lots and lots and lots of hot caffeinated drinks…. junior year was definitely the most stressful for me

Junior year is the most crucial. You will be taking the PSAT in the fall or the SAT in spring, so take a SAT prep class if offered. If you are taking AP classes, I would highly suggest researching what that class will be covering, so that you can be more prepared.

Juniors usually take Chemistry, which can be confusing if you don’t pay attention, so make sure to take GOOD notes in class. You could even buy the SPARKnotes flashcards to help you become familiar with the concepts and formulas now.

Juniors will also be writing incessantly, so I suggest buying a notebook specifically for writing. Any free time you have throughout the summer should be devoted to trying to perfect your writing skills.

Juniors should be taking Algebra 2 or Pre. Calc. Both should be taken seriously, and the only way to prepare is to review what you did sophomore year. You should be 100% familiar with what you did previously so that when the school year begins, you will be ready for new material.

I would also begin volunteering now while you still have free time. Try to get 1 – 7 hours a week before school starts, and 5 hours a month while school’s in session. Believe me – it pays off big time! For opportunities in you community, go to Volunteermatch.org.

But the most important piece of advice I can give you, is to… REST. Get lots of rest, and don’t burn yourself out with work! Be optimistic and don’t forget to enjoy the time off!

Stay organized and focus in the classroom. You really need to concentrate on your academics your junior year so you will make a better score on your ACT or SAT. Might I also suggest taking the PSAT (counselor should be able to give you more info on that) Also if possible get into a ACT or SAT preparation course if your school has one or just buy a preparation guide at your local bookstore.

Try and get organized before the year starts… Organize binders, organize your backpack… you’ll have a lot of work but getting organized will help make it quicker and a lot less stressful. Make sure to get your textbooks as soon as possible and when possible it’s always great to read a chapter ahead, the content might not make perfect sense but it will make the class time much more useful and you can ask your teacher more comprehensive questions. Try not to get too burned out, plan out your time so you still have time for friends… It’s generally a tough year, but by staying on top of things you can make it a lot simpler. Good luck!

Prepare to stay focused and work hard. What you do not counts for college. Prepare now for your future

Junior year is the most crucial. IT COUNTS NOW. Just work hard and it’l pay off senior year, you can relax more and enjoy yourself.