TO CLASS OF 2017:

Welcome to your junior year! Stop right there and take a deep breath. Yes, this year will challenge you, stress you out and could quite possibly make you question your sanity — but through all that just remember, everyone makes it through.

Here are the most common phrases you will hear this year, trust me:

• “It looks good on the common app!”
• “How are you preparing for the ACT/SAT?”
• “Have you started looking at colleges yet?”

You get the gist — junior year is a lot of college talk.

The thing that will always be in the back of your mind is, in fact, college and that whole process, but don’t let that drive you crazy. If you want to join a club, do it, but don’t just do it to beef up your resume. You don’t want to dread going to a million club meetings just for colleges. If you’re passionate, do it. If not, forget about it, I can guarantee it’s not worth it.

Yes, prepare for your standardized tests early on — it will save you so much stress! Do it little by little so you don’t have to cram last minute, because that doesn’t work.

Start looking at colleges by going to the meetings at school when the admissions counselors visit. These meetings will motivate you to work harder during the school year and will make the whole process easier; but remember, you aren’t applying to any colleges as a junior, so don’t act like you are because you already have enough on your plate.

Just because you’ll have a lot on your plate academically does not mean that you should not have fun! Think about all the good things coming your way: being an upperclassman, getting your license, going to prom, and so much more! Enjoy time with your friends, family, and take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you. Trust me, junior year flies by. Make amazing memories so that when it’s time to reminisce, you have nothing but good things to look back on.

If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of the seniors, we know what you’re going through!

Much love and good luck,

Jenna Tocatlian

Class of 2016