Your sophomore year is a crucial transition time between the adjustment period of your freshman year and the increased pressure of your junior year. It is defined by increased academic responsibility, a growth in social maturity, beginning postsecondary planning in earnest, and taking on more meaningful roles in your extracurriculars.
10TH GRADE TIMELINE
Review the OIHS Course Guide to see what classes are being offered. Consider whether you will take any AP classes, and which ones.
Read the 4 Year Game Plan and continue thinking about what you’d like to explore and accomplish in high school.
Meet with Dr. Fletcher to make sure you’re taking the right classes for your chosen pathway, or to dig deeper into those pathways and discuss which might be best for you.
Sign up for extracurriculars, consider keeping some of the same ones from freshman year and looking for ways to take on more responsibility.
If you are planning on attending a military academy, make sure you are taking the right steps at the right time to increase your chances of success. This is a Timeline from Westpoint, but all military academies have similar requirements.
Stay on top of the To-Do list in Schoolinks, revisit your "High school and Beyond Plan" and make changes if needed. Update your profile with any new awards or extracurricular activities, including what you did during the summer.
Attend the Futures Fair. Maybe you have a bit of a better idea at this point what schools you are interested in applying to, get business cards from the reps of those institutions, and ask about fly-in programs/campus visits/admission requirements.
Figure out what you’re going to do for your volunteer hours, you can check out the Orcas nonprofit directory for ideas. Consider Identifying one local organization where you can volunteer every semester, rather than doing one-off events, this type of consistency looks good on both college applications and resumes.
Focus on finishing your classes and doing well on your exams. Create and practice good study habits. Ask the Futures Lounge if you want help with developing a study plan.
Check to make sure your second-semester classes are on track for graduation.
Apply for HOBY by January 31st for a chance to attend a week-long leadership camp with other students from across the state.
FEBRUARY
If you travel during mid-winter break, see if there are any colleges nearby. Even driving through a college campus will give you an idea of the vibe.
If you don’t travel during mid-winter break, consider going to work with a parent or other adult one of the days you’re on break and seeing what it’s like to be in their work environment.
Start thinking about what you want to do during the summer. Internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, or interest based camps are all excellent ways to make the most of your months off, and give you an edge on both college and job applications. They're also fun and engaging!
Consider applying for a scholarship, see what
Work hard to finish your classes and do well on your exams. Remember, a strong start now means you don’t have to scramble to try raise your GPA your junior or senior year!
Now that you've come up with a plan for summer, make sure you're on track to achieve it! Apply for that job, sign up for that camp, or reach out to the businesses or individuals you would like to intern for.
Register for classes next year; check with Dr. Fletcher to ensure you are on track.
Visit college campuses near your home or near any travels you take over the summer. There is nothing better than walking around campus to get to understand the ‘vibe’ there.
Start saving money to fund whatever you choose to do after high school. It’s never too late or too early—every little bit helps.
If you plan on going to college, research financial aid, student loans, and scholarship opportunities to help you pay for it.
If you have questions about this information, please ask!
Jamie Klückow/Post-Graduate Prep: jkluckow@oisd.org
Dr. Fletcher/School Counselor: rfletcher@oisd.org