From the Interns: 5 Step Guide to Junior Year

The concept of junior year can be very stressful for everyone involved. However, the stress from college visits, adding extra activities, and nonstop studying can be managed if you follow this simple 5-step plan.

 Step 1: Increase Class Rigor 

Although taking more challenging classes may seem intimidating at first, it's incredibly rewarding. Not only do you learn things you wouldn't normally encounter, but you also unlock the benefits of a weighted GPA. Your typical GPA is out of 100, but with a weighted GPA, you can go beyond that. Throughout school, I've taken 6 AP classes so far, and by the end of high school, I'll have taken over 10 exams. The effort is worth the reward if you don't take on more than you can handle. 

Step 2: Take the SAT and ACT Early 

The SAT and ACT are tests that every high school student hesitates to talk about. No one wants to share their scores. However, starting early allows you to share your scores confidently. Although I've never taken the ACT, the SAT is a learnable test, and the early stages are the most important. Most juniors don't know that few colleges see all your scores, so if you start early, you'll have more chances to take the exams multiple times.

 Step 3: Set Up Extracurriculars and Leadership 

Throughout high school, I've been a part of several things including the school newspaper, model UN, and a student ambassador program. However, in my junior year, I wanted to do something more so I began a passion project. The project was completely student-led showing my leadership and also my ability to communicate with others. The skills ive gained just taking on these roles will not only help me apply to college but also work in the future. 

Step 4: Secure Letters of Recommendation

In college, you need to submit multiple letters of recommendation to show that you are what your application says you are. So now is the time to narrow down the people who will attest for you. These letters can be from future employers, teachers, or anyone who knows you. Doing this in advance not only gives the people whom you choose more time to write but also removes a future burden. 

Step 5: Research Colleges and Plan a Productive Summer 

As high school comes to a close if you are planning on going to college it's time to narrow down a list. Starting your search in your junior year allows you to begin the application process in early August by crafting a list with a reasonable mix of safety targets and reach. There should be a balance of both acceptances and rejections if you are accepted to all your options you just reach high enough. Planning your summer out early will only help rather than harm. And by following this 5-step guide you can 1000 percent ensure that a perfect junior year is in the cards for you.