Grade 10 - Making the Most of High School

10th grade students  should continue to focus on academics, as well as exploring careers, college majors and college options. 

See these important items that your ETS advisor will review during your first meeting, as well as the plan &  for each meeting you 

will have this year, below!

Full Year Sophomore Checklist 

College Financial Aid Basics for 10th Graders

How to Choose a Career Chart

September: Getting Started

We’ll kick off sophomore year by reviewing expectations, your Sophomore Checklist, and the basics of financial aid. We’ll also talk about your classes, grades, and where you are in thinking about possible careers.

Focus Areas:

  • Intake & expectations for sophomore year
  • Review Sophomore Checklist & ETS website resources
  • Financial aid basics (intro level)
  • Career chart & discussion of career interests
  • Check on grades and class levels (weighted vs. unweighted GPA)

October: Transcript & Goals

This month, we’ll review your transcript and set academic and extracurricular goals for the year. We’ll also talk about the importance of tutoring and how to access free support if you need it.

Focus Areas:

November: Career Exploration (Part 1)

In November, we’ll begin exploring careers using Pathful (Virtual Job Shadow). You’ll take an interest assessment and look at careers that match your results.

Focus Areas:

  • Check in on grades
  • Complete Pathful career interest survey
  • Explore career profiles that match your interests

December: Career Exploration (Part 2)

In December, we’ll continue with career exploration by diving deeper into Pathful. You’ll explore more career profiles and start connecting them to your interests and goals.

Focus Areas:

  • Review grades
  • Continue using Pathful for career exploration
  • Discuss additional careers of interest

January: Study Skills & Midterms

This month is about preparing for midterms and building strong study habits. You’ll take part in a study skills workshop and review strategies to help you succeed in school now and in the future.

Focus Areas:

  • Check in on grades and academic progress
  • Discuss midterm preparation
  • Study skills workshop & test prep strategies

February: Course Planning & Opportunities

In February, we’ll review your first semester grades and plan your junior year courses. We’ll talk about NH Scholars and Running Start/Dual Enrollment opportunities that can strengthen your transcript and save you money in college.

Focus Areas:

March: College Exploration

In March, you’ll create a College Board BigFuture account and start exploring colleges. You’ll learn how to search for schools, compare options, and think about what kind of college might fit you best.

Focus Areas:

  • Review grades
  • Create BigFuture account
  • Explore colleges based on size, majors, and location
  • Complete a college characteristics worksheet

April: Financial Literacy

This month focuses on money management and the connection between education and future income. We’ll play the interactive Spent Game, which helps you think about financial choices, careers, and the impact of student debt.

Focus Areas:

May: Wrap-Up & Looking Ahead

In our final meeting, we’ll wrap up sophomore year, talk about preparing for finals, and look ahead to junior year. You’ll also complete your ETS evaluation.

Focus Areas:

  • Review grades & plan for final exams
  • Review junior year activities & preview the 11th grade ETS curriculum
  • Explore summer plans
  • Complete ETS evaluation

Ongoing Support

Sophomore year is about building a strong academic foundation and starting to think about your future. By the end of the year, you’ll have explored careers, learned study skills, started financial literacy, and planned a rigorous course load for junior year. ETS will keep supporting you as you move closer to the college process.