Freshman year of high school flies by and before you know it, you are already preparing to step into 10th grade and become a sophomore. After a whole year of trial experience, you should be able to navigate high school rather smoothly. Before you create a conundrum in your head, here’s some advice for sophomores.

1. Get involved in extracurriculars that genuinely interest you

The best high school advice we can give for 10th graders is to join as many clubs as you can. As obvious as this sounds, it may become blinding for students to decide if they seek involvement in a club or afterschool activity because they will feel enriched by it or they just want to write it down as one of their accomplishments in high school. You can join as many clubs as you want but if you are not truly interested in their cause and purpose, they are of no substance to you. Investing time in cultivating interests that you already have and exploring interests you might want to pursue is better. Don’t ever make decisions about extracurricular activities based on what you think might look good on an application, be true to yourself.

2. Continue taking a foreign language throughout high school

Being bilingual is a common occurrence nowadays. Language classes are usually a requirement because the skills you develop are extremely beneficial. Take the classes seriously, don’t just coast through the class and only aim to pass it. It will also help you when you go off to college, as many institutions have opportunities to study abroad that lead to expanding your academic and cultural boundaries.

3. Take practice standardized tests like the PSAT seriously

Since the PSAT has no stakes, a lot of students take it for granted. However, it is an incredibly good tool to gauge where you are and where you need to be. It will help you start studying for your standardized tests and give you a basis of experience so you know what the real tests will be like. Next year you will also be taking the PSAT in October, however, this time merit scholarships are at stake. The October test is called the PSAT/NMSQT, short for PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. If you score high enough, you can become eligible for scholarships that will help you finance college. If you have a good PSAT score in 10th grade, aim to get it higher for the PSAT/NMSQT.

4. Step into leadership roles in clubs and activities

Sophomore year you are usually assisting club meetings and volunteering within some clubs at your school. After all the involvement, you know what can be beneficial to the club and what might need to be changed. It is your chance to better the club by becoming a club leader. This doesn’t only apply to clubs, but to every other aspect of your life. Start cooking for yourself, find a job, start tutoring, etc. Take leadership in and out of the classroom and seek experiences that will prepare you to step out of your boundaries and strengthen your leadership skills.

5. Challenge yourself with the right academic courses

Another very obvious piece of advice, but one you should consider. You are not in high school just to go to a good college afterward. The knowledge, not only academically but personally, is going to start shaping who you are and who you will become. Choose classes strategically to align with your goals and interests. Always try to take the classes that will challenge your position and help you build your knowledge reservoir.

6. Know your limits and don’t overload yourself with classes

With that being said, don’t go crazy with your classes. Taking 16 APs in high school doesn’t mean much if you pass with Cs. Take classes that you know are within your potential and that will simultaneously allow you to have free time and enjoy high school. Instead of taking the most rigorous coursework, I would suggest crafting a schedule that you are intrigued by beyond the fact that it is an advanced class. Understand your boundaries now so that you know what type of classes and schedule you are able to manage in college.

7. Start building your college list and visit campuses

Start filing down on your interests and what you expect from your college experience. Write a list of what you want and what you don’t and make a list of colleges that you might be interested in looking into. Check out your local state school and universities to get a sense of what college life might look like. Even better, if you are able to travel and visit universities, start early. It is best when you are already informed in junior year and you only have a few other colleges to visit and you’re ready to make your final college list.

8. Learn effective time management skills

Everyone works differently, therefore you will need to find the best way for you to be productive and manage the time you have to not only get work done but get to have fun as well. Sophomore year is great to start taking deadlines seriously. Try to follow a schedule and be realistic with the time you give yourself to study. Don’t cram!

9. Do all assigned readings to build critical skills

Seriously. It is surprising the number of students who get by reading Cliff notes and summaries instead of actually reading what they are supposed to read. Even though that might be the case and you’re doing just fine, what are you learning from that? You are wasting your time and not really grasping the benefits that you gain from reading the actual novel, like problem-solving skills and being able to deduce things from the context given.

10. Build a relationship with your guidance counselor early

Senior year you will most likely live in your counselor’s office. It is not a bad idea to become acquaintances with them now. They are there to help you, therefore if you even have a college question or personally need help, they are great to have by your side. If you feel like you need additional help, consider contacting an independent advisor to help you through the college admissions process.

Whether it’s getting involved in new extracurricular activities, preparing for junior year, or challenging yourself by taking on more rigorous classes, our college counseling program‘s student-centric approach focuses on making the student as well-rounded, but competitive as possible.

Key takeaways for high school sophomores

As a high school sophomore, it’s important to focus on building a well-rounded experience by participating in extracurricular activities that genuinely interest you, continuing to develop valuable skills, and preparing for the SAT and ACT. This is also the perfect time to take on leadership roles.

Remember, while it’s important to challenge yourself academically, it’s just as important to know your limits and avoid overloading your schedule. Sophomore year is the best time to start building your college list, visiting campuses, and form a relationship with your teachers and advisors. By following these pieces of advice, you’ll set yourself up for success both in high school and beyond.

How Prepory can help 10th graders

At Prepory, we specialize in guiding high school students through every step of the college admissions process, and sophomore year is a critical time to start preparing for the future. For 10th graders, we provide personalized college counseling services to help you make informed decisions about extracurricular activities, develop leadership skills, and create a strategic academic plan that aligns with your goals. Our expert counselors also assist with college list building and time management strategies to ensure you’re on the right track. Whether you need help identifying the right colleges or navigating the complexities of high school, Prepory is here to support your journey.

Learn more about how Prepory can help sophomores by visiting our 10th Grade College Counseling page.

FAQ: High school advice for sophomores

Yes! Sophomore year is a great time to start exploring colleges and thinking about your future. Visiting local schools and researching online are great ways to get started.

Quality is more important than quantity. Focus on activities that you genuinely enjoy and where you can show meaningful involvement.

While the PSAT in 10th grade doesn’t have stakes, it’s a great way to prepare for future tests, including the PSAT/NMSQT, which offers scholarship opportunities.

Prioritize courses that align with your strengths and interests while making sure you leave time for activities and relaxation.

You can become a leader in numerous ways! You can take on leadership roles within your community or personal life through jobs or tutoring, or you can become a leader through clubs and teams you’ve been involved in before.

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