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Jadon’s Playbook
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Your 4-Year Plan

Think of this as a rhythm, not a checklist. Each year has a gentle focus, and you grow into it one season at a time.

You do not have to do everything at once. In fact, you should not. The whole idea here is simple: do the right few things each year, and let them add up. Here is the rhythm, from freshman to senior.

Freshman

9th gradeSettle in and explore

Find your footing, build good habits, and try things. This year is for exploring.

Academics

  • Aim for strong grades in classes that push you a little.
  • Build study habits now so the next three years feel easier.

Tests

  • Nothing official yet.
  • Just keep your math and reading sharp.

Activities

  • Try a few things. Notice what you would happily do for hours.
  • Keep playing baseball and enjoy it.
  • Start one thing you might go deep on for a few years.

Sophomore

10th gradeFind what you love

Lean into the one or two things that click. This is where your spike starts to show.

Academics

  • Keep grades steady.
  • Add a challenge or two (honors, maybe a first AP).

Tests

  • Take the PSAT 10 for low-stakes practice. No pressure.

Activities

  • Go from member to helping lead in your favorite one or two things.
  • Your spike (the thing you are known for) starts to take shape.

Junior

11th gradeHit your stride

Your busiest, most rewarding year. Grades matter most now, and your story comes together.

Academics

  • The most important year for grades.
  • Take your most interesting challenging classes.

Tests

  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall (it can earn National Merit recognition).
  • Prep over the summer, then take the SAT or ACT in winter or spring. Retake if you want a higher score.

Activities

  • Deepen your leadership and grow your spike.
  • Line up a meaningful summer (a project, a job, a program).

Senior

12th gradeTell your story

The home stretch. Keep doing what you are doing, and put it all into your applications.

Academics

  • Keep your grades up. You are almost there.

Tests

  • Wrap up any retakes early in the fall, before deadlines.

Activities

  • Hold your top roles.
  • Tell your story in your essays. This is the fun part.

📨 Applications

  • Submit your applications.
  • Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision) often helps your odds, so use it where it fits.

The real question

How do you juggle all of it?

Here is the honest, doable version. It is less about doing more, and more about doing the right things calmly.

  1. Grades come first

    They make everything else count for more. Protect them, but you do not need flawless perfection to do really well.

  2. Go deep, not wide

    Pick a few things you genuinely love and put your energy there. It is more fun and it stands out more than doing a little of everything.

  3. Plan your week

    A simple Sunday plan (classes, practice, a couple of study blocks) keeps the whole thing calm and manageable.

  4. Stack what you love

    Combine your interests so they help each other. A baseball-stats project is academics and your spike at the same time.

  5. Rest on purpose

    Athletes already know this: recovery is part of training. Sleep and downtime keep you sharp and happy, not just busy.

Keep exploring

Why CollegeThe honest, optimistic case for going, and what college is actually like.
Grades & ClassesWhat GPA and course rigor really mean, and what strong schools like to see.
The SAT & ACTWhat recently changed, which test to pick, and the scores to aim for over time.
Activities & Your SpikeThe single most important idea: go deep on something. Plus how baseball counts.