Attention juniors! You are now entering your third year in high school here at East Noble High School, and it seems like more and more is being thrust onto your plate. Whether it is tough courses or time-consuming extracurricular activities, life is certainly getting busier between sophomore and junior years. As a senior this year, I am here to help you through what seems like quicksand, with some helpful hints pertaining to studies, friends, and even college (Yep, I said college, juniors).

Raise that GPA! As you may know, junior year is the most significant year for college-bound students. Universities take note of your level of difficulty in courses, GPA in each course, and position in your class. Take challenging courses, study and do homework, and move your way up to the top of the class of 2015. Show those colleges what you are made of! Don’t be afraid to ask seniors or teachers for help studying either!

Club Your Way to the Front! Usually by this point in high school, you know your interests, and you have solidified a place in a sport or club. If you haven’t, then this year would be a good year to get started. It is also a good idea to become involved in multiple clubs or sports to show your flexibility and time management. If you are not interested in getting involved in school, you could get a part-time job somewhere in the community. Colleges like to see natural leaders and outgoing students, who can balance school and other activities!

Don’t Let a Social Life Distract You from your Goals! It is important to have friends, and you may want social media accounts or a girlfriend/boyfriend, but with a social life, comes a responsibility. You know that you are responsible for getting all assignments done for class, but it is also important to show your accountability in sports, clubs, or at your job. Friends can easily distract you from your responsibilities, as you may already know, and it only gets tougher to say no with increased independence. It’s always more fun with your friends when you know everything is taken care of anyways.

Identify a Career Path! It may not have crossed your mind often before, but this year is an integral part in deciding what career you want to pursue. Knowing a few occupations by now is an advantage in deciding which college you would like to attend. You will submit applications to colleges in the first trimester of senior year, so come into junior year with some idea of what you want to do after school.

Help the Freshman. Yes you are getting older and have gained more seniority than those students in sophomore and freshman years, but don’t haze them into doing dirty work, such as getting your lunch or doing your homework. Assist them around the building, give them tips on how to make high school life easier, and include them in whatever you do inside (or even outside) of school. Be a positive role model!

Be Careful in the Parking Lot! Many of you may already have had your license, but most of you have just gotten your license, so when you are driving to and from school, be careful and pay attention to cars around you. No one wants to stay at school to report an accident.

Everyone knows that once you hit junior year, “senioritis” already kicks in, but it doesn’t need to be a drag! Just follow those easy tips, and junior year could be your most memorable year. I expect, along with the rest of the 2014 class, that juniors will be respectful and responsible, so they can grow into their roles as seniors in the class of 2015. Good luck!