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Grade 9-10 Monthly Tasks
9-10 年级月度任务清单 · Exploration phase
This page breaks Grade 9-10 (the exploration phase) into month-by-month tasks. Each month lists 3-5 concrete actions tagged by category (academics, standardized tests, activities, school research, recommendations). Tasks focus on building foundations rather than application pressure.
把 9-10 年级拆成 12 个月的清单，每月 3-5 条具体任务，重点是探索兴趣与打好基础。
Tags:
Academic
Test
Essay
School
Activity
Rec Letter
Financial
- AcademicConfirm course selection for the year; balance rigor with GPA — a B in honors is not always better than an A in regular.
- ActivityJoin 1-2 clubs that genuinely interest you; do not stack activities for resume building yet.
- AcademicSet up a study system: planner, note-taking method, weekly review habit. Good habits now pay off in Grade 11.
- TestTake the PSAT 8/9 (Grade 9) or PSAT 10 (Grade 10) in October if offered at your school.
- TestTake PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10 as practice for the SAT format; do not prep intensively, just familiarize yourself.
- ActivityIn Grade 10, identify one activity to commit to long-term; volunteer for a small project or role.
- AcademicMaintain grades; meet with teachers during office hours if needed. Build relationships early.
- SchoolAttend 1-2 college rep visits at your school (Grade 10); take informal notes on what appeals to you.
- AcademicMidterm grades matter for cumulative GPA; protect your GPA above all else in Grade 9-10.
- ActivityDocument fall activities with hours and outcomes; start an "activity log" you will use later.
- SchoolBegin browsing college websites informally; look at majors, campus life, and admission requirements.
- TestIf English is not your first language, consider an initial TOEFL/IELTS diagnostic in Grade 10.
- AcademicUse winter break to read 1-2 books for pleasure; reading speed and vocabulary compound over years.
- TestGrade 10: take a free SAT or ACT diagnostic test to identify baseline; no need to prep yet.
- ActivityPlan a winter break service or personal project — small is fine, just make it real.
- SchoolStart a "school research" document; add colleges you encounter with one-line notes on what appeals.
- AcademicSet semester goals: target GPA, subjects to strengthen, study habits to build.
- ActivityTake on a small leadership role in one club; quality of involvement matters more than title.
- TestGrade 10: if first diagnostic was low, begin light SAT/ACT prep (1-2 hours per week, no pressure).
- AcademicStart a reading list of books outside class; aim for 8-10 books across the year.
- ActivityIdentify a subject or topic you genuinely want to learn more about; find a book, online course, or club related to it.
- AcademicIf eligible, register for AP or honors courses for next year; balance rigor with realistic workload.
- SchoolGrade 10: attend 1-2 virtual college info sessions; take notes on what you like and dislike.
- ActivityDocument leadership activities with measurable outcomes for the activity log.
- TestGrade 10: consider taking the March SAT as a baseline (School Day SAT if offered); treat it as diagnostic only.
- ActivitySpring is competition season: AMC, science fairs, debate tournaments. Pick 1-2 to participate in.
- AcademicSpring semester grades; maintain an upward trend if fall was rocky.
- SchoolVisit 1-2 local college campuses; informal visits help calibrate what "fit" means to you.
- AcademicFinalize next year's course selection with counselor; aim for appropriate rigor (1-2 APs for Grade 10, 3-5 for Grade 11).
- ActivityLock in summer plans: camp, internship, research, community service, or personal project. Apply early.
- TestGrade 10: take April ACT if you prefer ACT format over SAT.
- SchoolBegin a more structured school research spreadsheet: name, location, mid-50% scores, popular majors.
- AcademicTake AP exams if enrolled in AP courses; scores are reported to colleges later.
- AcademicPrepare for final exams; year-end grades are the most visible to colleges.
- TestGrade 10: if taking May SAT or SAT Subject Tests, prepare lightly (do not sacrifice finals for SAT prep).
- ActivityWrap up spring activities with measurable outcomes; update the activity log.
- AcademicYear-end transcript — these are the grades that build your GPA trajectory.
- ActivityBegin summer project: research, internship, language immersion, or community initiative.
- TestGrade 10: optional June SAT or ACT; comfortable first official sitting before Grade 11 pressure.
- SchoolVisit 2-3 college campuses during summer travel; informal notes only, no pressure.
- ActivityDeepen summer project: aim for a tangible output (paper, code repo, portfolio piece, presentation).
- AcademicRead 2-3 books for pleasure; explore subjects outside your comfort zone.
- TestLight test prep only: 2-3 hours per week of vocabulary or math practice; no full mock tests yet.
- SchoolUpdate school research spreadsheet with summer insights; begin categorizing schools by interest level.
- ActivityFinalize summer project deliverable; document outcomes for the activity log.
- AcademicReview prerequisite material for next year's courses; ensure foundation is solid.
- TestGrade 10 → 11 transition: take a full SAT or ACT diagnostic to set baseline before Grade 11 prep begins.
- SchoolFinalize a list of 10-15 colleges of interest; categorize loosely as reach/match/safety (will refine in Grade 11).