Juniors Gear Up for Summer
As shorts come out and the AP tests end, the students of Leonia High School are now making their transition from spring into summer. With the school year quickly coming to an end, many are shifting their list of priorities from tests to summer plans – from part-time jobs and beach trips to SAT prep and college visits.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! But for the Class of 2026, this period marks more than just a summer vacation – it’s a crucial period to get a head start on their senior year. As the iconic theme song of the Disney cartoon Phineas and Ferb states, “There’s another hundred and four days of summer vacation, then school comes along just to end it. So, the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it”.
With that in mind, how should the rising seniors exhaust their resources and make the most of their time? Well, one of the best ways to learn and grow is by surrounding yourself with a group of diverse people who share their experiences. One of the most common opportunities among the class of 2026 are pre-college programs where students enrich their experience with college classes and environment to get an idea of what they want to do. “For the summer I’m doing a lot of extracurriculars such as the linguistics program at Ohio State University. I’m also starting my internship over the summer, but I’m also going on vacation,” said junior Luke Yun who plans to major in linguistics.
One could argue that high school is a time for growth and opportunity. For many students, junior year becomes a pivotal moment where students grow into young adults with a need for identity and a list of career possibilities. While some believe the process is clear cut, others struggle to put such important puzzle pieces together. “I’m doing my internship at a Visions bank and I already started my Common App and essays” Livia Xhako noted, “I think you should try everything your freshmen and sophomore year and decide what you want to do by the end of your sophomore year.” For others, this path looks different. Junior Tristen Perry said, “I got a job at the pool so I’ll be lifeguarding—hopefully I make around $1,500. I’ll also be away for a couple weeks for Boy Scouts at No-Be-Bo-Sco and a canoe camp.”
As much as finding your own path builds independence, students at LHS don’t have to figure everything out alone. There are plenty of resources available to support the college journey, including the teachers and counselors. Ms. Wilson, one of our school counselors, shared a few key tips: ”You should definitely ask two teachers to write your letters of recommendation, typically two junior year core teachers, register for ACT/SAT dates, and familiarize yourself with the Transcript Release Form – the sooner you get it in, the better recommendation us counselors can provide.”
Whether you’re chasing a new passion or sleeping in, summer is a doorway to new, unexpected beginnings. One of the most extraordinary things about high school is that it is never too late to grow from your mistakes, learn from your peers, and surprise yourself , even if it is out of your comfort zone.
To all the juniors: remember, worrying and waiting won’t make tomorrow easier. So take that first step, sign up for different programs, attend school tours, and most importantly, catch a break. No matter what, make this summer a memorable one.
image credit: Canva
