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Picture this: You're starting senior year and everyone is talking about college applications. They'll be due in no time, and there's a lot to do.
But you—you're already DONE. Finished. Ready for a stress-free senior year.

If you’re a high school senior, chances are your head’s spinning a little right now. Finals are looming, graduation’s around the corner, the goodbyes are starting to hit, and college is suddenly very real. It’s a lot. And it’s okay to admit that!

Teacher Appreciation Week | May 5–9, 2025. Behind every student who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first. This week, we take time to say thank you. To the teachers who show up early, stay late, and bring their full hearts into the classroom. To the ones who create safe spaces for students to learn, ask questions, and be themselves. To the educators who change lives, humbly, consistently, and profoundly.

From May 6 to May 12, we celebrate National Nurses Week—a time to honor the compassion, expertise, and strength of the nurses who care for us in every setting imaginable. Whether on hospital floors, in schools, senior living communities, or local clinics, nurses are often the first to arrive and the last to leave. They are listeners, advocates, healers, and educators. And above all, they are essential.

If you are reading this, it likely means you have made one of the biggest decisions of your life so far: choosing where you will go to college. Take a moment to recognize everything you did to get here. You spent months researching schools, completing applications, writing essays, visiting campuses, and weighing your options. You met the May 1 College Decision Day deadline — and that is something to be proud of. Now that you have officially committed to your college, you might be wondering: what happens next? Here is what you can expect and how you can set yourself up for success in the coming months.

If you are a senior in high school, you probably have May 1 marked on your calendar. Known nationally as College Decision Day, it is the date by which most colleges require you to officially confirm your enrollment. Some students know exactly where they are headed. Others are still weighing their options. Some are waiting on final financial aid packages or updates from waitlists. No matter where you are in the process, you are not behind, and you are not alone. This is an important decision, and it is normal to need time to make it carefully. Here is what you need to know as the May 1 deadline approaches.

You’re not just another application. The right college should feel like it really gets you. Choosing a college is about more than rankings, programs, or campus size. It’s about finding a place that truly sees you—your story, your background, your goals—and welcomes you for exactly who you are. For students and families navigating the college decision process, knowing whether a school offers a real sense of belonging can make all the difference. Here's how to tell if a college is ready to support, celebrate, and champion you.

As a parent, it’s natural to have questions. Here’s what you might not be asking—but should. Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions your student will make and you’re likely right there with them through every step. As a parent, you want to be informed, supportive, and confident in where your student ends up. But even the most involved families sometimes hesitate to ask the big questions. Maybe you don’t want to seem overbearing. Maybe you’re not sure what’s appropriate to bring up. Or maybe you’re just overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information coming your way. Here’s a quick guide to what families often want to know—but don’t always ask—and why it matters.

Let’s face it—college is a big investment. But what makes it worth it? As students and families begin comparing colleges, one of the biggest questions they face is: What’s the return on this investment? Choosing a college with strong value goes beyond finding the lowest price—it’s about identifying a school that provides the right support, real opportunities, and long-term outcomes that matter.

So you've made your decision (or are almost there)—now what? Here’s your month-by-month guide to navigating the months between commitment and move-in day. The college application season is behind you, and you’ve either made your decision or are about to. Congratulations! Now that the hard work is behind you, it’s time to focus on what comes next. The months leading up to move-in day can be just as crucial as the application process itself, with plenty of important steps to take care of before your student embarks on their college journey. Here’s a month-by-month timeline to help families stay on track, with all the critical tasks leading up to the first day of college.