Deadlines, Deadlines, Deadlines! There’s a lot to keep track of this year. Here are a few ideas that will help you stay on top of the details of your senior experience.

Planners are your friends
If you haven’t already begun using one, planners or calendars can help seniors keep tabs on a busy schedule. It’s a great way to make sure that everything gets scheduled and that your whole family stays “in the loop.”

If your family has a family calendar, start putting the seniors important dates on it. Both parents and seniors should look at and update the family calendar on a regular basis.

Seniors: Be sure to include things like your work schedule, team practice times, college entrance exams, meetings with career planners, college application deadlines, prom, and graduation parties.

Start a filing system
A filing system or 3-ring binder will help you keep track of information like:

• Flyers from photographers
• Newsletters and letters from the school
• Your senior’s resume
• Letters of recommendation
• Essays your senior has written
• Details on projects in which your senior has participated
• Contacts for job interviews and job applications
• College applications or entrance exam information.

Set up the files in a common area where everyone has access to them. Keep the family calendar nearby to write in important dates and deadlines.

For college-bound students, keeping important papers and information organized wil have big payoffs during the college application process, and again when they leave home to begin an independent life.

• For ideas about staying on top of application deadlines and paperwork, see "4 Easy Steps".
• To learn about getting organized for college life, see "Prep for Life 101".

Keep the lines of communications open
Parents and seniors should establish communication lines about daily schedules. Whether it is a family note board, message on the kitchen counter, e-mail, voice mail or just talking face-to-face, determine which method works consistently for your family.

Check in at the end of each day about the next day’s schedule. Does your senior need the car? What time do they need to get to work? When will they complete their homework? Do they need to use the family’s Internet connection?

Be sure to check with the school to make sure you do not have any outstanding required coursework, items or fees due that may keep your senior graduating. Even a lost library book can come back to haunt you.

Make sure the communications from school, work and teams are reaching your family. Give coaches, managers, teachers and school administrators your parents work numbers or e-mail addresses.

Parents: Help your senior manage their schedule
Gently remind your senior of upcoming deadlines. Encourage them to plan ahead and schedule their own commitments. It can take several weeks to line up interviews with people or write resumes. Getting started early is a great habit to develop.

Seniors: Need some help keeping track of the details?
Ask your school for a recommendation on time management and organization skills. They may have a program that will help. If not, consider community education or a local college for possible courses. These are skills you will need throughout your life. Starting early will definitely make it easier in the long run.