During the last class of junior year, I leaned my head on my desk for a moment to calm down. Soon after, I raised my head to hear the Dean of Students’ voice over the loudspeaker: “I hope you all have a wonderful day,” he said. Everyone around me packed up and left. I looked around, surprised. The day had ended, and I hadn’t even realized it.

I’d missed it because I’d fallen asleep in class.

I couldn’t believe it. Me, the student known for doing well in school, with lots of activities and awards, and a reputation for handling everything. I had fallen asleep during class. In front of everyone. What’s worse, I didn’t even feel better after my unexpected nap. In fact, I felt bad because I couldn’t get through the day without taking a break.

Juggling Junior Year

As a junior, you might feel like you’re trying to handle too much. Between getting ready for SAT and ACT tests, doing extracurricular activities, taking tough courses, and applying for colleges, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning.

You might feel scared about what’s coming next or just really tired, like I did. These are signs that you might need to take a break and think about your schedule and how you’re feeling. It’s important to take care of yourself and find ways to deal with stress.

You might have previously felt overwhelmed, but finding a solution while presenting yourself as a strong candidate for universities can seem daunting. Alternatively, it’s possible that the realization of feeling overwhelmed only dawned upon you upon reading this article, leaving you anxious about your eligibility for your dream school.

Both scenarios are entirely normal, and there are practical ways to address them while cultivating a compelling candidate profile. It’s all about dedicating time to introspection and striking a balance. Here are some practical suggestions and strategies to alleviate stress and prioritize self-care amidst the myriad obligations of junior year.

Declutter Your Brain

When you have a lot of meetings, tests, and deadlines coming up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to remember everything. This can make it hard to stay organized and focused on what needs to be done. But there’s a simple solution to clear your mind and get back on track: organize your tasks right in front of you.

Here are a few examples of how you can help yourself keep track:

1. Use a dedicated diary just for noting down assignments, deadlines, and tasks. Check it every morning and night to make sure you’re on track for the day. If you are, great! If not, and if the remaining tasks aren’t urgent, move them to the next day.
2. Use a calendar. Record your class schedule, add deadlines, and set reminders for important events. Apps like Google Calendar and Apple Calendar work on both your phone and computer, so you can stay organized wherever you are.

Writing down your commitments helps clear your mind. Instead of trying to remember deadlines, just check your diary or calendar—it frees up your mind, letting you focus on other things, like getting things done rather than trying to remember what you need to do.

Schedule Time Off

If you’re anything like me—someone who’s always striving for excellence, dedicated to both academics and extracurriculars, and aiming for their dream school—you might struggle with the idea of taking time away from your many responsibilities. However, taking breaks is just as important as being productive.

But how do you manage to squeeze in a break during the busy school year, with piles of homework and looming exam dates? How can you resist the temptation of another weekend-long volunteer opportunity or competition, especially if it could boost your resume? The solution requires effort, but it’s worth it: schedule regular relaxation time into your busy agenda.

I personally aim for a free day every two weeks, but if that doesn’t fit your schedule, try carving out time every three weeks, or even once a month. The key is to designate a weekend, a day, or even just a few hours to do something completely unrelated to your usual routine.

Arrange your commitments—whether it’s homework, events, or other tasks—in a way that they don’t encroach upon your designated relaxation time. Instead, use that time to unwind by watching movies, embarking on an adventure, or indulging in any activity you enjoy.

The objective is to temporarily forget about your responsibilities and give your brain a chance to rest, knowing that you’ll return to them later and complete everything as planned. This practice can help refresh and recharge your mind, enabling you to stay on top of your busy schedule without burning out.

Prioritize What You Love

Feeling overwhelmed all the time, even after taking breaks, might mean you’ve got too much on your plate. Take a look at your commitments and decide which ones matter most. Choose hobbies that are meaningful to you and add diversity to your college applications.

For example, do you really need to be the President of both Key Club and Model United Nations? Can you pick just one? Do you have to do both swimming and volleyball, or can you choose one over the other? Do you have to volunteer for multiple nonprofits, or is one more important to you?

While it’s important to list a variety of extracurricular activities on your college application, you don’t have to do them all. Focus on what’s important by dedicating time, effort, and loyalty to a few activities instead of spreading yourself too thin. This way, you can build a strong candidate profile while also taking care of yourself.

You Are More Than Your Successes

Getting through junior year can be tough, especially when you’ve got your eyes set on your dream college. But in the midst of all the chaos, it’s crucial not to neglect self-care. Taking the time to tune into your own needs and effectively manage stress isn’t just a luxury—it’s a smart move that sets the stage for sustainable success in the long run.

Succeeding during junior and senior years, and even beyond into college, isn’t just about acing your exams. It’s also about taking care of yourself. You’re more than just your grades, your extracurriculars, or your college applications; you’re a person first and foremost.

For me personally, it took a few too many times of nodding off in class to realize that prioritizing my own well-being wasn’t just important—it was essential for my long-term success.