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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.
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.
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?
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
Ready to take your college preparation to the next level? Contact our admissions consulting team to create a personalized plan for your sophomore year success and beyond.