Sophomore (10thGrade) Checklist
The sophomore year is when you will want to start putting your plan together for college.
Fall
If you did not do this as a freshman, sit down with your family to discuss your future. Talk about why you should go to college and set objectives to get there.
Discuss a plan to finance your college education. Get the real numbers based on your personal financial situation. Try the College Budget Calculator.
Understand what the real cost of college is. Sign up to Tuition Fit for FREE.
Continue to explore career options and the college majors that provide the educational background in the fields you are interested in. Utilize The Career Factors for Students course and assessment to help you identify important features of your personality, key motivations, interests, and aptitudes that may help you in your college major and career exploration decision.
Take the PSAT (PSAT 10) this fall, or you can wait until your junior year (PSAT NMSQT). Consider taking a practice test to prepare for the PSAT. The test also serves as a qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s scholarship programs.
Attend college and career information events - including trade school and apprenticeship/internship opportunities.
Investigate and participate in extracurricular school activities, community service activities, and leadership positions.
Talk with your school counselor about your grades and make an effort to maintain high grades.
If you are considering a Military Academy, start the process now. Begin reviewing the applications and request recommendation letters right away.
Winter/Spring
You should begin preparing for the SAT or ACT if you plan to take it during your junior year. Start with practice tests from Khan Academy.
Shadow someone at his/her job if that is the profession that you think you would like. This experience can give you a better idea of what people do in their jobs and whether you find it interesting. While there, consider whether you can see yourself in a job. Whether you are interested in a job or not after your job shadow experience, the experience is always beneficial.
Look for any summer enrichment programs at colleges around the nation that might interest you.
Schedule your courses for the upcoming year with your school counselor.
Summer
If you do not have a job, consider getting one. This can be a great start to saving money for college.
Continue your involvement in community service projects or activities, especially if you can get involved in something that relates to your field of interest.
If you are a student-athlete, look at these interesting statistics at any college in the USA on Scholarship stats.
Continue to consider what kind of career you would like to pursue. Talk to people in different careers to get an idea of what it might be like to have that occupation. Access The Career Factors for Students course and assessment---Job shadow---Talk to people in different careers---Watch career videos on YouTube.
Take virtual Campus Tours or visit your local college to get a feel of what college is all about and the atmosphere.
Consider taking the SAT or ACT during the summer for practice and exposure. Experience sitting for one (or both) of these exams will make your test prep during junior year much more valuable.
Study for the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) – given in the fall of your junior year. Make a study plan for the summer. To prepare for this test, visit College Board’s Studying and Practicing for the PSAT/NMSQT. To take free online or paper practice tests, be sure to scroll to the bottom and select the option “Take full-length practice tests.”
