Dear Rising Juniors
Start writing a post
Sports

Dear Rising Juniors

No Need to Stress

24
Dear Rising Juniors
Gabrielle Scott

Dear Rising Juniors,

Welcome to the hardest year of high school. Now, it's different for everyone, but one statement is always a fact: this year is very important. You're touring colleges, joining honors societies, balancing school work with extra curricular activities, and much more, which can become overwhelming at times.

Your highest priority should always be your mental health. You should make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating properly, and taking care of yourself. If that means that you have to take a sick day to gather yourself, you have the right to do so. No one can absorb information if their mind is not in the right state to receive it. That means that if your head is bobbing during a lesson or your stomach starts growling during a test, you should do your best to fix that problem to the future. This does not mean that you should miss an entire week and a half of school because you did not feel like dealing with your teachers. In life, you can not avoid certain circumstances or situations, you just have to push through and think of the end goal. All you have to do is get through that class, and you will be one step closer to walking across a stage to get your diploma.

Grades should be next on your list. Yes, A's are preferred by colleges, teachers, parents, etc., but sometimes, that is just not possible. The important thing to remember is to work your hardest, as long as you are doing your absolute best, you will be okay. I also recommend asking for extra help if you are having trouble understanding something. By now, you should know that asking for extra help is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, use your resources: older friends, tutors, help sessions, online videos, etc. Crash Course and Khan Academy are both amazing resources, do not be afraid to use them.

Next, I urge you to learn from my mistakes in regards to taking the ACT and SAT. If you have a moderate grade point average, those tests can improve your appeal towards colleges. They view it as if you understand the material, but you maybe did not have a good teacher or did not thrive in the environment. My mistake was not taking either one of those test during junior year. You should try and take one of each test without studying first, to learn where you can improve and study up on, and then once again during the next semester after studying. If your score is still not high enough for you, you can always take both tests again during the summer or the first part of your senior year. If you spread out those dates, it takes off a lot of stress and opens up more time for you to involve yourself in other things.

The last thing on your list should be extra curricular activities and honors societies. Clubs such as Beta Club and National Honors Society require grade point average requirements. If you do not meet those requirements, I suggest joining a community service club. It also helps to join a club that you are genuinely interested in, and typically, there are lots of options: creative writing, theatre, sports, film, book club, yearbook, DECA, you name it. Colleges want to see that you can balance academics with pretty much anything life can through at you, so they acknowledge your schedule and how packed it is. Not to mention that nourishing your habits can serve as some calm in the middle of the hurricane that is high school.

I promise that all of the stress you feel will not be the end of the world. It is important to take this year one step at a time and not overwhelm yourself, that does not end well for anyone. Just take a deep breath, and you'll make it through.

Good luck, you've got this.

From,

Me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55403
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35691
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957733
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

185587
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments