Yes, the rumors are true. Junior year is very difficult, but it doesn’t have to be worse than you choose to make it! From the more opportunities given, to the wider amount of friends you can make, junior year is full of complications as well as things that can change your life, and it’s up to you to take advantage of it. As a junior myself, I’ll tell you what to expect.
Now, if you take all AP, you’re gonna be in for a ride. It’s a whole new world of difference compared to what you might’ve done in sophomore year. You’ll be swamped with work and won’t have enough time to learn how to properly, and healthily, manage all your work. If I were to give my advice, I’d say DO NOT take all AP!!
Even if you do, it’s important to take advantage of the opportunities you’re given. Take a brain break, and make good friends. You often can’t control whether or not you make friends with someone who will be lifelong, but don’t force yourself to talk to people who make you unhappy, at the very least. The people you choose to surround yourself with make a huge difference in the way you live your life, and how willing you are to go to school.
As a junior, scholarships will start to make themselves available to you, and if college is your goal, you have to make sure you get on their backs. The opportunities are endless when you cross the line between sophomore and junior — the only problem is that you are almost never made aware, but that’s what the counselors are for! Make sure as a junior you have good contact with the adults around you who are there to help you take advantage of your resources.
It’s very important you take the time to prioritize your mental health in this year, even if you are swamped with work. Go out with friends, eat a nice dinner, and let yourself rest. Above all the advice I can give, the best one is to never forget that your classes and grades do not make up your worth. Your smile at the end of the day is what matters.
