Spread too thin

Junior year. Get ready to go into overload with GPA stress, college tours, and the dreaded ACT. It’s safe to say that there is a lot of pressure to kill it this year.

I have been told for a long time that junior year is the time to make yourself look good for colleges. That it is important to be involved in lots of clubs and sports, have a really high gpa, and take as many honors and AP classes as you can.

The issue with all of that is, for me, it’s just not realistic.

For most of high school I have struggled with anxiety. So my gpa is not where I would like it to be. Now is when the wheels start turning in my head telling me that “I will never get into college, or get a good job, or be successful at life”. All because I may not have my whole life together my junior year of high school.

The more you think about it, the sillier it sounds. Sure it is a good idea to start thinking about what life after high school looks like, and it is a good idea to take classes that will help you towards your goals. This is not the time to have your entire life planned out though.

Point being, don’t stretch yourself too thin. It is easy with all of the ‘advice’ of the internet to think that you have to join every club and take every AP class.

But you don’t.

Do what ever will make you the most successful this year. If playing sports helps you academically than do that. If you can handle all honors and AP classes, then take them. If not, that’s okay, make the best of the ones you are taking. Do what you need to do to make this year count.

As far as extracurriculars go, be involved in the things that you are passionate about, but remember that you do not have to join everything. Not being in one club won’t make or break your chances of getting into school.

Whatever approach you take to this year, just make sure you have time to process it all. Before we know it this year will be over, so try to enjoy it all. By taking classes and joining clubs that interest you, colleges can see where you are headed.