As I transition from Managing Editor to Editor-in-Chief, I wanted to reflect on my hectic yet rewarding year. My junior year consisted of two hurricanes taking over the first semester, the inaugural AP seminar class, the ACHONA revamp, and competing in constitution contests. Although my five APs did take up a lot of my time, I still managed to find a lot of time to develop and grow throughout this pivotal year of my life. However, the most I learned this year was not inside the classroom, but the lessons I learned through my loved ones and closest friends.                                                                                                                                         

Talk to People Outside Your Circle 
This year I became close friends with people I had barely talked to during my freshman and sophomore year. I grew so close with Gaby Cossi (‘26) through our same odd day schedule, even though we’ve been neighbors for all of high school, and I couldn’t imagine my junior year without her. I became friends with Ali Ibanez (‘26) through Achona, and now we are going to Girls State together this summer. Layla Evans (‘26) was my saving grace throughout AP Biology, and I would not have made it through that class without her effortless kindness and humor. Brooke Fechtel (‘25) gave me more advice than anyone has ever before, and I am going to miss her so much now that she is graduating. If I hadn’t talked outside my circle, I would’ve never developed so many meaningful friendships this year. Academy is so much more than cliques and closed-off friend groups and there are so many opportunities to make new friends. 

APUSH Curriculum is the Best Evidence for AP Lang Essays                                                               
Interdisciplinary learning is something that took me far my junior year. I learned so much useful and riveting information through my AP U.S. History, and it has actually helped me better understand nuanced and complex issues that will help me infinitely in the future with writing and connecting different ideas. Take what you learn and apply them to the real world. Use information you learned in essays, connect books to historical events, connect history to your extracurriculars, it will make things much easier and interconnected. 

The Bridge Never Gets Easier – Learn to Navigate the Parking Garage                                                                             
My first year driving to school has taught me to plan accordingly for driving. I have been a student that gets to school early, so I can take my time walking across the bridge and to also get my Membean minutes in. It has given me some extra time to enjoy the mornings with my friends and so I can avoid unnecessary stress getting stuck in traffic. I also hate waiting in the garage to get out, so I either try to walk really quick as soon as the bell rings, or wait a while and take my time to avoid rush hour traffic in the parking garage. 

Check Up On Your Friends                                                                                                                                                                   
I think during junior year everyone gets so wrapped up in their own struggles and academics that we forget that all our friends are going through the exact same thing and your friends may be struggling with obstacles that they are not even talking about. Even though it is hard to balance handling your own struggles and checking up on others, it is so important to try to be there for your friends during this very difficult year. Send a “how are you doing” text and surprise them with a sweet treat, your friends are some of the most important people in your life and they can help with the never ending stress of junior year, so cherish them. 

Prioritize Extracurriculars You’re Passionate About                                                                                   
Extracurricular activities are an opportunity to have an outlet that you can work on and have fun. Instead of playing sports or joining clubs that you dread everyday, take some time to find extracurriculars that you love and look forward to participating in. I started a charity book program this year called “Celebrate Reading” and it has been the most fulfilling and fun experience I have ever had. It has been so fun getting to navigate this passion of mine and hope all other students can find something they’re very passionate about. 

Junior year is notoriously known for being the worst school year as a student. I had a lot of stress, a lot of tests, and a lot of days where I thought, “I just have to make it through Friday.” But now that it’s over, I know I survived, I learned a lot, and I grew closer than ever to my friends. If I – the most stressed out and over-planer type of student – can survive junior year and be excited for the future, then every rising junior can as well.