6 Tips for Sophomore Success

Congratulations! You finished your freshman year! So exciting! But what’s next and what do you need to know for your sophomore year? There are many important aspects of sophomore year that you should have information on to set yourself up for future success. And while we may focus on our freshmen to set them up for success, we cannot leave 10th graders behind.

Here are some tips that helped me and may help you succeed during your sophomore year and beyond. 

1. Know Your Limits

Build up to higher level classes to make sure you can handle a heavier work load!

As a sophomore you will have more freedom to choose classes you want. As a result, some may try to take as many AP and Honors classes as possible. This may work for some, but not for everyone. Planning and knowing what you will be involved in ahead of time, from classes, to extracurriculars, and things outside of our school, will help you to understand what you can leave behind to have a stress-free year. That is not to say that you should not take risks and try new things, but do so with the proper knowledge and guidance to ensure that you are the most successful with your choices.

2. Ask for Help

Throughout your entire life, you will need help. Even as a junior, I constantly seek help. Whether asking questions or guidance, it’s important to recognize when to ask for help. This is the key to success. Many times, we will need a bit of extra guidance, and that’s completely acceptable. It is NOT a sign of weakness to request help; instead, it reflects maturity and intelligence. Your teachers, peers, supervisors, coaches, and other adults on campus and in your home will be able to assist you with whatever you need help with, whether it be schoolwork, life advice, etc. This, however, only works if you ask for help. 

3. Get Involved in Something Besides Academics

According to the University of Florida, "Giving learners the time, space, and materials for creative expression can lower stress, improve memory, and make them feel more socially connected."

If you found that high school was boring or just not fun, chances are that you did not join a club to get involved in. Maybe as a freshman, you were shy or tentative, but in your second year of high school, it’s time to experience something new. By joining a club, sport, or other extracurricular activity, you will make your high school experience much more enjoyable. You will get to know people you would have never met otherwise, and you will learn how to improve yourself, among a multitude of other people and experiences. Not only does getting involved make high school more enjoyable, but, like our counselors say, it also looks good for college applications. Colleges want you to be more than just a student. They want to accept people who are involved in their own school and local community. With that being said, go out and join a club or sport next year. And don’t give up if you don’t make that team, find another sport or club.

4. Keep Up On Your Academics

You probably heard the saying that freshman-year grades don’t matter, and while that may or may not be true, your sophomore-year grades absolutely matter. And if you are not attending college, you will need your grades for graduation.  Not passing classes will only set you back to retake the same classes all over again, you will need to take credit recovery classes, even attend a different high school, and it will prevent you from taking other fun classes you wanted to take. Heard of ceramics, weight training, CSI, photography, Link Crew, graphic design, art, choir, theater? These are just a few examples of fun classes and experiences that students get to be a part of because they have room in their schedules.

5. Grades Are Not Everything, Have Fun!

I know, I just said that it is imperative to keep your grades up, but don’t make every second of your sophomore year dedicated to stressing about it. If your A slips down to a B, sure, do your best to get that grade back up, but don’t constantly scrutinize your grades; don’t put yourself down. You will be much more stressed out than accomplished, even if you get the grade up. Instead of stressing about the test or the class, be organized, have a system of studying and doing homework, be consistent, and stay prepared. After that, you’re not really in control of much. 

Don't forget to have fun!

So after doing all of that, instead of staying in a place of constantly stressing yourself, go out with your friends, join sports teams, join that club, and just have fun. Having fun will make your sophomore year, and your entire high school in general, go by faster. 

Like Ferris Bueller says, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” 

6. Resist All Kinds of Peer Pressure

Throughout all of high school, many people will try to pressure you into doing things that you are not comfortable with. While it is good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes and try new things, knowing how to say no to such pressure is key to experiencing a much healthier life during high school and for the rest of your life.

Sounds cliche, but practice saying “No” to some things:

• Say no to drugs, even if you see people around you trying them. 

• Say no to drama, you don’t want to be the star of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. 

• Say no to abusive friends or relationships; it’ll take too much good energy from you.

Knowing how to say no firmly is the key to making you know your limits and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so practice it, even if it’s hard, even if the pressure is from your friends.

Sophomore year is going to be great! As a freshman, you have already done great things, hopefully learned from mistakes, and made good friends. So keep it up, follow this advice, and continue to be you, and no one else. If you ever need any help sophomore year, your family, teachers, coaches, counselors, and upperclassmen will be there to help you along the way. Remember to ask, and at the end of the next year, you will be halfway through high school!

Have fun! I believe in you!