As the weather gets colder and the first semester comes to an end, juniors reflect on the hardships and blessings of this year. Upon completing the first half of the “most challenging year of a student’s high school life,” juniors have no problem advising sophomores and sharing their unfiltered opinion of junior year. Besides the stress, lack of sleep, long hours of studying, and extracurriculars the dubs always seem to conquer, how do they feel about junior year being painted as the most difficult year?
Taking an AP course while doing the IBCP program, junior Andres Gonzalez, undoubtedly agrees that junior year is the toughest. Last year Gonzalez took two AP classes, believing that he was only stressed because of the rigorous course. Yet, this year he has to adjust to the rigorous coursework, studying for and taking SATs and ACTs, with the added stress of outside challenges. Maintaining balance is a big one. He recognizes that procrastination is the root of this struggle, making his overall goals harder. “Balancing school, work, and a social life is difficult because everyone is usually busy,” he said. “Finding an opportunity to spend time with friends is tricky. Events like football games make it easier.”
Gonzalez’s sister is a current IBDP senior which gave him insight into junior year and the struggles of time management however he admits it isn’t as bad as he imagined. He’s been able to manage his time and possibly discover his future major. However, procrastination is still one of his most significant ongoing regrets plaguing his work ethic. “I’d advise sophomores to do their work on time and don’t procrastinate, it’ll ruin you,” he said.
On the other hand, Junior Grace Cowell does not agree that this year has been the toughest. Cowell is proud that she’s achieved balancing her workload while in the IB program. She confesses making time for clubs has become tough because of how long it takes to finish homework. She emphasizes that having homework due the same night as her extracurricular days can be stressful because she has to cram it all when she gets home. Socially she has no problem, most of her friends take the same classes as her allowing them to converse anytime. She knows her mental health has grown from sophomore year, emphasizing that no one talks about how hard sophomore year was. “Sophomores, do most of your work in school so when you’re home it’s not overwhelming,” she said. “Ever since I started doing it, it’s made managing work much easier.”
Taylor Barcus, in the IBCP program with honor classes, agrees that junior year is currently the hardest. Barcus uncovers that the intimidating standardized tests, IB projects, worry for the future, and Drivers Ed impact her feelings in junior year as she completes the first semester. She acknowledges the workload drastically doubled with the amount of outside work and regrets taking some of her classes. “I knew this year would be hard, but not to the extent I am facing right now,” she said. “My mental health has declined since this year and hasn’t been the same since”.
