Insights on Junior Year By Isabella Carlow

With there only being so little time before my friends and I go separate ways and go off to college, I want to make as many memories as possible. I go to every dance, every pep rally, every event I can because although right now it seems like high school may never end, and I have all the time in the world, I really don’t. Nobody does. When you look back at your highschool experience 20 years from now, what do you want to remember?

For the class of 2026, this year may be one of the most impactful, and most stressful, of our entire high school experience. Between starting jobs, getting your license, and starting to think about your whole future, there’s a lot to do, and it always feels like the clock is ticking- fast. It’s overwhelming to be thinking about so many things while also trying to just live in the moment and enjoy this year. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I feel about this school year and I wanted to share my thoughts and kind of just ramble. 

First things first, it’s absolutely ridiculous to expect a 16 year old to start planning out their entire future. It felt like the second the clock struck 12-at midnight on my 16th birthday- that everything in my life rapidly started changing. Suddenly people started asking me, ‘When are you going to start driving?’, and ‘Where are you thinking of working?’(which are not absurd questions to ask at my age, but it was the suddenness of it that shocked me). Obviously the college conversation has come up, too many times to count. It drives me crazy that people expect the switch from kid to adult to be instant, like a switch that you just turn on. For anyone who doesn’t know what they want to be, or do, or are confused about the future, it’s completely fine. While it might seem like there’s just some unspoken, hidden path everyone is supposed to follow, you have to go at your own pace! I always try to remind myself that this is my life, and it’s way less exhausting if I try to live for myself rather than others. 

In terms of school, this year actually hasn’t been too bad. Whether you care about grades or not, school can really affect your mental health, and I’ve been really trying to focus on mine. Grades are important to me, but I shouldn’t have to sacrifice my own sanity for one entry in Aspen. Not saying I’ve given up, but after being overwhelmed by schoolwork last year I just had to take a step back and take some easier classes. Everyone is capable of doing well, you just need to find what works for you, honestly, which really applies to every aspect of life. I also think it’s important to note that standardized testing and grades in general are just part of one big system that was essentially made up by people- so don’t judge yourself too harshly on a letter or number scale. Life is way more than that!

Speaking of school, college feels like it’s just around the corner, which is wild. I honestly don’t know exactly where I want to go, or do, but that’s what this year is for. How do you decide on something as expensive as college? I keep going through lists of them, and lists of scholarships, and it’s a lot, frankly. It’s a lot of pressure because it feels like once you choose you can’t go back; no matter what path you choose. It’s a lot to consider. As much as it weighs on me, thinking about the endless possibilities for the future is exciting, and it reminds me that school won’t last forever (thankfully).

Driving is practically the epitome of being a teenager; the feeling of being able to freely go wherever you want has resonated with teenagers since cars became popularized in the ‘20s. It’s normal to be scared when you first start out- I definitely was and still am. Just don’t let that stop you from trying, even if you have to take the tiniest steps forward. As much as I’m a little scared when driving I really like feeling independent and proving to myself that I’m capable. It’s a lot to learn and figure out all at once, but it’s a small comfort to me though that I’m at least a safer driver than some of the jerks I see on the road. 

Obviously starting work is also a big part of junior year, and it definitely isn’t easy either. While I don’t quite love it (I mean who does?) I do like feeling productive and being able to make my own money. When I first started my job I felt like an absolute trainwreck, – I almost quit at the beginning – now I’m way more comfortable talking to customers and helping people out. I’m honestly glad I started working because it’s improved my social skills and confidence; yeah, it won’t be my forever job, but it’s taught me a lot and I’m grateful for that. 

With there only being so little time before my friends and I go separate ways and go off to college, I want to make as many memories as possible. I go to every dance, every pep rally, every event I can because although right now it seems like high school may never end, and I have all the time in the world, I really don’t. Nobody does. When you look back at your highschool experience 20 years from now, what do you want to remember? I want to remember all the fun things I did rather than just all the hours spent on homework and studying. School might be rough right now, but if I’m going to have to go, I might as well try to enjoy it.