Sophomore Year Preparation and Checklist

Classes chosen in grade 10 often determine which courses (and course levels) your child will be qualified to take in the important junior and senior years.  If your child was taking college preparatory classes in 9^th grade, they should continue doing so and trying to get the highest grades they can.  They should also continue their involvement in a variety of activities.  They also need to look for ways to further develop their talents and skills.  Also consider having them take the PSAT in October.  The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT.  It is primarily for juniors, but some sophomores take it for practice.

September:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

___Contact the guidance office about information and registration for the PSAT

___Contact the guidance office about college nights/fairs in the area and college representatives’ visits to the school

October:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

___Mark the date for the PSAT on your calendar

___Are first semester classes going well?

November:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

December:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

___Questions about PSAT scores?  Contact the guidance office

January:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

___Evaluate academic progress so far.  Are grades going up?  Do study habits need improvement?

___Is your child participating in extracurricular activities?  If not, reevaluate.

___Begin thinking about worthwhile summer plans (job, study, camp, volunteer work, travel, etc.)

February:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

___Discuss possible course selections for next school year

March:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

___Oversee registration for next fall’s class and activities.  Urge your child to select the most challenging classes possible.

April:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

May/June:

___Read the Guidance Happenings

___Finalize summer plans

___Develop a summer reading list

Summer:

___Make sure your child has a job or participates in constructive activities throughout the summer.  Summer study, jobs and volunteer work always rate high with admission officials.

___If your child has a career goal in mind, help organize a “shadow day” where he or she spends time with someone at work in that field.

___The Internet provides excellent college entrance information.  Summer is a good time for students to check out some of the many sites available and bookmark favorites, without jeopardizing homework time.