Prepare for standardized testing.

• There are a variety of standardized tests available - PSAT, SAT, SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, ACT PLAN, ACT, and AP tests to name a few - but you don't have to take every test in order to be college-ready.

• Take the PSAT in October. The scores will not count for National Merit Scholar consideration in your sophomore year, but it is valuable practice for when you take the PSAT again in your junior year when the scores will count, as well as for the SAT Reasoning Test, which you should also be taking in your junior year. You will receive your PSAT results in December.
• Start preparing for the SAT Test.
• Take the SAT Subject Test in June.

Update your file of important documents and notes.

• Copies of report cards

• Lists of awards and honors
• Lists of school and community activities in which you are involved, including both paid and volunteer work, and descriptions of what you do

Continue your college search and visits.

• Think about selecting a school, finding out about the different types. Decide which characteristics are most important to you, such as the size of the school, distance from home, cost, and extracurricular activities.

• Visit colleges and talk with college students.
• Be ready with a list of questions to ask on your campus visit.
• Use this list of college characteristics to decide how to evaluate different colleges.
• Review the high school course you need to take to meet the requirements of the colleges you are interested in attending.

Other top tips:

• Continue extracurricular activities, as admissions officers look at students' extracurricular activities when considering them for admission.

• Continue participation in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, and science.

Information above is from:

http://knowhow2go.acenet.edu/middle-and-high-school-students/make-a-plan.html