The Climb: Sophomore Year
schedule picture from macmillandictionaryblog.com
Sophomore year is when things start to get more fast-paced. Classes become harder, you are probably now eligible for AP classes, and college and the dreaded SAT/ACT are on everyone’s mind.
Plan out the next three years of classes
Now is the time to start planning your next three years of classes. This can either be a piece of paper or an Excel sheet. Just always make sure you are able to access it and make changes accordingly. There are three things I recommend you prioritize. Those three things are requirements, the difficulty of classes, and interest. First, make sure you are meeting your requirements to graduate. This differs from state to state, district to district, and school to school, but your high school counselor is the best resource for this. Then, focus on choosing classes that interest you AND classes that you know are challenging but that you can do well in. Choosing a difficult class and not doing well is worse than selecting an easier class that you can excel in. Another thing that varies from teacher to teacher, and not class to class is the level of homework expected and grading. While this is out of your control in high school, this is something to keep in mind as this will affect your overall well-being, and time available to do other activities. However, since you already asked about good teachers your freshman year, you already have this info in mind! If you haven’t figured this out yet, it is not too late to find out!
Take the PSAT
The PSAT is the practice SAT that is offered to all high school students and is taken in 10th and 11th grade. I highly recommend you sign up to try it in your 10th year. This typically happens in October and is a great way to start familiarizing yourself with the SAT. It is critical that you do not dismiss the importance of this test, as it qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship is a national and privately funded scholarship that hands out Semifinalist and Finalist standings per your academic achievements, and in accordance, scholarships toward college. The achievement requirements vary from state to state, but this is a nationally recognized system that colleges take very seriously. Unlike the SAT and the ACT, the PSAT is only offered once a year, and you should take advantage of the potential monetary awards that come with the Scholarship.
Continue excelling in extracurriculars
This is pretty straightforward, but try to get to the next level in sports or clubs if you can. Aim to become a captain, advance to Junior Varsity or Varsity, or become a leader in any one of your clubs. This could also be a great time to continue trying new extracurriculars to see what sparks your interest and fascination! If your high school requires volunteer hours, this is another great way to engage with the community, learn new skills, and stand out in college apps. Our volunteer article is linked here!
Plan to study the SAT/ACT the following summer, and schedule your test date ahead of time
The early bird catches the worm, and in the case of these exams, it could not be more true. While it is true that you can continue to take the SAT or ACT until your first-semester senior year, it is best to just get this out of the way ahead of time. That way, when college application season arrives, all of your focus can be on essays and not spent on test-taking. We have a great guide here on the college application process in more depth. Whichever test you choose to take, spending this summer practicing these tests will give you an edge over others, and you have more time to boost your scores. Remember, you can take the test as many times as you wish, but don't just take the test unprepared as colleges can still request to see all your SAT scores. You are allowed to block that request, but it is better to just take the test at most 2-3 times and achieve a good score.
Optional: AP Exams
If you have studied enough of a subject, or are in an Advanced Placement class this year, you have the option of showing your proficiency by taking a national exam at the end of the school year. This can be done via the AP Exam. The AP Exams can provide college credit and allow you to skip certain required classes if your university chooses to accept your exam score as proof.
Engage in a summer program of interest the following summer
Refer to this guide for a list of programs, internships, and externships that are available for high school students during this summer. This is a great way to experience an industry or a career and see if it is suitable for you! In addition, this could be an experience that is interesting enough for you to consider it a future career. In this case, this is the best kind of content to write about in college applications your junior year when applying to colleges and explaining the “Why This College and Major” question!
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Remember, this is just the beginning! Pace yourself, and keep up the good work. Keep reading to see how working hard now will only make junior year all the easier!
