Junior year is infamously known as the hardest year of high school. 

   Juniors are piling on AP classes to challenge themselves as well as to look good for colleges. On top of the harder classes, they have to worry about SATs, AP exams, and driver’s tests. In addition to all this madness, they also have to start researching and visiting colleges, and make time for their friends and family. 

   It is definitely a vigorous year for sixteen to seventeen-year-olds. However, this year is even harder on the Class of 2023 due to COVID-19. 

   Last year, students didn’t have to worry about getting dressed or traveling to school. Classes at Eastern started at 8:00 AM last year; now the first period begins at 7:30 AM, which means most students have to wake up at 6:00 AM. 

   School was also on Zoom, which means it was easy for students to nod off and not pay attention, which is why AP scores were lower last year. These learning difficulties also affected this year, because sophomore year, like any other year, was the foundation for the next year, especially in terms of tough classes like US History II and Precalculus.

   This year, class time was extended back to pre-COVID timing, which means students need to have longer attention spans; not to mention a change in the learning environment. Back in quarantine, you were by yourself with family; this meant less gossip, judgment, toxicity, and more of a healthy lifestyle. Now, people have to worry about what they wear, and how to act. 

   So after so much added responsibilities and such a massive adjustment, how are juniors doing? 

   As a junior myself, I can definitely say the change was not easy. During September and October, I was struggling with time management because I wasn’t used to getting so much work. 

   I would push everything off and sometimes turn work in late or not even do it at all. It was obvious that I lacked work ethic. Then, when my grades dropped and the lectures from my parents arrived, I knew I had to pick up the pace.

   I interviewed over twenty juniors, and most of them shared similar problems.

   “Time management is key for a successful high school career,” said Mahek Jhaveri, who is balancing four AP classes.

   On top of that, juniors also mentioned how they were not getting enough sleep due to all the work. Some students were skipping meals, such as lunch in school, because of labs or to complete the work they didn’t finish the night before. 

   “I can’t eat when I’m stressed,” Siya Nayyar said. Other students just plainly forgot. 

   For students who play sports, it’s a strong commitment of likely six days a week and two hours per day. By the time they get home, it’s pitch-dark, and their bodies and minds are so exhausted that it’s hard to study or finish any work. 

   As juniors, a lot of us are achieving leadership positions in clubs, which means more commitment and time. Therefore, time with family and friends has decreased.

   Obviously, not all juniors are struggling. Some people were able to transition with ease. They were able to get their work done in school or immediately after school, so that they would have the whole evening to do other things. 

   Now that it is December, most juniors are used to the schedule and their classes, but they also feel very burned out. Winter break can’t come soon enough!