Sophomore Timeline
Sophomore year is all about planning and sharpening your skills. Your most important years are ahead of you, but if you make the most out of this year and start achieving early, you’ll be well set up in the future. It can be overwhelming, but just remember that you have plenty of time to get it all right. When It comes to Academics and Extracurriculars, It’s All About Improvement. You're only in your second year of high school- you are not expected to be a state champion or have a perfect transcript. Instead, you are expected to use this time to learn and improve your skills to set yourself up for success later on. You have time to improve and one of the most important skills is showing effort in all that you do. Check out the link below to keep you on track during your sophomore year.
Build Your Resume Through Your Sophomore Year / 10th Grade
Sophomore year or the 10th grade of high school is a time to begin seriously thinking about post-secondary plans. Tenth grade is when students can start researching colleges, visiting campuses, and thinking about career goals. They should plan to take the PSAT and any AP classes. The sophomoric year should be spent enjoying extracurriculars and exploring school clubs while keeping grades high.
Avoid the 10th Grade “Sophomore Slump”
Sophomores should check in with counselors to stay on track academically and to avoid the sophomore slump when some students can lose motivation. Tenth-graders can avoid the sophomore slump by remembering how important the tenth-grade year is to their overall success in high school!
Sophomore year is a planning period. It is a time to begin thinking of potential colleges, majors, and career goals. Here are a few tips for a successful year of preparations:
Look for Leadership Opportunities
Find which extracurricular activities or volunteer work that best highlights your skills and interests, and focus on earning leadership roles. It is better to succeed in one or two than to spread yourself too thin with many.
Keep Grades Up
Sophomore year is a perfect time to bring up your grades and maintain them. Grades matter more this year than your freshman year.
Challenge Yourself
If you think you can handle the work, push yourself by taking AP and honors courses. Only take advanced courses that you have the time allocated and passion for the subject. Try to sign up for elective courses that are in line with your interest or future career goals.
Take Tests Early
If your school offers the PSAT to sophomores, take it as practice for taking the test as a junior. It will show you what you need to study before taking it again. Develop a strategy for taking the ACT and/or SAT. You may have the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT in the spring of your sophomore year, which can serve as practice for those exams.
Build a College List
Begin a list of potential colleges and research what they have to offer. Include safety schools, match schools, and reach schools. You can edit the list as you do more research and visit campuses in person.