Dear incoming juniors/current sophomores,

Some may say that junior year is synonymous for misery and stress. I’m sure that you have all heard the rumors about junior year, also known as the hardest year. But, I am not going to sit here and tell you how miserable it was. While I could not be more thrilled to have it all behind me in just one week, I do not want to scare you off. Yes, there were many times it was hard; however, there were also times it was rewarding and even a little fun (yes, I do mean fun). Below is some advice that will hopefully guide you through this dreaded year (I’m not positive it will because I haven’t made it through just yet):

1. It’s catching up on sleep. It’s not your summer assignments, but it’s definitely something to do over the summer. Starting the year off healthy and energized will help prepare you for the long nights spent memorizing your environmental textbook. Sleep becomes something precious, something I could never seem to get enough of. Saying that, I suggest you learn to like coffee too.

2. Don’t forget to breathe. When you look at your assignment planner and see Spanish project, math test, physics test, English essay all due within the next two days, your heart may start to tighten up, well at least mine would. In this situation, take a deep breath. Once you have regained stability, slowly work through each road bump with your best foot forward. But, don’t forget to breathe along the way!

3. Tell yourself it will be worth it in the end. While you may not want to study for your gov test, do you ACT homework, or even go shopping for a Counties dress, putting it off will only make the situation worse. Instead, go at it with all your effort because I promise that will lead to a better outcome in all scenarios.

While I can say I didn’t think I would make it through, I am here to tell the tale. But, I can also say I am definitely not jealous of you all.

Best of Luck,

A relieved, but barely breathing junior