Junior Year- It’s getting serious! Once students step into Junior year, they now have to get more focused. Junior year is the year many students agree they have to start looking into the life of adulthood.
“Getting into Junior year, I’ve been quite nervous. I already have classes asking me what college I want to go to!” Alyiva Johnson says. Junior year is filled with the mindset of looking forward to the future. “I can believe how close I am to actually graduating. it’s so nerve racking but also so exciting.” Johnson claims.
While some feel really excited, some feel very mellow about Junior year. “I got easy classes, you could say. I don’t really think anything has changed, in my opinion, when I got into junior year. I mean, I’m excited to graduate, but it’s just another day here and there,” Eric Biswell says.
Junior year also gets people thinking about jobs, colleges, bills, etc! “I just got a car with the help of my parents, and gas is crazy expensive!” Biswell says. Adding onto that, “I actually just recently got a job! It’s a bunch of stress, to tell you the truth. With school and having to work, it’s definitely something more on my plate!” Johnson claims.
Having stress is common for junior year! Some simple ways to calm students with all the stuff coming at them are simple! “What helps me after a long day at school and work is — a basic answer — but taking a good ol’ nap. I sometimes listen to music while taking one,” Biswell says. “I definitely like to play video games or listen to music to help me relax. It helps a lot and gets my mind in a better headspace than overthinking about school or work.”
Juniors have their goals and dreams. Some are working at a dream job, others are moving out and getting places of their own. “I really want to get into trade school after high school. I want to become a mechanic! So getting a place of my own is a big goal of mine,” Biswell says. With the help of Rocky’s Welding class, it can become a great start to opening the mindset of becoming a good mechanic in the future! Adding to that, “I really want to go to college after high school. I don’t know what I am going to be yet, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out till then. But I really want to get enough money to buy my dream car!” Johnson says. The amount of programs at Rocky help students flip some switches to see what they wanna be! It helps them prepare for college.
It must feel pretty good to be “top dogs” of the school now. Time flies by when students start to grow up. Especially being one more step away from being an adult. Also,“One thing I’d tell my freshman self is that it does get better! You get good friends, and good at the classes you were struggling in. You’d be really proud of yourself now,” Johnson says. And, “You get taller, and stronger. But you are still decent in your classes and are working hard,” Biswell claims.
Having new teachers could also be overwhelming, but pretty exciting to meet. Especially when the teachers are for the top tier of grades. “I have a new English teacher. She’s really nice and I actually enjoy learning in her class,” Johnson claims. And, “I only have one new teacher and that’s my wielding class. I heard about him in sophomore year, and he’s a pretty chill guy,” Biswell says.
Juniors are one step closer to the top. “I am so excited for the future, actually! Seeing where I’m gonna go and where I’m gonna achieve more goals. It’s really an eye opening experience getting into Junior year,” Johnson says. “I’m pretty excited. I hope I have a good Junior year, and go where I need to be going,” Biswell says.
