With May fast approaching, thoughts of prom, end of year celebrations, and summer vacation are hard to ignore. For juniors, these final months of the school year can be particularly challenging. The senior class is well on its way to graduation, fully embracing the coming conclusion of high school. In some schools, seniors aren’t even on campus in May, with senior projects and or capstone commitments keeping them occupied. But juniors still have classes, AP exams, and final projects and tests. Keeping your grades up when everyone around you seems checked out is never easy. Read on for ideas about staying focused and finishing junior year strong.
First and foremost, take well deserved breaks and recharge. Enjoy the beautiful weather and be outdoors when you can. Stay after school and cheer on your favorite sports team. Plan something fun for Memorial Day weekend. Is walking home from school an option? What about a bike ride? Clear your head and get some sunshine before tackling your homework.
Be sure to prioritize your assignments. Which classes have final papers and which have group projects? How many AP exams are you taking in May? And what about finals? Thinking about the work that lies ahead of you can be daunting. But making a plan for getting the work done puts you in control. Take the lead on any group projects to make sure things get done. Remember that AP exams are scheduled over two consecutive weeks; make sure you know when your exams are and prepare accordingly. Your other commitments don’t pause because of the APs.
It’s also time to confirm your summer plans. Are you traveling, working, or starting an internship? Do you have a creative project waiting for you when school lets out? Have you been accepted at a pre-college summer program? Take a careful look at the calendar and make sure you have planned for some downtime before your summer activities get underway.
Start thinking about senior year. Some senior leadership roles are decided in junior year. Which of your extracurriculars are most meaningful to you and where would you like to lead? Are you ready to run for senior class office or apply to be editor-in-chief of the school paper or yearbook? You can also be thinking ahead to the fall when other opportunities will open up.
Knowing that the fall of your senior year will be intense, make plans now for how you will manage your time. Getting started on your college applications, visiting schools, and even reading ahead for some of your demanding classes will help to take some of the pressure off in September. Keeping yourself organized, focused, and engaged with your work will benefit you in the long run.
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