With the large majority of learning coming to an end and the preparation for AP exams starting, the signal that junior year (AKA the worst year of high school) is almost over has come. I'm happy that I may actually be able to readopt a healthy lifestyle, but regardless of that, here are 11 things junior year has taught me that I'll never forget.
1. The only real motivation to get through the hardest year of high school is college.
I can promise you that most of us would have just given up at this point if it weren't for college applications just around the corner. However, people still have given up either way, and it's an accomplishment to still have your life somewhat together at the end of the year.
2. There is still time to hang out with friends.
You'll make time to hang out with your friends. It's important to go out and have fun sometimes. Studying and stressing is not good if that's all you're doing, and in most cases, your friends are just as stressed as you. A quick study break never hurt anyone.
3. Sleep in when you can because it won't happen very often.
It is socially acceptable to sleep until noon on Saturday mornings because when you're getting less than six hours a night, you deserve it.
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4. Maybe don't develop a strong caffeine dependency.
I'm sure Starbucks thoroughly enjoys profiting off your sleep-deprived state, but developing a caffeine dependency at this point in your life is probably not the best idea.
5. Make sure you have someone to talk to about mental health.
Junior year is not some walk in the park. You will be heavily stressed out sometimes, and it can be extremely detrimental to your mental health. Find someone you can talk to. You won't regret it.
6. Everyone is going through something.
Everyone is facing something that is difficult for them to handle in some way. It's important to keep this in mind when you're upset with someone, and you'll see the wonders it does for your relationship.
7. You have to work for what you want.
Do you want straight A's? Well, you'd better be prepared to work for them. Unlike prior years of high school with courseloads that have a low concentration of AP classes, junior year is full of AP's, and you need to learn how to work hard. No more A's for just showing up.
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8. Parents are right more than you'd like to admit.
If your parents say not to doing something and you disagree, you should still listen because there is a 99.9 percent chance they are right and you are wrong. You'll probably be thanking them in 10 years.
9. Sometimes it's necessary to put yourself first, and that's okay.
Don't always worry about keeping the people around you happy. At the end of the day, you need to make sure you're doing what's best for yourself.
10. Make sure you're surrounding yourself with the right kind of people.
Junior year is definitely one of the years where you can find yourself in toxic friendships and other bad relationships. It's important you get out of these relationships because they'll hold you back.
11. Everything will turn out just fine.
At the beginning of junior year, I was so stressed out, and I didn't know how I was going to manage it all. There have been many ups and downs, but I've gotten through most of it unscathed.
