This isn’t just a month to study for AP exams, though that is something AP students should be doing. Here’s what each class should be doing NOW.

Freshmen

Look for summer programs that sound interesting to you. Some have deadlines coming up soon. A great resource is Snowday (snow.day), a free, searchable database of more than 1,100 summer programs for teens that you can filter by cost, interest, location, and deadlines. Consider your freshman summer an adventure. You can explore far and wide. You might also work; that experience can teach you, too.

Sophomores

Sophomores can continue to explore various interests or start zooming in on a single interest. Start with Snowday (snow.day) if you need ideas, and pay attention to deadlines. If you feel ready to leave home for a week or so, you might consider a residential experience where you get to live on a college campus. You can also start preparing for the PSAT. When you take the PSAT in 11th grade, a high score can qualify you as a National Merit Semifinalist.

Juniors

Juniors, this advice is important: It’s time to ask teachers if they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation when you’re applying to college next year. (For details, check out “Letter of Recommendation Etiquette” on my blog and Substack.) It’s best to ask two 11th-grade core-content teachers, so English, math, social studies, science. World language teachers are also considered core, but I would only ask them for a recommendation if you’ve continued to study the language throughout high school.

Seniors

If you’ve already committed to a school, tell the other schools you are declining their offers of admission. Check your portals and emails, especially if you’re on a waitlist or have decided on where you’ll be heading this fall. Colleges can rescind the offer of admission if you have a significant drop in grades this last semester. Finish the year strong!

Before the month is over, take the next step–whatever that step is for you.