EXCEL
at School
EXPLORE
Career Paths
IDENTIFY
Your College
FUND
Your Education
APPLY
with Confidence

FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORES
Excel at School

Discuss your course schedule with your high school counselor

  • Plan to take challenging courses that will prepare you for your career path.
  • Ask about prerequisites for advanced-level junior- and senior-year courses. Make sure you are on track for graduation.
  • Talk with your counselor about your best fit for classes. It’s important to find a good balance between a strong grade point average (GPA) and taking challenging classes.

  • Most four- year public universities require at least two years of a foreign language.

  • You’ll be taking it in the 10th grade. Take the test seriously. Although it’s also taken in 11th grade, all Delaware sophomores take it free in school.
  • Check your results and work on any academic weaknesses while there is still plenty of time to make improvements.
  • Use Khan Academy — a free online tool that provides customized study guides just for you at khanacademy.org/sat. It will help you improve your scores for the SAT, which is often needed for college admission.

  • Extracurricular activities can help you develop time management skills and enrich your high school experience, all of which looks great when you apply to college.

  • A mentor is a trustworthy adult or older student who can answer your questions and guide you. Ask your school counselor or a trusted community
    leader about programs that connect you to a mentor.

  • Learn how to take notes, make outlines, and do research. The more you do now to improve your skills, the easier high school and
    college will be.