Since the first day of high school, we’ve been told that the entire purpose of it is to prepare us for college. However, freshman and sophomore years are just the baby steps leading up to when the real preparation begins: junior year.

The first few weeks of junior year may feel like the world is closing in on you. You’re supposedly an upperclassman–yet there’s still so much to learn. You feel pressured to keep good grades and ace all the standardized tests you take, all while trying to figure out who you want to be and what you want to do with your life.

With this in mind, my first piece of advice is: take it slow. Many parents and grandparents drop the big question about college early on. Whether you know exactly what you want to major in or you’re still deciding if college is right for you, it’s important to take your time. High school isn’t just about stressing over the next test, it’s also about meeting new people and having fun.

That being said, grades are still important. Time management is a struggle in every year of high school, but with junior year, I noticed it became exceedingly difficult to balance responsibilities while still having time to myself. In order to prevent procrastination, dedicate certain times of the day to schoolwork. This way, you can stay in the learning mindset for an hour or so, then have the rest of the day to yourself.

Junior year is when you start to form a sense of self. It’s important to surround yourself with people you feel comfortable with and participate in experiences that help you grow as a person. There’s countless clubs, but even if your specialty isn’t offered, try to stay involved in activities you enjoy outside of school.

Junior year is a lot of work, and a big adjustment from sophomore year. With the right amount of effort, you can make it into something enjoyable and create fun memories to reflect on for years to come.