How to navigate junior year
Juniors studying at senior tables (Rafaella Bravo, The Puma Prensa)
By Rafaella Bravo, opinion editor, Tessa Tappe, staff writer
Out of all four years of high school, many students dread entering junior year as it’s known as the most challenging. This year many students will take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT and enroll in more Advanced Placement (AP) courses which are accompanied by AP tests. If students are choosing these options, junior year is when the pressure to meet their academic standards reaches an all-time high. As academic life becomes more complex for students, balancing it with extracurriculars and social life can be a struggle. We encourage upcoming junior’s to continue to put up their best academic effort while staying involved with Maria Carrillo High School’s social activities as well.
Focusing on students' academic needs, a successful junior year starts with selecting your classes. If you're planning to go to college after high school, honors and AP classes are a good look as they show that you're trying to academically challenge yourself to handle a harder class. I can’t recommend a specific ratio for AP/Honors to academic classes; however, I can tell you that looking at the big picture of what you're going to participate in during the school year is definitely something you should take into account.
Jerry Deakins has taught psychology and AP US History at our school and recommends students choose their courses wisely. “ I feel like many students sign up for multiple AP and honors classes without looking at the totality of their schedule into there in it, ‘I got these three AP and honors classes, I got this job now, I don't have the time, I wanna cheerlead.’” Deakins ended his analysis of what students experience as far as committing to too many things by advising students to consider what “their end goal is for after high school, and what you want for yourself.”
When creating your schedule you want to consider what field you want to go into after college. For example, not taking any advanced classes in the science field and taking your honors classes in English or history won't harmonize if you're entering into a STEM field major. Finding the perfect balance of classes that isn't pushing you enough or overwhelming you to the point where you can't succeed in your classes are both bad looks for college.
In addition to academically challenging yourself, you should take into account the amount of responsibility that comes with the courses. Junior Abigail Mills talks about how many students might face pressures of going into honors or AP classes even if they're not sure if they can handle the workload, “I recommend that if you aren't ready for more homework they you don't take as many or even any honors classes, it looks better if you maintain good grades in academic classes then be failing an AP or honors class.”
Another aspect to keep in mind is that having a social life, both in and out of MCHS, is just as important as succeeding in your classes. Trust us, attending sports games, going to dances, getting involved in clubs, dressing up on spirit days, and overall getting involved is worth your time. “When you look back to your high school years you don't want to think you didn't try enough in school, or you burnt yourself out and missed out on important experiences,” said junior Danya Aail. As Aail explained, you want to remember the fun experiences of being a part of your school’s community.
Overall Junior year isn’t as scary as it might seem. You might struggle with your classes, however, when planning out and preparing for your junior year remember to plan your schedule meaningfully and take into account everything else you might be participating in this year. Stay concentrated on your work throughout the week but remember to use your weekend for rest and handle everything with balance. Junior Danya Aail closed by saying, “When you look back to your high school year you don't want to think you didn't try enough in school, or you burnt yourself out and missed out on important experiences.”