High School Survival Guide - Sophomore Year (P2)

Sophomore year can also be the time when you start to decide what your passions are and what you want to pursue. By knowing this, you can better craft your college application to reflect who you want to be, based on engaging in extracurricular activities that align with your interests. This is why I strongly advise you to explore different activities; you never know what you might enjoy or want to engage in.

Another thing that has been mentioned many times by college counselors is that you should start building your passion project, which involves solving a specific problem related to your interests. According to my college counselor, the process for this includes identifying things you notice around you—anything at all—and then determining the problems that exist related to these observations. After that, think about how you can incorporate your skills, knowledge, and talents to solve these problems.

However, I must emphasize that you should not pursue a passion project solely for the sake of impressing colleges. It’s essential to focus on projects that genuinely interest you and that you care about. Only then can you invest great effort into pursuing these activities, and you’ll find happiness in doing what you love.

In addition to being engaged in school activities, I strongly encourage you to seek out opportunities outside of school. For instance, consider volunteering at local churches or hospitals to support the workers there. You might also think about seeking internships. While internships may seem challenging and intimidating, they can equip you with valuable skills that you might not gain in a traditional environment. So, look for internship opportunities; you never know what benefits they could bring!

You don’t have to limit these activities to the school year. Use your summer break as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience. For example, consider getting a job. The minimum age for employment varies by country, but if you are eligible to apply for a job, why not take the chance? Working as a high schooler can bring many benefits: you can earn money, make connections with older individuals who have valuable life lessons to share, and gain insight into what the workforce is like. These life lessons can be incredibly beneficial.

If you have seen the Common App, you may notice there's a section where you can list your highest achievements. This can be a great way to showcase your interests and capabilities. So, try to participate in different competitions and contests; you never know what might happen, and you could even win some prizes—sometimes cash!

Finally, do try to enjoy your life because high school lasts only once, and you will never have the opportunity to experience it again. Make connections with your friends and ensure that your high school years truly count.