Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine

10th Grade To-Dos: Winter

Sophomore year is a good time to focus on improving your academic performance and exploring different activities and interests. By this point, you are more familiar with the demands of high school, and you are hopefully learning how to work hard while also taking time to stay balanced. Remember to implement good study and sleep habits, healthy eating, and self-care. In a lot of ways, 10th grade is your foundation year for college applications, and there’s lots of exciting progress you and your LP team can make together.

College Advising

  • Find opportunities to expand or deepen your extracurricular participation. Join 1-2 new clubs, organizations, or activities of interest to you. This is a great time to take some chances: try something you’ve always wanted to try, even if you may not be good at it. Remember, colleges are equally compelled by activities you do formally, like in school or with an established organization, and those you pursue independently. Even your hobbies (art, music, hiking, knitting) can make quite an impact!

    • Keep track of your activities for your future college application. Your College Advisor can share a template with you that mirrors the format you will eventually use to fill out applications. Starting now ensures you won’t forget something later.

  • Prepare to choose your classes for next year. If you have opportunities to challenge yourself (through Honors, AP, or IB classes, for example) you should do so in subjects that you are strong in. You may also be able to choose some elective courses; for these, think of what you enjoy, what you are curious about, and how you can explore them more.

    • Pro tip: Keep in mind that U.S. colleges typically want 4 years each of social science, English, math, and natural science, and at least 3 years of a foreign language.

  • Start studying for the ACT or SAT (work with your LP team to choose the right exam for you and create an effective study plan).

  • Think ahead to your summer plans (deadlines for some academic programs happen as early as January or February). Consider:

    • An academic pre-college program (on-campus or virtual)

    • An internship or volunteer opportunity (local or traveling to a new place)

    • Work (colleges genuinely love to see students who have held jobs because it demonstrates responsibility, time management, and work ethic. Some popular choices include babysitting, lifeguarding, or camp counseling, but don’t be afraid to go unconventional).

    • Of course, remember to build in time to relax between activities so you can refresh yourself and focus on your mental well-being.

  • Discuss your academic and career interests with your College Advisor. Together, you can explore personality and aptitude quizzes to start better understanding how your interests might shape your college list and application process.

  • Begin researching colleges and planning early campus visits. Visit in-person whenever you can by registering for tours (which are led by current students) and information sessions (which are led by admission officers). Early college visits (even if just to some campuses near your area) can help you start to hone in on your specific likes and dislikes.

    • Pro tip: take thorough notes on each visit so you can refresh your memory later on when your College Advisor asks you to reflect on your experiences.

  • Read, read, and read!! Not only is it fun, but it will also help you with your academic performance and standardized testing. Keep in mind, many colleges will ask you about your favorite books on their applications!

Test Prep

  • Learn about the recent changes to the SAT and upcoming changes to the ACT and discuss your testing strategy with your Academic Advisor. Consider registering to join our webinar on Monday, January 27: The New ACT in 2025: What’s Changing and When.

  • Now is an ideal time to start preparing for standardized testing. Complete your diagnostic consultation so you can strategize effectively about whether to take the ACT or SAT. If you begin the test prep process now, and are diligent about showing up for sessions and doing your independent work, you will be prepared to complete official tests in your junior year.

Academic Support

  • Remember that LogicPrep offers academic tutoring across a broad range of subjects. If you’re struggling with a class, let us help you! 

  • Take advantage of school resources: create peer study groups, attend office hours offered by teachers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

  • Develop good study habits. Create a quiet space to work without distractions (*put your phone away*). Figure out which study skills work for you, and start using them regularly.

  • Begin preparing for any AP tests you might have—May is coming soon! Even if you just sit down and map out the course content to create a study schedule, it’s much easier to review one topic/unit per week rather than cramming it all in right before the test. Don’t forget, LP tutors can help!