Naomi Smith:  

Zephyrus: What is the worst year of high school and why?

Naomi Smith: The worst year of high school for me was junior year. There was just a lot of pressure to do well in school while being busy outside of school while also trying to figure out where you want to be after high school is over.  

Z: How did that year affect your mental health? 

NS: I definitely felt more overwhelmed during that school year than I ever had before. 

Z: What advice do you have for juniors next year?

NS: Time management is key. Don’t stress about things not worth being stressed out over. Leave time for yourself, you deserve it and it is important. 

Nora Mcconell: 

Zephyrus: What is the worst year of high school and why? 

Nora Mcconell: The worst year of high school for me so far was junior year. APUSH was my first AP class and it was a huge adjustment. I started struggling right away and wondered whether I was smart enough to succeed in that class. Luckily my teacher, Mr. Simpson, didn’t let me give up. He went over every test with me and reviewed my thesis statement and preparations for LEQs and DBQ. Over time, my writing improved and I started getting A’s on the multiple-choice tests. I also took Enriched Biology and I constantly struggled to develop a positive relationship with my teacher. 

Z: How did that year affect your mental health?

NM: At the beginning of the year I was really frustrated with myself. I have always been a straight-A student, and in APUSH [and] bio, I was getting C’s on the tests. I constantly compared myself to others in those classes and was afraid of being perceived as weak or stupid for asking questions. However, by the end of the year, I had gained more confidence as I improved my grades. 

Z: What advice do you have for juniors next year?

NM: My advice to people who are in their junior year right now is to challenge yourself. It’s an important year for colleges and testing but also take into account what your strengths are and use your resources. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because no one knows everything and learning from others makes you smarter. 

Rhys McVann-Henkelmann: 

Zephyrus: What is the worst year of high school and why? 

Rhys McVann-Henkelmann: I’d definitely say the hardest year is junior year. There’s pressure to get good grades for colleges next year, pressure to take many AP classes in what’s supposed to be your ‘hardest year’ and there’s just a lot of strain on everyone. 

Z: How did that year affect your mental health?

RMH: That year tanked my mental [health] and I had tests on top of tests pretty much every week. Not to mention the four AP tests I took at the end of the year, which I studied two months for. It’s not a pleasant situation for most. 

Z: What advice do you have for juniors next year?

RMH: My advice to incoming juniors is to not take more AP classes than you think you can handle. I wish I had known that your class load is only a small part of your overall college application process, but I probably would’ve still taken what I did. I got many valuable skills, especially from APULL, but it was certainly my most challenging class. 

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on November 30, 2023.