You’ve survived your first year of high school and are one step closer to the college admission process. Things are about to get a lot more interesting (and hectic) during sophomore year! But have no fear—we have another collection of our best survival advice to help you conquer the year ahead. Here’s what you should know about getting into the college search mindset, testing the waters of college admission tests, saving money for college, and more. As always, if you have any questions or need further assistance, contact us anytime. We’ll try our best to help you find the answers you need!
Surviving sophomore year of high school
- College Prep in High School: What to Do All 4 Years: Sophomores, find out what you can and should be doing this year to make your college search easier!
- College Prep Steps Every High School Student Should Know About: The best way to maintain your course toward college and not end up freaking out right before applications are due is to create a schedule and break it down over your four high school years. Find out what to do during sophomore year!
- Improving Your College Competitiveness: What Classes to Take Each Year of High School: It's no secret that honors and AP courses look great on college applications. Here are some other ways to maximize your class schedule each year of high school.
- Sophomore Year of High School: Our Best Survival Advice: You survived freshman year, and college is a ways off, so you can take it easy as a sophomore, right? Wrong. Here’s how to make your school year productive and impressive!
Getting in the college search mindset
- When Should I Start Thinking About Colleges?: The experts weigh in on when high school student should start thinking about college (and when to begin their college search!).
- When Should I Start My College Search?: Though it varies from student to student, it's important to start planning for college sooner rather than later. Learn more.
- The Basics of When and How to Begin Your College Search in High School: Do you feel lost when trying to begin your college search? You're not alone. Find out more about when and how to start your search process now.
- When to Ask Your School Counselor These Questions: Need answers about the college search and application process? Don't be afraid to ask your counselor! Here are some important questions you should ask...and when.
- 8 Advantages of Starting Your College Search Early: Senior year is a stressful time for most students. You can make it a little easier by starting your college search early in high school. Here are eight reasons why!
Taking the PSAT
- Standardized Test Timeline for High School Students: What to Take and When?: From the SAT and SAT Subject Tests to the ACT and AP tests, you can encounter a lot of exams throughout high school. Check out which tests you should take sophomore year!
- PSAT Test Prep Tips: Essential Advice: Prepping for the PSAT? Good idea, because this is one practice test that's definitely worth taking. Here's how to study for it.
- The National Merit Scholarship: What It Is and How to Win: What is the National Merit Scholarship and how do you qualify for it? Short answer: it depends on your PSAT score. But there's a lot more to it than that!
Researching college costs
- How to Figure Out Your College Costs: From admission to fees and beyond, there's a LOT that goes into the cost of college. Here's how to research total costs when you're searching for schools.
- Parents, It's Time to Communicate About College Costs: Some parents put off the money talk with their students far longer than they should. Here's why you should talk about college costs early in the search process.
- Scholarship FAQ: Expert Advice to Start Your Search: How, when, and where should you start your scholarship search? Find out all the answers from a professional scholarship strategist now!
- 5 Reasons to Start Your Scholarship Search Early: Starting the scholarship search early is your best chance for minimum stress and maximum rewards. Here are five reasons why starting early is a good choice!
- How to Save Money for College as a High School Student: College is expensive, period. So how can you start saving up in high school to pay for college and everything that goes with it? Read on to find out.
Finding a part-time job
- Summer Jobs, Internships, and Volunteering: From summer jobs and internships to volunteering, you can do more with your summer than hang out. It might be the key to getting into your dream college.
- Part–Time Jobs and Money–Making Ideas for Students: Looking for a part-time job to earn money in high school? Check out all these options and get your job search or side hustle started with this advice.
- Your First Part–Time Job: A Guide for High Schoolers: Starting part-time employment as a full-time student can be stressful, especially if it's your first job. Here's how to make a smooth transition.
- The Best Job Search Websites for Teens to New Grads: These are some of the best job apps to help high school students, college students, and new college graduates find part-time, full-time, and side jobs.
- Video: Summer Jobs for Students: Sure, summer should be fun, but how are you going to pay for fun without money? Here are some ideas for summer jobs for students around home and your community!
- Need a High School Internship? Here's Where to Look: You may have heard about students getting internships in high school, but do you know where to find one? Here are some of the best places to look!
See, we told you things would really amp up during sophomore year! Bookmark this page for easy access when you really need it, and be sure to check out our College Search tool, Scholarship Search tool, and Lists & Rankings when you're ready to start your search. Good luck, sophomores—after this year, you'll be halfway there!
Want a peek into the future? Find out what’s in store for junior and senior year with our College Prep Checklist for All 4 Years of High School.
