Advice for Juniors

By Farrah Muhammad

Junior year is notorious for being the most challenging year of high school. This is because most students have a very heavy course load along with jobs, extracurriculars, and sports. Junior year also comes with the pressure of standardized testing like the PSAT and ACT. All of which is followed by yet another year of high school. Junior year is tough, but the current seniors and I wish to offer some advice to the class of 2024.

Nearly all students wished they had been more focused on schoolwork during their junior year. Current senior, Tyra Holman, regrets creating a habit of procrastination. “It made the school year even harder,” she says. Balancing your responsibilities can be tough, but it's important to make time for your schoolwork. If you plan to apply to college, your junior year will be most current on your transcripts, so it's best to have a strong year.

As senior’s approached their last homecoming week, they reflected on the activities they missed out on. Many students regretted not attending sporting events, dances, and joining school clubs before their senior year. Allison Denney describes having “a gap in her college resume” due to lack of clubs and feeling as if she “missed out on some fun activities.”

Once your senior year begins, the pressure to decide post-secondary plans follows. Participation in clubs and volunteering is a great way to figure out your personal and career interests. Also, it helps to build community so that the stress of the school year feels less isolating.

Juniors, be sure to find a healthy balance between school and fun. This is a great time to show your academic strength while taking advantage of what the school has to offer! This advice may feel familiar, but as seniors look back we all wish we would have taken it into account.