The Future - Sam Flomenhoft

Junior year is the infamous grade of school, known for its overload of work, and plethora of standardized tests. And I've got to say, this year, it lived up to "the hype." It was every bit as hard as it was supposed to be and more. Yes, times existed throughout the year when we experienced a lull in work and it didn't seem so bad; it seemed easy in fact. But then BAM!, three different teachers would hit you with a paper, a lab report, and a project all due within three days of each other and at those times, it seemed impossible. I made it through though, we made it through, with our GPAs mostly intact, and our hopes higher than ever, our brains eagerly anticipating the relief expected to be brought by senior year. Looking back on it, the school year was good for me. It pushed me at times, challenging my weak time management skills and helping improve them all the while. At others it forced me to adapt to new ways, such as changing from a rigid structured rhetorical analysis to a new, organic writing style approach. The failures were many: plummeting test scores, missed assignments, unsatisfactory performance on standardized exams; but the successes were greater: decent test scores, good time management, and surprising results on the ACT; and helped keep me afloat. In the end I appreciate junior year, I enjoy all of my teachers, and am grateful for the lessons in responsibility it has taught me. As I look forward to senior year and college applications, I know I will be more on top of deadlines, in part due to the experience gained at this grade level. Yes, junior year was difficult and stressful, but it was my favorite year of school yet.