The Sophomore’s Guide to Preparing for Junior Year Success

Hey, sophomores! Ever wondered where that nickname comes from?

As a matter of fact, the label “sophomore” (students in the second year of school) has a colorful backstory with a surprising double meaning.

Quite literally, the term sophomore is a blend of two Greek roots:

• sophos meaning “wise”
• moros meaning “foolish or silly,” or moro meaning “baby”

Put together, you get “wise fool” or “wise infant.” The word itself first appeared in English in the 1600s, used to describe students in their second year of study. At that time, the idea was that they had gained some knowledge, but often thought they knew more than they actually did — hence, this oxymoronic turn of phrase, which means something along the lines of “little wise fool.”

Essentially, the label sophomore started as a kind of gentle joke about student arrogance. Does it still fit students today?

In some ways, yes.

Many second-year students do feel more confident and experienced than first-years (called freshmen), but you’re also still early in their academic and personal development — and still relatively young, at fifteen or sixteen years of age in high school. The “wise fool” idea can describe that mix of growth and overconfidence pretty well.

The ultimate reminder for sophomores? Don’t let hubris bring you down. The next few years still have the potential to shape your trajectory for the better or for the worse. 

This article will walk through what you should do this year as a sophomore to get ready for next year’s challenges. We’ll cover everything from academics and activities to standardized tests, as well as college and summer plans, to keep you on track for your best future. Together, we’ll avoid making any foolish mistakes and make sure you’re prepared for junior year success!

Sophomore guide to preparing for junior year

To simplify, here are the five main areas you should focus your energy on in your sophomore year to make sure the following one (junior year) is survivable — and maybe even smooth.

1. Academics for sophomore year

The grades and coursework decisions you make right now have a direct impact on your transcript — the very document colleges will scrutinize most closely when admission season rolls around. Sophomore year is often overlooked as a “transition year,” but the truth is that the habits you build (or don’t) and the choices you make (or don’t) now will determine how stressfully your junior year will unfold.

So how can you get ahead? Let’s go deeper.

Core classes matter more than you think

Here’s the thing: colleges don’t weigh every year of high school equally. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the most important academic factor in admissions is still your grades in college-prep courses. And which years are at the center of that evaluation? Sophomore and junior years.

That means your performance in subjects like English, math, science, history, and world language is not just “background noise.” It’s your foundation. Every “A” you earn sophomore year not only boosts your GPA but also gives you the confidence and flexibility to tackle more advanced coursework as a junior. On the flip side, slipping into poor habits now makes junior year a steeper climb.

Learning how to learn

Sophomore year is the ideal time to sharpen your learning skills. Why? Because junior year ramps up the rigor — more AP or IB classes, deeper assignments, and heavier reading loads. If you don’t already have systems in place, next year will feel overwhelming.

Start by experimenting with strategies:

• Active recall (quizzing yourself instead of rereading notes)
• Time blocking (setting aside focused 25–50 minute study sessions)
• Teacher office hours (asking questions before small misunderstandings snowball)

These aren’t just academic hacks — they’re life skills. The ability to organize your time, break down complex material, and advocate for yourself will carry you into college and beyond. Try adopting one new study habit this semester. By junior year, it’ll feel second nature.

Strategic course selection for junior year

Here’s where many sophomores trip up: thinking junior year is about taking every advanced class available. In reality, the smarter move is to be strategic. This student gives a helpful review of what you want to keep in mind when setting up your junior year schedule in sophomore year.

Here’s the short version. When choosing next year’s courses, remember: 

1. Challenge yourself without drowning. Admissions officers respect a balanced transcript more than one overloaded with APs and Bs.
2. Align with your interests. If you’re leaning toward pre-med, prioritize AP Biology or Chemistry. Future engineer? Advanced math and physics matter more than AP Art History.
3. Think about your long-term trajectory. Ask: how will this year’s choice set me up for senior year?

Pro tip: before course registration, talk with both your school counselor and one teacher you trust. Ask how your planned courses align with your goals. This extra step ensures you’re not choosing classes in a vacuum.

