We know back-to-school season can be hectic. That’s why we want to keep you on track with the best resources and information. Help your students start the new academic year off right by planning ahead with this month's edition of the CollegeXpress College Planning Calendar. We’ll walk you through important holidays, standardized test dates, free webinars, and more coming up in the month of September. Welcome back!
General college prep and planning
- 9th grade: Starting high school is a major change for students! Make sure they’re not getting blindsided with silly advice that won’t help them in the long run.
- 10th grade: Students should keep up their focus and momentum from freshman year and avoid the sophomore slump as the semester begins.
- 11th grade: Junior year is when the college search starts ramping up in earnest—and that means life’s going to get stressful. Help your students with this stress reduction advice.
- 12th grade: There’s not much time before seniors need to dive into college admission responsibilities. Prep them by sharing important things they should do as they start the school year.
- First-year college students: New undergrads are in for an adjustment period as their first semester begins. If you’re in touch with any of your former students, help them prepare with Our Best Advice for Freshman Year of College.
Month-long observances and events
- National Suicide Prevention Month: This important month of recognition also includes Suicide Prevention Week, which starts on September 10. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
- National Deaf Awareness Month: Deaf Awareness Month also includes International Week of the Deaf, which starts on September 17. Learn more from the American Society for Deaf Children.
- Self-Improvement Month: Encourage students to work on themselves with The Best Back–to–School Advice From Real Students Like You.
- Classical Music Month: Classical music has evolved a lot over time, and many students still learn classical instruments when they’re young. Celebrate their musical accomplishments this month!
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Learn more about this cultural celebration below!
Friday, September 1
National College Colors Day
Celebrate your alma mater and encourage students to get excited about their future college by repping school colors today! Learn more on the College Colors Day website.
Free college planning webinars
Moon Prep is hosting a free College Planning: High School Students recorded webinar over Zoom to help high schoolers start the process early. It will take place from 7:00–8:00 pm ET on Friday the 1st, so encourage them to register ASAP!
If your students are looking for specific admission essay help, Moon Prep’s 8-Day Crash Course: Learn How to Write an Effective Personal Statement webinar will also be available to access starting September 1.
Monday, September 4
Labor Day
Happy Labor Day! Enjoy your long weekend!
Tuesday, September 5
Personal statement video courses
College Essay Guy Ethan Sawyer is hosting four weeks of webinars for students from September 5–October 3 on How to Write a Personal Statement. Sessions will run from 1:00–2:30 pm or 7:00–8:30 pm ET every Tuesday. Session topics in weekly order include brainstorming, outlining and writing your first draft, revising, and refining. These courses aren’t free, but students can submit a pay-what-you-can request.
SAT live online trial class
Students can sign up for one of two free SAT trial sessions on September 6 from 7:30–9:30 pm ET.
Wednesday, September 6
Fight Procrastination Day
Most students succumb to procrastination at one point or another! Have them check out the “procrastination” tag on CollegeXpress for great articles and advice on how to fight it.
College Essay Guy LIVE boot camp
College Essay Guy’s LIVE boot camp will cover How to Write the College Application and Supplemental Essays. In addition to assignments and video lessons, you can watch the four sessions live from 7:00–8:30 pm ET on September 6, 13, 27, and October 4. Pay-what-you-can requests are also available for this course.
ACT live online trial class
For students taking the ACT, Kaplan is offering an ACT live trial class on Wednesday the 6th from 7:00–9:00 pm ET.
Thursday, September 7
SAT regular registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the October 7 SAT test date.
Friday, September 8
International Literacy Day
Literacy and learning go hand in hand! Learn more about world literacy from the International Literacy Association.
- 6 Great Book Recommendations Based on Popular College Majors: Drop everything and celebrate literacy with these great academic-inspired reads.
National Stand Up to Cancer Day
This day is promoted by Stand Up to Cancer, a charitable organization that helps fund and develop promising cancer treatments for patients. Consider donating to help people get the treatment they deserve!
SAT scores released
Scores for the August 26 SAT test date should be released today and will be sent to colleges within 10 days.
