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The Road Ahead

by Alina :: Tuesday October 10, 2006

Settling into junior year has been one intense month.  With a new onslaught of AP and level three and four classes has come both a heightened level of stress and a greater degree of interest.  The ability to choose electives is a welcomed privilege; I feel as though I can really focus and take in material when I am in classes I love.  Freedom is also a big change this year. Juniors can go to any academic area on campus to study during 7:30-9:30, we have virtually no lights-out, and we have more free periods during the day to get things done. 

This year has also brought with it a new degree of social interaction; our class is bonding closer than ever, and even my greatest friendships are growing stronger.  The biggest change, however, is the beginning of the college process. 

Every Monday and Friday, the junior class meets in the Study Hall right after assembly for PSAT preparation classes.  We go through practice questions and techniques and talk about what not to do.  Later on, we can choose to continue with SAT preparation classes.  

Various colleges (usually about 5) visit every week, and we can opt to go chat, ask questions, and learn about the schools we are interested in from the representatives that come.  I've visited two so far: Dartmouth and Amherst.  At first, I thought these meetings would be somewhat like a formal interview; however, they are casual and provide great insight into the various programs and courses that make the school unique.

Next year will be the big college year. We will skip classes to go to the college meetings that are most important to us and begin the application process.  For now, I am focusing on getting as much information on good colleges as possible and narrowing my choices so that I can be more efficient in the coming year. 

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