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Freshman Year Timeline

With our flexible timeline, it’s never too late! No matter where you are in your high school career, you can take control of your future.

DISCLAIMER: We encourage everyone to try their best in classes, make meaningful connections, as well as explore themselves and their interests. If you haven’t followed this timeline completely, do not become discouraged! Try to pick up wherever on the timeline that you’re able to. Don’t forget to have fun!

August

Goal: build a study plan and a relationship with your counselor.

Schedule a meeting with your advisor, and see if your school allows students to take two math classes in one school year (one math class every two quarters).
In the same meeting (if desired), also meet with your advisor to develop your academic plan throughout high school. Review it and do not be afraid to make changes/ask for advice. Now is the time to explore your options.

Goal: build a study plan and a relationship with your counselor.

Schedule a meeting with your advisor, and see if your school allows students to take two math classes in one school year (one math class every two quarters).
In the same meeting (if desired), also meet with your advisor to develop your academic plan throughout high school. Review it and do not be afraid to make changes/ask for advice. Now is the time to explore your options.

September

Goal: meet with your advisor, research colleges, and join extracurriculars.

In September, you should have met your counselor and had a meeting regarding building that four-year plan.
Research the schools that pique your interest and reference the courses they recommend high school students to take.
Attend club and sports fairs, and join the extracurriculars that interest you. Chances are everybody is relatively new as well.

Goal: meet with your advisor, research colleges, and join extracurriculars.

In September, you should have met your counselor and had a meeting regarding building that four-year plan.
Research the schools that pique your interest and reference the courses they recommend high school students to take.
Attend club and sports fairs, and join the extracurriculars that interest you. Chances are everybody is relatively new as well.

October

Goal: determine leadership possibilities in joined activities.

Continue with your regular schooling and after-school activities.
Evaluate the clubs/sports you’re most passionate about and could become a leader. Around 1-3 is ideal. Focusing on a few you’re most passionate about will allow you time for more advanced/unique extracurriculars (passion projects & internships).

Goal: determine leadership possibilities in joined activities.

Continue with your regular schooling and after-school activities.
Evaluate the clubs/sports you’re most passionate about and could become a leader. Around 1-3 is ideal. Focusing on a few you’re most passionate about will allow you time for more advanced/unique extracurriculars (passion projects & internships).

November

Goal: research competitions you can participate in.

Continue with studies and activities. Keep your GPA up!
Research and register for competitions and events that you could partake in. Also consider creating a schedule and study plan to boost your chances of winning, especially for your junior and senior years.

Goal: research competitions you can participate in.

Continue with studies and activities. Keep your GPA up!
Research and register for competitions and events that you could partake in. Also consider creating a schedule and study plan to boost your chances of winning, especially for your junior and senior years.

December

Goal: find summer programs you can apply to in the new year.

With the longer break, you’ll have time to search for and review summer programs. Be sure to put their deadlines into your calendar. (See the Areas of Interest page if you’re in the Philadelphia area. If not, please reach out so we can send you some resources!)
If you’re unsure of what you want to do during this time, no worries. Try researching your ideal job conditions and the fields that interest you/you’re good at. From doing this, you’ll be able to get a feel for the type of job you’d enjoy.

Goal: find summer programs you can apply to in the new year.

With the longer break, you’ll have time to search for and review summer programs. Be sure to put their deadlines into your calendar. (See the Areas of Interest page if you’re in the Philadelphia area. If not, please reach out so we can send you some resources!)
If you’re unsure of what you want to do during this time, no worries. Try researching your ideal job conditions and the fields that interest you/you’re good at. From doing this, you’ll be able to get a feel for the type of job you’d enjoy.

January & Febuary

Goal: apply to summer programs and develop interests/skills.

Begin applying to these summer programs. Specifically, programs that would build new skills and be valuable in obtaining internships or furthering passion projects.
Continue building upon interests and skills. Do this by continuing to participate in clubs/sports and doing personal research.

Goal: apply to summer programs and develop interests/skills.

Begin applying to these summer programs. Specifically, programs that would build new skills and be valuable in obtaining internships or furthering passion projects.
Continue building upon interests and skills. Do this by continuing to participate in clubs/sports and doing personal research.

March, April, & May

Goal: continue with clubs and brainstorm leadership positions for next year.

Freshman year is the perfect year to experiment and simply have fun. Take advantage of your free time while also presenting yourself well to teachers, club members, etc. As stated, build your interests and relationships.
Make sure you have spoken to your counselor to secure your spot in the classes you want to take next year.
Keep your GPA up!

Goal: continue with clubs and brainstorm leadership positions for next year.

Freshman year is the perfect year to experiment and simply have fun. Take advantage of your free time while also presenting yourself well to teachers, club members, etc. As stated, build your interests and relationships.
Make sure you have spoken to your counselor to secure your spot in the classes you want to take next year.
Keep your GPA up!

June

Goal: prepare for summer opportunities and sophomore year.

Before leaving for break, speak to club advisors about what the plan is for next year, and how they handle the leadership roles.
Keep in touch with teachers who have positively impacted you/you have a great relationship with.
Now that freshman year is over (or close to it), plan your summer around the opportunity that you are participating in over break.

Goal: prepare for summer opportunities and sophomore year.

Before leaving for break, speak to club advisors about what the plan is for next year, and how they handle the leadership roles.
Keep in touch with teachers who have positively impacted you/you have a great relationship with.
Now that freshman year is over (or close to it), plan your summer around the opportunity that you are participating in over break.

Summer Break (June, July, August, September)

Goal: enjoy your summer, but be sure to brainstorm!

Participate in that summer activity and be sure to show integrity and interest.

If you couldn’t find a summer activity, no worries! You have a lot of time to find one for next fall or next summer. Do community service / volunteering to fill in that time.

Be sure to volunteer/commit your time to community service.
During this time, also plan how you are going to put together your passion project. Advice and information regarding passion projects can be found in our ‘General Tips’ section. Don’t forget to have fun, explore your interests, learn, and grow!

Goal: enjoy your summer, but be sure to brainstorm!

Participate in that summer activity and be sure to show integrity and interest.

If you couldn’t find a summer activity, no worries! You have a lot of time to find one for next fall or next summer. Do community service / volunteering to fill in that time.

Be sure to volunteer/commit your time to community service.
During this time, also plan how you are going to put together your passion project. Advice and information regarding passion projects can be found in our ‘General Tips’ section. Don’t forget to have fun, explore your interests, learn, and grow!

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