Almost There: Junior Year
college option thinking photo from woodtv.com
This is the year to continue to do all of the things you planned for during sophomore year. Classes are probably the hardest they have ever been, and talks of college applications are starting.
However, you are on track because:
You are following the plan you made last year
You know exactly which classes you are going to take, why you are taking them, and when you will sit the AP exams at the end of the year. You also already have an understanding of the teachers and the workload.
You are excelling both in extracurriculars and academics
You have remained in your sport and club for two years and you are doing well in classes. You took your first round of AP classes, and know what to expect for finals and the end-of-term AP exams. I know this year can be extremely helpful, but there are a lot of resources out there to improve your efficiency in studying. I have personally found the best study resources to come from current graduate students. Why? Well depending on their level of study, they have been students for the past 8 years at least (4 years of high school and 4 years of college and however many years of graduate school they are in now). YouTubers such as Ali Abdaal, a junior doctor at Cambridge University, have provided me with great resources over the years. I actually use Notion (my favorite note-taking app) more than any other resource because Ali provided free templates and guides on how to tailor certain productivity apps to you.
You will be taking the SAT/ACT this year
You have an entire summer's worth of studying to prepare you for the SAT or ACT, which you will be taking this year! Here is our map on the best ways to study, which can be helpful not only for the SAT but also for your classes. You can also refer to our Applying to College map for further detail on the SAT/ACT process here.
Aside:
If you have only realized that you wish to attend college now, do not feel left behind! Start doing everything listed in the previous two stages, and try to talk to your guidance counselor as much as possible. If you want to challenge yourself, enroll in some college-level courses online (if you are allowed to) or at your local community college, and become involved now! Another great option is to find an internship outside of school. Here is a resource we have compiled for high school-level internships/programs. If any of them interest you, definitely apply as it will add to your professionalism and extracurriculars.
New things to consider this year are:
Think about what college or university you would like to attend
In an effort to conserve type, we have another map specifically dedicated to the college application process that provides everything you need to know here. Regardless of which major you are interested in, it is a good idea to get a feel of all the options out there for you. Don’t just rely on what others say! This is a perfect time to research which universities might be the best fit for you!
Compile a list of scholarships (for college and the application process)
Though each student will qualify for different types of scholarships, there is a multitude of scholarships offered each year. Some have such specific requirements that you could automatically qualify for many of them without too much effort. Some might ask for a short essay or a letter of reference, so just make sure you have that requirement in mind alongside the deadline! Again, a spreadsheet (either Google or Excel) may help you a ton here!
Start talking to teachers about letters of recommendation
Almost all colleges and universities require at least two letters of recommendation from two separate teachers to go alongside your personal statement and any other essays that they may require. Ideally, you should ask this question fairly early, but this shouldn’t be difficult for you as you already know which teachers have monitored your progress and growth over the years. Those are the teachers you want to write your letter of rec! Remember to always ask politely, and give them as much time as possible. They are taking time to write an encouraging letter about you, so always be courteous.
Attend to your stress and emotions
For me, junior year was the most stressful time. It seemed like every day I was either studying, taking practice tests, or trying to meet deadlines at the last minute. What I wish someone told me then, was to breathe and relax. This time is stressful because of all the pressures and expectations that you need to meet. I understand this completely. However, please, take care of your mental health and happiness. I always found that taking time out of the week to hang out with friends, watch a new movie, or going on a walk left me feeling refreshed and ready to work again. Everyone needs time to recharge, and you are no exception. There are also many mediation apps that are great if you just need to take a 10-minute breather to rest your thoughts. I personally have heard great things from Calm and Headspace!
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Now that you are more than halfway there on your road to college, keep reading on how to complete this journey!
