<p>Take the most challenging courses you can Soph and Jr years especially. Find or continue a couple of EC’s that you really love, don’t start new EC’s just to pad your resume, (unless it is something fun you want to do,admissions are well aware of padding), take subject tests if needed immediately after you finish an AP exam since you’ve already done some studying, take 1 or 2 SAT/ACT (and subjects tests if needed) tests towards the end of you’re Jr. year, then if needed take another one at the beginning of the SR. year. Jr year, make a calender and pencil out a plan for testing, etc. Start researching colleges over the summer when it is fun and relaxing. This is what my kids did so as try and not get too stressed out. It worked out pretty well. It is so hard for kids to see beyond today so if they know what it is that they need to do starting their freshman year, they can learn to manage their schedule and hopefully it will relieve some stress. Anyway, hope that makes sense and it is just my opinion that worked for us:)</p>