I’m starting my junior year of high school in a week, the hardest year of high school supposedly. I started making myself a to-do list and instantly got overwhelmed, so what better to do than make a discussion type blog post about it?
September:
-Study for my learner’s permit
-Turn 16 and get learner’s permit
-Register for driver’s ed
I’ve already started studying for my learner’s permit, but the only thing I’m worried about is that driver’s ed starts three days after I turn 16 so that’s how long I have to get my permit. I’m also worried about Cross Country and Driver’s Ed being on the same day, (Meet wise, I know I have to miss practice once a week already).
-Get 16 year old working papers
And then I have to get new working papers because I currently have the 14-15 year old one, but I need the 16 and up one.
October:
-Study for and take the PSAT
I took the psat last year and did okay, but this time it really counts for the National Merit Scholarship award so I want to do even better and for that I need to actually study this time.
December:
-Register for CPR re-certification
I got my lifeguard certification last year, but the CPR part of it needs to be renewed every year so that’s what I need to do in December.
January:
-Study for midterms
Midterm season!
March:
-Junior Prom Date
I know it seems trivial, but hello, I read contemporaries and NA and adult romance novels, obviously prom is going to be important to me. I went to senior prom last year with a friend but this is way different. Prom is in April so in March if I don’t get asked about midway through I’m going to ask someone, and if I don’t, I’ll just go with my friends in a group.
April:
-Junior Prom
Yay, prom at the end of the month.
(Also I need to start studying for IB exams this month)
May:
-IB Exams
I NEED to do well on these exams!
-Get a summer job!
I might work as a lifeguard in the same place I worked this summer or I might get a less paying job as a camp counselor with lifeguard on the side at the same place. And if not, Barnes and Noble or the library is always a last resort.
June:
-Look at SAT, subject SAT’s and ACT test and test centers
I don’t know yet if I’m taking the ACT but I’ll need to look into that soon.
-Finals and Regents studying!
End of the year studying!
This of course is just a general list. Not including my outside activities of battle of the books, taekwondo, dance, cross country, and track.
Also not included is clubs such as Spanish Club, DECA, Ethics Bowl, and Mock Trial.
Also obviously community service is necessary for National Honor Society as well attending school events for National Honor Society and Spanish Club/Honor Society such as Homecoming and Safe Halloween.
Am I missing anything that I need to do in my junior year? Leave me a comment!
Also a disclaimer, I realize this may sound like a lot to juggle, but really, I did it last year with only one mental breakdown so I think I can handle it again.
P.s. I’m currently doing a giveaway right now for my birthday in a few weeks, the rafflecopter link here:
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Also if you want to see the blog post that I did itself, you can click here:
calliopethebookgoddess.wordpress.com 
I’m starting my junior year as well! I turn 17 the 27th though! I am glad you are organized and hope you get it all accomplished! Goals are great things to set. There’s the clique “Shoot for the moon and even if you don’t make it you’ll land among the stars” but I prefer a Bruce Lee quote ” A goal is not always meant to be reached. It often serves simply as something to aim at.” I find that to be true but any self improvement feels so good to make. I’ve learned that through cross country and marching band. As far as testing goes, I have taken the ACT and plan on taking SAT as well. Where I live it’s much more typical to see ACT and not many people take the SAT. I will just because I want a little bit broader options for college,but hey you do what you think is best for you. Hope this helped a little!
