Whether your child is a senior preparing for her last year of high school, or a toddler beginning her first year of pre-school, it's never too early or too late for you to start thinking about her journey to college.

Last year, I was drifting lazily through the summer, waiting for my senior year of high school to begin. I'd never spent much time worrying about college, and I wasn't about to start... and then came August.

By this point, college is certainly on most people's minds - parents and students alike. However, they are not yet in the midst of the sometimes hectic, sometimes disheartening, sometimes emotionally challenging admissions process. They don't yet fully realize what colleges are looking for and, lacking that information; they have no way to prepare for what's to come.

Most students are aware that academic performance is a factor. Colleges are interested in students who demonstrate success in high school, take challenging courses and rise to the top of the class. But no matter a student's GPA, the right college is still out there. Also playing an important role: standardized test scores; community service; extracurricular activities and hobbies; application essays; letters of recommendation; interviews and more. These help to make each student unique and, hopefully, a desirable member of an educational community.

August is the perfect time for your child to make things easier for herself later on in the year, from adding to her resume, to preparing for SATs, to getting a jump start on the admissions process.

Community service not only impresses colleges, but can give teenagers confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Throughout this month, no matter your child's interest, opportunities for service across Los Angeles are plentiful. Suggest that your teen considers some of the following programs, and offer to volunteer with her if you have the time - it can be a great bonding experience.

Habitat for Humanity - which makes owning a home possible for low-income families - is a "unique volunteer experience for people over 16 years of age" that teaches skills in construction, fundraising, family relations and more (HabitatLA.com).

For teens who hope to cultivate an appreciation of the outdoors, working in the Seedling Nursery at TreePeople's Coldwater Canyon Park Headquarters, or joining other volunteers at tree plantings all across L.A., can be a highly rewarding experience (TreePeople.org).

Students can also volunteer at local elementary schools, old age homes, soup kitchens, hospitals, animal shelters, community centers, libraries or even their own high schools, many of which are understaffed and could sorely use the extra help.

In August you should also help your child select a realistic list of schools to apply to, discussing key issues such as cost, size and distance from home. Books like Fiske Guide to Colleges, U.S. News Ultimate College Guide, Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools You Should Know About Even If You're Not a Straight-A Student and The Insider's Guide to the Colleges can be great resources. Keep in mind that this is a difficult time for teens. Try not to make it worse by pressuring your child, but make sure you're there for her when she needs you. Encourage her to reach for a dream school or two, even if it's a long shot. The perfect fit for your child is out there somewhere.

And once that's done, she can get a jump start on college applications and essays. Although I will offer tips for these in the coming months, know that it's important for her to be honest on the application, and to write her own essays, even if they turns out to be silly or unusual. Admissions officers want to get an idea of who each student really is. Some colleges also offer the opportunity for students to alternatively or additionally send in artwork, writing, a short film, or other creative works (check with specific schools for details).

Lastly, SATs are an important and perhaps the most nerve-racking aspect of your child's college application process. Unfortunately in today's competitive world, many students receive preparation for the SATs. Don't send your kids into the test room at a disadvantage. If you haven't done so already, use this last month to focus on SAT test preparation. Such courses are easy to find in the L.A. area, including those from Ivy West (IvyWest.com), Kaplan (KapTest.com), and The Princeton Review (TestPrep.PrincetonReview.com). Both classroom sessions and one-on-one instruction is an option, depending on your child's learning preference. Widely available books such as The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT by the College Board and How to Prepare for the New SAT from Barron's can also let your child know what to expect and how to study alone.

Get ready! This year will be frenzied, exciting and emotionally-charged. Be available to help your child when she needs you, make sure she doesn't fall behind in the process, and give her the freedom and space to make the most important decisions for herself.

Remember that nothing is a death sentence. While most students are happy wherever they end up, even if it's not where they originally wanted to be, transferring is always an option.

And don't be so focused on college applications that you forget to spend some quality time with your child, who may very well be leaving home to attend one of those schools before you know it!