Advice to new high school juniors
Congratulations! You made it through the nerve-wracking identity confusions of freshman year and the mundane awkwardness of being a sophomore. Now (drum roll please) … you’re an upperclassman! Which doesn’t really change anything. High school will still be school. There will still be useless essays and futile problem sets. There will still be the sweet and annoying classmates and the surprising teachers. And no, being a junior does not give you the authority to slam freshmen into lockers, though you may get away with nicking some of their food.
Of course, you have not only been looking forward to the supposed authority of junior year, but also dreading the hellish, sleepdepriving, “suddenly-your-GPA-matters” year that you’ve heard so much complaining about. But really, junior year is just the Wednesday of high school. Sure, it might be hump day, but it passes before you know it and at least you can see the end of the tunnel if you squint.
Yes, classes get more difficult, but they’re also more interesting, and you can handle the workload if you don’t psych yourself out. Yes, college application season is looming. You want good grades. You need lists and recommendations and to know exactly what you want to do with your life and where and how to articulate your plans perfectly to every person you know because every one of them will ask.
The best skill you can possibly learn as a junior is prioritization. Start by prioritizing yourself. Grades and college visits aren’t half as important as health and rest. Other than school, focus on things you really want to do. You finally know how to handle your homework and you’re slightly more secure about your social life; this is the time to explore. Here’s your chance to drop that sport you’re only playing because your dad wants you to. He’ll understand. Don’t neglect your friends, but don’t let them keep you from getting out and meeting new people. It is a lot to juggle, but if you find ways to enjoy being yourself, it can be a super fun and exciting year. Junior year is really about getting to know yourself a little better. And that is worth more than any GPA or stolen lunch.