What is some advice you would give for someone whose family is going through the college process for the first time? Anything helps!
Complete applications early, not a month before the deadline. If you really want to get to a school, apply for Early Action. If you’re deadset on going, then apply for Early Decision.
-I was waitlisted to a school that I really wanted to go to but I sent it in near the deadline. I was ultimately rejected 
Apply to safeties and reaches. -Have an affordable safety just in case the financial aid packages of other schools would be a burden.
Get recommendations early and from teachers that know you the best.
Visit college campuses when classes are in session.
Apply for scholarships, some of the popular scholarships have due dates in the fall.
Write the best essay you can write, have people look it over, and then revise it so it’ll be even better.
I would recommend NOT doing Early Decision. Early Action is fine. I applied ED to a school that I realized I probably wouldn’t have been happy with; luckily (lol) I got rejected.
Write your essays during the summer before senior year and arrange for your transcripts to be uploaded to Common App as soon as possible. I was attacking my counselor for her recommendation and school report as soon as our schedule change deadline passed.
Along the same lines, ask for recommendation letters from your teachers starting in late September. If you’re applying ED, you’ll want to make sure you get these in your hands by mid-October; otherwise, before winter break is fine. Ask two teachers from different subject areas. I used my junior year English teacher and my senior year math teacher.
Don’t let your grades drop until fourth marking period! Your schools will see the mid-year report (you have to request your counselor to send this, too). Mid-year reports have your first and second marking period grades on them! Doing well in third marking period will mean you can slack off during fourth. Senioritis is usually accepted by most teachers starting in May.
Don’t take ridiculously hard classes, but again, don’t slack off. If you’ve been taking AP classes, you cannot drop down to standard classes senior year. Colleges will know you’re avoiding work. Likewise, don’t jump up to AP Calc BC if you barely passed algebra. Know your limits, but don’t impose limits, either.
Everyone says that senior year is supposed to be fun. Let me tell you how senior year REALLY is. The summer before, you should visit some campuses. Take a few tours. This should continue into September. September through January is a whirlwind of deadlines and applications and essays, and your teachers will probably not feel bad for you. Make sure you’re looking at scholarships! The big ones usually have really early deadlines, and I didn’t know this so I missed out on applying for most of them. January and February will involve the FAFSA, tax forms, etc. If your parents waited until March 28th to file, like mine did, the stress will be exponential. Try to convince yourself you can afford college by applying for as many scholarships as possible, but don’t expect to get any. Especially those ones that are chosen by lottery. In late February, you should start to receive some letters. I actually got my first letter in early December because it was rolling admissions and I applied before school started. (I definitely recommend applying to a complete safety really early and sending in your supporting documents as you get them. When my first rejection came, it was a relief to know I had gotten accepted somewhere.) By April 1st, you should have a decision from every school. Attend some accepted student events, do some accepted student tours, examine your financial aid packages. Decide what is most important to you and rank your schools. Go where you can afford, but also where will make you happy. I’m taking out some private loans, but I will be happy in college. It’s way better than not paying anything and being miserable while in college. You have to be there for four years, so make the most of it! This is a huge decision, and you only have until May 1st to send in a deposit.
After you send your deposit, things get much easier. Make sure you take your placement tests, apply for housing, apply for meal plans, register for your first semester, register for orientation, etc. This will all vary by school. I also suggest trying to get a summer job on campus if you’re going to school nearby; it will help you get a leg up on other applicants when you go to apply for fall semester positions.
Go to prom, go on senior trip (or plan a cheaper, separate trip with your friends - that’s what I did!), participate in end-of-year activities. Even if you think you’re going to be bored and hate it, go. You’ll end up having a lot of fun. Everyone gets very sentimental towards the end of senior year, and people get to be a lot friendlier.
Good luck! Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I’m first-generation, so my parents couldn’t help me much; if you’re in the same situation I can give you some tips.