The most bittersweet year so far for juniors is quickly approaching. Senior year is a pivotal time between the last glimpse at adolescence and the move toward adulthood. I am considering completing initial courses before college.

As I plan for my future, I struggle with deciding how to manage my classes. While still being undecided with what career path I would like to work toward, I am conflicted with what senior year classes would best prepare me for college.

I sometimes worry that the career path I am leaning toward is not what I truly want to achieve as I go onto college.

My aspirations could quickly change, and the senior year courses I take in preparation for college could have no correlation to the major that I eventually pursue.

Additionally, senior year entails sports, college preparations and applications, and the stress of general classes alone. Juggling multiple AP and honors courses on top of that would be incredibly challenging and time consuming. It seems it would be impossible as my time now is already very limited.

As a rising senior, my time is crunched while I navigate choosing a major for college. Despite the many stressors that come with being a college student, John Carroll AP and honors college prep programs seem to be a great fit to knock out the tough courses later in college.

With the possibility of continuing my athletic career into college, it may be best to complete these courses beforehand due to the packed schedule that comes with being a collegiate athlete.

While I would like to relax and enjoy my last year of high school, I know it is best for me to take on the immense stress of high-level learning now rather than later.

Although many students may prioritize all general classes, the best plan for me may be to take high level classes only in the subjects I intend on pursuing in college.

This way, I can manage my high-level classes and still prioritize the student athlete aspect of my life.

Other classes like history or world language are often only taken at low levels, leaving me unprepared and not in line with my future goals.

Other students who may be experiencing a similar situation may find that prioritizing classes differently can be very beneficial to the academic, social, and athletic aspects of their lives.

I know that with both my knowledge and faith, the great gifts that my future holds will lay out perfectly in the end.