Today, I went to my first college seminar. Yes, COLLEGE. In my mind, I am still the confused and obedient freshman that roamed Senior Lawn looking for Mrs. Wexler’s beginning acting class, but today, the only roaming I did was on my laptop looking for the Zoom link to a COLLEGE meeting. Today, I feel old. 

After spending a year and a half online during these “unforeseen circumstances,” It was hard to imagine going back to high school, a place that felt so far in the past. However, that was short-lived. As Mr. Baker’s summer assignment emails started to roll in, I quickly realized that Marymount, Junior year, and APUSH discussion questions are now my reality. While many students may feel unprepared or anxious within our big return, it’s important to remember that we are all in the same boat, both literally and figuratively (we are sailors, of course); no one knows what they are doing and everyone is taking life day by day, assignment by assignment, practice by practice, rehearsal by rehearsal. 

With this in mind, I set expectations for myself to make up for the time I had lost as a sophomore. Junior year is my chance to redeem myself, and by that, I mean to make new friends, talk to teachers I don’t know, join clubs, try out for the lead in the play or for a solo in High C’s, JOIN THE ANCHOR, and take advantage of all the opportunities Marymount has to offer! Believe it or not, doing things like this has made my life as a student so much more fun. 

Likewise, being a Junior has come with a wide array of new responsibilities and academic tasks: we are leaders on campus, we set an example for the underclasswomen, we continue traditions… We also have an enormous amount of homework. I know the Seniors can relate… So the question remains, how does one achieve this “redemption” academically and socially? The answer is simple: just have fun. Enjoying all the aspects of Marymount will never restrict you. While stellar grades and advanced academic standards are imperative, I’ve come to learn that they can never be achieved without having fun and trying new things. When students carve out time for self-care and social wellbeing, they are able to hone academic skills when necessary and be the amazing, talented, and absolutely fabulous sailor students that ever walked from Cantwell to Butler. So to any honorary 7th graders, 8th graders, freshman, and sophomores, now is your time to get up, put yourself out there, and join the real high school experience!