Junior Year is the Prime of College

If you know anything about me, you probably know that I am a college football fanatic. Specifically, SEC football. One of my favorite aspects of college football is player development. Because collegiate athletes are only eligible for four or five years, teams must constantly develop the younger players and attract new

talent if they have any chance of consistently winning games each year. It’s amazing to watch many freshmen straight out of high school develop into NFL ready players by senior year. A tremendous amount of hard work, focus, and coaching is required to transform the player into an athlete at the highest level.

I think the same can be said for normal college students. It’s a development process. We come in as freshmen with no experience, and leave as seasoned veterans. It’s remarkable to think back on everything we’ve learned and how far we’ve come in these two short years. It’s already been a radical transformation.

Coming in as juniors (or “3rd years”), I’m particularly enthusiastic about this year. I get fired up about the start of every school year, but this one is a little different for two reasons.

1) We’re the most connected we’ll ever be in college.

We’ve known our class and the class above us for two years now, and we got to know the class below us last year. Next year, the class above us and even some of our own class members will have graduated. But this year, we are more connected than ever. Unlike freshman year, and even sophomore year to an extent, our aim coming into the fall isn’t to build up a friend base. It’s to make an impact where we are.

2) We’re the most invested we’ll ever be in college.

We’ve conquered the weed-out classes, we’re firmly in our majors, we know the campus like the back of our minds, we’ve built solid friendships, and we know what we’re involved in. Simply put, we’re plugged into school. Senior year is on the horizon, but it’s nowhere near time to leave yet. Exploring career options is certainly important, but decision-making time won’t be here until next year. Until then, our focus is right here where we are.

College doesn’t last forever. For most us, Athens (or wherever you go to school) will only be our home for two more years. This is the year to be fully present. We’re now the starters- the leaders on campus. This year will determine the legacy we leave behind at our school. Junior year is the prime of college.

If there was ever a year to do hard things, this is it. If there was ever a year to step out of our comfort zones, this is it. If there was ever a year to be sold out on making a difference, this is it.

Juniors, this is our year. Walk with humility. Build each other up. Do hard things. Live on purpose. Be all in. Make this year remarkable.