The holiday season is fast approaching—a chance to catch your breath, spend time with family, and recharge. But if you’re a parent of a high school junior or senior, you probably feel a familiar tug of responsibility, wondering how are you going to find the time for those college tasks.

While it’s important to enjoy the festivities, this season can also be a great time to help your teen finalize their college list and start applying for scholarships. With a little planning, you can work on these college tasks together, even during the holiday hustle.

1. Finalize Your Teen’s College List

If your teen’s college list still feels like a work-in-progress, this break can be a perfect time to give it some attention together. My daughter and I, for instance, spent the Thanksgiving of her junior year casually chatting about college goals while cooking together. By the end of the night, we had narrowed down a list of about 15 schools to 10, based on practical factors like location, size, and programs.

Here are some tips to help guide this process:

• Take a Fresh Look at Admission Requirements: Sit down with your teen to make sure each college on the list is realistic. Have a “reach, target, and safety” list—colleges that align with your teen’s academic record and goals. Checking this off during the holidays can take a lot of pressure off when applications are in full swing.
• Discuss Financial Fit: The holidays are a good time to talk openly about finances and set expectations together. One mom I know was shocked when her son came back from school raving about his dream to attend a private college across the country. They ended up researching scholarships and financial aid options, finding a way to keep his dream alive. These honest conversations can save a lot of stress later!
• Use Virtual Tours: Many colleges offer virtual tours or online info sessions, allowing you and your teen to “visit” campuses right from home. With a few quick clicks, they can get a sense of the environment and programs. You could even make an evening of it—grab some popcorn, cozy up on the couch, and explore campuses without the hassle of holiday travel.

2. Create a Scholarship Game Plan

Scholarships are key to making college affordable, but finding them can be overwhelming. A little structure can go a long way, and the holidays are the perfect time to get organized. One dad I know decided to make a game of it with his daughter. They set up a “scholarship jar” with names of scholarships they’d found, drawing one to tackle each weekend. By the end of winter break, they had already applied to five.

Here’s a plan for making scholarships feel manageable:

• Research Scholarships Together: Dive into scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Appily, or even your state’s scholarship sites. Encourage your teen to keep an open mind and explore various types of scholarships—there are ones for hobbies, heritage, career interests, and even unique talents!
• Use Breaks for Essay Writing: Many scholarships require essays, and the holiday season gives your teen time to brainstorm ideas. My sister-in-law asked her family for feedback on her daughter’s essay during their Christmas get-together, sparking a conversation that helped refine her essay’s focus. Family members who know your teen well can offer valuable insights and even spark new ideas.
• Look at Local Scholarships: Don’t underestimate smaller, local scholarships offered by community organizations or businesses. They often have fewer applicants, making your teen’s odds of winning higher. Have your teen check with local businesses or clubs to see if they offer scholarships—they may find unique opportunities close to home.

3. Use Family Time as Supportive Collaboration

Holiday gatherings mean you’re already surrounded by people who care about your teen’s future. Use this time to encourage progress and collaboration on college and scholarship tasks:

• Ask for Help with Proofreading: Ask a relative with a knack for writing to review application essays. My friend’s aunt, an English teacher, always volunteers to edit her nieces’ scholarship essays during holiday gatherings. A fresh set of eyes can help spot errors and suggest improvements.
• Stay Organized Together: With deadlines for applications and scholarships, organization is key. Set up a system—whether it’s a digital calendar or an old-fashioned checklist on the fridge—to track due dates. You could even make it a shared project and check in weekly for accountability. Having a visible list of tasks can motivate both you and your teen to stay on top of everything.
• Celebrate Small Wins: As the saying goes, “small victories lead to big success.” Acknowledge each step your teen completes. One family I know makes a big deal out of every “submit” button clicked—complete with a toast at the dinner table. Little celebrations like this can lift your teen’s spirits and remind them that they’re making progress.

4. Plan for a Fresh Start in January

By dedicating some time during the holidays to college prep, your teen will head into January with a head start. Here are a few steps to keep on track after the break:

• Line Up Recommendations Early: If your teen still needs recommendations, encourage them to reach out to teachers or mentors now. Most educators are happy to help, especially if they get enough advance notice.
• Update Resumes and Activities Lists: Many colleges and scholarships ask for details on extracurriculars. Sit down with your teen to update this list, adding any recent activities or accomplishments. It’s one of those “quick wins” that will help them be prepared for both applications and scholarship submissions.
• Set Scholarship Goals for the New Year: Help your teen set a scholarship goal for the upcoming months—like applying to five new scholarships each month. This goal-setting can be motivating and give them a clear, achievable path to reducing college costs.

Make the Most of the Holiday Season

Balancing family time with college prep may seem tricky, but using the holiday break strategically can help you check off big tasks without adding too much stress. By working together, celebrating small milestones, and breaking down the process, you’re giving your teen the tools they need for college success—and creating lasting memories along the way.

So, grab that hot cocoa, talk about the future, and enjoy the process as you guide your teen toward their dreams.