Cox declassified: junior year survival guide

Junior year, as many call it, is for some, one of the scariest endeavors in the life of a high school student. With SATs, AP exams, and maintaining a good GPA, eleventh grade can seem to be the most stressful year of all. Fear not though, with the proper guidance and work ethic, junior year will fly by with relative ease.

SATs and SAT subjects are the golden children of Collegeboard and possibly one of the most important aspects of a good resume. Taking your first SAT in October is recommended as a way to make sure you know where you stand score wise. Taking a couple of SAT preparation courses is also important in scoring well. The SAT is a standardized test, meaning that all the questions ask about the same subjects in every test, just worded differently. Practice definitely makes perfect in achieving the score you need to get into the college of your choice.

SAT subjects are less well-known exams that test in certain areas of knowledge. They range from Chemistry and Biology to Foreign Language and mathematics. These tests are recommended to be taken after taking the specific class, i.e. taking the Biology Subject Test after taking an AP Biology course.

AP courses are a notoriously inevitable part of a junior’s schedule. It is recommended to take APS in classes you enjoy and excel in. That being said, do not overdo it! Nothing is worse than the stress of feeling as if you have pushed yourself too hard. Keep in mind that AP classes also include AP exams that require great time and preparation.

Another key phrase that often comes up when speaking about college readiness is “well-roundedness.” In short, this means that good grades should also be accompanied with extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and sports.

Building a good resume is also vital for college preparation. Make sure that you are in constant contact with your guidance counselors for scholarship opportunities. Keep track of all awards you receive and all activities that you are involved in. It will save you tons of time in the future and help you find your weak points and what you need to improve on.

Junior year, in all its college preparation glory, should not be taken lightly. It is the last year before GPAs are finalized for college, which makes it the most important. If all the proper steps are taken, then it can be the most successful year of all, setting a good base for senior year and college admissions.