Rising Sophomore Checklist

Updated on July 7, 2025

Congratulations on making it through your first year of high school! You have accomplished so much during an exceptionally challenging year. Now is the time to check off some items before your sophomore year in high school begins. 

Choose Your Courses Strategically

Have you finalized your courses for sophomore year? If not, how did your courses go in ninth grade? If you received a B+ or higher, you may want to consider taking a more challenging course in the upcoming academic year. Are you nervous about your honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses being too challenging? Consider taking an intro course in the subject through EdX or Coursera  before school starts. You could also start working with AcceptU tutors to build confidence in challenging subjects or get ahead in AP coursework—especially valuable if your school doesn’t offer the specific AP courses you want to take.

Making Smart Course Decisions:

• Review your freshman year performance in each subject area
• Consider the natural progression: if you excelled in Honors English 9, Honors English 10 or AP Language might be appropriate
• Don’t overload yourself—balance is key for sustainable success
• Research specific AP courses sophomores can take: some are better suited for sophomores (AP World History, AP Psychology) while others typically wait until junior year

Reflecting on Academic Performance

Analyze your freshman year honestly.

Were you happy with your final grades? Were they a true reflection of the effort you put in? If you were disappointed, do you know why? Did you follow up with your teachers to ensure you understood the content?

Grade Recovery and Improvement Strategies

If your freshman grades weren’t where you wanted them, sophomore year is crucial for demonstrating an upward trend. Colleges love to see improvement and resilience.

• Identify specific challenges: Was it time management, study techniques, or understanding concepts?
• Seek help early: Don’t wait until you’re struggling—reach out to teachers within the first month
• Build relationships: Attend office hours, participate in class, show genuine interest in learning
• Track your progress: Monitor grades weekly, not just at report card time

Set SMART Goals for Sophomore Year

Make sure your academic goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example: “I will improve my math grade from a B- to a B+ by attending weekly tutoring sessions and completing all homework assignments.”

Determine Which Extracurricular Activities and Academic Interests You Want to Explore

Choose activities with purpose and passion.

Think about the activities you took part in this past year. Did you enjoy them? Which activities do you want to join in the next school year? If you’re not sure what to do the summer before your sophomore year of high school, check our summer activities guide, use this time to reflect on what excites you, and double down on it.

Building Your Activity Portfolio:

• Depth over breadth: It’s better to be deeply involved in 3-4 activities than superficially involved in 10
• Leadership development: Look for opportunities to take on responsibilities within your chosen activities
• Alignment matters: Include activities that connect to your academic interests and potential career goals
• Community impact: Seek activities where you can make a meaningful difference

Summer Program Planning: For students looking to combine academics with their personal passions, AcceptU’s mentorship program offers a great opportunity to connect with professors and PhD mentors working on research projects, business ventures, or civic engagement portfolios.  Whether you’re looking for summer programs for sophomore high school students in STEM, arts, or leadership, there are options to match every goal. Click here to discuss the types of offerings available with us.

Start Thinking About What You Want in a College

Tenth grade is a great time to start visiting colleges (both virtually and in person). Choose different types of colleges to explore online. This will help you determine what type of college experience you want.

Virtual College Exploration Strategy:

• Take official virtual tours offered by admissions offices
• Follow colleges on social media to get a feel for campus culture
• Read student blogs and watch student-created content
• Research specific academic programs and their requirements

Creating Your College Research System:

• Start a spreadsheet or use a college planning app to track schools of interest
• Note what appeals to you about each school (size, location, programs, culture)
• Create pros and cons lists for different types of institutions
• Keep track of admission requirements and deadlines

 Begin Your Testing Journey Strategically

While you won’t take the SAT or ACT until junior year, sophomore year is the perfect time to start building the foundation for standardized test success.

• The PSAT (typically taken in October of sophomore year) is excellent practice for the SAT

• A good PSAT score for a sophomore is generally considered to be above the 85th percentile or around a 1000+ score, depending on your goals

• Use free practice tests and prep resources to familiarize yourself with question formats

As you move into the 10th grade, keep your plans nearby and revisit them frequently. This will help you meet your goals and prepare you for the next step in the college process. After making it through this past year, you are more than prepared for the challenges to come!