Freshman year is in the rearview mirror.
And while the pressure of college applications may not feel urgent yet, the sophomore year has a quiet power that often goes unnoticed.
This is the year where patterns take root.
Study habits either strengthen—or start to slide.
Friendships deepen, identities shift, and confidence (or self-doubt) grows louder.
As a mom and a counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how small decisions made in 10th grade shape the road ahead. But that doesn’t mean summer needs to become a race to “get ahead.”
It’s about focus.
Clarity.
And creating space for your teen to grow into who they’re becoming.
Here’s what I recommend rising sophomores (and their parents) prioritize this summer:
Reflect on Freshman Year—With Honesty, Not Judgment
Before you look ahead, help your teen look back.
Ask:
- What classes felt interesting, easy, or challenging?
- What habits worked? What didn’t?
- What surprised them socially or emotionally?
These conversations build self-awareness. And they help students approach sophomore year with intention, not just autopilot.
📝 Bonus tip: Have them write a short letter to their future self about what they want out of this next year. It’s a powerful (and private) way to reflect and refocus.
Solidify Study Habits and Systems
Freshman year was about figuring it all out. Sophomore year is about doing it with more consistency.
Encourage your teen to:
- Set up a Google Calendar or planner they’ll actually use
- Organize their Google Drive or folders from last year
- Try a free note-taking app or digital flashcard system like Quizlet
- Pick one subject to review lightly before August—especially if they struggled
This isn’t about “getting ahead.”
It’s about helping them feel more in control when the school year hits full speed.
Encourage Depth Over Busywork in Activities
Sophomore year is a great time to start deepening involvement—not just trying everything.
This summer, help your teen:
- Choose 1–2 activities they want to grow in (leadership, hours, or skill)
- Find one new thing to try, just for joy or exploration
- Start a simple resume or activity tracker (you’ll thank yourself later)
🚨 Parent reminder: It’s not about collecting clubs. It’s about connection. Passion. And showing growth over time.
Begin Gentle Career Exploration (No Pressure!)
No, your teen does not need to know what they want to major in.
But this is the perfect time to start asking questions.
Some ideas:
- Have your teen take a free career quiz (like YouScience or Princeton Review’s explorer tool)
- Let them shadow you, a friend, or a relative for a few hours
- Watch short YouTube videos about different careers and talk about what sounds interesting
- Notice what they’re drawn to in daily life (design, helping people, numbers, organizing, music, etc.)
- Instead of asking, what do you want to do? Ask: What problem do you want to solve? And who do you want to help?
Sophomore year is a great time to nurture curiosity—not force direction.
Focus on Emotional Maturity, Not Just GPA
Your child is changing.
The friendships, pressures, and internal voice they carry into sophomore year will often speak louder than their report card.
Support emotional growth this summer by:
- Encouraging open-ended conversations (no lecturing)
- Letting them solve small problems on their own
- Talking through mistakes and what they learned
- Setting boundaries that still give them room to test their independence
Teenagers don’t need us to rescue them. They need us to walk beside them—with steady presence, even when they pretend not to care.
Final Thoughts for Parents
You don’t need to turn this summer into a project.
But if your teen is entering 10th grade, this is a window worth noticing.
Sophomore year sets the tone. It creates confidence—or chaos. And a little structure now goes a long way later.
Want a tool to help?
I created a Summer Sanity Plan for Rising 10th Graders—a one-page printable that blends practical prep with emotional support. It’s free, and you can snag it here.
And if you ever want to talk more about how to support your teen—without feeling like you have to do everything—schedule a free call with me. I’d love to hear about your family and walk this season with you.
