You made it through the school year. Maybe with a few extra gray hairs, a desk full of stress snacks, and a to-do list that never really stopped growing, but you did it. Before you fully unplug and lose track of what day it is, take a moment to knock out a few things from this unofficial summer checklist. Your future self will be grateful, and you’ll enjoy your break a little more knowing these are off your plate.
1. Register for an ACT College and Career Readiness Workshop (CCRW)
Registration is open now for ACT’s free fall workshops, offered both virtually and in person. These events are designed specifically for counselors and are full of practical tools you can actually use when the school year kicks back in. Get ahead by signing up now, so you’re not scrambling later to explain superscoring in five minutes or less. Consider it one less thing to worry about when August rolls around.
2. Restock Your ACT Fee Waivers
The 2024–2025 fee waivers are still available and can be used through August 31, so if you have any left, you can use them now or at the very beginning of the new school year. As for the 2025–2026 waivers, ordering opens in July. Set a calendar reminder for your first day back so you can get your request in early. It will save you from last-minute stress in the fall.
3. Update Your Voicemail and Email Signature
If your email still says “response may be delayed” and it’s been that way since March, it’s probably time for a refresh. Consider setting up a summer auto-reply that lets people know when (or if) you’ll be checking messages.
A helpful tip: include answers to common questions in your message, like how to request a schedule change, parking info for next school year, who to contact for withdrawals, how to send transcripts, and your school’s summer office hours. It sets clear expectations and protects your time while still keeping families informed.
4. Toss That Stack of Mystery Papers
You know the pile. Student forms, outdated flyers, and sticky notes with reminders that no longer make sense. Clear it out. If it’s important, it will come back to you.
5. Update Your School Profile
This document plays a bigger role than many people realize. Colleges rely on it to understand your school’s context when reviewing student applications. A strong, accurate profile can help ensure students are evaluated fairly based on what your school offers. Now that the school year has just ended and the information is still fresh, take some time to review and update the profile. Make sure it reflects current programs, grading scales, course offerings, dual enrollment opportunities, and any recent changes to graduation requirements or school policies. Putting in the work now saves time later and helps your students put their best foot forward.
6. Become a Test Center or Recruit One Nearby
If your school is not already a test site, summer is a great time to look into it. Hosting the ACT helps reduce travel barriers for your students and increases access. If your school cannot host, consider partnering with a nearby school that can. Your students will thank you.
ACT National Test Center Request Form
7. Reflect on What Worked and What Didn’t
Grab a notebook or open a doc and jot down what programs, strategies, or tools were actually helpful this year. Make note of what felt like busy work or caused more stress than it was worth. These reflections will help guide your planning for the fall.
8. Schedule Your Own Professional Development
Outside of required trainings, what do you actually want to learn more about? Whether it is a webinar you bookmarked months ago or a book collecting dust on your shelf, carve out time for PD that energizes and inspires you.
9. Back Up Your Files
Save your spreadsheets, forms, and notes somewhere safe. Whether it is Google Drive, a flash drive, or your school's cloud system, take a few minutes to protect your hard work from disappearing.
10. Clean Out Your Email
Search for the word "unsubscribe" and see what comes up. Let go of newsletters you never read and clean out the clutter. It feels good, and your inbox will feel a lot less overwhelming when you return.
11. Write a Quick Thank You
Think of a colleague, teacher, or admin who helped make the year more manageable. Send a short thank you email or a handwritten note. It takes just a few minutes and makes a big impact.
12. Actually Take a Break
Turn off your brain. Watch your favorite guilty pleasure show. Sit outside and do nothing. Lay down in the middle of the day just because you can. You do not need a productivity excuse to rest. You deserve time to simply be.
One last thing: This checklist is not a competition. You do not have to finish every item. Do what you can, skip what you need to, and do not let the pressure of productivity steal your peace. You already did enough this year. Take the break you earned.
Want more tips like this throughout the year? Subscribe to the ACT Counselor Blog to get updates, resources, and inspiration sent straight to your inbox. Your future self will thank you!
