I'm about to enter my junior year of high school and I'm heading to a completely new school. This school is offered to upcoming juniors at my previous school and other schools that are in the district. I joined the school because I wanted to try something other than the learning style that I've known for years and this gives me that opportunity. I plan on being there for just a year but a year is a long time so there are a few things that I'm worried about. Some of these things have to do with the school itself but others have to do with just being a high school student.

1. Friends

I’ll be leaving some of my best friends that I’ve known for years. One of my friends I’ve known ever since the fourth grade. I know that I’ll be with some of my close friends that I’ve gotten to know really well over the past two years of high school. I’m just worried that I’ll start to drift away from the friends that I have at my previous school. know I shouldn’t be too worried but my anxiety is saying “Well, what if you do something that makes them not like you anymore? It’s gonna happen. You should be prepared.” I usually try to be optimistic about these things. I’ll see my other friends during speech practice and our lunch meetings too. But it’s nothing like seeing them in class every day.

2. Not knowing how hard the AP classes are

I was talking to a friend of mine who just graduated and I told her about my classes. As I was doing this she told me which ones would be easy and which ones would be hard. I was taking her advice seriously until I realized that she never went to the school that I’m about to go to.

3. How competitive school and colleges are

School is no longer about learning. It’s about who can get an A in AP, honors, or PSEO classes without slowly dying from stress. Nowadays it seems like you have to solve world hunger, join a sport, math team and science league and a charity organization and get all A’s while keeping your sanity. You’re supposed to do all of this while making time for your friends, yourself and family. I know this is completely unrealistic but colleges do look for a well-rounded student (sports, academics and arts). I am only involved in the arts and I hope to be more involved in it this coming year.

4. Applying for colleges

Junior year is usually when people start looking and applying for colleges. Some people recommend looking when you’re a sophomore. But who has two thumbs and didn’t do that? This girl! Okay, I did look a little but I didn’t look as I should have. Even if I did look for colleges last year, this would still be the year of college fairs, looking for scholarships and college tours. Don’t forget comparing school prices and sizes. Also, sending in college applications at the end of your senior year is considered late. Also, it really sets in the feeling that I may never see some of my close friends again. That this chapter of my life is coming to a close and I'm gonna start a whole new adventure.

5. Having a job

There’s things that I want to do that are not cheap. I want to go on the Guatemala trip through my school and I want to go on the Traveling team speech tournaments. So, for that very reason, I got a job. I’m currently contemplating if I should quit it or not. At least for the first part of the school year I know I’ll have it. Having a job will definitely limit my time outside of school for other things like homework but there are things that I want to do that aren’t cheap. Maybe I’ll do something that doesn’t have as much commitment as a part-time job.

6. I want to do well in speech.

Speech is something I’m very passionate about and something that I’d like to be successful at. When I entered the speech team I knew I wanted to go to nationals. This year I know I have to change my mindset and just focus on my performance and not think about the trophies or getting into a final round. I don’t know what category I’ll be in this coming year so it’s kinda hard to look for pieces during the summer. I do know that I’ll be in serious interpretation though. I love the acting piece of my category. I would like to see myself do well this season, and that doesn’t come overnight.

7. People

There’s a few people who I know are going to this new school that tend to get on my nerves. I guess I will just have to be patient with them. I’m worried that I may explode though. I really don’t want to do that. I try to be nice and open-minded towards a lot of people. But, these few people have made it hard for me to do that. Maybe I can just start fresh. A new open mind towards them and try my best not to judge. And be very tolerant. Maybe I should get a stress ball.