Navigating Junior Year
Exciting, challenging, meaningful. Junior year is the halfway point to graduation. It is a time to enjoy the familiarity of campus life while preparing for the future.
Your student may be more confident and purpose-driven in managing academics and a leadership role on campus. And yet, challenges exist. Among them are the pressures of post-graduation plans. Students living in off-campus housing or studying abroad may face adjustment issues as well.
Your support is important. Understanding the dynamics of junior year can help in the process.
Academics Become Increasingly Meaningful
-
With
fewer
core
courses
in
their
schedule,
students
gain
in-depth
study
in
their
major
through
upper-division
classes.
These
challenging
courses
foster
critical
thinking
skills
that
enable
students
to
apply
classroom
theory
to
real-world
situations.
In
addition,
they
develop
the
confidence
to
express
their
views,
even
if
they
conflict
with
textbooks,
professors
and
peers.
-
Peer
support
within
one's
academic
major
further
develops
as
students
spend
more
time
together
in
the
classroom
and
through
co-curricular
activities.
-
Experiential
activities
like
internships,
study
abroad,
independent
study
and
research
offer
increased
opportunities
for
students
to
enrich
their
learning.
- Faculty-student mentoring becomes increasingly important as students seek out-of-classroom learning opportunities and advice regarding post-graduation.
Graduate School and Career Plans Move to the Forefront
-
Active
participation
in
career
center
programs
and
workshops
is
imperative
as
students
plan
for
employment
or
graduate
school.
Career
center
resources
provide
insights
and
support
that
can
help
students
polish
their
resumes,
curricula
vitae,
portfolios
and
interview
skills.
- Students who diversify their experiences through multiple internships, study abroad and service-learning activities broaden their perspectives and capabilities, in addition to boosting their resumes and graduate school applications.
Co-curricular Leadership Builds Impressive Skills
-
Leadership
progression
in
athletic,
academic
and
co-curricular
activities
demonstrates
a
willingness
to
assume
greater
responsibility
and
initiative.
Junior
year
is
the
time
students
should
assume
their
role
as
campus
leader.
-
Mentoring
relationships
with
younger
peers
builds
confidence
and
replicates
the
workplace,
where
it
is
important
to
form
professional
associations
with
persons
of
all
ages.
- Networking opportunities through off-campus activities build a community of mentor contacts that may be called upon during a job search.
Real-World Stressors Foster Uneasiness
-
Post-graduation
concerns
about
finding
a
job
or
getting
into
graduate
school
begin
to
creep
into
the
minds
of
juniors.
Some
students
may
even
question
the
job
marketability
of
their
major.
-
If
living
off
campus,
students
may
experience
financial
constraints
and
worries
with
regard
to
rent,
transportation,
food
and
bills.
They
also
may
have
acclimation
issues
in
dealing
with
roommates,
household
chores
and
increased
independence.
- Junior year is a popular time for students to study abroad. Students engaging in this invaluable opportunity may experience some culture shock and homesickness at first. They may need a bit of time to readjust.