High School Freshman & Sophomore Tips

Fall:

• Make sure your coursework is challenging, but appropriate for your ability level. Colleges look for rigor in your coursework.
• Explore the extra-curricular activities at your high school. Colleges want students who have a life outside of academics. Sports, clubs, and community activities are all good choices.
• Sophomores: register and take the PLAN if it is offered at your high school. Your school may also offer the PSAT to sophomores. 
• Work hard, study hard, do well. Your GPA is a crucial part of the admissions criteria at all colleges.

Winter:

• Choose your courses for the next year.
  
• Keep track of your a-g requirements. Know which classes in your high school are college prep and which are not.
  
• Think about the honors and AP courses you may want to take and do well in sophomore year and up.
  
• Maintain, or even increase the rigor of your program, if you can handle the load, make good grades, and have time for the other parts of your life. Balance is important!
  
• Start thinking about summer enrichment programs: classes, activities such as camps, community service, or a summer job are all worthwhile.
  
• Be sure you are participating in class and developing good relationships with your teachers. You may be asking them to write recommendations for you later.

Spring:

• As the year comes to an end, update, (or begin), your student resume. If you keep track of your activities as you go, application season will be much easier when you are a senior.
  
• Be sure you have signed up for your summer plans or started looking for a job.
  
• Study hard, do well on your final exams.
  
• If you have a D or an F it is important to repair those grades early. See what resources your school and community have for making up grade deficiencies.
  
• Parents—get informed on the college application process so you will be ready to support your student over the next two years—they need it!
  

Summer:

• Take a class, go to camp, play your sport, get that job!
  
• Start visiting colleges. Tour a local colleges or a college while on vacation just to get the feel of what a college campus is like. 
  
• Take the tour, don’t just drive through!
  
• Read books that interest you. Reading is one of the best ways to increase your vocabulary and general knowledge. You didn’t like your reading selections in your lit class? This is the time to dive into something you want to read about!
  
• Relax and enjoy some downtime!
  

Beth Coyle can advise you on course planning  and activities to maximize your college options and maintain balance in your student's life.

Please give me a call to discuss how Coyle College Advising can help you understand all your options.

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