The High School Timeline

When my oldest son started high school, I was confident that I knew exactly how to plan out his time to maximize his success in college admissions. But life has a way of changing our plans. My 6’7 boy quit football, switched to volleyball, found out he was a theater geek, and became a top Spanish student, much to the delight of my polyglot heart. Having a plan for the non-negotiables made these and other changes stress-free. 

Wherever you are in the high school timeline, there is still time to adjust your plan to meet your goals. The guide below is simply that, a guide. If you need assistance reframing your timeline, please contact me at [email protected]. 

Freshman Year – Adjust 

9th grade is an exciting and sometimes challenging year. Students move into harder classes, more extracurricular options, and the knowledge that someday, adults will evaluate their performance to determine their future college options.

In 9th grade, it is most important that students take time to adjust to a new environment. I encourage students to start slow and add more challenging classes, more extracurricular activities, and new opportunities as they prove to themselves what they can handle. My best students set aside time to invest in their unique interests, reaching out to discover what the world could hold for them. They also set aside time frequently to read. One skill many students lose due to lack of use is reading comprehension and attention to detail. Both of these skills will one day be important for essay writing and research opportunities. Find a topic you love and read about it every day. 

Sophomore Year – Explore

10th grade is the time to explore what the world has to offer. Students should try out as many activities as they find interesting. Try new clubs and sports, seek volunteer opportunities, and explore research options. Remember that Junior year is likely to be your most challenging year academically, so 10th grade is the perfect time to use your time outside of school to plan how you will invest your time next year. 

This is also the perfect year to try practice tests for the SAT and ACT. Many companies offer free or low-cost opportunities to take these tests in a professional environment without scores being seen by anyone but you. 

Students should consider taking AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, or Honors level courses as their schedule permits. Colleges want to see students challenge themselves, but not to the detriment of their overall GPA. 

By all means, continue reading. 

Junior Year – Invest

11th grade is time to study. This is the final full year of grades colleges will see when evaluating your transcript. If you feel ready, step up the difficulty and challenge yourself. 

Remember to leave time to take a deeper dive into the Extracurricular options that most delighted you last year. It is time to trim the fat and go deep, rather than wide, on your long-term interests.
If you haven’t done so already, prep for and take the SAT or ACT. While not all schools require them, it is helpful to keep options on the table for future college choices. 

Junior year is an excellent window into how you will handle time management in the future. Colleges and universities are very interested in seeing how you manage your time and what you invest it in. Be wise and diligent in this regard. Do not hesitate to ask for help and use technology to help you stay on top of your to-do list. 

Don’t stop exploring your dearest interests. And if those interests change this year, that is totally normal. Do not stress if you want to switch activities. As long as you stay engaged, everything is fine. 

Senior Year – Refine

12th grade will obviously be dedicated to the College Application journey. However, that does not mean that it is time to step back from your other interests. This year can be a key component in your application.

Continue to take classes on par with what you have pursued thus far. Colleges want to see that the challenges you pursued early were not only for their benefit. 

Become a leader in your favorite extracurricular activities. This is the year where you can gift younger students with your knowledge and experience. 

Apply early! Create a timeline and stick to it. Make friends with your college counselor and don’t hesitate to ask your teachers for help. Have trusted friends and mentors read your college essays to be sure they represent the real you. 

Enjoy! These last days of high school can be precious. Leave time to have fun and make memories!