Rebecca Hadjiloucas ’11
Congratulations Class of 2012, you are now officially MLHS juniors! While the year ahead is certainly stressful and demanding, it is also rewarding, and reveals a lot about whom you are as a person and who you would like to be. Junior year is analogous to freshman year in college, so will understandably be emotionally and mentally taxing. Hopefully, it will be a positive testament of your study habits and work ethic. However, the real reason junior year is so important, is because it shows you what you need to improve on as a student, and as a person as well, to better prepare you not only for college, but also for life.
Perhaps the most infamous aspect of junior year is the dreaded SAT. Most students will take the test in May, which is right around AP exams. So, if you are one to stress out easily, maybe consider taking the SAT before this time. Since most students take the SAT at least twice, it may be beneficial to take the test in the fall, and then again, in March, which will leave your springtime open for AP studying and lessen your stress levels too. If you do plan on taking the SAT in the fall, a good way to get a head start on practice is by studying vocab over the summer; it’s quick and easy, and is guaranteed to boost your score. This summer is just as important as the school year, and according to Kendall George ’11, it might be wise to “sleep as much as you can because you won’t get much next year.” While taking a prep course is recommended and quite commonplace at MLHS, make sure to balance those extra demands with school, so that one doesn’t lag behind the other.
Remember that SATs are only one aspect of your entire junior year. Junior year is also full of new privileges, most notably, driving! Even though recent restrictions limit your newfound freedom, driving is still just as empowering, but do not forget that with power comes responsibility, and that driving, though fun, can still be fatal. Junior year is also the most social year, which can sometimes distract us from our other duties. Hannah Saeed ’11 warns us “not to forget about academics, which are crucial this year.” Make sure to stay organized and manage your time wisely, so you can retain knowledge not just for the midterm and final, but also for your own personal betterment. “Just take the time to enjoy what is going on during the year, and don’t let the stress consume you,” reminds Nikki Castellucci ’11.
In the end, junior year is about finding a balance. In college, you will have to balance social life with academics and sports; and in life, you will have to balance family with work and free time. Junior year is really the first time when you are handed the reins to your own chariot; you provide the driving motivation and ultimately achieve what you are willing to work for. Stephanie DiIonno ‘11 says the best way to find a balance is to stay relaxed and “not to stress too much.” So, enjoy the summer and remember that junior year is not about the tests, the drama, or the grades; it’s about you.
Photo Courrtesy of www.uexpressit.com