Yes, I said it, Junior, not Senior.

Despite popular belief, junior year is one of the most important years of high school, specifically second semester. The classes get harder, the work load becomes heavier, and on top of everything you’ve got to worry about who you’re going to be sitting next to in your limo with a dress that falls down, a few too many times, not to mention how many scratches you’re going to get on your under arms from the jewels on your dress.

So here goes nothing,

Dear confused, self conscious, and overly anxious Junior,

I’ve been there, I’ve done that, and I can tell you from first hand experience it sucks, but sucking means it only has one direction to go, and that’s up. Don’t take every assignment, every F, every long night where you feel like it may be your last so seriously. You’re probably about sixteen or seventeen, and on average you’ll probably live another seventy or so years, so relax.

That C in chemistry will not come and haunt you past your grave, unless of course you want to be a chemist. But coming from someone who craves only to write for endless hours, my only C on my high school transcript due to the failure of memorizing a few polyatomic ions, has not made me lose an hour of sleep to this day.

SAT’s are important, but they’re not who you are. They are not an indicator of what you will achieve and my only piece of advice is to try your best. Spending hundreds of dollars on tutors will likely do just about zilch, as long as you get a good night's sleep beforehand and bring a number two pencil, there’s nothing you should really stress over. Not to mention more and more colleges and universities are becoming test optional every day - and for a reason.

Prom. This way overrated night is run in all sorts of ways but at least in my high school we only had a junior prom, probably because the expenses and stress could only be handled for one year. Senior year we had a much more low key banquet, short dresses from Forever 21 and a mashed potato bar, I was set. However, I still went through it. I started shopping for my $325 dress back in February right amidst getting my wisdom teeth out (that’s how dedicated I was). You do not need to spend that much money on a dress, or shoes, or your hair, if you’re going to go all out get a nice party bus where you and your friends can stand up and blast the Mama Mia soundtrack. Also, don’t go with a stranger as your date just to have someone to hold your waist in pictures. Either go with your best friend, a significant other, or a group of friends, no one likes having to leave the prom in tears or throwing away your corsage in bitterness, after all, I still have mine sitting in my desk at home in a small plastic bag, and I can smile at it.

This is so impermanent. Whoever said high school is the best four years of your life lied, big time. Don’t take them for granted, because junior is a year you can still act like a kid, you can still ask your parents for money and eat way too many pringles at four in the morning with your best friends. However, soon enough you’ll be doing what you love, with who you love, no rules as to when you can and cannot go to the bathroom, no more cram sessions about the great depression, or late nights crying over an essay you can’t seem to crack the code on. This is ever so cliche, but the anxiety and stuck in nowness, will not last forever.

Keep pushing.

Love always,