by Fiona MacDonald
I think we can all agree that junior year is easily the most stressful year of high school. There's the SAT prep, difficult classes, and worst of all, starting to think about college. There are a few things to keep in mind for the fall semester of this year to make the stressful spring semester much easier.
The first things to think about are your academics and the tests you will take. Junior year is when most people start to take difficult classes. Most grades are based on tests now, which raises the stakes; if you don't pay attention, it will be much harder to pass the classes. The key is just to not fall behind. If you don't understand something, follow up with your teacher, as it will make your classes much easier. It’s also time to think about SAT/ACT planning. Most juniors took the PSAT on October 13th, so they have an idea of how they need to study. It's best to go through the study guide slowly and focus on the material that seems harder to you.
If you’re planning on getting into a selective college, it's likely you are already doing extracurriculars, but it's also important to have some leadership roles and volunteering hours. However, you don't want your activities to feel like a chore. High school should be fun! Do extracurriculars that make you happy and that you are interested in.
Through all this planning, studying, and stress, it's also important to think about your mental health. School work on top of extracurriculars and social life can be very overwhelming. Burnout is real, if you feel yourself starting to slip, try to manage your time better and make sure you get enough sleep. Attempt to get your homework done as soon as you can so you can relax before you go to bed.
Junior year is stressful, no doubt about it, but it's important to prioritize and think about yourself. You got this!