As the school year winds down, I want to take a moment to congratulate all of the Class of 2023. You have all worked so hard to make it this far, and you deserve to take a bow.

For those of you who will be headed off to college in the fall, my very best wishes go out to you. Your hard work and perseverance have paid off, and if you keep that up, you will continue to succeed on whatever path you choose.

Remember to send your final transcripts off to your new school and complete your housing options. Enjoy your summer with your family and friends!

Current juniors, your college application season is just around the corner. You will have a lot of work to do in your fall semester, so stay organized and watch out for all those college deadlines, especially the early ones.

Most importantly, get your list of colleges where you want to apply together. Get a head start this summer by working on your college essays while you have free time, and remember that the Common Application opens on Aug. 1 for the 2024-25 school year. Take the time to input your basic information into the application before school starts.

Make sure you register for a second ACT or SAT if you were not happy with your first test scores. If your family will be going to the Mainland for vacation, try to visit a few colleges.

Current freshmen and sophomores, stretch yourselves! If you have the grades to be advanced into an honors or AP class, take it. Colleges like to see that students have pushed themselves to do more than breeze through high school, taking the easiest courses.

If you have not already done so, get yourself involved in some kind of volunteer work in the community; choose something you will enjoy, and it would be great if it was something related to your area of academic interest (if you have one yet).

Try to take on a leadership role in some aspect of your life — perhaps on a team, organize a beach cleanup or start a school club. Join a new team, play a new instrument, take an elective that you may have never thought you would like. You only go through high school once, so make the most out of every moment.

To those of you who are graduating from eighth grade, believe it or not, your journey to college starts now, too.

It is really important for you to start out on the right track by selecting a college preparatory curriculum.

There are basic things you are required to take for graduation from high school, but often that is not enough for admittance to more selective colleges. If you qualify to start high school math with Geometry, do it. Make sure you are taking a foreign language and plan to take it for at least three years.

Take strong science classes. Get involved in a team or club that you think you will enjoy throughout school.

Start out and stay on track as best you can, and you will be amazed at how quickly the next four years will fly by.

I hope you all have a relaxed and enjoyable summer vacation!

Maryanne Hogan is an Independent College Counselor working with students on Maui. For more information, or to arrange an appointment, visit her website at thecollegeauntie.com.