Sophomore Year

Work with a tutor to make sure you have a strong foundation in math, reading, and writing. You'll need these skills when you prep for the ACT or SAT next year!

Be an active member in a few extracurricular activities -- bonus points for continuing in the clubs you were in and teams you were on last year! Colleges care far more about the length of time you were in an activity than they care about the number of activities you participated in.

Begin to specialize. Think about what you liked -- and didn't like -- your freshmen year. Let your experiences guide your choices in classes and afterschool activities.

Make a difference! Organize a service day in your community where your peers can volunteer their time reading to nursing home residents, picking up trash, or spreading awareness about a cause that's important to you.

Apply for leadership positions in organizations you're in. If you're in marching band, try out for drum major or section leader. If you've been on a sports team, talk to your coach about how you can improve your game over the summer so that you can be a team leader next year. Run for class officer or club president. Teach a Sunday school class. Think of other ways that you can serve in a leadership role - then learn how to be a great leader and make a positive impact over the next two years.

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