I am Sixteen.

Junior year. I am finally 16, the age I have been waiting for forever. This year I am supposed to figure everything out. Everything is supposed to pick up. Honestly, I have no idea what I am supposed to be doing.

I feel like I am already doing so much. Yet, I look around at everyone else and it still somehow feels like I am not doing enough. I am taking all honors classes, college courses, and self-studying for APs outside of school. Because, let’s be honest, AP Chemistry would not be my strong suit. I am trying to keep up with school, think about college, work on my own projects, and still have a life outside of it all.

Everyone says that junior year is the hardest year. I hear things like, "Colleges are only going to look at your junior year grades," or "Junior year is the most important year." I hear that my junior year grades need to be perfect. I don’t understand how I am supposed to manage my social life, participate in extracurriculars, volunteer, take challenging classes, prepare for the SAT, and somehow figure out what I want to do with my life all at the same time.

How is it possible? I am 16.

How am I supposed to have my entire life figured out at 16 years old?

I know I am interested in nutrition and public health, but I don’t know exactly what career I want, where I want to go to college, or what my life will look like five years from now. I don’t think I should have to know that. At least not yet. 

Maybe junior year isn’t about having everything figured out. Maybe it is about trying new things, making new friends, figuring out what you like, realizing what you don’t like, and slowly learning more about yourself. I am still going to work hard and try to challenge myself, but I want to remember that I am still 16. I don’t need to have my entire future planned out just because everyone is telling me I should.