STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ranchera20 · Marc Jacobs

High School

Claudia · Gucci

My junior year was ver easy. There's nothing to stress about it. I as well did that same promise to myself every year, but sometimes you can't help but slack off. I usually kept a planner and I wrote down assignments and projects so I wouldn't forget. If you are assigned too much work just break it up.

Just remember have fun and work hard as well. Grades are very important when applying for colleges/universities!

kiwi · BCBG

this might not be what you want to hear, but my junior year was actually one of the toughest (senior year first semester was -the- toughest, since i had school work on top of college apps.. this might be TMI, but i didn't have my period at all for those 4-5 months) times in HS for me, but it all worked out in the end, and i still had my fun

make sure you don't take on more than you can handle. if you need to set your academics straight, don't overload yourself on extracurriculars or part time jobs. if your school offers AP/honors classes, challenge yourself but don't overexert yourself either.

if you haven't already, find out what learning method works best for you (audio/visual, note taking, note cards, diagrams, rote memorization or practice problems etc). find out what time of day you're the most productive. are you a night or morning person?

i procrastinated like crazy, and my biggest thing was either being on the phone or the internet (aim, internet surfing and whatnot). my efficiency was seriously compromised by these two factors, so i eventually learned in college to unplug the internet cable and take my laptop to somewhere with no internet access. or i'd go to the library or starbucks etc and MAKE myself do work in a slightly uncomfortable chair, and not let myself go home until what i had to do was done. the cell phone was also either left off or at home so i couldn't be distracted.

your junior year is not, by any means, going to be a huge determining factor for the rest of your life, but it can make a difference in what secondary educational institution you will attend, so motivate yourself. break it up into manageable pieces like claudia said, or have a friend motivate you and work together (if you're competitive like me, it may help )

that being said, there's no need to stress out already. set aside time to unwind, hang out with friends, watch a movie etc. and reward yourself for whatever goals you achieve. if you get an A or finish a paper early, treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, piece of jewelry, ipod mini or whatever you've been wanting. the gratification is even greater if you know you deserve it because of your successes

ranchera20 · Marc Jacobs

You girls are so awesome! Thanks so much for your advice! I am really going to consider these and re-read this when I need it!! Thanks again!

theotherjess · Chanel

I just finished my junior year so I've definitely been there! I'd say it was probably my hardest year yet (sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear), but you can definitely get through it! This year I signed up for a ton of APs and I ended up switching out AP Calc for AP Statistics. It doesn't sound like much of a difference but this class is so much easier and I feel so much more relaxed now that I don't have to deal with all that higher level math on a daily basis. Try and see if there are higher level classes at your school with easy teachers or APs that are relatively easy. OR... take classes where there are amazing teachers who make you think about things differently, a class where you will be genuinely interested and challenged every day. I took AP US History last year and my teacher was great and I learned a lot. It was a lot to handle sometimes but because I was actually interested and knew I had to work hard to impress my teacher, I tried a lot harder than I otherwise would have. Good luck and don't stress!

halleybird · Hermes

I am a HS teacher, and I'm with jess -- I think junior year is the hardest. But that isn't a bad thing, because you have to be "up" all the time & usually don't have time to slack off.

I think the other suggestions are great. Also, if you're not already, consider getting involved in a club/sport. It may sound counterintuitive, but being more "busy" (especially with other kids who have the same assignments, etc.) really does help! Good luck!

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

It feels like so long ago that I was in high school (5 years!?!? ugh). I always got good grades, even with partying pretty much every night of my last semester in my senior year in high school and college. I agree with everyone, junior year is where you pay your dues to slack off senior year.

You need to remind yourself that while your friends are fun to hang out with, they will (hopefully) always be around. And if I know high school, you guys are always doing the same thing!

You don't have a second chance in school. As much as you think you might. What are your goals and ambitions? I am sure that your future boss will not want someone that ignored his or her work. This is the time that you must create a work ethic for yourself. Yeah, you could push it off, but wouldn't it be better to get your work out of the way? You will see a lot of kids do poorly when you get to college just because they never established a work ethic.

Meaning, buckle yourself down and just do it! (It sounds harsh, but I used to have to say that to myself all the time).

And as Halleybird said, join an activity or get a job, it definitely forces you to organize your time, and to get good grades (because you have to have them)