2. Sophomore extracurriculars

When it comes to extracurriculars, a common sophomore mistake is thinking more is always better. But ten halfhearted commitments don’t impress admissions committees the way a few meaningful, consistent ones do. Junior year is often when leadership opportunities open up — so the moves you make now, as an underclassman, can set you up to shine later. 

Here’s how to think about it strategically.

Stick with what matters

Colleges don’t expect you to be involved in everything. In fact, they’d rather see you devote real time and energy to two or three activities than scatter yourself across a dozen. Why? Because sustained involvement demonstrates passion, resilience, and growth. Think of your extracurriculars like a story arc; that’s the kind of clear progression colleges notice.

Emerging leadership roles

Here’s the catch: leadership doesn’t happen overnight. If you want a title or new responsibility junior year, you need to signal your interest now. 

That could mean:

• Asking your club advisor what positions will open next year.
• Volunteering to lead a small project or event this semester.
• Offering to mentor a younger student who’s just joining.

Remember, leadership is not just about titles. Starting a fundraising initiative for your sports team, organizing a community service project, or coordinating a small group within a larger club all count as leadership experiences. Colleges value these contributions because they show initiative.

Exploring new interests without overloading

Does this mean you’re locked into the activities you already do? Not at all. Sophomore year is still a good time to try something new — but with intention. Pick one fresh activity that genuinely excites you and commit to exploring it. Don’t spread yourself thin by joining every club at the fall activities fair.

A practical way to test the waters? Give an activity one semester. If it energizes you, stick with it into junior year. If not, step back and focus on the ones that truly matter. As with many other parts of life, balance is key.

Download your free copy of Empowerly’s Guide to Extracurriculars for more guidance on how to handle (and optimize) your activities outside of school, too.

3. Standardized testing for sophomores

Junior year is when most students officially tackle the SAT or ACT, but the groundwork you lay now can make that process far less stressful later.

So what should sophomores actually do? Let’s break it down.

PSAT practice now, payoff later

Many sophomores will take the PSAT 10 in the spring. While those scores don’t count toward the National Merit Scholarship Program (that’s junior year’s PSAT/NMSQT), the practice is invaluable.

Think of it as a no-pressure dress rehearsal. You’ll learn what standardized testing feels like, where your strengths lie, and what areas need attention. Even if you don’t formally prep, showing up and giving it an honest effort gives you a head start on test familiarity.

Mapping SAT and ACT dates

Most students target spring of junior year for their first official exam, with a possible retake in the summer or fall. By sketching out your timeline now, you avoid cramming later. 

A typical plan looks like this:

• Sophomore spring: take the PSAT 10 (or a diagnostic SAT/ACT).
• Junior fall: light prep begins.
• Junior spring: first official SAT or ACT.
• Junior summer/fall: second attempt if needed.

Mapping this out as a sophomore means you’ll hit deadlines calmly, not in a frenzy.

AP/IB exams preview

If you’re already enrolled in AP or IB classes as a sophomore, you may face your first major exams this spring. These scores can earn you college credit later and give you an edge in admissions. Don’t panic if your school doesn’t offer AP/IB yet — what matters is making the most of the advanced courses available to you.

Even a single AP course sophomore year is a chance to practice balancing heavy reading loads, long-term projects, and timed exams — skills that will serve you well when junior year ramps up.

4. College planning in sophomore year

Sophomore year may feel early to think about college, but in reality, this is the perfect time to start planting seeds. The exploration you do now will save you time (and stress) when application season arrives. Think of it as gentle preparation: no binding decisions, just curiosity, discovery, and awareness.

Here’s a great video introduction to how to get started:

Career interests shape course selections

Wondering what you might want to do in the future? Sophomore year is a safe space to explore. Even if you don’t know your exact career path, identifying broad interests helps you make smarter course decisions.

For example:

• Interested in engineering? Prioritize math and science classes that build toward advanced options like AP Physics or Calculus.
• Thinking about pre-law? Get involved in debate, Model United Nations, or public speaking clubs to sharpen your communication skills.
• Leaning toward art or design? Consider electives like graphic design or photography, and start building a portfolio.

