Underclassmen Timeline

Freshmen

With the strong college-going culture at Notre Dame, you may feel there is a checklist you and your son have to complete. During freshman year, this is not the case. NDCP and colleges want students to spend their freshmen year getting comfortable with being a high school student. There is no "right" number of sports and clubs to join. Families do not need to feel the need to start test prep or visiting campuses. At this age, it is vital to take time to learn what interest you (and what doesn't) to learn more about yourself. Leading with authenticity and exploring topics, subjects, and opportunities of interest to the student in the first two years will naturally prepare the student for what's to come in the college search process/

Counselors work with freshmen to explore career clusters and explore different careers during advisory periods. Individual counselors will meet with each freshman at least once per semester to discuss interests and support the student as they begin to get acclimated at ND.

Sophomores

Sophomore year is a good time to begin the deeper exploration inside and outside the classroom. The counseling department helps reflect with sophomores on how they like to learn and what they like to learn about. We hope the student can reflect on this continuously.

We do encourage student to consider looking at school, but this year is truly meant for exploring your interests. Your individual counselor can answer many of your general college questions and are there to support your journey as you continue to meet with them at least once a semester.

Here are some potential questions you may consider for additional reflection:

• What co-curricular activities are you involved in currently?

  • What do you like about the activities you participate in inside and outside the school?

• Is their a leadership position you are currently in or would like to take on?

• How are you hoping to grow this year?