If you're anything like me, your first thought this year was "how in the world am I already a junior?" We are a few months in and I still don't know how we got here so fast. We have so much to be excited about, but just as much to worry about. So instead of trying to stop time, remember all the amazing things you have to look forward to.
Think back to high school. Junior year was academically the most stressful of them all, and it doesn't seem to be any different in college. Back then college created a whirlwind of emotions. After all, mostly everything we did that year was to impress colleges. Now we are here. Our hard work paid off and we are blessed to have earned ourselves the opportunity to prepare for the real world. We have one last junior year to crack down on the books, improve networking skills, and polish our independence.
We have become established within our communities, solidified our friend groups, and began internships Junior year brings all these exciting things, all of which are huge steps and accomplishments, but also require somewhat of a balancing act. Making time for all of the things that are important can be extremely stressful and difficult to handle, but that is what junior year is here to prepare us for. It is changing us for the better.
You're going to see your friends less and the library more. Papers and tests will seem never ending and you'll constantly wonder when you are going to catch a break. It is how you react to this that shapes your outcome. Do you buckle down and get it done or do you push it aside and just hope for the best? The key is not being afraid to speak up. Talk to you friends, let them know you're busy, but still want to make time for them. Build relationships with your professors. Trust me, they want to help just as much as you want them to. Once you get the know them the entire dynamic of the classroom will change. Lastly, look within yourself. If you can't find time to do what makes you happy, make time. Make time, to eat, sleep, and shower obviously, but make time to be social too. Be active, involved, and always on your toes. Make the time to be the best you.
Junior year might be intimidating now, but its just another opportunity to challenge yourself and prove what you can do. it will change you in ways that will prepare you for future endeavors and push you to do what you once thought you couldn't. And don't forget, don't try to slow time down, try to make the most of it, and just be happy you made it that far. There's so much left to come
