1. Beware of Senioritis
It's so tempting to convince yourself attendance isn't necessary now that you're a senior. Taking a few days off won't hurt but your three week "vacation" will have you drowning in makeup work and regret.
2. Apply for colleges/scholarships as early as possible
Part of the stress during senior year is trying to balance college/scholarship applications with the schoolwork for your classes. It's always better to get them out of the way. Deadlines come quicker than expected and writing application essays late at night before deadline is never fun. Plus scholarship money will help cushion the blow when you realize how much money college really costs.
3.Take advantage of chances to improve your grade
Of course, every school is different but things like extra credit, test retakes, and simple homework grades are always nice to have when you are on the borderline between grades.
4. Don't let your grades drop
You got accepted into a school and now you just want to let go and barely graduate. Don't do it. You'll do more math in fourth quarter than the whole year calculating how many tests you need to get A's in to pass your class or keep your college acceptance.
5. Don't expect to be babied
Once you hit senior year, your teachers will stop treating you like a freshman, which means an email from mom and dad won't have the power it used to. You will get thrown under the bus.
6. Go to your school events
It's your last year to attend the games and other events that your school puts on. So no matter how bad the Varsity Football team is, show some support.
7. Make friends
You can still meet new people and have new friends as a senior. Chances are you won't have the same group of friends that you did freshman year. Just don't fall into the " I waited until the last three weeks to make this awesome friend" trap.
8. Shoot your shot
The cute person in your English class may be someone you never see again. The least you can do is talk to them. Don't wait till the last week of school. You will regret it.
9. The less drama, the easier the year
You might have a job or two, grades to keep up, and a life to live. Sometimes you need to stay out of the drama that wont matter come graduation day.
10. Don't stress too much
Senior year involves balance. Jobs, schoolwork, sports, and clubs can be time consuming. It's your last year to have fun with all of your friends as much as you can. Find your balance between work and play.
11. The year goes way faster than you think
The first day of my senior year, I was ready to check out. All I wanted to do was get my diploma and walk away. Now I'm a few days away from moving to college. It happens way faster than you think.
12. Find your real friends
The sooner you find who your real friends are, the easier life will be. It's okay to cut out people who are too problematic.
13. Know your boundaries
Making stupid choices can have an impact on your future plans. Turning eighteen means those choices can come with harsher consequences that can affect things like going into the military, going to college, getting a job, and graduating on time.
14. Don't let anyone make you feel badly about your choices for the future
Your future is exactly that: yours. It can be daunting to be barely or not even eighteen and being expected to plan out your whole future. The military is the military. A job is better than nothing and college is college. You don't need to be the toughest, most prestigious or highest paid. Something is better than nothing.
15. Graduate
You haven't worked four years to not graduate. You've worked all of your elementary and middle school years to reach graduation. Feeling a little bit lazy or being too caught up in other things are pointless reasons not to graduate. You're almost there. Push through it because it's so worth it.
