Junioritis

Angie Kidder

 Juniors, picture this: We’re at the beach. We’re in the ocean splashing and having fun… until we look up and find ourselves at the bottom of a cresting wave– the largest we’ve ever seen– destined to crash down upon us in mere moments. Welcome to January of our junior year. As we stand on the precipice of this upcoming semester, we are no longer strangers to this feeling of impending doom. 

If last semester didn’t kill you, congratulations! Whether you met your specific academic goals or not, we should all be proud of ourselves for what we accomplished: juggling this demanding high school curriculum alongside our social lives, extracurricular activities, and self-care needs is no easy task. We performed in shows, led clubs, and pushed ourselves outside of our comfort zones in many other exciting ways. Although this might’ve required some sleepless nights, canceled plans and mind-boggling levels of stress, we made it. And now we just have to do it all over again! Great! But maybe this time we’ll be able to make it without the sleepless nights, canceled plans and immense stress? Maybe?? (We won’t.) 

Junior year is when we have to start answering questions regarding our identities as students and as individuals. While we’re told that freshman and sophomore years are supposed to be ones of exploration– in terms of passions, hobbies and future aspirations– by junior year we’re supposed to have it all figured out. We’re expected to have a dream job, dream college and list of extracurriculars and achievements that are going to get us there. No more wiggle room or trying new things– just implementation. But how can we determine how we want to spend the rest of our academic careers if we can’t decide what we want for dinner? And how can we know if we’re doing enough? Can a student in 2024 ever “do enough”? At this point, most of us are probably feeling imposter syndrome: the feeling that our skills or qualifications are not good enough. But as we continue to take on seemingly infinite personal and academic commitments– like taking the SAT or ACT and beginning to study for upcoming AP exams– we have to remind ourselves of a couple of things. 

First, our parents, teachers, and future college admissions officers aren’t looking for perfection– just a demonstration that we are trying our best. If our grades throughout high school haven’t been where we want them to be, it’s not too late to reach out for help, adopt new study habits and turn our transcripts around. Though undertaking this process in junior year may feel potentially late, it will surely demonstrate commendable determination and resolve. And second, we go to a preeminent arts school. We are learning alongside some of the most talented and devoted students in not only Orange County, but the entire state. It’s easy to forget this and feel discouraged when we compare ourselves to apparent geniuses and future Hollywood stars. We have to keep in mind that each of us brings something unique to the table; someone else’s win does not equate to your loss. 

“During such an overwhelming time, it’s been really important for me to have exciting things to look forward to,” Kate Kim (CW ‘25) says, “from spending time with my friends at school to planning fun outings on the weekends.” With only a few months left of our junior year, this advice is imperative. We will not be successful at anything if we burn ourselves out by neglecting rest, relaxation and the things that make us happiest. After a long week, go out. Close your computer and spend time with your loved ones. Sleep in! As stressful as junior year is, it’s already halfway done, and with a little balance, it will be remembered not for the nights we stayed up late studying, but for the nights we stayed up late laughing and building friendships that will last a lifetime.