Some people say that Junior year is the most important year of high school because graduation and decisions about college and life after high school are looming on the horizon. All of a sudden, you can see the end of high school, and that can feel daunting and sound scary if you’re not prepared!

Whether you are currently a Junior looking at second semester, or you anticipate being a Junior in your next enrollment, you can eliminate the “scaries” and really GLOW instead. Here are some ideas to help you succeed in Junior year: Ready, Set, GLOW!

1. G—Get on as many campuses as you can, and start making your college list. Any time you can visit a college campus near you, do it! Even if you are just driving by when you visit a new city, experiencing a college campus can really help you understand what you are looking for in a college setting. Getting the “vibe” of a campus can help you eliminate or add colleges to your college list, and that is important, as there are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the US! At the end of Junior year, you should have a working list of colleges so that you can hit the ground running in the fall of Senior year.

*If you’re a Laurel Springs online high school student, don’t miss out on our Virtual College Visits held during the first semester of the year! You can see who is coming by logging into Naviance. The sessions are so informative, even if the featured school is not a college currently on your radar.

2. L—Listen to yourself. What do you want to study in college? What are your interests? Your passions? These are the areas where you want to volunteer and spend your time! Often, College Counselors are asked about how clubs and community service impact a student’s college applications, and the consensus is this: spend your time pursuing your interests and passions rather than having a smattering of activities on your high school resume. Colleges prefer that you develop your own passions rather than list a bunch of activities that don’t really mean anything to you. Start asking yourself: What makes me happy? What interests me? This is a great place to start when considering a college major/career pathway, and it helps you determine where to spend your time throughout high school.

3. O—Optimize the resources already available to you at your school. If you’re a Laurel Springs online student, have you met with your College Counselor? Have you attended any virtual office hours with your teachers? Have you spoken with your Academic Advisor? You have a whole team of people in place that are here to support you on your journey! Your College Counselor and teachers will most likely need to provide letters of recommendation for you when you apply to college, so get to know them now. Make sure that they understand your goals so that they can help you on your journey. And, don’t forget your work in Seminar! The course is packed with support, including Naviance and helpful links. Your work in Seminar is intuitive—it’s all about you! Completing it authentically will set you up for success in Senior year.

4. W—Work hard to get the best grades you can. Nothing beats good grades when it comes to college acceptance. Your transcript is the first place college admissions departments look, and they make assumptions about the kind of college student you will be by looking at how well you performed in high school. They also look for “rigor of courses,” which means they want to see that you always stretch yourself. They prefer a student who stretches themself in more difficult courses rather than a student who makes easy A’s. So, when it’s time to select courses for your next enrollment, do not hesitate to meet with your College Counselor, and select AP or Honors courses that make you shine!

Junior year is an exciting time! By following the GLOW acronym above, you can break down what might feel overwhelming into manageable steps that help you stay focused and confident. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day – small, consistent efforts each week will minimize stress and allow you to thoughtfully prepare for life after high school.

At Laurel Springs School, we are here to support you every step of the way. With the right mindset and resources, you’re ready to not just survive Junior year, but truly GLOW!

About Laurel Springs Online Private School

Laurel Springs is a fully accredited, online private school for K-12 students. With a premier college-prep curriculum including AP® and Honors courses, in-person and virtual events, and a global community spanning over 100 countries, we’re ranked as one of the best online private schools in America. Join us for a Virtual Open House to learn more and we’ll waive your $300 enrollment registration fee. Also, see what our families have to say on Niche!