High school is arguably one of the most important times of growth for an individual. Everyone tells you at first that your most difficult year of high school will be, without question, junior year. While it intimidates many students, it is far from inaccurate. During a student’s junior year, they often find themselves stressing over the SAT, ACT, college essays/applications, etc.
Junior year is a pivotal moment in one’s high school career, as it demands large amounts of time for academic needs. Standardized tests come with lots of pressure, and provide a challenge for almost all students. Although the past few years have become optional for score submissions, they will be mandatory once again in the next few years. Sophomores often express their concerns toward their junior year and how they fear doing poorly on exams.
“Sophomore year has taught me a lot of responsibility,” Maya Burton ‘25 said. “Teachers have been talking about preparing for junior year, so I feel like they are doing a good job guiding us.”
Time management is very important when it comes to academics. Being able to bounce between your personal needs and your academic responsibilities. Establishing a structured schedule helps organize tasks and use time efficiently. By prioritizing assignments and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to keep up in class and promote a sense of control.
Although academics are very important, it is also important to take care of yourself and your personal needs. Juniors frequently feel overwhelmed with the amounts of work assigned to them, so they forget that their mental health is a priority.
It’s a fact that students have been more stressed now more than ever, with many students hating the curriculum. This can lead to discouragement amongst many students across the country, and many end up being burnt out by their junior year, which is not something that should be happening.
Effective study habits are also essential to seeing academic success. There are many ways to study, with flash cards, testing yourself/being tested by peers. If the concern of being surrounded in groups makes you nervous, places like the Ewald branch library in Grosse Pointe Park, is a much quieter and stress free environment.
“It’s hard to find a balance between school and my personal life,” Burton ‘25 says. “I am a very stressed-out person, so it was nice when I finally got into a routine of doing my work and then taking time for myself.”