Tips To Survive Junior Year

by Kaylynn Kahn

Fall classes are well underway, and we all feel the pressure an academic year brings. For those of you who are juniors, congrats! You are halfway there. However, junior year as most of us know, can be incredibly challenging. Here are a few tips from seniors to help you survive junior year.

1. Start Looking For Internships

I know graduation seems far away, but it comes quickly. Junior year is the year you need to acquire new skills to add to your resume. Internships are important because they give you hands-on experience in your major before you graduate. Also, in some colleges, an internship is a requirement to graduate. Start looking as soon as possible because most internships hire a semester ahead of time. Plus, internships are a great segway to land you a future job in whatever industry you may choose. Start looking because You don’t wanna be left scrambling last second looking for one!

2. Update Your LinkedIn

Not to beat a dead horse, but update your LinkedIn. It is the #1 social media platform for networking and how most pros find and keep up with you. Get that professional headshot (no fountain or Dallas Hall), create your own QR code, and make those important connections. Many of us learned firsthand the importance of LinkedIn because many college students receive a job through a connection. It will also be a great post-grad tool to keep up with all your college friends and their accomplishments. And they can keep up with yours

3. Start Buying Office Attire Pieces

Ladies and Gentlemen, start buying office attire. Look, I’m not saying go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. All I’m saying is to start buying a few pieces here and there. Junior year is the year you begin attending career fairs, important presentations, or an internship interviews. Each of these, most often than not, requires professional dress. The last thing you want is to have an interview or an important event, only to walk into your closet with clothes only acceptable for the night out. Starting to buy pieces now will save you in the long run, and your future self will thank you for it.

4. Make An Effort With Your Professors

Let your professors get to know you as a person, not just a student. Show your genuine interest in their course and the topics they are teaching. Participate and speak up in class. Learning is so much more fun when you bring a good attitude to class. In CCPA, we tend to have professors more than once. Therefore, they must get to know you and vice-versa because you never know what that relationship could lead to. And when you begin to zero in on the field or company for which you want to work, tell every one of your professors. You never know who they might know. Your professors have seen scores and scores of students and are great counselors, mentors, valuable references, and usually pretty fun.

5. Check To See Who Your Advisor Is

It is your junior year, and you receive a new advisor as a declared student. One specifically for your major who resides in your college. They are responsible for helping you stay on track and ensuring you are taking the required courses for YOUR specific major. While I understand your previous advisor may have been great, and you just adore them, they can’t help you with your major to the extent you need. Utilize this new advisor, don’t feel you should do everything alone. After reading this, please find out who your new advisor is and set up a general meeting!

6. Organize Your Time

This might seem a bit obvious but get a planner. Junior year can become busy and chaotic, seemingly out of nowhere. Even if you have gone the past two years without a planner, still get one this year. Assignments and responsibilities pile up, and trying to keep up mentally will not help you. Chances are you will forget the important things and become even more stressed out than you need to be. Also, this is an important year to master time management. Having some kind of planner will help you get the hang of it. It doesn’t matter what kind of planner you get, paper, workbook or online. Just get one ASAP.

7. Have A Steady Study Schedule

Following the planner tip, create a steady study schedule. You will end up with more work than in previous years, so having a steady schedule to avoid burnout is important. Try to kick that procrastination habit and quit pulling all-nighters in Fondren library writing that paper the day before it’s due. You are old enough now to know it’s not healthy and not constructive and kills the quality of your work. A big part of succeeding in junior year is creating a steady study schedule. If you are struggling with this, go to the ALEC and check out their academic success programs; they are a great resource on campus. Check out their website to see all of the programs they offer.

8. You Are Never Too Old

By Junior year, most of us are going through the motions. We have established clubs, interests, and even friend groups. But here’s the thing, you are not too old to try new things or attend on-campus events. Go for the club you wanted freshman year that you didn’t get, or reach out to the new person in a class. Meet up with your friends at candlelit, Peruna Palooza, and everything in between. Just because it’s your junior year does not mean you can’t spark a new interest, make a new friend, or enjoy campus life while you can. Before you know it, graduation will be here, and you will celebrate many “first last.” So, enjoy the silly little things while you can and open yourself up to new opportunities. I couldn’t think of a better year to do so.

9. Know When To Say No

I know most of us have heard this a million times. It’s one thing practically everyone says your freshman year, “don’t party too much and learn to say no.” But you were an 18-year-old bright-eyed kid who couldn’t turn down joining your friends at the big party. It made sense back then, but this is now. YOU are not a freshman who doesn’t know any better. You are now a real adult who needs to learn the value in no. Even when the FOMO gets bad, remind yourself that the goal is to be successful this year. In order to do so, you must understand your limits and adhere to them. I promise, there will always be another party to go to.

10. Take Care Of Yourself

At the end of the day, you are a college student. Which can be a lot and become stressful quickly. Remember to take care of yourself. This means eating right, exercising, take those mental breaks. And try not to sweat the small stuff. You shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s all a part of how we learn and grow as a person. Take a walk, try meditation, or just go grab ice cream from Baldos after class. Whatever helps you take your mind off the chaos of school and decompress. If you don’t take care of yourself properly, it’s easy to burn out. Sure, junior year is important, but your health and mental well-being come first. So be kind to yourself, keep going, and remember you’re halfway there. You can do it!