Sophomore 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.
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
August
Goal: prepare yourself for the upcoming school year’s rigor.
- Register for the PSAT at your school or a nearby school and start studying for it.
- Brainstorm ideas for a passion project, independent research project, or an internship.
- Continue to think about extracurriculars that you want to participate in
Goal: prepare yourself for the upcoming school year’s rigor.
- Register for the PSAT at your school or a nearby school and start studying for it.
- Brainstorm ideas for a passion project, independent research project, or an internship.
- Continue to think about extracurriculars that you want to participate in
September
September
Goal: set forth a plan for your school year.
- Sign up for the most rigorous courses your school offers to sophomores
- Create a four-year plan with your academic advisor
- Participate in extracurriculars that your school offers
Goal: set forth a plan for your school year.
- Sign up for the most rigorous courses your school offers to sophomores
- Create a four-year plan with your academic advisor
- Participate in extracurriculars that your school offers
October
October
Goal: continue pushing yourself to the best of your ability!
- Take the PSAT
- Build strong study habits to keep your GPA up
- Participate in extracurriculars that your school offers
Goal: continue pushing yourself to the best of your ability!
- Take the PSAT
- Build strong study habits to keep your GPA up
- Participate in extracurriculars that your school offers
November
November
Goal: participate, participate, participate!
- Use your PSAT results to create a consistent study schedule for the SAT/ACT
- Participate in extracurriculars that your school offers
Goal: participate, participate, participate!
- Use your PSAT results to create a consistent study schedule for the SAT/ACT
- Participate in extracurriculars that your school offers
December
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 which program you want to do, no worries. Try applying to any one of the internships listed that seem interesting to you and you might find your passion!
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 which program you want to do, no worries. Try applying to any one of the internships listed that seem interesting to you and you might find your passion!
January & Febuary
January & Febuary
Goal: start thinking about colleges.
- Create a list of colleges that interest you & sign up for their newsletters/info sessions (especially if they value demonstrated interest)
- Use the StandOutSearch database (@standoutsearch on IG) to record the deadlines for nationally recognized summer programs
- Build your high school resume (See our ‘Templates’ page)
- Continue participating in extracurriculars that your school offers
Goal: start thinking about colleges.
- Create a list of colleges that interest you & sign up for their newsletters/info sessions (especially if they value demonstrated interest)
- Use the StandOutSearch database (@standoutsearch on IG) to record the deadlines for nationally recognized summer programs
- Build your high school resume (See our ‘Templates’ page)
- Continue participating in extracurriculars that your school offers
March, April, & May
March, April, & May
Goal: continue with clubs & brainstorm leadership positions for next year.
- Ensure you are on track to take on leadership positions in clubs / start your own club.
- Plan to visit college campuses; its less stressful to do this now than during junior year
- Make sure you are on track to ace your AP/ final exams
- Start cold outreach for internships or research positions if you have not found one yet for the summer
- Study for and take AP Exams & and final exams
Goal: continue with clubs & brainstorm leadership positions for next year.
- Ensure you are on track to take on leadership positions in clubs / start your own club.
- Plan to visit college campuses; its less stressful to do this now than during junior year
- Make sure you are on track to ace your AP/ final exams
- Start cold outreach for internships or research positions if you have not found one yet for the summer
- Study for and take AP Exams & and final exams
June
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/close to being over, 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/close to being over, plan your summer around the opportunity that you are participating in over break.
Summer Break (June, July, August, September)
Summer Break (June, July, August, September)
Goal: enjoy your summer, but be sure to brainstorm!
- Start your internship or research position and take the time to expand or build out your passion project
- 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!
- Start your internship or research position and take the time to expand or build out your passion project
- 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!
