Going to junior prom can feel like that last-stepping stone you get to take on your way to the mythic senior year. After all of the hard work throughout the school year, lots of students appreciate an excuse to dress up, get together with friends, and have a great time. While not every school does a junior prom, the grade-specific dance gives teens a chance to get their pre-prom jitters out before the big event.
What Is Junior Prom?
Prom is a formal dance usually for upper class high school students. There are lots of traditions involved in this big event, from finding a gorgeous outfit and delivering (or accepting) the perfect promposal to pre-prom and after-prom events. What makes something specifically a junior prom might be up to your school, and could look a little different from a combined prom or senior prom.
How Junior and Senior Prom Are Different
Comparing junior prom vs. senior prom is pretty simple. Not all schools have an official junior prom. If you attend a small or medium-size high school, odds are there's only one prom where both seniors and juniors are invited. This is what many schools do, and it's usually called a junior-senior prom or JS prom.
If you go to a larger high school, senior prom may be open only to graduating seniors and their guests, and junior prom may be for all underclassmen. Some schools may refer to a senior prom differently and call it a graduation ball or some other name. Depending on your school, a junior prom might be less formal than a senior prom.
Deciding to Go to Prom as a Junior
If you have a combined prom, you may be debating whether to go or not as a junior. Just like seniors, there are a number of things to consider when making that decision. If you decide not to go as a junior, though, you'll still have another chance to attend prom your senior year.
What to Wear to Junior Prom
Like the senior prom, junior prom is all about formal attire. Just because you're not in your senior year yet doesn't mean you shouldn't embrace the 'one night only' kind of vibes that a glitzy outfit can bring. On top of finding the perfect outfit, you can do the whole shebang too - nails, hair, accessories, dinner, photographs, etc.
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Finding a Date for Junior Prom vs. Going Solo
Probably the most nerve-wracking thing about prom is finding a date. Now, dates don't have to be romantic, but confirming who you're going with before you're in the final countdown can be super stressful. You're in luck if you go to a school with a junior prom. The dance tends to be less of a spectacle than the senior prom, and that means you've got time to grab a group of friends and just experience the night.
If all your other plans fall through, you can always go by yourself. Going stag is more common than you might think, and (if you time it right) you'll show up to the dance long after all your other friends have popped in and you won't even notice that you didn't walk in with someone on your arm.
A Quick Junior Prom Checklist
It doesn't matter if it's your junior prom, senior prom, or 8th grade dance, any formal event can easily turn into an all-day affair. To make sure you don't forget to plan anything you were hoping to squeeze in, here are some of the most common things people mark off during their prom planning:
- Picking out an outfit
- Deciding on hair/makeup designs/nail (and hiring a hair dresser/make-up artist if needed)
- Making dinner reservations
- Figuring out who's driving you to the prom
- Scheduling a time to take pictures
Post-Prom Parties and Other Activities to Think About
For many teens, prom is the precursor for a much less regulated after hours party. Realistically, these parties can include some illicit substances, so it's important for teens to know the dangers and responsibilities of any post-prom socializing they might be getting up to. Also, for anyone with social anxiety, it's a good idea to decide what you want to do after the prom beforehand.
But, for just as many people who keep the vibes going all night long, there are so many others who will pay for an outrageously expensive rush-priced Uber just to refuel themselves on the best, greasiest food in town before passing out in bed, clothes on and all.
Keep in mind that lots of schools have safe after parties, or you can plan a fun after prom event with friends doing what feels right to you.
Junior Prom Is Just as Fun as Senior Prom
Although high schools have largely done away with the junior prom model, some still cling to it. Interestingly, there's really not much of a difference between the two proms other than the fact that it gives seniors something to feel special about. So, if you have the chance to go, take junior prom up on its offer. You'll have a great time and will know what to expect (and what mistakes to avoid) next time around.
