What is the Hardest Year of High School? | SoFi (2024)

By Kayla McCormack ·August 29, 2022 · 6 minute read

We’re here to help! First and foremost, SoFi Learn strives to be a beneficial resource to you as you navigate your financial journey.Read moreWe develop content that covers a variety of financial topics. Sometimes, that content may include information about products, features, or services that SoFi does not provide.We aim to break down complicated concepts, loop you in on the latest trends, and keep you up-to-date on the stuff you can use to help get your money right.Read less

What is the Hardest Year of High School? | SoFi (1)

Ask four recent graduates which year of high school was hardest for them, and chances are you’ll get four different answers. Each year of high school brings its own set of unique challenges that students have to prepare for.

On top of those challenges comes external stressors and expectations. Students are facing pressure from parents to get good grades, the stress of college applications, and heaps of extracurriculars. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of high school students have experienced stress, anxiety or depression during the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

While each year of high school will have its own stressors, many will say junior year is the most challenging. Junior year can be the hardest for several reasons, but with the right prep and expectations, high school students can make the hardest year just a little easier.

Why Every Year Matters

People might say junior year is the hardest year of high school, but that’s not an excuse to cruise though the other three years.

Freshman and sophom*ore year are building opportunities. In these two years, many students will take prerequisite courses and join extracurriculars they’ll carry out the rest of their high school career.

During freshman year especially, students will have to adjust to high school and its academic rigor. Getting good grades and getting involved in activities during the first two years of high school can help set the pattern for the next two years.

Lots of students may claim that senior year is the time to sit back and take it easy. So common is this assumption that lots of seniors claim their final year of high school is the “senior slump.”

But, letting grades slide in senior year can spell trouble for plans post graduation. Admission to college, even if already granted, could be rescinded if a senior underperforms in their senior year. Grades senior year still matter.

Recommended: 11 Ways to Prepare for High School Graduation

Why Junior Year Can Be the Most Challenging

Every year of high school is important, but a student’s junior year has its own set of unique challenges and hardships. Here’s what can make junior year tougher than the rest:

Course Load

Junior year is the time to shine before students apply to college. It’s the last full academic year of grades a university will receive before deciding to accept or reject a student. Students may elect to take their most challenging course load during their junior year to show colleges that they’re capable of academic rigor.

Some students may be enrolled in advanced placement (AP) courses. AP classes give high school students the chance to prepare for college by tackling college-level material, while still in high school. At the end of an AP course, students can choose to take the AP exams. Scores from those tests may grant students college credits, so they can skip out of basic courses in their first years on campus.

Junior year can be an academic step-up for high school students if they decide to take advanced classes. In addition to harder classes, there’s a pressure to get good grades in them, because it can be an indicator of performance for colleges.

Tests

On top of AP tests, juniors have more key tests to prepare for. Each test comes with its own strategies and approaches, meaning specialized study and prep. A junior might prepare for and take these tests during the year:

AP Tests. As mentioned above, if a student decides to take an AP course, they can choose to take the corresponding AP tests as well.

PSAT/NMSQT. Students can take the Preliminary SAT or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as early as their sophom*ore year of school, but many take it their junior year. The PSAT/NMSQT has two sections; math, and reading/writing. Scores for each section fall between 160 and 760.

Offered in October each year, the PSAT doesn’t impact college admissions like the SAT, but it can help students qualify for National Merit Scholarships if they receive a certain score. Students are not required to take the PSAT test, but it can be one way to prepare for the SATs and potentially qualify for scholarship.

SAT/ACT. Scores from either the SAT or ACT test are required by many colleges for admission. But, even if they’re not required by a college, a strong SAT or ACT score can help give a student a leg up in the application process.

Most high school students choose to take the SAT or ACT tests in the spring of their junior year or the fall of senior year. Both tests have certain quirks and strategies associated with them, so the key to getting a great score may mean lots of preparation.

Some juniors choose to take rigors in person prep courses or take several practice tests before sitting for the exam.

College prep

Juniors not only have more academic pressure on them and tests to prepare for, but many will add college prep to their extracurriculars. Whether that means spending weekends touring campuses or researching schools at night, finding a school that’s the right fit can take up a considerable amount of time.

There’s no one way to ensure the right fit for all students. Some may choose a campus-based on their desired degree, others for proximity to home or budget. No matter the motivator, finding the right school can take time.

Recommended: Ca$h Course: A Student’s Guide to Money

There’s no doubt junior year has a lot going on. The challenge comes not only from the rigor but also the pressure associated with making some big life choices. Freshman and sophom*ore year have their fair share of challenges, but junior year will test the habits of students — pushing them to work harder academically and personally.

Named a Best Private Student Loans
Company by U.S. News & World Report.

The Takeaway

Junior year challenges students to juggle their extracurricular activities, rigorous academic classes, and standardized testing, on top of applying for college. Figuring out a way to pay for college shouldn’t be another challenge. As early as junior year, students can start considering the cost of college, and the ways to pay for it.

