Sophomore

Dear Sophomore, 

By now you’ve grown comfortable with what high school is all about.  You should have an idea of what high school will require of you academically, socially, and in extra-curricular activities.  You’ve probably learned some hard lessons about what it takes to be academically successful.  That’s okay!  Thomas Edison, the guy who invented the electric lightbulb, tried thousands of combinations of materials and configurations all of which failed until he finally found just the right set up.  If he’d given up easily we’d all be sitting in the dark now.  So, don’t give up!  Learn from your setbacks and keep on trucking.  Check out the “to do” list below to find out what you need to be doing to be prepared for your future.

To Do:

1.  Continue researching possible career interests and the education that is necessary for these paths.  Remember, you don’t have to commit yourself to the first career possibility that you research.  Life is full of variety.  Explore!

2.  Research the different possible forms of financial aid for funding your higher education plans.

3.  Find out as much about college as you can.  Read brochures, websites, blogs, pamphlets, newspapers, and talk to whoever will sit still long enough to answer your questions.  Visit a campus or a relative in college.

4.  Take the PLAN test in order to determine which areas you need extra help in order to prepare for the ACT.

5.  Be involved!  Join clubs and teams.  Remember to serve your community and your school.

6.  Check to make sure that you are on the right track to completing all of the necessary course work for graduation and TOPS qualification.  Sometimes these requirements can change between your 9th and 12th grade years.  So, pay close attention.

7.  Whenever possible take AP or Honors courses.  These help prepare you for college classes.

8.  Explore internships and apprenticeships.  If you have an idea about what you want to be when you get out of college or technical school then find someone who does that and ask to help for free in your spare time.  This will give you a real life feel for what that job or career is like.  Just don’t expect to perform surgeory or fly a jetliner.  Sometimes you can’t do everything that a career offers as a volunteer.  Also, it’s okay if you decide that you don’t like it.  It’s better to find out now than after you’ve spent four years in college studying to become a member of that profession.

9.  Enroll in summer enrichment programs.  Look for leadership opportunities.  Often these opportunities can lead to scholarships or letters of recommendation for college.

10.  Many students decide to take the ACT for the first time at the end of their sophomore year in order to get an idea of what they need to do.  This will leave you two whole summers to take an ACT preparation course or to address your weaknesses by studying.

Suggested Course Schedule

The following list is a suggested list of courses for sophomores.  Remember to discuss AP and Honors courses with your parents, teachers, and counselors.  Always consult the core curriculum when making course selections.

English II

Geometry

Biology

Foreign Language (second year in the same language)

PE/Health (must take a half unit of Health at some point)

World Geography

Band, Fine Arts, Theater, Choir  or some form of the arts

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