10TH GRADE TIMELINE
Do the Values Exercise to see if your ever-evolving self has new priorities. If they’ve changed, assess whether you want to change your current activities so they align with your values.
Continue participating in non-academic extracurricular activities. See if you can deepen your involvement or take on a leadership role in the activities you’ve already been doing. Or step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Volunteer and Do Community Service.
Update your activity log using this template. Type your answers in a Google Doc to save it for the future.
Stay focused on keeping your grades up--this year’s grades are important to college admissions officers.
If your school offers higher-level (honors or AP) classes, challenge yourself academically by taking one a higher-level (honors or AP) class or two (honors or AP classes), in areas that you’re interested in.
PSAT: Some high schools allow you to take the October PSAT as a sophomore. Start practicing now at www.SATpractice.org
Attend a local college fair.
Meet with your school counselor at least once a year to discuss course selection. Continue building this relationship by asking lots of questions about new courses and suggestions for ways to develop your interests..
Parents: Continue researching how to pay for college and set up a college budget.
Visit a college or two locally or while you're on vacation.
Read more about possible college majors and careers to better plan out your high school classes.
If you think you may play Division I or II sports in college:
Register for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse.
Register for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Eligibility Center.
Familiarize yourself with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements. Then double-check that all of your courses are NCAA-approved. Not all high school classes count towards their requirements.
Let your high school counselor know you’re considering college athletics.
Testing
If you're taking an AP class this year, consider sitting for the AP exam (May) and the correlating SAT Subject Test (May or June).
If you're taking a Pre-calculus or Calculus class in Sophomore year, consider taking the Math 2 SAT Subject Test in May or June.
On the fence about which tests to take and when? Check in with your teacher in that subject for some wise counsel.
At the end of the school year, take a practice ACT and SAT to determine which test may be better for you, then set up a testing timeline.
Summer reading: Continue expanding your vocabulary and your world.
Continue exploring your interests during the summer. This could be through a job, internship, volunteer experience, or self-designed project.