By Srishti Sawant

Depending on your perspective, it’s either the best part or the worst part of the school year — the end! And that means one thing: sophomores are pretty much juniors now. And if you’re anything like most IA students, you’ve probably heard all about how daunting junior year can be with the balance of SATs, ACTs, Pinnacle Projects, etc. But don’t worry — here’s your ultimate guide to junior year, packed exactly with what not to do during junior year here at IA.

First things first: do not underestimate the pressure. junior Mary Frances Piper [11] wisely put it,

“Diamonds form under pressure.” – Mary Frances Piper [11]

Junior year can feel overwhelming at times, but it is also a time where many students grow the most academically and personally. Although stress is inevitable during the year, how you handle it matters more than the stress itself.

One of the biggest mistakes upperclassmen warned against was procrastinating standardized testing. Senior Summer Richeart [12] advises students to “Take your SATs early,” while senior Claire Parry [12] adds, “Don’t wait on the standardized tests.” Waiting until the last minute only adds unnecessary pressure during a year that is already packed with responsibilities. Taking the SAT or ACT earlier gives students more opportunities to improve scores without the panic of deadlines.

Another major warning from IA students was making sure to not neglect your Pinnacle Project or research assignments. Senior Justin Britwum [12] shared, “Don’t slack on your research project.” At IA, these research projects tend to build up faster than expected, and falling behind can quickly turn manageable work into an avalanche of stress. Staying consistent, even in small amounts, makes a huge difference over time.

However, academics are not everything! Junior Lesli Granados [11] cautions students not to “overload your schedule with APs at the expense of mental health.” While it may seem tempting to take every rigorous course possible, balance is just as important as achievement. Burnout helps no one, and sacrificing sleep, happiness, or health for a packed schedule can make junior year far harder than it needs to be.

That balance also means making time for yourself and the people around you. Junior Ameera Qureshi [11] recommends students “take mental health breaks and prioritize spending time with friends at school.” Junior year is stressful, but friendships and support systems can make difficult moments much easier to handle. Ameera also reminds students to “use all available resources (e.g., CoPilot).” Whether it is teachers, classmates, tutoring, or technology, IA students have access to many tools that can help them succeed.

Finally, don’t ignore the importance of the people you surround yourself with. Junior Laasya Vadlamami [11] simply states, “Don’t surround yourself around fake people.” The people around you influence your mindset, motivation, and overall experience. Supportive friends who encourage you instead of draining your energy can make all the difference.

Junior year may sound intimidating, but it does not have to be miserable. Staying ahead of deadlines, taking care of your mental health, and leaning on the right people for support can help tremendously during the tough school year. While the workload may sound daunting, with careful planning and the right mindset, it can be deeply rewarding. Take the advice of those who’ve walked this path before you, and remember: balance is everything.