Applying to college can feel overwhelming. Between standardized tests, essays, extracurriculars, and looming deadlines, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. But over the years, College Benefits Research Group (CBRG) has helped thousands of students cut through the clutter—and we’ve learned that the most successful applicants all share one thing in common: they build effective habits early.
Modeled after Stephen Covey’s classic framework for personal and professional growth, these seven habits have been adapted specifically for high school juniors and seniors preparing for college. When practiced intentionally, these habits not only lead to stronger applications but also reduce stress and increase confidence throughout the admissions journey.
Habit 1: Be Proactive with Planning
Highly effective applicants don’t wait until senior year to start thinking about college. They map out their academic and extracurricular strategy as early as sophomore or junior year. Being proactive means building timelines, seeking help early, and understanding what colleges value in an applicant.
Examples of being proactive:
- Meeting regularly with a college advisor or counselor
- Researching colleges before senior year
- Taking rigorous courses with intent
CBRG Tool: Use our personalized Student Positioning process to begin aligning your strengths, goals, and potential colleges as early as 10th grade.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Successful students reverse-engineer their college journey. They don’t just ask, “Where can I get in?”—they ask, “Where do I want to go, and what will it take to get there?” This habit is about setting clear academic, career, and personal goals, and identifying the colleges and scholarships that can help them achieve those outcomes.
Examples of goal-oriented planning:
- Identifying target schools and their requirements
- Exploring potential majors and career paths
- Understanding financial aid and scholarship thresholds
CBRG Tool: Our financial aid assessments and college comparison reports help students and parents evaluate schools not just on reputation, but on real outcomes and affordability.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Time is one of the most precious resources in the application process. Highly effective applicants know how to prioritize what matters most—testing, grades, essays, and research—over distractions or low-impact activities.
Examples of smart prioritization:
- Creating a balanced SAT/ACT study schedule
- Setting early deadlines for essays and applications
- Balancing academic work with meaningful extracurriculars
CBRG Tool: Our test prep planning strategies help students build realistic timelines that reduce last-minute pressure and improve performance.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
College admissions shouldn’t feel like a zero-sum game. Successful students collaborate with parents, teachers, coaches, and counselors to build a support system. They seek feedback, share goals, and stay open to opportunities they might not have considered.
Examples of a win-win mindset:
- Asking teachers for recommendation letters early
- Attending college fairs and webinars as a family
- Applying to a balanced list of reach, match, and safety schools
CBRG Tool: Family strategy sessions and Student Positioning meetings foster collaborative decision-making and shared responsibility.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Before you write your personal statement or choose a college, it’s critical to do your homework. The best applicants listen more than they talk. They read admissions blogs, attend campus tours, and reflect on their values before they try to stand out on paper.
Examples of this habit in action:
- Reading real student essays and feedback from admissions officers
- Reflecting on personal experiences before brainstorming essay topics
- Visiting campuses and talking to current students
CBRG Tool: Our essay coaching and college research resources help students develop authentic, compelling applications rooted in self-awareness.
Habit 6: Synergize Your Strengths
Great applications are more than just a list of achievements. They tell a story. Highly effective applicants connect their academics, extracurriculars, leadership, and personal experiences into a cohesive narrative that reflects who they are and what they care about.
Examples of strategic storytelling:
- Aligning your essay with your academic interests
- Showcasing consistent themes across your resume and activities list
- Explaining context around any academic or personal setbacks
CBRG Tool: Our Student Positioning strategy helps students define their unique value proposition and communicate it clearly across all parts of the application.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Just like Covey’s original seventh habit, this one is about renewal. College admissions is a marathon, not a sprint. The most successful applicants take care of their mental, emotional, and physical well-being during the process.
Examples of staying balanced:
- Taking mental health breaks from college talk
- Maintaining sleep, nutrition, and exercise routines
- Celebrating small wins during the journey
CBRG Tip: We remind students and families to take care of each other—especially during high-stress periods like testing and decision season. A healthy student is a focused student.
Habit 8: Embrace Feedback and Revision
Strong applications rarely come together in a single draft. The best students know that revising essays, reworking resumes, and rethinking college lists is part of the process. They actively seek input from mentors, advisors, and peers—and are open to constructive criticism.
Examples of revision-minded habits:
- Soliciting feedback on personal statements and supplements
- Revising application components multiple times
- Updating your college list based on new insights or priorities
CBRG Tool: Our advisors provide one-on-one feedback and editing support for essays, resumes, and application strategy.
Habit 9: Stay Informed and Adaptive
The college admissions landscape is always evolving. From changing test-optional policies to new FAFSA rules, highly effective applicants stay informed and ready to adapt. They keep up with deadlines, attend webinars, and pivot when circumstances change.
Examples of staying adaptive:
- Monitoring updates from target colleges and scholarship providers
- Staying current on financial aid and FAFSA changes
- Adjusting application strategy based on early decision outcomes
CBRG Tip: We help families interpret the latest admissions trends and make real-time adjustments through every stage of the process.
Habit 10: Own Your Journey
Above all, effective college applicants take ownership of the process. They are the drivers of their journey—not their parents, counselors, or peers. They stay curious, ask questions, and take responsibility for their outcomes.
Examples of student ownership:
- Keeping track of deadlines and requirements
- Communicating directly with colleges and advisors
- Following up on application components and financial aid materials
CBRG Tool: Student Positioning is about empowering students to lead with purpose—and to step confidently into the next chapter of their academic and personal life.
Habits Build Outcomes
You don’t need to be perfect to be successful—you just need to be consistent. Building these habits is not about checking off tasks—it’s about creating a mindset that fosters growth, resilience, and long-term planning. Effective applicants aren’t necessarily the most accomplished on paper; they’re the ones who approach the process with purpose, strategy, and heart.
Adopting even a few of these habits can lead to clearer decisions, stronger applications, and more competitive financial aid outcomes. And the best part? These habits extend far beyond college admissions—they lay the foundation for success in college, careers, and life.