Advice for Aspiring Juniors

So, you are officially more than halfway done with high school and college is looming around the corner, huh? Here's what you have to do starting right now:

1. Sweat and try hard in all your classes.

        Because college applications start in August of your senior year, junior year is technically the last year to increase your GPA and impress your chosen colleges. Use the Schoology calendar as your planner for homework, assignments, and things-to-do. Almost or all your coursework and materials are in Schoology, so it would make sense to also use the Schoology calendar to have things in one website. I use the calendar every day and it has helped me so much in time management and staying organized! A study method I use is to study for 30 minutes and take a 10-minute break. I highly recommend this method because studying can be very overwhelming, especially if you take multiple AP courses or have 3 tests the following day. Taking breaks is a must in everything--sports, practicing your instrument, jobs, etc.--that helps offset stress and keep your mentality healthy. During this break, watch a couple TikTok's, play a quick game of Clash Royale, or eat a light snack. Finally, your friends are one of your ultimate resources in becoming an academic weapon. No explanation needed.

2. Start preparing for college.

        Think about what colleges you want to apply for, schedule college campus tours, research scholarships that you could apply for, and get a quick glance of what each college requires for their freshmen. To be straightforward, the first semester of your senior year will probably be one of the hardest times of your high school career. So, it's good to get a head start so that when senior year arrives, you will have less work to do. Finish all your required credits and take one or two summer classes. Please do not be like me and never enroll in summer school. I thought doing more schoolwork over the summer was lame, but what was even lamer was not having an off period for my senior year. Most of my friends have 7th period off and play volleyball, drink boba, hangout, and more without me. College applications are extremely stressful, so having one or two off periods can give you time to do applications or have fun to relieve stress. You could say "colleges may look at your senior year transcript and taking off periods is probably not a good sign for them." Maybe so, but seriously, even if you are a future valedictorian looking to apply to all the Ivy Leagues, college is really not that serious. Live out your final years of your teenage life before you go to the hell that is college. Not everything is about academics.

3. Partake in a lot of different activities.

        START GETTING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE. Just, please do. It makes a lot of things easier. Also, start going to the gym if you have not already. With junior year and the first semester of senior year being extremely stressful and loaded with piles of work, having physical activity, becoming buff, and boosting your confidence are extremely vital in improving your mental health. Start volunteering, participating in competitions, and other activities that you enjoy and that you could put on your college applications. Apply for a job. You earn money AND you could put that on your letter of recommendation resumes and college applications.