Your second semester of junior year just started. You probably can’t wait for summer to come so you can finally be the top dog -- a high school senior! I remember counting down the days until junior year was over. Now, as a college freshman, I look back and see how naïve I was about many things during my junior year. Here are the biggest things I wish I would’ve known my junior year:

1. Think about the future.

If you’re anything like I was as a junior, you’re probably trying to avoid thinking of the future as much as possible. I pushed everything off until senior year and once senior year hit, I was buried in stress! It’s scary to think about the future, but if you start early you won’t be as stressed later. Tour as many colleges as possible. Take different classes than you normally would (especially while school is still free). Try job shadowing. Do your research. Look for scholarships. The more you figure out now, the less stress you will have during your senior year.

2. Care about school.

Yes, your grades matter in high school. They will be a major deciding factor for school acceptances and scholarships. In college, your professors won’t chase you around making sure your grades are good, nor will they spend class time explaining the same thing over and over. Learn to take responsibility for your school work now so you don’t fall behind later. Also, be careful of senioritis! Senior year grades still count for a lot too.

3. Take advantage of your free time.

Once senior year (and college) hit, you are going to be overwhelmed with events, homework, applications, work, clubs, and who knows what else. Realize that right now is the last time in your life where you’ll have the least amount of responsibilities and requirements, so that advantage of it! Take a fun class like art, band, or volleyball. Hang out with your friends for days on end. Go try something you’ve never done before. Pick up a new hobby. Do as much as you can before the debt and responsibilities start piling up.

4. Enjoy every moment.

Senior year will come and go before you even know it. Time flies so quickly and you’ll miss the little things like seeing your friends every day or Friday night football games. Don’t try and grow up too fast, cherish every moment you have before adulthood hits you. You have the rest of your life to be old, so enjoy your time being young.