What High School Upperclassmen Wish They Knew Sooner
This article was written by our partner, Scoir, the College & Career Network. Learn more about our partnership here.
Junior and senior year are weird.
A LOT of upperclassmen feel they’re transitioning from being a kid to being an adult, which can feel exciting and scary. If you’re on your way to being a junior or senior (or are in 11th or 12th grade yourself!), this article is for you!
On Scoir’s Instagram, we polled students asking their thoughts, and we heard from so many of you! We’re going to discuss 3 common things juniors and seniors wish they knew more about early on in their high school experience.
But first…let’s look at why junior and senior year are unique.
What ⭐ Junior and Seniors ⭐ are Thinking About
Here are some things that are top-of-mind for 11th and 12th graders:
- Applying to college (or starting a job) after graduation
- Getting into college
- Earning good grades
- Staying/getting involved in extracurriculars
- Friendships (and making new friends)
- Working, helping family, mental health, etc.
- Taking the ACT, SAT, and PSAT
As one student told us: “Junior year is the most difficult year as we are taking our SAT and ACT test. I hope I pass.”
Thankfully, we’re sharing resources below that can help you.
Now, let’s get into the questions your peers are asking!
What High School Juniors and Seniors Wish They Knew Sooner 🤔
1. The ACT and SAT are still important, even though many colleges are test optional
You may have heard that the ACT and SAT are now optional for many colleges.
Yet, the ACT and SAT are still important, and having good scores can really help you stand out!
As Test Innovators mentions in the article, ACT and SAT Scores May Not Be Required but They Can Help You Stand Out!, your ACT or SAT score is the only truly standardized measure on college apps, which is why many colleges still put significant weight on them. Preparing for and taking the tests will also help you build valuable test skills for college. Plus, the fact that you have ACT or SAT scores (even if they’re not required) shows that you’re taking the college-going process seriously. Your ACT and SAT scores can even help you receive scholarships!
Check out these helpful resources on the ACT and SAT to learn more:
2. Getting involved in your community is beneficial in more ways than one
Community service is a wonderful way to help people and your neighborhood. Serving is also great for your wellbeing!
Plus, community service hours are valuable to showcase on college applications. Having volunteer hours on your resume or college application helps college admissions staff get a glimpse into your character. After all, when you’re filling out your college applications, it’s helpful to keep in mind the attributes that make you stand out!
We’d recommend speaking with your counselor to determine the best ways to get involved and how that can help you showcase your personality to your dream school.
You can also check out these virtual volunteer opportunities for inspo!
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Asking for help is a skill. For many people, this is a life-long journey.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- No one is perfect, and everyone needs help sometimes
- It’s okay to not know everything
As a high school student, your job is to learn. You’re not expected to know everything!
Some people you can reach out to for help are:
- Your school counselor
- Friends
- Family
- A mentor
- Your teachers
You can also follow helpful resources online, like the Test Innovators blog or the Scoir blog. Reddit, especially r/ApplyingToCollege/, is a helpful online community to check out, full of other students applying to college too!
Have more questions? These Checklists from Scoir can Help
Looking for a tool to help you and your student keep your college planning organized? We think Scoir is a great place to start! 😉 Scoir will help you and your student discover colleges, find best-fit colleges, and even apply, when it’s time.
