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“But I’m Only a Junior!” Since the first day of high school, the question is impossible to escape: Where are you going to college? Such a question is the ultimate cause of stress for high school students everywhere, who have to balance their workload with sports, community service, and other out of school activities. “I’ve been thinking about college since sixth grade” says Ana Wolf, a junior, “my workload is the main stress point for me.” Ana is not the only one. Junior year is often referred to as, what Lauren Docktor calls, “the worst year possible.” Stress about college is common for Juniors because of the reality check that they have to start looking at where they hope to go to school two years from now. It’s the start of a long, difficult process that will consume their lives for the next few years. Kids at Wellesley feel enormous pressures coming from their parents, teachers, peers, and especially themselves. Success is not only encouraged--it is mandatory for survival. The competitive enviornment that students find themselves in is an immense burden, and the schoolwork seems to never end. Interestingly enough, many students feel as though their teachers and guidance counselors do not help them in their search, or prepare them for the future. “Some teachers give work that will prepare you, but some of it is just unnecessary” states Hillary Heffernan, who also believes that her guidance counselor “is not the person who will help [her] get into college.”

Why Being a Junior is the Hardest thing I’ve Ever Done Being a junior at Wellesley High School is an enormous responsibility. This is the year where I essentially begin to decide how hard I study, what grades I get, what college I get into, and how my life turns out. Of course, can't leave out the part where I stack my schedule with extracurriculars so that I don't look like anybody in that applicant pool...But no pressure, right? Wellesley High is known for it's phenominal education that has propelled its students forward into the best of colleges, as well as the highest paying professions. It sounds like a promising future for all those who attend a school with such a prestigious academic program; however, does the end justify the mean? I constantly find myself collapsing into bed somewhere around twelve thirty or one o’clock in the morning after a day of work until six, a trip to the gym, maybe some dinner, and then after that I delve into my seemingly endless pile of work. After working myself so hard every day, all I can hope is that in two years I will be in a place that I love, where I can succeed. Before high school, I never realized that I would have to do anything about college until senior year. I hardly suspected that in the second week of November of my junior year, I’d be jetting off with a list of five schools I am to visit that weekend. With the constant stress, work, and travel, all I can do is hope for the best.

Need Support? “Where do I start?” Good question. Before a student can even begin to get stressed about applying, they must be stressed about knowing where to apply. With thousands of schools in the United States in addition to international schools, the possibilities are endless. A simple answer? Use your guidance counselor. Many students feel as though their guidance counselors are not their for them, or do not know them well enough for their counselor to get an accurate idea of where the student may fit in. James Ash, one of Wellesley High’s guidance counselors, says “yes, there may be students who could see us more. It’s understandable though, because they don’t have much time, being so busy.” Mr. Ash does also say that one on one meetings between counselor and student are a huge piece of the college process. Such meetings also allow a better relationship to develop, thus giving your guidance counselor a more refined idea of where you may best fit. The guidance counselors are not only a help when it comes to looking for a college, but they also may have some good advice. “Students should continue to think of this as an individual process. They shouldn’t get caught up in what everybody’s doing, or names and rankings.” Mr. Ash refers to rankings such as U.S. News “America’s Best Colleges” which provides lists of the best colleges and universities in terms of   National Universities, Master’s Universities, Business Programs, Liberal Arts Colleges, Baccaleaureate Colleges, and Engineering Programs. Counselors fear that students will get wrapped up in such lists, rather than expand their choices. Rosanne Sannicandro, also a member of the guidance team advises kids to not “feel like they have to be booked 24/7.” The guidance counselors provide support for those in need of it. Some students may find that a visit to their counselors may be extremely beneficial.