Success for Sophomores

Agenda What to expect in the Sophomore Year Academic Tips/Strategies Identity/Career Exploration College Prep and the Junior Year U of R/RIT Tuition Free Courses

Counselor Involvement Academic Counseling Personal Counseling Career Counseling Parent Conferences and Consultation

Counselor Involvement September/October Get Acquainted/High School expectations session in homeroom PSAT for sophomores in honors classes October/November Career Exploration using Family Connection Encourage students to job shadow and join Explorer Post programs PLAN test EMCC Presentation

Counselor Involvement December Initial course requests due in Naviance Family Connection EMCC Visitation Day January - February Individual appointments for 2014-15 course selections (scheduling), and post-secondary education discussions

Counselor Involvement March – May Utilize opportunities the College and Career Center has to offer… Community Service Get involved and stay involved June Study Study Study…what you do this year WILL directly impact your post-secondary plans!

5 Traits of Successful Students 1. Motivated 2. Planners - they have long and short term goals that are realistic 3. Self-Directed - they take responsibility for their own learning 4. Good Communicators - ask questions, self-advocates 5. Organized - practice time management by using schedules and to-do lists

Academic Tips/Strategies Students Set Goals and Priorities Get organized Manage your time Ask questions Parents Talk about it Model and support Be aware of time demands Ask Questions

Academic Tips/Strategies Students Establish positive relationships with teachers Test yourself during class, homework, dinner, etc… Watch deadlines Do more than you are asked Parents Talk with teachers Visit R-H web site, read newsletters Role Model Use a “team” approach

Identity Exploration Adolescent identity changing with every new experience Who am I? Where do I want to go? What do I want to do? Who do I want to be?

Career Exploration & Focus Advantages: Gives students direction Motivates the student Early planning for post-secondary career = more opportunities/choices and possible scholarships. Visit www.rhnet.org/ccc Visit Naviance Family Connection

Career Exploration Students Who Am I? Interest Profiler Where Am I Going? Specific career research Occupational Goals How Am I Going To Get There? Match Career and Major College Search Parents Now that the program is online, you will be able to log on and… Talk about results with your son or daughter Encourage conversation about future plans Utilize College & Career Center and Naviance Family Connection to continue research and planning

Career Exploration Activities Students Log onto Naviance Family Connection and use the Colleges and Careers tabs Career Internships/shadowing Career Exploring Posts Summer Programs Volunteering The Counseling Connection Parents Watch for opportunities Support Shadowing Opportunities Explore possibilities Volunteer to mentor a student for a shadowing or an internship

College Preparation and the Junior Year Read The Counseling Connection Read the Grapevine Work harder than ever before! Take PSAT in October Prepare for and take SAT and/or ACT in May or June Use College and Career Center Continue researching colleges Start visiting colleges

Junior Year (continued) Select senior year courses - remember, college admissions counselors will see and monitor these! You want to be prepared and ready for college level work! See your counselor for information and direction

U of R and RIT College Study Program Must have Junior status to participate Must have at least 10 earned credits Currently be carrying 6.5 credits Pass all courses with at least an 80 Must have demonstrated appropriate attendance TUITION FREE!!! Must provide own transportation, books and materials.