high school — not which school.
Your next step
Start one shared folder or notebook for school records and deadlines.
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