By Ruben Soberanis ’19
Rumors spread around that junior year is the hardest year in high school. It could be said that juniors don’t have much time between homework, new material to learn, and SAT practice. However, once juniors take their SAT, times get better and from what has been said senior year is the best.
SAT testing can be a stressful time for students. These scores decide what colleges you are eligible for. Students tend to get extremely stressed. However, the one thing you can do to prepare for these test is pay attention your junior year, do all your homework, and stay for office hours to get help if you don’t understand something. Teachers will be your number one support system besides friends, families, and advisors. They have all taken this test and know what is expected, and they want you to strive for greatness.
The transition that happens from junior year to senior year would be that students spend junior year preparing for testing that determines what colleges they will be eligible for; whereas, senior year is about applying your scores and skills into writing college essays and preparing yourself more for college. Senior year you have to be open to visiting colleges, calling colleges, and writing a perfect essay. Senior year does have good things coming, but you have to work hard first.
According to Julia White, a senior, the transition for her was “fairly easy.” She stated “there wasn’t anything too surprising, the only issue I would say I am having with the transition is realizing that I will be in college next year.” Another senior, Cristeyli Delacruz, stated “As of right now the transition has been pretty decent. I still don’t feel like a senior, it hasn’t hit me yet. The only times where I truly feel that heavy weight senior status is when I’m in my collegiate seminar class. All the talk about college really gets me thinking that I’m officially a senior.”
Senior year still requires some work but things seniors say you should look forward to meeting all your cool senior teachers, enjoying any special senior days you get, and, most importantly, enjoying all your last school dances because it will be your senior year. White states that “definitely excited for homecoming, I always get excited during homecoming week because that all leads up to the homecoming the dance, the first dance of the year.” On the other hand, Delacruz stated “One thing I’m definitely excited for is prom!” She believes that everyone looks forward to it. She also can not wait to see where she will end up after high school.”
Overall, the transition will be hard at first because students are so use to dedicating their time to testing and now as a senior they must dedicate their time to college. Throughout the year up until winter break seniors will be working on college essays. After winter break, all their necessities will be in order and ready to send off to the school of their dreams. It is in that moment when they say yes to a college, and their futures begin.
