With the 2026 school year coming to a close, juniors are being pushed to figure out what they will do with their lives.
The end of junior year and the beginning of senior year are some of the most stressful times for high school students. They have been thinking about what they want to do with their lives after high school for some time, but mostly just as an afterthought.
However, around this time of year, juniors are forced to really think about their future. They need to figure out what degree they want, if there are any job offerings for said degree that would pay a living wage, what college(s) they want to go to, and even what jobs they might qualify for while going to college to try and pay off some of the student loan debt.
Juniors only have a small crunch period where they can get prepared for early senior year after realizing how little time they have left. This means that their summer breaks are now filled with summer jobs, essays, college visits, and debates about if their current choice for their college degree is the right one.
Many juniors, however, have already figured out what they want to go to college to study. Mrika Syziu, one of many juniors, is one of these people.
“I think, in college I want to study pre-med,” Mrika said. Specifically, Mrika wants to become a cardiologist. “I want to make a difference in the world and help others, and I feel like becoming a doctor…is the best way to do that,” she expanded. Mrika does not have any specific schools that she has looked at yet, but plans to go to a two year college–most likely to be MVCC–right after high school ends, then to a four year college as a transfer student.
Another student feels the same way. Eden Haggart, another junior, is looking to become a maternity nurse after taking a gap year once high school ends. She plans on going to SUNY POLY and St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing for her degrees. She wants to become a maternity nurse because she aspires to help people.
Delilah O’Bryant, a junior, is looking at a different path than her previous two peers, however. Delilah is looking to get a business degree at MVCC or Utica University. She is looking forward to starting up her own bakery once she is an adult.
A common experience amongst juniors getting ready for college is going back and forth between what degrees they want. Mrika, for instance, has gone between degrees numerous times and has thought about it ever since she was really young. However, present-day circumstances have a major impact on what she is planning on going for.
“It’s always come down to a career in medicine or tech, and I feel like during this time where AI is becoming more and more prominent, healthcare would be more of a…safe career choice,” Mrika said.
Delilah has debated over career options as well.
“I think I went around 3 times, I wanted to be an archaeologist and then a neuro surgeon, now I want to be a baker,” she said. Delilah’s main reason for becoming a baker is a feeling that most of us have had: watching mom bake and wanting to do the same because it looked fun. Delilah also enjoys making food that people enjoy.
On the other hand, Eden has never changed her thoughts on what degree she wants to go for, and has felt strongly about becoming a nurse her whole life. While this is unusual, it is also inspirational because if a person has felt so strongly about the job they are going into since they were a kid, they will surely excel at the job.
Another common concern expressed by juniors–and most other high school students–is that we are forced to figure out what we want to do for the rest of our lives, then get into debt to achieve that goal with a major risk that our degree will never come in handy.
“I feel like it’s an immense amount of pressure…I feel like mentally we’re just not there yet and being forced to choose something that you will hypothetically do for the rest of your life is a bit excessive,” was Mrika’s response to this dilemma. Her largest concern about college is the amount of work that will need to be done. Despite her having taken some AP classes, she feels like she still will not be able to keep up with the coursework and schedule.
Eden’s response, however, was much different. Eden has said that she does not feel any pressure about needing to figure out what she will do because she feels strongly that the path she has chosen is the right one. However, her worst nightmare when it comes to college is being forced to take out a student loan, which is also a common concern amongst students looking to go to college.
Delilah feels closer to what Mrika had stated.
“I don’t like being pressured, I feel like we should have some more time to try to figure it out since most of us don’t even know what we want to do,” Delilah said. However, Delilah also agreed on Eden’s sentiment about the affordability of college, also adding that she is worried about where she will be able to stay when she is in college.
During this time of year juniors look to get a job to help prevent the possibility of a debt-ridden adult life. Some, like Eden, do not know specifically where they will be working, but plan on working as long as it pays reasonably well for a summer job.
Delilah has a mix of things that she will be doing regarding summer jobs. She already has a job, and is actually waiting for her business license to come in from New York state so she can begin her baking business early. She plans on using the funds from her current job to fund her business with the dream of operating her own bakery one day.
Mrika, on the other hand, is not currently looking for a summer job to pay off future student debt, primarily because she plans on going to a community college. What she will be doing to prepare for college still, is by focusing on getting good grades in her senior year.
All in all, the juniors at New Hartford Senior High School are preparing for their final year of high school in many different ways, be it thinking about what degree they want to get, what college(s) they want to enrol in, or about what job they want to get over the summer. This time of year is stressful for many juniors, but it is important to remember that we still have time, and if you encounter any issues make sure to contact your counselor for help or advice.
