At least twice a week over the last several months, I’ve faced questions about how my “dreaded” junior year has been so far. Thankfully, I can finally respond, “half over!” as first semester comes to a close.

Looking back on the last semester—which seems like it started last week— brings up both memories of exhaustion and fun times. Everyone loves the feeling of being a jaded spectator of Battle of the Classes, but who can forget the massive Lang essay that was due a couple days later?

One major bonus of being a junior is how I’ve finally figured out how to manage my homework. That doesn’t mean I’ve been going to bed earlier or procrastinating less, but at least I’m able to write out a study plan in order to organize my time (although actually implementing the plan is my second semester goal).

This year, I’ve also noticed that my classes have gone more in-depth than sophomore and freshman years, which is both positive and negative. Though it’s awesome to learn how to really write a coherent paper, and to know the abstract “why” behind science equations, the new material does come with more work. A lot more work.

Yes, the work can be overwhelming at times. And on multiple occasions I’ve thrown my pencil down in frustration because there was no way I could finish the physics homework, read 50 pages for English and study for the Psych test before 1 a.m. But although annoying at times, the work is generally manageable.

Manageable is the operative word; it doesn’t mean going to bed early and having loads of time to hang out, but it does means that the work can be done (for the most part) without getting less than six hours of sleep.

I also love the school spirit that comes with finally being called an “upperclassman.” Even though upperclassman is just a title and doesn’t mean going out to lunch (legally) or getting out of school at the end of May, there’s a new pride that comes with it. I’ve noticed more and more people attending school events and sporting gear that supports the Vikes.

In essence, I’d like to think of first semester junior year as one of those classic T.V. shows that everyone hates to watch; an experience that’s both hellish and uncomfortable at times, while being enjoyable and entertaining at others. And while my head may hurt from rolling my eyes so often this year, I can still find things that aren’t so bad that will get me through next semester.