Are you part of the class of 2011? Then this is your last summer as a high school student!  

You have an exciting year ahead of you as a high school senior, and taking some time during the summer to get organized in between barbecues and road trips will help you enjoy it even more. Here are seven must-dos that should be on your list: 

Study Up for College Entrance Tests: You know these as the SAT and ACT. Even if you took these tests during your junior year, you’ll likely want to take them again in the fall to see if you can improve your scores. Don’t let the tests creep up on you! Set some time to study now so you’ll be well-prepared come test day. 

Visit College Campuses: You’ve likely come up with a number of potential colleges and universities in your college search -- now it’s time to visit them. And if you’ve visited already, take the time to do so again. Nothing gives you a feel for the college more than being on the college campus. Walk around, talk to any students who are there for the summer and see if you could picture yourself attending this institution. 

Narrow Down Your Options: Now that you’ve gone on a campus visit (hopefully) and gathered all your information, it’s time to get your list down to the schools you will actually be applying to. Remember: You want a mix of schools that you could definitely get into, schools you could probably get into, and schools you would like to get into. 

Get Started on Your College Applications: The last thing you want is to miss out on going to your dream school because you missed the application deadline. So take the list of schools you plan to apply to and find out what the application deadlines are and whether or not the schools accept the common application. Even if the schools do accept the common application, it is good for you to know now if there is a required supplement and/or additional material you need to turn in. If the schools do not accept the common application, then you should get a copy of the school’s application. 

Create a Resume: Documenting your objectives in the college application process along with your achievements in school, extracurricular activities and work will give you a strong tool for marketing yourself. You can use this document as a basis for your applications, as well as give it to admissions officers at college interviews or include it when applying for college scholarships. If you’re having trouble identifying accomplishments, sit down with a family member or friend who can help remind you of what you’ve done over the past few years. 

Secure College Recommendations: You will likely need a few recommendations from teachers and other adults who can vouch for you and your accomplishments. If you haven’t already, think about people who know you well and who can represent you favorably. You’re going to want to give them at least three to four weeks to write their recommendations and fill out any required paperwork. You should also be sure to do all the legwork and provide them with all the information and documentation they need to give you a recommendation by the deadline. 

Start Your College Essays: This summer, you want to at least write a draft for your college essays. Check your schools’ applications to see what topics you have to cover. The purpose of the college essay is to show the school how well you can communicate in writing, how you think and to reveal a bit about your personality that the rest of your application does not. 

You might have been raised to believe that bragging is impolite, but if you plan on getting into the college of your dreams, then you'd better rethink that philosophy. Not only is bragging about yourself perfectly acceptable, but it is also a vital part of the college application process. After all, your grades and test scores can only say so much about you, but when it comes to community service and extracurricular activities, you’d better start boasting—and a brag sheet will help you do so.

What is a brag sheet? A brag sheet is like a resume: it lists your accomplishments organized by school year and category (such as sports, clubs, and community service). You'll want to include information like the number of hours you've spent on each activity, positions you've held, and awards you've won. When college or scholarship applications ask you to list your extracurricular activities, you can refer to your brag sheet in order to fill in the information quickly. Rather than racking your brains for every last hour of volunteering you completed, it will all be there on your handy-dandy brag sheet. It’s a great timesaver!

Like a resume, the brag sheet is also a great way to prepare for an interview with an admissions counselor. Reread it before you go in to refresh your memory, so you are not left stumped when asked about your leadership skills or what you did last summer. After all, attending a Glee Club rehearsal or a lacrosse practice might have become second nature to you, which is why you need the brag sheet to help remind you of all your accomplishments outside of the classroom. The brag sheet is also helpful to give to the teachers whom you are asking to write recommendation letters; they know you well in the classroom, but the brag sheet gives them a sense of who you are after the school bell rings.

Your brag sheet is a work in progress. Update it on a regular basis so that it is always ready to go, whether you are applying for college, a scholarship, or even a part-time job. Brag on! Remember, colleges not only want smart students, they want active ones as well so that their campuses remain exciting and vibrant places to be.