Scholarship search crash course
Moon Prep isn’t just helping students with the college search and applications this month—they’re also sharing their knowledge on scholarships with their free 9-Day Crash Course: The Search for Scholarships webinar. Students can register now for this pre-recorded series that starts Friday the 8th from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
Saturday, September 9
ACT test date
Today is an ACT test date at centers across the country.
SAT live online trial class
Students who miss the first session can sign up for the second free SAT trial class on Saturday the 9th from 2:00–4:00 pm ET.
Monday, September 11
Patriot Day
This day commemorates the lives lost in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks over 20 years ago. May they rest in peace.
Start of National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week
This week starts just before the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and recognizes the hundreds of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) that work to support and educate Hispanic students across the country.
- How to Celebrate and Honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week: Learn how you can get involved in the celebration of these valuable colleges and universities!
Thursday, September 14
Start of National Coding Week
Coding is a valuable skill that’s useful to students pursuing many different fields. Not sure how to convince them? Have them check out our blog on Why It's Important for Students to Learn How to Code.
Friday, September 15
Start of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year that lasts two days and leads up to Yom Kippur. Shanah tovah (have a good year)!
First day of Hispanic Heritage Month
A celebration of all things Hispanic culture, this month should be spent learning about the history of Hispanic people and the important impact they’ve had on our country.
- Great Scholarship Opportunities in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month: There are scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a students of all levels as well as those with an affinity for the community. Be sure to share these great year-round opportunities with your students!
Saturday, September 16
Mexican Independence Day
Today marks the anniversary of when Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1810.
World Cleanup Day
Coordinated by the global organization Let’s Do It!, World Cleanup Day is a global social action program dedicated to cleaning up our planet. Encourage your students to get out there and make the world a little more beautiful!
Sunday, September 17
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Many people immigrate to the US for educational reasons, often seeking US citizenship as well. Today celebrates the process of becoming an American.
- Undocumented Students' Challenges Without Citizenship: Learn about challenges faced by undocumented students in the college search to better help them through the process.
Wednesday, September 20
Free SAT/ACT score webinar for parents
Prep Expert’s Dr. Shaan Patel is offering a free SAT/ACT webinar for parents on 10 secrets to raising standardized test scores and winning big scholarships to top colleges at 6:00 pm ET on Thursday the 20th.
Friday, September 22
College application webinar
Moon Prep is offering another free webinar this month to help students with their college applications. They can register for Crash Course: A Step-by-Step Guide for Applying to College taking place on Friday the 22nd from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
ACT regular registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the October 28 ACT test date.
SAT registration deadline for international students
Today is the deadline for international student registration, changes, and cancellations for the October 7 SAT test date.
American Business Women’s Day
Encourage rising businesswomen to seek support in the right places and stand out in the business world with our blog on 10 Great Academic and Professional Groups for Women.
Saturday, September 23
First day of autumn
Welcome to fall weather, football, apple cider, and pumpkin-picking season!
Tuesday, September 26
SAT late registration deadline
Today is the domestic student deadline for changes, cancellations, and late registration for the October 7 SAT test date.
Saturday, September 30
National Podcast Day
Podcasts are a great way to learn, pass the time, and widen your perspective on certain topics. Encourage your students to pick up one of these 8 Great Podcasts to Help You Learn and Celebrate Black History.
Supplemental essays webinar
Moon Prep’s last free webinar of the month walks students through a Crash Course on How to Write Supplemental Essays for college admission. It will be available starting September 30 from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
CollegeXpress Back-to-School Scholarship deadline
Starting September 1, students have a chance to win our $2,000 Back-to-School Scholarship if they register on CollegeXpress (or log back in) before Saturday the 30th and let us know what their favorite subject is in school.
Have your students joined the CollegeXpress community yet? Refer them here! You’ll be entered to win our $250 Refer-a-Friend contest, and after they create a free account through your unique link, they’ll have a chance to win not only our easy monthly scholarships but our annual $10,000 scholarship contest as well.
