Advice to a Rising Junior

Well here you are; Junior year.

These past couple years have been fun:

Hanging with friends, going to games, learning to drive;

These are all memories you’ll look back at with a smile,

But the fun stops here.

You’re a sixteen/seventeen year old; a junior in high school.

You don’t have time for fun!

I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors,

“Junior year sucks,” “It’ll be the death of you,” “Real life starts here,”

They just couldn’t be more true.

Still a non-believer? Think the year will be a breeze?

Well, think again.

Reality will hit you like a ton of bricks.

That thing called free time, gone.

That thing called sleep, gone.

That thing called homework,

Multiplied.

You’ll be up to your nose with notes, study packets,

And worst of all; essays.

Trying out for sports this year?

Good luck.

No, I’m sure you’re great, but your grades won’t be.

Yes, I’m sure you’ve dealt with this in earlier years, but 11^th grade is a whole other level.

Now don’t get me wrong, you should definitely go out for the sports you love,

But unless you want to be up until early morning finishing your unfinished homework,

I’d advice against it.

At least until more free time opens up.

In the meantime, try out some clubs, take leadership roles, and get involved in your community;

It’s a good way to spend your time while also helping out your college resume.

This brings us to the next topic:

College; some of the best times of your life,

But it can’t happen without preparation.

Junior year is the best time to start constructing your road map for the future.

Start looking at college websites, guidebooks, even text books!

It’s more fun than it sounds, you’ll understand more when you go on college visits.

Also, make sure you keep track of your academic credits so you can graduate.

Make sure you study for those SAT’s;

Aim for completing a couple SAT’s by March,

And save May and June for those AP and final exams.

You’ll find it’s always best to start early.

If you don’t quite feel like a junior yet, you’re definitely going to look it.

You’ll get pimples in the most random places,

Dark circles will form under your tired eyes,

And you’ll seem so much paler it’s as if you’re sick.

Oh wait, you are.
It’s called “Junioritis”,

And there is no cure, my friend.

Finally, the most vital, most crucial advice I can conjure up for you:

Don’t slack off.

The less you procrastinate, the better the grade. The better the grade, the greater the college resume! The greater the college resume, the more chances you’ll get accepted into college! It’s not as far away as it seems!

In a matter of minutes, you’re in your final year of high school; Senior year.

So put away the technology and get out those books.

It’s going to be a long year.