Alan Reed • September 16, 2025
TL;DR:
Junior year is a pivotal time for students, balancing challenging classes, extracurriculars, and SAT/ACT preparation. Success comes from thoughtful test prep strategies, carefully selecting courses, and managing stress to avoid burnout. Leveraging structured SAT test prep programs and enrolling in effective SAT prep classes can help juniors stay ahead academically while still enjoying high school life. Planning, balance, and incremental progress are key to thriving during this busy year.
Introduction
Junior year of high school is widely regarded as the most important of the four. Subjects get a bit more specialized, and, in many schools, there starts to be more of a distinction between “levels” of classes. Standardized testing, which one to take between the SAT or ACT or both, comes into focus. Students often start to take on more leadership responsibilities in various extracurricular activities as they become the more experienced guides to the incoming newbies. We know this all sounds a bit overwhelming, and it can be! However, with the right balance and test prep strategies, you can navigate this year successfully while still living a normal high school life. You just need to have the right mindset.
Academics Come First, But Don’t Overload Yourself
In our 40+ years in education, we’ve often seen ambitious students want to take on as much as they can in order to impress colleges and distinguish themselves amongst their peers (aka competitors). There’s no way to sugarcoat it; colleges do pit you against the rest of your classmates in a sense. Your junior-year transcript carries more weight than the others. However, piling on every difficult course available isn’t necessarily the smartest approach.
Be strategic when choosing classes. Aim to challenge yourself in subjects you’re interested in or where you plan to pursue a major, while keeping a balance across your schedule. If you want to pursue an undergraduate finance degree, for example, it makes sense to prioritize AP Economics and/or AP Statistics. If you’re more a literary person looking to become one of the next great American writers, consider AP Literature or AP Language. The mantra is “quality over quantity” in almost all cases. Colleges would rather see you excel in a balanced schedule than struggle under the weight of too many advanced classes. They want well-rounded, talented individuals, not study machines.
By this time, you should also know what works and what doesn’t in terms study habits. Be honest with yourself. Do you constantly forget assignments? Maybe you need to be using a physical planner rather than an electronic one that you never check. Does a big task like “Write 10-page essay for AP Lit” strike fear in your heart, causing you to push it off until it’s too late and you need to pull an all-nighter? Break big projects into smaller steps, like “Nail down the intro and outline the paragraph topics for AP Lit essay.”
Tackling the SAT or ACT
Standardized testing is one of the big stressors of junior year, but approaching it with a plan can take away much of the anxiety. While most students take the SAT or ACT for the first time in the spring of junior year after discussing the PSAT/PACT results with their counselor, you may want to pursue a different path.
Planning out your entire school year is an important step here. If you play a time-consuming winter sport but don’t have any such commitments in the fall, you may want to try to dedicate time earlier to prepping for these important tests. If you can get a good/great score by November or December, that will alleviate the pressure towards the end of the year when finals also loom. Leveraging structured SAT test prep programs during this period can help maximize your performance efficiently.
Understanding the policies for these tests can also help reduce stress. Almost all schools will consider a Superscore, meaning they’ll evaluate your score based on the highest score in each individual subject, like English and Math on the SAT. That means you’ll benefit from taking the test multiple times. You’ll even have the start of senior year to improve your score further. Using focused SAT prep classes can also ensure you strengthen areas of weakness without overloading your schedule.
Extracurriculars and Building Your Story
Colleges are not just looking for good grades; they want well-rounded individuals who will contribute to their campus communities. Junior year is the perfect time to deepen your involvement in extracurriculars. Remember the mantra “quality over quantity”? Colleges (and decision-makers later in your life) prefer seeing you take on a leadership role, showing tangible results, instead of joining every club just to fill your resume. They know who is there to sign in and eat free pizza and who is there to make an impact. They’ll expect you to do likewise if/when you join their community.
If you haven’t found your niche yet, it’s not too late; junior year is a great time to try something new. If you’ve developed a passion over the course of the last 2-3 years, approach a trusted teacher to champion your cause. Founding a club in your school that goes on the make an impact is an impressive feat that shows commitment, growth, and passion. Colleges want to see that you’ve dedicated yourself to something beyond the classroom and learned from those experiences.
Managing Stress and Making Time for Life
With everything on your plate, it’s easy to let stress pile up during junior year. That’s why balance is key. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that every moment must be devoted to schoolwork or test prep. Burnout is real, and the best students are the ones who know how to recharge. Unfortunately, the pressure you feel right now isn’t going to magically get lighter. Learning to deal with the stress now will go a long way.
Make sleep a priority. Stop doomscrolling. Yes, put down the phone (after reading the rest of this!). The internet will be there tomorrow. Studies show that screens disrupt our ability to fall asleep and have good, deep sleep. Put your phone on the other side of your room if need be.
Regular exercise is important as well. Touch grass. Literally go outside and tough the grass. Carve out time for friends in real life. High school is about more than just preparing for college; it’s also about enjoying the journey. Those extracurriculars might be an important part of a college resume, but it’s also an excuse to make long-lasting connections with people who will be a major factor in de-stressing your life at this crucial time.
Final Thoughts
Junior year is a balancing act with schoolwork, SATs, extracurriculars, and personal pulling you in all different directions. It can all feel just a bit too much. Have comfort in the fact that you’re not alone. Yes, we’re all unique individuals making our way through life, but being overwhelmed by junior year of high school is one of the least unique feelings there is. We’ve all experienced it. Being able to manage all of it requires effort and planning and doing so is about putting everything in perspective and taking small but meaningful steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the best test prep strategies for junior year?
A: Effective test prep strategies include creating a consistent study schedule, practicing with real SAT/ACT questions, identifying weak areas, and using structured SAT prep programs or SAT prep classes to maximize results.
Q. How should I balance challenging classes and extracurriculars?
A: Focus on quality over quantity: choose courses that align with your interests or future major, and aim for meaningful involvement in extracurriculars that allow leadership opportunities, rather than joining everything.
Q. When should I start preparing for the SAT or ACT?
A: Many students begin prep in the fall or winter of junior year, depending on their extracurricular commitments and sports. Early preparation with SAT test prep programs can help reduce stress and improve scores.
Q. How can SAT prep classes help improve my score?
A: SAT prep classes provide structured lessons, targeted practice, and expert guidance. They help you focus on your weak areas, learn effective strategies, and prepare for the test efficiently while balancing school and life.
Q. How can I manage stress during junior year?
A: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and downtime, and break larger tasks into smaller steps. Balancing academics, SAT prep strategies, and extracurriculars while maintaining personal time is key to managing stress effectively.