As a junior in high school, I have been told by many people that junior year is the hardest. I am starting to agree.

I am in three Advanced Placement classes, as I have been for my entire high school career, but I have never really struggled with having a lot of stress.

I have been on the advanced English track for three years and advanced math track for two. This is my first year in advanced Spanish. I plan on continuing these courses for senior year as well.

I also felt the pressure to get a job.

Now, do not get me wrong, I love my job. It has given me a lot of friends, new experiences and life lessons, as well as giving me some money for shopping, going out to eat and for saving for college.  But balancing homework, work, sports, friends, family and other hobbies along with getting a good night’s sleep is becoming a bit of a struggle.

On certain days, I will have close to five hours of homework. Other nights, just a hour or so of homework.

I work as a waitress at a pizza restaurant which is usually pretty busy, and there is a lot of stress that goes on behind the scenes: Are my tables happy? Did I get their order? Why is the pizza taking so long? Do the customers need refills?

I work mainly on weekends, so my social aspect of life is usually through late night texting with my friends while doing homework.

Being socially active is an important aspect of high school, as you make very close friendships and act like siblings with your best friend.

It can be quite hard to plan to hang out with someone when you both have homework, work schedules, athletics and other extracurricular activities to do.

I truly believe that it is very hard on a person to not have any social interaction.

There was a point in time where I did not see my best friend in roughly three months and that was probably the most emotionally and mentally draining thing I have ever experienced.

Alongside everything else, junior year is the year of testing with ACTs and SATs.

The amount of academic stress placed on students is a lot to handle along with other stressors in their lives.