Building your foundation without burning out
I get this question from anxious parents every September. The short answer? Yes, but not how you think.
Your freshman doesn't need SAT prep, college visits, or a 47-step strategic plan. But they do need to build habits and make choices that'll make junior and senior year manageable instead of overwhelming.
The goal: Build a strong foundation without creating unnecessary stress.
Challenging courses with strong performance
B+ in honors beats C+ in AP
Exploring activities and building passions
Quality over quantity in activities
Time management and learning how to learn
Habits that will serve you for life
Knowing your exact major at 14
Doing 12 different activities to 'explore'
Perfect grades in every single class
Starting SAT prep in 9th grade
A simple framework to avoid activity overwhelm while building genuine commitment:
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior/Senior Year
Take most challenging courses you can handle successfully
Follow your school's recommended sequence
Don't skip prerequisites to rush advanced classes
Choose one 'stretch' class that interests you
Learn to take notes effectively
Develop homework routines that work for you
Ask for help when you need it
Use a planner or digital system for organization
Join things that interest you, not what looks good
Try both school and community activities
Don't quit after one bad experience
Look for leadership opportunities naturally
Avoid the summer program trap: Expensive pre-college programs rarely impact admissions and can create unnecessary pressure.
Add 1-2 AP/honors classes if you handled freshman rigor well
Take PSAT in October for practice (don't stress about scores)
Get to know 2-3 teachers well for future recommendations
Maintain strong performance in core subjects
Choose 2-4 activities to stick with through high school
Look for leadership opportunities in things you care about
Deepen involvement rather than spreading thin
Start thinking about summer opportunities
Visit colleges casually when traveling
Talk to older students about their experiences
Begin noticing what types of schools interest you
Have family conversations about college costs
Taking every possible AP class available
Maintaining perfect 4.0 GPA at all costs
Choosing classes based solely on admissions impact
Joining activities just because they 'look good'
Visiting 20 colleges before junior year
Stressing about standardized test scores
Consistently struggling despite effort
Avoiding challenging courses out of fear
Cheating or academic dishonesty
Complete lack of interest in learning
Extreme anxiety about grades/performance
Social isolation or difficulty making friends
Engaging in risky behaviors
Mental health struggles interfering with daily life
Freshman and sophomore years aren't about optimizing for college admissions. They're about becoming the kind of person who will thrive in college and beyond.
Do these things well, and junior year college planning becomes an exciting opportunity to find schools that match who you've become, rather than a stressful scramble to become who you think colleges want.
Remember: The goal isn't to have your life figured out by age 16. It's to develop the skills, character, and self-awareness that will serve you well wherever life takes you.
CollegeCompass can help underclassmen focus on what matters most while avoiding unnecessary stress and pressure.
Get age-appropriate guidance for freshmen and sophomores that builds toward long-term success.