Twenty Things I Wish I’d Known Before Senior Year

This past week I was grabbing a smoothie with several soon-to-be seniors (boy, do I love unintentional alliteration). Naturally, the topic of school came into conversation and, upon hearing their array of concerns, I was inspired to come up with this. So voila! Here is an exceptionally lengthy and most certainly over-kill list of what I wish I’d known (in no particular order) before starting twelfth grade. 1. Tackle college apps early and often There’s a comfort that comes with being a senior. You’ve made it through rounds upon rounds of testing, you’ve established who your friends are, what teachers are on your side. But don’t let that deter you from hitting the ground running. Applying to college is daunting (big shocker, I know), and the longer you put off writing those essays, the more stress that will build. 2. Ride out your existential crises You’re going to have one of these. Or, in my case, one million. And, no matter who you are or what your situation is, that’s perfectly okay. If you need to cry it out: do so. If you need to take a day off from school to get some rest: do so. If you don’t take that time for yourself, self-inflicted paralysis will easily derail you. 3. Stop looking left and right It’s going to feel like your in a horse race at times, fighting to get into the same schools and measuring your worth by comparing accomplishments. Save yourself the energy and knock it off. Applying to college is much better when approached as an individual experience. Focus on your own strengths and your own future. . Rejection will not define you The best and worst part of senior year is when the admissions decisions start trickling out. It’s riveting and uncomfortable and demoralizing and rewarding all at the same time. Push aside any jealousy that threatens to bubble up and choose to embody integrity. No matter what happens, you will end up on a path that can get you where you want to be. 15. And neither will graduation cords You’d be surprised by how many people become petty in those final weeks over a shiny strand of rope. Who cares how much bling you’re wearing when you’re getting that diploma? What really counts is that you’ve graduated. 16. Ask for help If you’re struggling with applications, with relationships, with your own self-doubt: reach out to someone. Senior year can take an emotional toll in innumerable ways, and talking it through with others (college advisors, counselors, peers) will only make you stronger. 17. Attend school events Now’s not the time to be â€Å"too cool† for school spirit. There aren’t many more occasions where a large portion of your senior class will be together having fun. You don’t want to miss out on some hilarious memories. 18. Attend non-school events Although there is still one more summer ahead of you, it’s never too early to adventure in your own back yard. (I mean who knows where you’ll be situated this time next year?) Don’t let the same old excuses bog you down: too much homework, a project that needs finishing†¦ all of those things will be waiting for you when you get back. 19. Embrace being a role model One of the weird things that’ll happen is that underclassmen will look to you now and again for guidance. Even if you don’t realize it, you’re setting an example for the next generations of twelfth graders. See it as an opportunity to give back to your high school and make valuable connections with new people. 20. Save your nostalgia for the end The best advice I can give to anyone approaching senior year is be present. It’s okay to have periods of sadness, of unwillingness to move on. Just never forget that, as much as senior year is about closing a chapter, it’s also about celebrating an amazing journey of friendship and personal growth.