10TH GRADE CHECKLIST 

FALL/SPRING

• Stay on track with your courses. Work with your counselor to make sure you’re enrolled in the courses you need to prepare you for college or a career.

• Keep your grades up. Your GPA is a critical piece of your college application.

• Begin learning about the college admissions process. Get familiar with general college entrance requirements (SAT, ACT, A-G requirements). The CCC, your school counselor, Naviance, and college websites are all good sources of information.

• Continue exploring potential careers. Explore your career options in more detail—research possible careers to learn about the tasks, education, and training necessary for each occupation. See CCC for career interest assessments if needed.

• Take on new roles. Stay involved with your extracurricular activities and work toward leadership positions in the activities you like best. Become involved in community service and other volunteer activities.

• Read! Developing your reading skills will help prepare you for tests and make you a well-rounded individual. Read as many books as you can and read the newspaper to learn about current affairs.

• Practice your writing. You’ll need good writing skills no matter what path you pursue, so work on those skills now to get prepared. Find a teacher or another adult who can advise and encourage you to write well.

SUMMER

• Start getting ready for the PSAT. Ask your teachers about the best ways to study. 

• Continue your college search. 

• Attend college fairs and read the material you get from all types of schools—you may see something you like.

• Contact colleges that interest you. Write to schools and ask for more information about their academic requirements and any programs or activities that you’re interested in. It’s especially important to start this process now if you think you want to attend a military academy.

• Get a summer job. Finding steady summer work will look good to prospective colleges and employers. Putting the money you earn away for college will also help you get a head start on a personal savings plan.

• Visit college campuses. (You can do this virtually right now) This is an excellent way to narrow down what you are looking for in a university.