Sophomore checklist

SOPHOMORE CHECKLIST
FALL

PLAN FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

  • Stay informed and on top of your (child's) grades on the Skyward.
  • Review your schedule to make sure you are enrolled in challenging and rigorous classes. Colleges prefer at least three years of a foreign language and four years of core classes (English/math/science/social studies).
  • Start a calendar of important dates and deadlines
  • Get more involved in extracurricular activities and begin to make a résumé of your activities for your college application.
  • Go to college fairs, attend recruiter visits on your campus. Prepare for your semester exams

TAKE THE PSAT/NMSQT

  • Take the PSAT-10 offered on your campus February 27th. Sign up in the Counseling office before December.
  • For more information and practice materials, go to the following site: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
  • Get a free SAT or ACT test online at collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org

SPRING

  • PREPARE FOR TESTS
  • ACT and SAT offer free study guides and online tools at: https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice
    http://www.actstudent.org
  • Prepare for your semester exams

REGISTERING FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

  • Talk to your counselor and teachers about taking AP, Dual Credit and Articulated courses next fall so that you can get college credit while you are in high school.
  • Your courses will be selected on www.careercruising.com. Know your 4 year plan and investigate your portfolio on Career Cruising.

LEARN ABOUT COLLEGES

  • Visit the following sites:
    https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org
    https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
    actstudent.org
    https://colleges.niche.com
    http://www.collegeforalltexans.com
    http://Find.OnlineColleges.com
  • Investigate financial aid offered at those colleges on www.collegeforalltexans.com
  • Visit colleges during Spring break or in the summer.

VISIT THE COLLEGE & CAREER WEBSITE

  • Read our monthly newsletter
  • Learn about important events and dates

NCAA

If you plan on playing sports at the Division I or II level, make certain that you register your 11th grade year of high school and follow the steps needed to be eligible. For more information and how to get started, go to the following site: NCAA INFORMATION (NCAA.org)

EXPLORE SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Look for summer opportunities to put on your résumé -internships, jobs or classes taken in the summer
  • Talk to your counselor about dual credit at the end of your sophomore year
  • Start a summer reading list.

STAY FOCUSED

  • Sign up for rigorous courses, AP, articulated or Dual Credit courses for your junior year. Talk to your counselor.
  • Check the School to Career and Counseling websites for updates and information.