Juniors, this year is going to be really hard, so why not read this article to try and gain some insight and help? Having been through the various ups and downs of junior year, the seniors on staff feel it would be beneficial to give some helpful advice on how to prepare for your future and ace your junior year.
Academically, junior year is probably the most challenging in high school. The key to success is to stay on top of your homework and try and do it the night it is assigned. This is when serial procrastination starts to have its real effects on your grades and your well being.
Marina Sandoval emphasizes this point by explaining that you should, “do your work as early as possible just so you can stay ahead and organized. It also feels really satisfying to not have to worry about it.”
On the flip side, sometimes completely immersing yourself in homework can get overwhelming, especially with the rapidly escalating difficulty of the courses. This is why we have amazing teachers that have devoted half an hour of tutorial time (along with Friday explorations, after school time, free blocks, etc.) to help you comprehend the material. Use your free time wisely, and look for help if or when you need it. This will help you stay on top of all your work and take off some of the pressure because you’ll understand your assignments and move through them quickly.
Studying and doing the work isn’t just about crunching through the numbers as quickly as possible. To draw meaningful conclusions from what may be considered busy work, and to finish the work quickly, you should take breaks during studying. It may seem counterintuitive, but your brain needs a break from time to time when studying, so that it has a chance to process the information. Again, start early so that you can balance the time and lapses in working.
In making sure you keep up with your studies, Elizabeth Krauchanka makes a point that you should avoid getting “caught up in high school drama and focus on your academics and building your future. You have to start thinking about what comes next.”
What does come next? Hopefully college. (And senior year, but does that really matter?) Philip Dubose spoke about how you don’t need to worry too much about which colleges you apply to or if you will get in. At least, not this year. He states that “there is a college for everyone. Just work hard and do your best and you’ll find a place that is willing to accept you.”
College can be completely overwhelming to think about, but you just have to trust the process. Applications are often a throw of chance, so don’t stress too much about where you’ll get in, but instead think about what you will do with your college experience. What if you have no idea what you want to study? That’s okay too. That’s what education is about: figuring out what speaks to you. Your college major does not equate to your job and career. Your high school clubs, honors, and activities will not make or break your life.
Essentially, chill out a little bit and let life run its course. However, Karina Schmit encourages you to still “be aware of the passage of time. The college application process and the internship process will come up fast. Start thinking about what you want out of both.” If you can, get your internship over during the summer. This will make your life much easier, truly.
Senior John Henry Clashman agrees, stating that because he did his internship during the summer, “it not only removed pressure from [his] school year, and it also allowed [him] to do it more in depth” because he was able to solely devote himself to his internship. Summer internships allow you to grasp more meaning from an otherwise mundane task.
Don’t think about what you should do, where you should apply, but focus on what you want to get out of college or whatever else you decide to do. So, start thinking about it, but don’t let those thoughts overwhelm and distract you during your junior year. You still have academics to focus on.
You also have some very important tests to either deal with, or start thinking about taking. The one you will take this year is the PSAT. You have probably taken many practice tests before, but in your junior year, the PSAT is very important. Study for it. Study what you are unsure of in either the math or English sections or both. There are plenty of practice test packets both in print and online. The PSAT can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship, which can be very crucial when it comes to choosing a college to attend. he PSAT, however, only qualifies you for the scholarship, and the SAT is what determines if you deserve it.
The SAT and ACT are slightly different from the PSAT. Despite studies that indicate that the tests are biased, and despite mind blocks surrounding these ominous tests, it’s something you just have to do if you’re planning on attending college. Sometimes, you just have to play the game. Take advantage of the system and start taking the SAT and ACT your junior year so that you can end up taking them multiple times and superscore the tests. These scores will also qualify you for other scholarships offered by foundations, like the Flinn scholarship, or scholarships directly from colleges you choose. Study and make your life a whole lot easier in the future.
We hope you juniors will take your academics seriously, but also find the activities and people that bring you joy so that you may have a wonderful balance in your lives. We hope these tips help you do yourself some favors, because life is hard enough as it is. Good luck!
Written by Kira and Sheela (lead copy editor and editor in chief)