10th Grade College Planning Checklist
This is the year where momentum matters more than perfection. 10th grade is when college starts to feel a little more real — not because you need to make big decisions, but because this is where consistency starts to compound. The goal isn’t to lock in a future. It’s to stay curious, build confidence, and make sure small things aren’t missed.
Fall
- Review your transcript and 4-year plan with your counselor
- Take on leadership or responsibility in a club, team, or program — even small roles count
- Explore new interests — try something outside your comfort zone
- Track your GPA and set a personal goal to improve or maintain it
- Attend a local college or career fair, if one is available
Winter
- Take the PSAT — early practice now could open scholarship doors next year
- Explore career paths — not to choose one yet, but to stay curious. Try MyNextMove.org or browse jobs by favorite subjects
- Begin a simple résumé or “brag sheet” to track your growing experience
- Look up a few college websites to understand GPA and test score expectations — not to stress, just to get familiar
Spring
- Choose junior year classes that reflect growth — challenge, balance, and a plan
- When reviewing 11th grade course options, ask about honors or AP classes — not to chase prestige, but to stretch in a subject your teen feels confident in
- Start looking into summer opportunities: camps, jobs, volunteer programs, or shadowing experiences
- Reflect on extracurriculars: What’s meaningful? Where do you want to go deeper?
- Ask a trusted teacher or counselor what strengths they see — and where you could grow