As the final step in compulsory education, high schools are tasked with the tremendous endeavor of giving students the foundational knowledge that they will need in order to pursue careers in a multitude of different fields and/or higher education at evermore competitive colleges. The high school curriculum is relatively standard across the US, encompassing all major academic disciplines and pushing students to achieve a certain level of conceptual mastery in a vast array of subjects. Though the goal of creating a well-rounded education is certainly well-intentioned—not to mention instrumental in many professions—it can create a sense of pressure and stress for high school students. Many students find that they excel in certain areas and struggle in others; despite these disparities, the requisite courses for a high school diploma demand excellence in all fields, even those that do not come as naturally as others.

Compounding the difficulty of the high school curriculum, many districts increase class sizes when transitioning from middle school to high school. This leads to less personal interaction with teachers, as well as a more competitive classroom environment. These larger class sizes, along with common schedule changes and increased course difficulty that accompany the high school transition, can make the academic experience even more tumultuous, especially for younger students. Developing the necessary skills for success in such diverse classes while juggling the adjustment to a new academic atmosphere and classroom environment can easily cause an educational slump for lowerclassmen.

Even once the initial transition into high school is past, upperclassmen face a slew of tribulations related to graduation and the potential for continuing education in university. Juniors typically find themselves faced with the opportunity for further academic challenge in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses can offer valuable GPA boosts, as well as credits at many colleges. Juniors are also tasked with studying for and taking the infamous college admissions exams, the SAT and ACT. Seniors are frequently able to take lighter course loads, but also face the stress of satisfying graduation requirements, which often demand that they achieve passing grades in some of their final classes. This period also encompasses a hectic part of the college application process, during which senior students must write numerous personal statement essays, attend interviews, and apply for scholarships. For other students, it may mark the start of their career search, adding immense pressure to develop an impressive resume and find an appropriate job opening. Weighing these various challenges with the already-demanding course load of the high school curriculum and the need to pursue extracurriculars can make high school even more trying for upperclassmen than for lowerclassmen.

Finding success in high school rarely comes easily, and most students find themselves stumbling at least once along the way. The key to overcoming these obstacles is to develop the resources to practice the material at hand and gain valuable feedback on any potential errors or problem areas. This can be incredibly difficult to achieve in overcrowded classrooms, but working with the resources available through Varsity Tutors can help. Our Learning Tools website offers you free practice tests for a variety of high school subjects. Each question is accompanied by an in-depth and comprehensive explanation of the concepts tested, allowing you to evaluate your approach to the question and identify any missteps. Depending on your study goals, you can choose practice tests that target specific concepts within given subjects or randomized tests that use a scattershot approach to prepare for cumulative exams. Though the trials of high school can be daunting, the accessibility of Varsity Tutors’ online Learning Tools means you can study anywhere, anytime.