Sophomore College Counseling Blog | The Dunham School | Private PreK-12 | Baton Rouge, LA

Beyond the Classroom: Winter Break Strategy For Freshmen and Sophomores

December 2025

While seniors anxiously await decisions and juniors prepare for standardized tests, winter break offers freshmen and sophomores a valuable, low-pressure opportunity to build a strong foundation for their future college applications.

College admissions officers aren't looking for every underclassman to publish a research paper. Instead, they seek evidence of curiosity, initiative, and sustained interest.

Here are three strategic, actionable things 9th and 10th graders can do during the holiday break to enhance their college journey.

1. The Deep Dive: Explore a "Micro-Passion"

The most impactful extracurriculars are those driven by genuine curiosity, not résumé padding. Use the break to move beyond general interests and dive deep into a specific, narrow topic. This is what we call a "Micro-Passion."

• Complete a Free Online Course: Colleges want to see that you seek out knowledge beyond the required courses.
• Start a Specific Project: Don’t just “like” photography; start a 10-day project documenting a local theme (e.g., “The Architecture of My Neighborhood”). This shows initiation and follow through.
• Conduct Informational Interviews: Reach out to 2-3 professionals in a field you find interesting (e.g., a software engineer, a chef, or a physical therapist). Ask thoughtful questions about their career path. This demonstrates maturity and research.

Goal: Turn a passive interest into an active pursuit. When you write your application essays later, you’ll have concrete, unique actions to discuss, not just general hobbies.

2. The Great Audit: Review Your Academic Trajectory

Freshman and sophomore years establish the baseline for your transcript. This break is the perfect time for a self-assessment, particularly regarding your course selections for next year.

• Review Grades: Look at your first-semester grades. Where did you excel? Where did you struggle? Use this information to honestly assess where you might be ready for a higher level (e.g., moving from Honors to AP) or where you need to ask for extra support.
• Plan Next Year’s Rigor: Talk with your parents and research the course offerings for next year. Are you maximizing your academic potential? If you are interested in STEM, are you on track for Calculus and Physics? If you love the humanities, are you signing up for advanced history or literature electives? Rigor is the single most important academic factor in admissions.
• SAT/ACT Introduction (Optional): This is not the time to study intensely. However, it can be useful to take a single, untimed practice test (available free online) just to establish a baseline. This low-stakes exposure demystifies the test and helps plan a realistic prep schedule for junior year.

3. The Family Field Trip: Low-Pressure College Visits

Winter break is a great time to visit local colleges and universities without the pressure of a formal junior-year tour. Since most college students are home, the campus will be quieter, making it easier to walk around and get a feel for the environment.

• Visit Campuses in Your Area: Drive by, walk through the main quad, and browse the bookstore. Focus on the feeling of the campus. Is it too large? Too small? Urban or rural?
• Identify Your Preferences: These low-stakes visits are about helping you understand what you like and dislike. This early exposure helps shape your refined college list down the road. You aren't committing to anything; you are just gathering data points.

By engaging in these three simple, strategic steps over the holiday break, freshmen and sophomores can move into the new year with a clearer academic path and a stronger, more authentic profile, well ahead of the competition.