As a current junior, I am well acquainted with the trials and tribulations of 11th grade: AP and Honors classes, extracurricular activities and looming college applications combine into an often overwhelming mix. 

Growing up, I always dreaded my junior year. I had heard horror stories and warnings that portrayed it as a mountain I would eventually need to climb to complete my high school career. Now that I am more than halfway through it, though, I can’t believe it is almost over. I spent so many years worrying about it and, in reality, it is only a single year of your life. I am not saying it is not difficult, but with the right habits and discipline, you can persevere and make it out on the other side alive (and sane). 

Building good study habits: Plan ahead. Study ahead.

As someone who is balancing four AP and two Honors classes, I have had my fair share of downfalls when it comes to balancing priorities. These include missed homework assignments and less-than-ideal test and quiz scores. When I crashed on assessments this year, it was mostly due to a lack of preparedness and last-minute cramming. However, I was lucky enough to have experienced these failures in the first few months and take a different path. 

I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay ahead with studying. The moment I start a new unit, I immediately begin studying the material. Even if the teacher has not yet lectured on something, most post a calendar on Canvas guiding the next topics. In AP Biology, I begin taking notes on the next chapter the moment a unit test is over, even if I only cover 1-2 pages of the book per night. In AP Calculus AB, I begin reading through the textbook lessons and doing practice problems. Allowing myself to prepare over a couple weeks makes learning in class exponentially easier and preparing for tests less stressful. 

Using the extra review time I have from starting early, I make study guides for every class (which I am willing to share for a price) as I study the topic in-depth. Though my study guides aren’t as comprehensive as my initial notes, they’re great review materials right before a test. 

Finally, I’ve learned the power of practice. And not just once or twice — you can do more. There are thousands of practice problems, tests and reviews available online. USE THEM. Do them in a test environment and only check all your answers at the end. The more you practice in the right conditions, the better you will perform in class.

And of course, I’ve learned to put my phone away. Every time I sit down at my desk to study, I throw my phone across the room onto my bed and mute all notifications on my laptop. Without the chatter of social media, I get into a flow and do much more work efficiently. 

Then I was lucky enough to be logged out of Netflix (to which I don’t know the password) on my laptop by accident. Since that day, my focus has skyrocketed. Without the urge to swipe screens and watch “just five more minutes” of a new show, I am more focused and productive than ever. 

Talk to your teachers

If you find yourself needing to stay up excessively late to finish your homework, or simply in need of a break, don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers. They do not bite, and they are only there to help you. Don’t — ever — make excuses to skip work, but you may be able to get an extension on an assignment or two if you don’t abuse the requests.

Enjoy the spare moments

I always make sure to spend lunch, one of the few opportunities for a break, with my friends. Even though it’s during school hours, spending some time in the middle of the day with the people I love always brightens my mood, regardless of how bad a day I am having. 

Though I try to use my tutorials to finish homework, talk to teachers and study ahead, some days I don’t. Whether my mental battery is drained or I am plain tired, I sometimes choose to do absolutely nothing except wander around campus (please don’t tell the campus supervisors). This short mental break is much needed after class, and it allows me to be alone with my thoughts for a short while.

If something does slip, whether a homework assignment or exam, don’t give up. Yes, it may hurt to see that specific grade in your Canvas, and your overall class grade may not be what you want it to be for a while. However, there are almost always ways to make up a grade. Don’t let yourself be defined by one bad day. 

Nobody’s junior year experience will be the same. There will be inevitable ups and downs, but I’ve found that is mostly fine. Your grades will fluctuate, you will have good days and bad, but in the end, you will develop countless habits that carry on into senior year and college. Start strong from the beginning, and run a marathon, not a sprint.