Sophomore

SOPHOMORE

Here are some helpful tips for high school sophomore to help prepare for college. 

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START PLANNING

By planning ahead, you’ll find the best route to your destination, so you can save time and money. Following directions will help you stay on the right path. Discovering things about yourself as you travel along will make the trip more fun. And once you reach your destination of college, you can celebrate!

It may seem like college is far in the distance, so you don’t need to give it much thought yet. Not true! The decisions you make during high school will pave the way to college. Now is the time to make sure you’re taking the right classes, exploring your interests and thinking about possible career choices.

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HAVE A GAME PLAN

Seek direction from your parents and teachers when choosing classes based on your interests and abilities. Talk to your school counselors about the graduation requirements at your school and about your desire to attend college. They know what things might cause road blocks and can steer you in the right direction.

IS A 4-year COLLEGE DEGREE FOR ME?

While there are benefits to earning a bachelor’s degree, you don’t necessarily have to spend four years at a university to get a good job.

While some fields require that you have a four-year degree, there are many careers in STEM, the trades, health care, and more only require a certificate or two-year degree which you can earn at a community college. Moraine Valley has over 130 different career and certificate programs that can get you working in two years or less. 

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PREPARE TO PRACTICE

Entrance exams are a big part of the college selection process – not to mention a good score could equate to scholarship qualifications. Typically the ACT/SAT are taken during a student’s junior year, but it might be beneficial to take practice tests. There are a limited number of testing opportunities per year, so taking the exam(s) sophomore year will give you additional time and chances to improve your score.

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Did You Know?

Students who take math every year of high school are more successful in college than students taking only three years.

Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling website

AP Courses

When building your class schedule, try taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Many colleges award college credit to students who successfully complete an AP course and receive a certain score on the AP test.

SELECT THE RIGHT CLASSES

Choosing the right high school classes will make your journey smoother. Make sure you’re taking all the classes needed to meet your graduation requirements. Try to take advantage of honors and other higher-level courses to challenge yourself. And, as you look ahead to your senior year, plan to take rigorous courses that will prepare you for challenging college work.

 

Most college-bound students should plan on taking four years of math. In addition, make sure you’ve included upper-level science in your schedule. These will prepare you for the ACT and SAT tests that play an important role in college acceptance. If you haven’t yet completed at least two years of a foreign language, be sure you include it when choosing classes for your senior year. This plan will help ensure you’re ready for college-level coursework.

Most college-bound students should plan on taking four years of math. In addition, make sure you’ve included upper-level science in your schedule. These will prepare you for the ACT and SAT tests that play an important role in college acceptance. If you haven’t yet completed at least two years of a foreign language, be sure you include it when choosing classes for your senior year. This plan will help ensure you’re ready for college-level coursework.

  • Extracurricular Activities Make the Journey Fun — and Productive

    Continue to get involved in extracurricular activities. These offer a great way to explore your interests and develop talents and skills that can help you choose a career direction. Take on leadership positions, which look good on college applications and build your confidence. Also, volunteering is a great way to enhance your education and give back to your community.