Some people think of sophomore year as kind of a throw-away. It’s not freshman year where everything is new. It’s not senior year where everything is your last. It’s not junior year where you’re scrambling to make it through the barrage of standardized tests. We like to think of it as an opportunity for a cornerstone year. Consider this: you’re well-adjusted to the flow of high school, but the onslaught of junior year has not yet begun. It’s the perfect time to build a solid foundation for the college application process.
Learn to Manage Your Time Effectively
The key to having it all is staying organized. Begin by making a timeline. Write down everything you need to accomplish sophomore year, from studying for exams to touring schools (more on that below). Next, think about how long it will take to accomplish each of those activities, whether it’s a weekend for a trip, or an average of a few hours each week for test practice and extra-curriculars. Then, put it all in your calendar and stick to the plan. It’s not rocket science, but it does require some discipline. Managing your time is a skill you will need for the rest of your life. Best to get a nice planner and some stickers and start practicing now.
Touring: Get to Know What You Like (And Dislike)
Ye old college tour is a crucial part of the selection process. The great news is, whereas some of the activities associated with your college admissions process can seem tedious, stressful, or boring, this one should be fun and doesn’t require a ton of work outside of planning your travel and booking the tours. This is the exploration part of the process. It’s hard to figure out what it is you want in a school without visiting, so your goal sophomore year should be to determine your preferences. Visit a few different types of schools you might be interested in and ask yourself what you liked about each. Did you enjoy the vibe of a big campus or prefer something smaller? Did you mind getting on a plane or feel more comfortable at a school a train ride away? Most importantly, while on campus, go up to real students and ask them the questions you want to know. The manicured school-sanctioned tour is only going to show you what the school wants you to see.
Get a Tutor
Sophomore year is also the time to get a test tutor. If you start preparing for standardized tests now, your future self will thank you. Sophomore year is a great time to prepare for the SAT and ACT and decide which SAT IIs you might take. Your objective should be to take the exams early in junior year. That way, your APs and SAT/ACT won’t overlap too much and you’ll have plenty of time to retake the test if you want to without getting frazzled.
Develop Your Resume
Sophomore year is also a great time to build out your resume. Start by identifying a niche you’d like to pursue for the remainder of your high school career. If you look back on your interests until this point, an expertise should start to emerge. Try to get as specific as possible. Don’t just be a kid who’s interested in math. Aim to pursue a track that’s as specific as mechanical engineering. Your extracurriculars should fit into that niche. Identify 2-3 clubs or activities you’d like to pursue and plan to become the president of two by junior year.
Need some help building a plan for sophomore year? Reach out to us here. We are great at helping students get organized.