Winter break is almost over and a new semester will be starting soon! There’s a lot of college planning to do at the beginning of a new year. Here’s a look at the general monthly planning, special observances, and specific dates to stay on top of in January 2023 to help students during their college planning journeys.
General monthly planning
- High school freshmen: It can be hard for ninth graders to get back in the swing of things for the second semester of their first year of high school. Help them stay on track with these 13 Tips for Winter Break and Second Semester Success.
- High school sophomores: High school is hard, and the second semester of sophomore year is when things start to get real! Tenth graders should stay on a good academic track by learning How to Avoid the Dreaded Sophomore Slump in High School.
- High school juniors: Eleventh grade students should be preparing to take the SAT or ACT in the coming months, and if they haven’t scheduled a date yet, they should soon. Here are some Essential Tips and Strategies for Taking the SAT and ACT.
- High school seniors: Regular college admission deadlines are right around the corner! Make sure seniors have edited and completed their applications before they send them off with our blog on 11 Steps to Finalizing and Submitting Your College Apps.
Month-long observances and celebrations
- National Blood Donor Month: Donating blood helps save lives! And students can save lives, volunteer, and win money for college through the American Red Cross this month. Check out the Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program to find out how to get involved.
- National Braille Literacy Month: Braille literacy for the blind is just as important to uplift and support as visual literacy is. This month honors Louis Braille, the creator of the tactical writing and reading system.
- International Creativity Month: Students should celebrate their creativity this month and the benefits it can bring by showcasing it on their college applications. If you know students who want to take their creative talents all the way to their career, they can check out our article Careers for People Who Want to Use Their Creativity.
- National Mentoring Month: Mentors are extremely important for students’ personal and academic growth. Get your soon-to-be college students ready to seek support in their higher education journey with this advice on How Students Can Find Supportive Mentors in College.
- National Hobby Month: Both students and counselors should make time to reinvest in their hobbies this month. (It’s especially worth it since students’ hobbies could result in scholarship money!)
Sunday, January 1
New Year’s Day
You know what they say: New year, new me!
9 Great Tips for Students to Have a Successful New Year: Help every student set themselves up for success this year by sharing these New Year’s tips.
College application deadline
Today is a common Regular admission college application deadline for colleges around the country. Make sure your seniors know whether their schools of interests follow this deadline!
Tuesday, January 3
SAT live online trial class
Kaplan is offering their free monthly prep classes once again, with an SAT Live Online Trial Class taking place on Tuesday the 3rd from 7:30–9:30 pm ET.
Wednesday, January 4
Braille Literacy Week
Although it’s observed the whole month, Braille Literacy Week also begins on January 4 in honor of Louis Braille’s birthday.
SAT live online trial class
Students can follow-up Tuesday’s class with another SAT Live Online Trial Class on Wednesday the 4th from 6:00–8:00 pm ET.
Friday, January 6
Regular ACT registration deadline
Today is the Regular registration deadline for the February 11 ACT test date.
Saturday, January 7
ACT live online trial class
Kaplan is also offering their free monthly prep classes for the ACT, with an ACT Live Online Trial Class taking place on Saturday the 7th from 1:00–3:00 pm ET.
Sunday, January 8
Free SAT/ACT score webinar for parents and students
Prep Expert’s Dr. Shaan Patel is offering another free SAT/ACT webinar on 10 secrets to raising standardized test scores and winning big scholarships to top colleges. Parents can sign up for this webinar on Sunday the 8th at 6:00 pm ET.
Monday, January 9
Rising Researchers course
This intensive winter research course from Moon Prep allows students to participate in online research guided by a scientist from the University of Massachusetts for eight weeks. Participants should expect to commit to sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays for an hour and a half. The application deadline is January 2 or until all spots have been filled. (Please note that this is not a free opportunity.)
ACT live online trial class
If students miss the first session, they can sign up for another ACT Live Online Trial Class taking place on Monday the 9th from 7:00–9:00 pm ET.
Tuesday, January 10
ACT live online trial class
This is the last opportunity for students to take a ACT Live Online Trial Class before the next ACT test date in February. They can sign up for the 10th from 5:30–7:30 pm ET.
Sunday, January 15
College application deadline
Today is the second common Regular admission college application deadline in January. Make sure your students get their applications in before today—even if their schools of interest have rolling admission, spots may fill up fast!
Monday, January 16
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Happy MLK Day! We hope you take this day to celebrate and learn more about this truly remarkable man and everything he did for the Civil Rights Movement.
Martin Luther King Jr. scholarships: CollegeXpress has a ton of listings for scholarships in honor of Dr. King!
Friday, January 20
Late ACT registration deadline
Today is the Late registration deadline for the February 11 ACT test date.
Sunday, January 22
Lunar New Year
Gō hè xī xǐ (Good luck in the year ahead) to the Chinese community as you celebrate Lunar New Year 2023!
Monday, January 31
CollegeXpress easy scholarship deadline
Today is the last day for students to enter the CollegeXpress New Year, New Me Scholarship for a chance to win $2,023. This month’s question is: What is one new thing you hope to try in 2023? Share this easy-money opportunity with your students now!
Have your students joined the CollegeXpress community yet? Refer them here! They can also check out our CX featured college lists to start exploring schools by different interests, locations, and more.
