Sophomore Year

Things Sophomores Need To Do:

Fall

  • Plan for the Year Ahead.
  • As you receive information, be sure to maintain a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
  • STUDY. Keep up with homework assignments and academic responsibilities. If you are having problems, ask questions and seek help. Continue to build a solid GPA as a sophomore. It is easier now than trying to raise it as a junior and senior.
  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT
  • As a sophomore, you are already signed up for the PSAT/NMSQT, courtesy of the state of Indiana. The test is given in October. Get free online PSAT/NMSQT practice at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html.
  • Because you are taking the PSAT/NMSQT check "yes" for Student Search Service at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/reg/sss/html to hear about colleges and scholarships.
  • Get more involved with your extracurricular activities. Continue building your resume for your future plans. Remember, it is the quality of your involvement in activities, not the quantity of activities that is important. Leadership is valuable.
  • Start exploring college options. Using the internet, attending college fairs, visiting college campuses and visiting with admissions representatives when they come to CHS are great ways to start learning more about colleges. Use College Search at http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp to find out the required courses and tests of colleges that you might be interested in attending.
  • Explore career options. Job shadowing, volunteering, and interest inventories are ways you can learn more about careers you would enjoy.

Winter

  • Continue to keep up with your school work.
  • Start preparing for college admission tests.
  • Use the access code on your PSAT/NMSQT score report to sign in to My College QuickStart at http://www.collegeboard.com/quickstart. With this personalized planning kit, you can prepare for the SAT using a study plan based on your PSAT/NMSQT results and explore lists of suggested colleges, majors, and careers.
  • You should start taking the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT during your junior year in high school.
  • Talk to your counselor and teachers about taking SAT Subject Tests in your strong subjects this spring. Take Subject Tests such as World History, Biology E/M, and Chemistry while the material is still fresh in your mind.
  • Starting in November, meet with your counselor to create your class schedule for junior year and discuss your future plans. Review your schedule with him or her to make sure you're enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for your future. Colleges want students to take four or five academic courses each semester throughout high school. In addition to your academic courses and as a way to explore careers, take advantage of the variety of electives offered at JHS.
  • Start learning about college costs and how financial aid works.
  • Continue to explore college information. Visit colleges while they're in session and find out about college firsthand from college friends who are home for the holidays.

Spring

  • Stay Focused. It is easy to let your grades slide when "spring fever" hits. Keep studying!
  • Explore Summer Opportunities. Look for a great job, internship or volunteer position. Check with your counselor and search online for summer school programs for high school students at colleges.
  • Take the ECA exams (English 10 and Algebra I) that are required for graduation.

Summer

  • Make the most of your break by participating in activities, work or volunteer experiences that will help with your career goals.
  • Start a summer reading list to boost your skills. Ask your teachers to recommend books.
  • Plan to visit college campuses to get a feel for your options. Start with colleges near you.

Additional information

  • If you are having grade problems in a course, use any of the following resources to improve your coursework:
    • See your teacher for a private conference to gain suggestions for improvement.
    • Work with a tutor.
    • Talk to your counselor.
    • Get together with a friend or friends to help you with the course.
  • Continue gathering information on colleges and post-secondary opportunities:
  • Set up college campus visits by contacting the admissions offices at the universities.
  • Stay involved or become involved in school and community activities. This can determine your eligibility for National Honor Society or future scholarship opportunities:
  • Community service - volunteer and keep a record of your activities and hours
  • Continue to explore career options.
  • The Indiana Career Explorer website is a great tool to use for career exploration, information, post-secondary planning, financial aid and scholarships.
  • If you are interested in receiving vocational training while still in high school, consider taking classes at the Elkhart Area Career Center. Juniors and seniors can choose from 22 programs at this career-technical center. One- and two-year programs are available. Classes meet for half a day every day, allowing students to fulfill their graduation requirements at JHS.