Sophomore Year Timeline

Use this guide to help navigate your Sophomore Year.
 
Fall
  • Establish a solid routine with balance between school, extra curriculars, fitness and sleep
  • If you haven't already, join clubs, sports and/or find a job
  • Keep your grades up this year--many colleges look mainly at 10th and 11th grade GPAs
  • Challenge yourself academically and seek support when needed
  • Research careers @ MyNextMove.org
  • Research colleges @ BigFuture.collegeboard.org
  • Attend College Fairs/Campus Preview events
Get a step ahead on your college search and application process
  • Create a professional email account (e.g. firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
  • Create a College Board Account @ collegeboard.org
  • Create an ACT Account @ act.org
  • Want college sports? Register @ ncaa.org/student-athletes/future
  • Create a CaliforniaCollege.edu account to start tracking your college search
  • Create a Google spreadsheet with all your College/Professional logins
  • Explore around on the websites above--get to know the landscape
Winter
  • Consider taking the PSAT for practice this year. You'll take it for real in 11th grade.
  • Link your College Board Account to your Khan Account after the PSAT
  • Review your PSAT results and load practice into Khan Academy
  • Continue researching colleges
  • Identify potential majors for college applications
  • Talk to friends, family and current seniors about their college application experience
  • Sign up in December to take a college class this coming Spring Semester
  • Work on earning your Community Service hours
Spring
  • Turn in unofficial college transcripts for any college classes you took in the Fall
  • Visit local community college, Cal State, UC and private college campuses
  • Take some virtual college tours during Spring Break
  • Explore summer jobs and internships to complete your Senior Internship early
  • Consider what kind of college is a good fit for you:
    • public or private, large or small, geographic location, more urban or less urban, etc.
    • programs offered in your areas of interest
  • Select junior year classes wisely
  • Sign up in May to take college classes concurrently this Summer and/or next Fall
Summer--Rising Junior
  • Get familiar with University of California PIQs and personal statement questions; read some examples of how students answer these questions; brainstorm topics for your answers
  • Visit more colleges and take virtual tours during Summer Break
  • Manage your time so that you can relax and still be productive
  • Prepare for your 11th grade PSAT in the Fall--Khan Academy can help!