Things I Learned From Junior Year

Things I learned from Junior Year

Hey hey so my junior year  ends in a week and I want to share some of the (surprising) things I’ve learned from what everyone generally calls the most important year of high school

1. Do what you love, love what you do

Junior year is when almost everyone is basically freaking out about college transcripts. I cannot stress how important it is to actually take the classes and activities that you want to do, not what you think colleges will want to see. Almost everyone I knew took all these AP classes for their college transcripts and not only were most of us pretty miserable but our grades dropped and we wasted months of our year. So, you first, college second.

2. You will get into a college

If you’re applying, you will get into a college. It might not be your dream school or your top three, but you will get into a college. So don’t worry over “perfecting” your college app for your top colleges. There will always be a college willing to welcome you and that C you got in physics class. If one door closes, another door opens. Broaden your horizons and let the opportunities fall where they may. 

3. Community college is a valid option

Let’s be real, community college is taken as a giant joke, the place where the people that couldn’t get into “real college” go, the school that gets you nowhere. But, that’s pretty damn far from the truth. People go to community college for a lot of reasons: it’s way cheaper, you can use it as a springboard to get into a university which is easier than if you applied as a freshman bc college credits, etc. You can be just as successful as someone that went to a private college. Don’t be afraid of considering community college as a place to go to.

4. Watch your mental health

Take that mental health day. All that SAT prep coupled with school, extra curriculars, and the general downward spiral of other people’s mental health during the year will mush together into a workaholic 2 hour sleep schedule where all you eat is basically coffee and potato chips. If you need to, take that D on that math test if it means not pulling an all-nighter for the third day in a row. Take that extra day away from school to study for that test in the subject you’re terrible at. Take that extra day to not do anything but relax with some bubble tea and take-out and netflix. Just don’t let it turn into a mental health week. 

5. You don’t need a life plan

You don’t need to have your life all planned out. Half of everyone doesn’t really know what they’re doing, so don’t feel panicky if someone actually does. But, this doesn’t mean you get to slack off. Explore your options, your hobbies, cultivate your abilities and passions, so you won’t be completely befuddled when you’ve actually got a make some sort of plan later on. 

6. Don’t feel pressured

Don’t let people pressure you into doing things you don’t feel ready for. Yes, I mean things like drinking (especially underage drinking), smoking things, and sex and everything in between. Because kids will be losing their virginities and going to wild parties and getting tattoos. It happens. Don’t feel like you need to have your first kiss or your first drink before college. It isn’t a race or a competition. Don’t do things you’ll regret or set yourself up for trouble. Be careful, be safe, be comfortable. 

Ah I hope this post is helpful in any sort of way! I’ve finally posted something original which is a big woohoo. Have a great whatever time of day it is! okie dokes bye :)