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Junior year can be tough, especially since you'll begin planning for college in earnest. Keep this list handy to help you out along the way.

1. You've got to know what you want.
Make a list of colleges that match what you're looking for (location, size, program, etc.). Your college list can be long now; you'll narrow it down later.

2. The PSAT isn't just for practice.
Here's an incentive to study: If you score high on the PSAT in October, you could win a National Merit Scholarship or National Achievement Scholarship.

3. College fairs are worth checking out.
Speak with representatives from the schools that interest you. You may even be able to narrow your choices or add a school to your list based on the information you gather.

4. The SATs and ACT are right around the corner.
Don't miss the deadlines to register for the SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests in May or June or the ACT in April or June.

5. Your guidance counselor is your new friend.
Get to know your guidance counselor, and return the favor. If you maintain this relationship, you'll have expert advice to steer you through the entire college process.

6. Your parents' opinions matter.
Talk to your family about the colleges you're interested in, and take their input into consideration. They may offer perspectives in planning for college that you hadn't considered.

7. High school is still your focus.
Don't get so wrapped up in the college process that you neglect your current courses. Junior year is the most important year academically (no pressure!).

8. College money doesn't grow on trees.
Find out how much your family can afford to pay for college, and compare that with the financial figures from the schools on your list. If the numbers aren't matching up, talk to a financial aid counselor about what's really in your reach.

9. Scholarship odds are not as bleak as sweepstake odds.
There are real scholarship programs out there waiting to give real money away to students like you. It's worth your time to do the research.

10. Leaders are in demand.
Instead of joining five new clubs  

junior year

 , take a leadership role in the ones you're already committed to. When it comes to extracurricular activities, quality beats quantity.

11. Your college list should eventually be shorter than a book.
Throughout junior year, you'll be narrowing your college list down little by little. Compare schools according to the factors most important to you and rank your choices.

12. Campus tours are not optional.
Visit the campuses of your top five college choices. If you want to find out what a school is really like, talk to the students.

13. You'll get another chance on the standardized tests.
If you don't do as well as you had hoped on the spring SAT/ACT, there's still time to prepare for another go-round in the fall.

14. High school isn't over yet.
Don't plan to coast through senior year. When it comes to choosing courses, stick with a schedule that challenges you.

15. The college process won't last forever.
Whenever junior year stress starts to get to you, take a break. Planning for college is important, but it's not worth a nervous breakdown.

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