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To do lists are my favorite to make and I feel so satisfied whenever I’m able to check items off my lists. I’ve heard different things and some people have said the ACT is easier and vice versa, if I can help it, I don’t want to take any tests for college my senior year but rather get them all out of the way junior year, that way I can focus on college essays and applications instead in the fall next year. Thanks for the advice! 😉
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Woah you’re turning 16 as a junior? I’m turning 16 as a sophomore 😅 maybe it’s a state thing, but in Pennsylvania, anyone born after September 1st that isn’t 5 yet has to wait till the following year to enter kindergarten (like I turned 5 in November 2005 so I didn’t go to kindergarten until 2006) is it different in NY? PA also only lets you get your permit at 16, so I feel you there 😂
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It depends on where in New York you live but where I live the cutoff used to be December 31st, but that’s been changed to December 1st. So I managed to make it, but my little brother is in a similar situation as you and didn’t get to go to kindergarten until he was almost 6 since his birthday is in the middle of December. And many parents hold their kids back born after September anyway actually. I hope that made sense haha 😉
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Yeah I Gotchu lol its crazy
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Haha definitely
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I’m actually a senior in high school right now, so I get what you’re going through! First off, I think people tend to exaggerate how stressful junior year was. I was taking loads of AP classes and doing the same things you did (clubs, volunteering, driver’s ed/license, SAT & ACT), and I still had time to relax and do fun things I wanted to do. If anything, I think senior year is more stressful than junior year (so far at least!). I think it’s a good thing that you’re studying for your PSAT; many people don’t realize the benefit of this exam, and if you end up being a National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist, you can get a lot of money for college, and it really is a difficult feat. I highly, highly suggest for you to take the SAT (and ACT) at least once your junior year, so you have at least one score before the college admissions process starts senior year. I would also look into SAT subject tests, as some colleges have requirements for them. Honestly, you seem good to go! Your list is great, and I want to remind you to also have fun (prom sounds like fun!). Enjoy your junior year.<3
xx Niraja
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Thanks so much for the advice! Did you take the SAT and the ACT? Because I’m trying to see if it makes sense for me to take both. Yes I took 2 subject tests last year but I didn’t do so well so this year I’m going to make sure to take subject tests on the classes I’m actually good in haha
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You’re welcome, and it definitely makes sense to take both; from what I’ve seen, people tend to perform a little bit better on one or the other. I personally felt more comfortable with the ACT, but most of my friends prefer the SAT. I highly recommend taking one of each to see what you like more. That’s a great plan, but I would also look at admission requirements for colleges you’re interested in. MIT, for example, requires that you take the Math II subject test and a science one, so you don’t get too much leniency there.
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I’m also a junior this year! Though I’m turning 17. I still need to get my drivers license (the real one, I have a learners), do community service, study for the SAT/ACT (I’m taking them early now in October/November) and find time for studying/honor societies…
I wish you luck on your plans this year! (Just looking at the to do list makes me stressed… I prefer to stay 90% in denial for everything not within the next month…)
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Haha, for me making lists and knowing what I need to do to stay organized helps me get things done, but to each their own ;P
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That list is overwhelming! One step at a time and I like how organize you are. That’s great to have it all planned out. Good luck!
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Yep, I love making lists to keep myself organized and on track. Thank you! ;P
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From someone who just finished her junior year and is entering her senior year, here we go! First of all, maybe it differs from state to state, but you do not need to be 16 to get your driver’s permit, that’s only for your license. I’d check with where you’re taking driver’s ed (if you’re not taking it, I highly recommend, you can’t learn everything from that book) and see because you might not have to take the written exam until your course is complete.
Prom totally isn’t trivial! My school doesn’t do Junior Prom, so you could say I’m looking forwards to my Senior Prom!
Don’t bother studying for the PSAT, the scores literally don’t count for anything other than personal gain. I used it as a marker to know what I needed to study for the SAT and put it towards that, and got a perfectly fine score. I would also recommend not taking the SAT for the first time in June (you won’t want to be taking it your senior year if you want to retake it, trust me). Many schools offer it in the Spring, take it then and then retake on a College Board site if necessary.
Gosh, this was long. Yes, your junior year is the toughest year by far, but it’s also so much more fun than freshmen and sophomore! Good luck!
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Thank you so much for all of the advice! In New York, 16 is the age to get your learners permit. Did you take the ACT?
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Ah so it is different! I did not, I only took the SAT because the colleges I’m applying to oy require on or the other. I’d double check with your top choices, and go from there.
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You’re awesome ! Good luck with accomplishing everything on the to do list. You’re organisation skills are very impressive 😎👌
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Thank you! 🙂
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I’m getting stressed just looking at that list, good luck 😛 Planning is definitely a really good idea! And getting your licence straight away is great, I left mine annoyingly late
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I’m so obsessed with making lists for everything I couldn’t resist for this one. Planning just helps everything get put into perspective and less stressful I think. ;P also I live in a town where it’s impossible to get anywhere without a car so I really wanted to learn how to drive early on
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