Going back to school after two months of relaxing can be a difficult task for most people. However this year I am anticipating the start of school due to the fact that I will be entering my fourth and last year of high school. Along with the excitement of finishing high school, comes anticipation for what’s to come throughout the year. In order to make the most out of my senior year, I came up with a few pointers to help guide me, and hopefully others, to a smooth finish to a high school career.

First, I decided to make a list of what I have to do and set a deadline to complete it. Instead of having the deadline as the actual date that the application or paper is supposed to be completed, I’m going to make sure that my personal deadline is a week before the actual due date. This way I will not have to stress out, or rush to complete anything that I might have forgotten to do. Even though making those deadlines can be somewhat stressful, when the real deadline itself is met, the stress relief is well worth it.

A lot of my friends that graduated last year told me that in the midst of all the applications and things to do throughout senior year, it is tempting to let some things slide, especially if those things are not as important to you. Instead of focusing on an essay homework assignment, you may be completely dedicated to finishing your college essay. Yes, prioritizing is important, but it is also important not to neglect your school work. Believe it or not, colleges look at your grades and consider the effort you put in throughout your senior year. It is also important to never let your study habits slip away, because these skills help prepare you for college itself. In order to have time to do both college and school work, it’s important to know how to manage your time, and to have a study plan.

Even though this can be a difficult task for me, I realize that seeking help when needed can make everything much easier. It’s a good idea to talk out your plans and problems to parents, counselors, teachers, or anyone who you feel will be able to support you. Since senior year can be a handful, it makes it much easier if you let others help you throughout the process. Meaning if you are worried about a college essay, ask someone to read it and give you some feedback! You might also want to consider getting a group of friends together to study for a standardized test.

Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your senior year! You have worked hard to get to where you are, so it’s important to reward yourself by making the most out of your last year in high school. Try not make your senior year entirely about work and studying (even though it’s hard not to). You should also be able to set aside time to actually live this year up; hang out with friends, meet new people, and continue doing all the fun things you enjoy!

~Monica