Junior year stress

[Anonymous]

I thought we would be in good shape for this because not only is DC an excellent student but he is realistic in his college goals and not just gunning for reaches. But whoa the work load and the stress have already kicked in. I know there's nothing to do about the workload but any tips for the stress? It seems to be in the air.

[Anonymous]

Why do you say there is nothing you can do about the workload? If you are realistic and not gunning why not take less credits?

[Anonymous]

What is the schedule? How many AP's are you talking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you say there is nothing you can do about the workload? If you are realistic and not gunning why not take less credits?

Not OP, but it can be realistic to take 3-4 APs and understand that this by no means guarantees admission to an Ivy.

[Anonymous]

Another parent of a stressed junior here. I feel your pain. My only tip is to not add to the stress. Resist the urge to talk colleges, SATs, etc unless asked. They are well aware of everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another parent of a stressed junior here. I feel your pain. My only tip is to not add to the stress. Resist the urge to talk colleges, SATs, etc unless asked. They are well aware of everything.

This is helpful. He is taking 2 APs.

[Anonymous]

So what is causing the stress? I wonder if it is actual stress or that they have been told repeatedly that junior year will be stressful. My DC was even reminded of that by all his teachers at the beginning of the year.

Mine is in 3 APs (which is actually a little light for his school - but he has already taken 2 so decided not to push it this year as taking 4 APs would have required 7 academic classes), plus outside SAT prep. Other than that activities are about the same (the activities are the time killer, but that's not new). We are going light on the college visits until spring - doing a couple of local ones this fall but no trips.

I think all you can do is keep things in perspective, and make the college visits fun. I enjoyed college visits with my first kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what is causing the stress? I wonder if it is actual stress or that they have been told repeatedly that junior year will be stressful. My DC was even reminded of that by all his teachers at the beginning of the year.

Mine is in 3 APs (which is actually a little light for his school - but he has already taken 2 so decided not to push it this year as taking 4 APs would have required 7 academic classes), plus outside SAT prep. Other than that activities are about the same (the activities are the time killer, but that's not new). We are going light on the college visits until spring - doing a couple of local ones this fall but no trips.

I think all you can do is keep things in perspective, and make the college visits fun. I enjoyed college visits with my first kid.

No, it's real stress. Of course it depends on the school and the kid, but our DD junior in a school where success is expected. One of her friends did not do so well on the PSAT in 10th grade. She has been in several consecutive SAT prep classes ever since. I have no doubt she is really stressing the upcoming PSAT. Our DD is not taking a prep class for the PSAT unlike most everyone else in her class. I suggested that doing a little better on the PSAT is not going to matter much. She did well as a sophomore, but I don't think she is gonna make NMSF. Another of her friends was close, missing the DC standard by just 5 points. In her case it's worth it to prep. Everyone else. Not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what is causing the stress? I wonder if it is actual stress or that they have been told repeatedly that junior year will be stressful. My DC was even reminded of that by all his teachers at the beginning of the year.

Mine is in 3 APs (which is actually a little light for his school - but he has already taken 2 so decided not to push it this year as taking 4 APs would have required 7 academic classes), plus outside SAT prep. Other than that activities are about the same (the activities are the time killer, but that's not new). We are going light on the college visits until spring - doing a couple of local ones this fall but no trips.

I think all you can do is keep things in perspective, and make the college visits fun. I enjoyed college visits with my first kid.

No, it's real stress. Of course it depends on the school and the kid, but our DD junior in a school where success is expected. One of her friends did not do so well on the PSAT in 10th grade. She has been in several consecutive SAT prep classes ever since. I have no doubt she is really stressing the upcoming PSAT. Our DD is not taking a prep class for the PSAT unlike most everyone else in her class. I suggested that doing a little better on the PSAT is not going to matter much. She did well as a sophomore, but I don't think she is gonna make NMSF. Another of her friends was close, missing the DC standard by just 5 points. In her case it's worth it to prep. Everyone else. Not so much.

That is parent generated stress then. If she didn't do well on the 10th grade PSATs making the kid do a year of prep for the 11th grade PSATs is of course going to stress the kid out. My kid is doing SAT prep now, which won't hurt for the PSAT next month but really isn't aimed at that. It's aimed at the January SAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what is causing the stress? I wonder if it is actual stress or that they have been told repeatedly that junior year will be stressful. My DC was even reminded of that by all his teachers at the beginning of the year.

Mine is in 3 APs (which is actually a little light for his school - but he has already taken 2 so decided not to push it this year as taking 4 APs would have required 7 academic classes), plus outside SAT prep. Other than that activities are about the same (the activities are the time killer, but that's not new). We are going light on the college visits until spring - doing a couple of local ones this fall but no trips.

I think all you can do is keep things in perspective, and make the college visits fun. I enjoyed college visits with my first kid.

No, it's real stress. Of course it depends on the school and the kid, but our DD junior in a school where success is expected. One of her friends did not do so well on the PSAT in 10th grade. She has been in several consecutive SAT prep classes ever since. I have no doubt she is really stressing the upcoming PSAT. Our DD is not taking a prep class for the PSAT unlike most everyone else in her class. I suggested that doing a little better on the PSAT is not going to matter much. She did well as a sophomore, but I don't think she is gonna make NMSF. Another of her friends was close, missing the DC standard by just 5 points. In her case it's worth it to prep. Everyone else. Not so much.

That is parent generated stress then. If she didn't do well on the 10th grade PSATs making the kid do a year of prep for the 11th grade PSATs is of course going to stress the kid out. My kid is doing SAT prep now, which won't hurt for the PSAT next month but really isn't aimed at that. It's aimed at the January SAT.

Regardless of source, it's still real stress. It's not imagined, as a PP suggested.

[Anonymous]

S/o question: Do your juniors have extra-curriculars or part-time jobs? I'm curious whether those serve as welcome distractions, or if they add to the cumulative stress?

[Anonymous]

Our DD has absolutely no time for a job. I've heard that colleges actually like to see part-time jobs, though. She does 3-4 hours a night of homework, but no fall sport. Spring is gonna be tough when she adds in SAT prep, AP tests, her sport, and final exams. Oh, and she will be adding community service a couple days a week after school. I'm exhausted just typing it all. If they do ECs that they love, it won't add to stress. Lots of kids put in an amazing out of hours into sports or music or drama, just because they love it. If they are just adding an activity to look good on a college app, that might add stress.

[Anonymous]

No PT job here. Very time consuming varsity sport in the fall. Less time consuming varsity sport in the winter and spring. Club travel sport year round (but may take the winter/spring off this year). Various school club activities that are not too time consuming. SAT prep once a week through at least winter, probably some subject test prep after that.

The stress is not the activities but the time commitment. Getting homework done after a evening game (which is about a 4-5 hour time block) is a challenge. But the most time consuming activity is also the most fun.