<p>Sounds like a self-study program this summer would solve most of the problem. Learn those 350 kanji AND whatever 200 or 300 extras from the upcoming 3rd year before the end of the summer. Know them in your sleep - draw them, finger paint them, dance them, breath them, eat them with your wheaties. And work on other language stuff - grammar, reading, etc.</p>
<p>Get over the “it’s not fair” (bunch of ringers in the classroom, guidance counselor made me, etc etc etc) and dive into the second part - planning your summer study session. A tutor right now might not hurt, either. Or start a Japanese study group with some of the ringers, etc.</p>