Taking time to learn about student loans during college prep can help give juniors a better sense of what lies ahead of them. After applying for federal loans and aid, they might need to evaluate additional options to pay for their tuition. That could mean saving for college by picking up a part-time or summer job, or researching scholarships or grants that can help pay tuition. It’s important a student knows their full menu of options to pay for school before committing to any single strategy.

Another option available are private student loans. SoFi’s private student loans come with no fees and a simple online platform that allows students to repay their loans their way. It’s worth noting that students generally exhaust all other options before borrowing a private student loan.

Junior year may be the hardest year of high school, but student loans don’t have to be another hurdle.

Learn more about private student loan options offered by SoFi.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circ*mstances.

SOPS0822003

What is the Hardest Year of High School? | SoFi (2024)

FAQs

What is the Hardest Year of High School? | SoFi? ›

While each year of high school will have its own stressors, many will say junior year is the most challenging. Junior year can be the hardest for several reasons, but with the right prep and expectations, high school students can make the hardest year just a little easier.

What is the hardest year in high school? ›

Junior year is often full of stressful academic experiences. SAT's, the desire to get good grades and the college application process make junior and senior years arguably the most difficult of high school. Students in each year face unique challenges and can struggle to find the time and energy to get everything done.

Is 11th the hardest grade? ›

Many students consider it to be the hardest and most stressful year, because in most schools, they do the final test for every subject besides English, Maths, and Arabic.

Which year of high school is the easiest? ›

Going into high school, many students hear that freshman year is the “easiest” year. Some think that colleges don't consider it as much as they do the remaining three years. While this is typically true, it doesn't mean that students should dismiss the importance of their freshman year.

Is 12th grade the hardest? ›

The difficulty of 12th grade largely depends on the classes you take and your workload. If you choose to enroll in advanced courses or continue with a rigorous course load, you may find it more challenging than 11th grade. However, many students feel prepared after their experiences in previous years.

Why is 7th grade the hardest year? ›

The reason, says Powell-Lunder, is a simultaneous onslaught of intense social and academic pressure. Seventh graders also undergo intense cognitive, physical, and emotional changes that unearth uncomfortable contradictions. They aren't little kids anymore, but they aren't big kids yet, either.

What grade is a 17 year old in? ›

Grade 12

What is grade 10 called? ›

Sophom*ores (10th Grade)

Is 7th grade harder than 8th? ›

The difficulty level increases for 8th grade because teachers are preparing students for high school, where they will be responsible for getting their work in on time with minimal coaching. Seventh graders, in contrast, have just had a difficult transition and are learning lots of new self-management skills.

What is the easiest class to pass in high school? ›

Easiest AP exams by pass rate
AP SubjectPass Rate (Exam Score of 3+)Median Score
AP Chemistry54%2.73
AP Chinese Language86.9%3.97
AP Computer Science A67.5%3.2
AP Computer Science Principles63.5%2.91
34 more rows
Jan 13, 2023

What is the hardest class on earth? ›

Which is the most toughest course in the world? Ans. Medicine, engineering and nursing are considered to be the most difficult courses in the world. These courses require students to dedicate 8-10 hours to studying daily along with getting continuous hands-on practice on the topics learnt.

What class do most high school students fail? ›

It's a math class. And if you guessed Algebra, you're right. The fact that so many students struggle with Algebra is a real problem because it's a class that has far-reaching impacts on their lives. Here's why.

Will one C ruin my GPA? ›

It's natural to feel concerned about how a low grade might affect your college admissions chances. While one C might have some impact on your GPA, it is unlikely to severely hurt your overall college admissions prospects, especially if it is an isolated incident.

Will one B ruin a 4.0 GPA high school? ›

One B will not ruin your GPA and prevent you from getting into a great college! As long as you have a strong academic record besides that one B, you should be completely fine.

Does 10th grade GPA matter? ›

9th and 10th

Since there is no “trial period” of high school, the clock on your GPA starts ticking from day one, and this means your freshmen and sophom*ore year grades matter just as much as the rest of them.

What is the best year in high school? ›

Junior Year: Pros: You have a solid understanding of how high school works and what resources are available. It's an excellent time to cultivate leadership positions or deep involvement in clubs and activities you love.

Which grade is most difficult in school? ›

The 10th Grade is a grade level in the education system typically undertaken by students around the age of 15-16. It is considered one of the more challenging and important grades as it serves as a transition year towards higher education and career preparation.

What is the most crucial year in high school? ›

- Junior year grades are THE most important. Sophom*ore and freshman grades are given less of an emphasis. - Although senior year performance won't be considered, the rigor of your senior year will contribute to your admissions decision.

What years matter the most in high school? ›

Your first year and sophom*ore year affect your cumulative GPA, which is important to most colleges. However, a solid academic record in your junior year is likely to carry more importance with an admissions committee.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5985

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.