If you’re a parent of a high school junior, it probably feels like everyone has an opinion on what you should be doing right now — college visits, testing, extracurriculars, essays… all at once.

And the unspoken message underneath it all?

If you’re not doing everything, you’re behind.

In this episode, I’m busting some of the biggest myths junior parents believe — the ones that create unnecessary stress, waste time and money, and make the college admissions process way harder than it needs to be.

Because here’s the truth:

You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do the right things, at the right time.

We’re talking about what actually matters during junior year — and what you can safely stop stressing about.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why visiting too many colleges often backfires — and how to visit strategically instead
• How many times students really need to take the SAT or ACT (and when it’s not worth it)
• What “test-optional” actually means — and how to use it wisely
• Why colleges prefer depth over overload when it comes to extracurriculars
• What juniors really need (and don’t need) figured out by the end of this year
• How to build a smart foundation now so senior year doesn’t feel like a crisis

Resources Mentioned

🎓 Free College Visit Checklist (for parents + students)

Ask the questions that actually matter on campus tours — not just “How’s the food?”

👉 https://freebie.thecollegecounselingmom.com/college-visit-checklist

👥 The College-Bound Parent Collective

Step-by-step guidance, expert support, live calls, and a parent community — so you don’t have to navigate this process alone.

👉 https://cart.thecollegecounselingmom.com/parent-collective

Final Takeaway

Junior year is not a sprint — it’s a marathon.

You don’t need to visit every college.

You don’t need to take every test five times.

You don’t need to do all the extracurriculars.

You just need to focus on the right things, at the right time, with the right support.

And that changes everything.

If you’re a parent navigating high school, college admissions, or the many transitions that come with raising teens, you’re in the right place.

I’m Lindsay, a college counselor and parent who believes thoughtful guidance matters—especially for the awesomely average kid. The student who isn’t chasing prestige, but still deserves smart planning, clear strategy, and a path that truly fits.

You can explore ways to work with me, learn about upcoming programs, or find additional resources at www.thecollegecounselingmom.com and sign up for my weekly newsletter here.

If this episode was helpful, I’d be so grateful if you’d follow the show, leave a review, or share it with another parent who could use steady, grounded support.

Thanks for being here. I’m honored to walk this season with you.
Lindsay | The College Counseling Mom