Is it too early to think about SATs? Are we too late for new extracurriculars? As the CEO of Curious Cardinals, I’ve helped thousands of students and parents navigate school years so they’re set up for success in college and beyond. Here’s what I’ve learned about being strategic as a parent, year by year.
Middle School: Early Exposure
Start exposing your child to anything that might spark interest. Don't stress about being overly prescriptive or strategic. This is the time for them to develop a genuine passion for learning, so:
- Join teams and try sports: I played soccer, danced competitively, and competed in tennis. Encourage participation, pursuit of interests, and embracing new challenges.
- Listen to podcasts or read together: My older sister's high school boyfriend, who I also called my 'running mentor', shared the NPR More Perfect podcast with me, and this one specific episode is what made me want to be the next Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- Instill intellectual curiosity: Growing up in NYC, my mom insisted we explore the city's CULTURE. Every week! At first, I resisted, saying I didn't have time for her "art thing." But over the years, "Culture Sunday" became a weekly highlight. My mom's passion rubbed off on me, and I began to take pride in my knowledge of NYC's art scene. Eventually, my friends even joined us for “Culture Sunday” (museums made for prime Instagram photo shoots).
Freshman and Sophomore Year: Do Anything and Everything
Ever heard someone advise your high schooler to "craft their narrative" and resisted the urge to roll your eyes? You're not alone. "Crafting their narrative" can indeed sound like empty jargon. So, let's reframe it as something more concrete: "Do things of substance, consistently, over time."
By senior year, I held leadership positions in four diverse main activities that had occupied my time since freshman year: debate, Spanish immersion, volunteer work, and running.
If your child has pursued something (or many things) consistently for 4 years by the time they're 16, that's a quarter of their life. This extended time and commitment doesn't just look good on paper to future colleges and employers — it creates invaluable self-assurance to set them up for success in whatever path they choose to pursue.
Junior Year: The Juggling Act
There's no way around it — junior year is intense. I recently found my 6th grade diary entry where I described my older sister in her junior year as "truthfully quite cranky" due to SATs and college stress. I remember stressing myself out to the point of breakdowns too. Even though my parents told me they didn't care and just wanted me to be happy, I'd cry thinking I'd be a failure if I didn't get into Stanford. It sounds extreme, but these feelings are common. As a parent, you're probably wondering how to make this easier for your child.
Meet Shula, a key member of our Curious Cardinals team. Shula graduated Summa Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University, where she made the Dean's List and served as President of Vanderbilt's Women in Business Club. After two years as a Curious Cardinals mentor, she turned down a prestigious consulting job offer to join our team full-time because she so believes in the power of what we do.
Senior Year: The Home Stretch
The key to a smooth college application season? Like most things… start early. Encourage your child to begin brainstorming essays in June before their senior year (with the next best time being now). Students who start their applications early consistently report less stress and stronger applications. This is also a great time to engage with a college-aged mentor who recently went through the same process to help guide them.
Look, navigating high school isn't about following a strict algorithm or formula. We can't provide turn-by-turn directions, but we can offer a compass and a flashlight to help illuminate the path ahead. That's where our mentors truly shine — they're here to guide and support you and your child through this journey.
Wishing you and your family an inspiring start to the school year!
Audrey and the Curious Cardinals team 💛