You don’t have to lock in a career, but by connecting academics to potential pathways, you’ll make your high school years more intentional and more compelling on applications.

Exploring colleges

Now is also a good time to start getting familiar with different types of colleges. You don’t need a final list, but you can create a “starter list” of five schools that interest you, and research options based on size, location, and programs.

If you can, visit a local college campus — even if you’re not planning to apply there. A Saturday afternoon stroll or guided tour gives you a feel for campus culture, dorms, and student life. Many schools also offer virtual tours, which are great for exploring from home.

The goal isn’t to decide now—it’s to start learning what you like and don’t like so that junior year research feels more focused.

Financial aid awareness

Money matters. Even if your family isn’t ready to crunch numbers, you can still learn the basics: the difference between need-based aid, merit scholarships, and private awards. Familiarize yourself with terms like FAFSA and CSS Profile, which you’ll encounter as a senior.

The earlier you understand the financial side of college, the more informed your choices will be. Some families are surprised to learn that private colleges with high sticker prices can sometimes be more affordable than public universities once aid is factored in.

Bonus: tools to help your college exploration

• CollegeBoard’s BigFuture: explore schools by major, size, or location
• Niche: read student reviews and rankings
• Scholarship resources: filter by eligibility and award amount to streamline financial aid

5. Summer planning (for the summer before junior year)

Summer isn’t just a break — it’s an opportunity. The months between sophomore and junior year are especially valuable because they give you time to grow without the pressure of daily classes. What you choose to do can shape not only your skills and experiences but also the stories you’ll share in your college applications.

So what are the best ways to spend this time?

Intellectual enrichment

Summer is a chance to strengthen your academic foundation. That might mean:

• Taking a summer course (at your school, a community college, or online).
• Getting tutoring in a subject you found challenging during sophomore year.
• Starting light test prep to ease into junior-year testing season.

Here are a few more great examples. Even a few weeks of focused work can prevent the dreaded “summer slide” and give you momentum heading into the fall.

Experiential learning

Not everything valuable happens in the classroom. Consider experiences like:

• Volunteering with a local nonprofit.
• Shadowing a professional in a career field you’re curious about.
• Interning with a community organization.

For example, a sophomore who volunteers at a hospital one summer might discover an interest in healthcare — and later write a standout essay about how that experience shaped their perspective.

Check out this video from Empowerly counselor Denard on how to land a last-minute internship experience this summer:

Rest and recovery

Finally, here’s the part students (and parents) often overlook: rest is productive, too. Use the summer to recharge, pursue hobbies, and enjoy time with friends and family. Sometimes those hobbies — photography, creative writing, coding a passion project — become unique essay topics later on.

Common sophomore mistakes to avoid:

• Overloading your schedule to impress colleges, without considering burnout.
• Joining too many clubs without depth or commitment.
• Ignoring standardized test timelines and scrambling junior year.
• Procrastinating on college exploration until it feels too late.
• Neglecting rest and hobbies, thinking colleges only care about academics.

From “wise fool” to “wise planner”

The choices you make sophomore year, from academics to extracurriculars, from test planning to summer experiences, can tilt the scales toward a smoother, more successful junior year. 

Before we wrap up, let’s recap the key sophomore-year decisions that will make junior year stronger. This is the year to:

• Build habits in your core classes that will carry you through tougher coursework.
• Commit to extracurriculars that show passion and prepare you for leadership roles.
• Map out a smart (and stress-free) testing timeline.
• Explore college and career possibilities without the pressure of making final decisions.
• Plan a summer that balances learning, exploration, and rest.

Remember where we started? The word sophomore comes from the Greek roots for “wise” and “fool.” It’s meant as a playful reminder that, at this stage, you know more than a freshman but still have plenty of room to grow. 

That’s not a weakness: it’s an opportunity.

If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of the process, Empowerly’s team of expert counselors is here to help. From course planning to extracurricular strategy and personalized college guidance, we can map out your sophomore-to-junior game plan together. Don’t wait until junior year feels overwhelming — book your Empowerly consultation today and start turning wise intentions into wise action.