So many college to-dos... but what actually matters?
A few days ago, I found myself in Target, smack in the middle of the snack aisle, staring at an entire wall of granola bars.
Protein-packed? Low sugar? Vegan? Enough to survive a week of snack attacks—or just a handful so we don't finish the entire box in a day?
My brain short-circuited. Too many options, all of them mattering in some way, and suddenly, I was stuck.
Sound familiar? Because if you're staring down a Spring Break college to-do list, feeling like everything is important—scholarships, test prep, college visits, essays, applications—you're basically in your own version of the granola bar aisle.
It's all important, maybe. But what actually moves the needle?
Why This Feels Like Too Much
(Because It Actually Is)
Once upon a time, college admissions were simple.
🏫You applied to a handful of schools. But now, 12-15+ colleges are the norm. And there's an entire strategy behind where, when, and how students apply.
📫You got back a letter in the mail. Now, there are portals, waves of decisions, and deferred limbo.
🚗You picked a school and went. Now, there's a complex process to navigate scholarship offers, understand financial aid packages, and calculate the hidden costs of college life.
Right now, your junior might not look stressed about what's coming…
Maybe they're busy with schoolwork, claiming there's “plenty of time” to worry about college later. Maybe they're color-coding their calendar like a future project manager, but they're unclear what to prioritize and worried about what they've overlooked. Or maybe they're binge-watching their favorite show (again), insisting they've “got it under control”…and would you please chill.
They're not ignoring what's coming—they're just looking at a mountain of tasks and don't know where to start.
And let's be real… most parents feel the same way.
A Smarter Spring Break Game Plan
(Because It Actually Is)
Instead of giving you an overwhelming to-do list for the coming months, let's break this down into just three big areas:
1️⃣ School Scout: Your College Research and Selection Plan
This is where you find the right-fit colleges for your family.
2️⃣ Apply Smart: Your Essay, Test Prep, Application Plan
This is where you strategically focus your teen's limited time, so they can prioritize what will move the needle—focusing on what matters most without feeling like they have to do it all.
3️⃣ Fund $ Finder: Your Financial Aid and Scholarship Plan – This is where you figure out what you can (or are willing to) afford, explore financial aid options, and find scholarships to help reduce college costs.
That's it. Three areas, not 15.
Think of it like building a house where the levers are time, money, and quality. The homebuilder can only get 2, but not all 3. For example, they could get a quick, low-cost build, but the quality? Meh.
With college admissions, each family's priorities look a little different. Some are laser-focused on cost (trust me, with six kids, I get it!). Others care most about finding the right-fit school (quality) or getting ahead and staying on top of the entire process (time).
There's no one-size-fits-all approach—just the way that makes sense for your family.
And because I know how overwhelming this can feel (even before you've really started), I've created a
ridiculously
useful
guide
to help you navigate this process with clarity…
🚀Christy’s Design-Your-Own, Actually Helpful, College Application Game Plan Tool
Every college application to-do list you've downloaded probably feels crushingly endless—and rightly so. It's packed with every possible task your teen might need to do—and then some.
So, what happens? The list gets shoved to the side, ignored, or abandoned because it's just too much—too much irrelevant info that doesn't apply to you and your teen. AND who has time to figure out how to fit all this into a calendar for the next 9 months?
How do you eat a (chocolate) elephant? One bite at a time.
https://smallindulgences.wordpress.com/
That's the approach here. Every week, you'll focus on just 1-3 small, manageable tasks—nothing overwhelming, completing them will take often less than 5 minutes. The tasks are color-coded by quality, time, and cost so you can easily prioritize what matters most to your family and focus your energy accordingly.
How it works:
✅Sign up and get your own personalized Google Calendar entry automatically loaded each Saturday morning (and you can easily update the day and time to Sunday evening, or whenever works best for you).
✅Follow your plan by taking 1-3 small action steps each week.
✅One week (bite) at a time, you'll be done with what matters most, so no more scrambling or last-minute panic during Senior year. Just steady, manageable progress.
This is the same strategy I use with families to keep things moving—without turning college apps into a second full-time job.
And here's the best part: this isn't just another cookie-cutter checklist. Christy's Design-Your-Own, Actually Helpful, College Application Game Plan Tool is a truly flexible, “choose your own path-to-college adventure” version, easily tailored to your family's pace and needs.
It's unlike anything I've ever seen—and honestly, it's what I wish I had when helping my oldest daughter navigate this process 10 years ago! It's personal, manageable, and keeps you focused on what actually matters.
You'll be so glad you started now—because whatever you check off each week won't be hanging over your head all summer. Here's to stress-free beach days, guilt-free Netflix nights, and a final high-school summer with your teen that actually feels enjoyable.
Don't let your summer turn into a never-ending game of catch-up—that's no fun for anyone.
I've got you covered. Let's do this!
Click the orange button for “more easy” in the days, weeks, and months to come. And enjoy your Spring Break!
With love, a solid plan, and just the right amount of checkboxes,
Christy
👋 Hi, if we haven't met yet, I'm Christy. I help students craft standout essays so they can submit their best possible applications with confidence.
Wanna chat? www.calendly.com/easiercollegeessays/30min
