To all the high school seniors out there, everyone will tell you that this year is going to fly by. That this year is going to be so fun and memorable and before you know it, you're saying goodbye to all your friends and family before you're finally shipped off to college. And guess what? It's completely true. So here's advice from a pre-frosh college student reminiscing on the last year of high school while packing up for college.
1. Even if you don't feel up to going out, do it.
I get it, maybe you're perfectly snuggled up in bed, eyes glued to your computer as you binge-watch some show on Netflix, when your friend texts you asking if you wanna meet up for coffee or lunch. And of course, you're too comfortable at the moment to even think about getting up and leaving. But do it. Get up and go out. See your friends while you can. You only so much time left with these people, spend as much as you can with them. Netflix will still be there when you get back.
2. Senioritis is real. Don't let it overpower you.
Sure, you're not on your junior-year game. Not necessarily ship-shape academics-wise, and there's definitely a deflation in motivation. Yes, grades aren't everything at the moment. But don't throw all you've worked so hard for the past three years this year. You don't wanna grow bad school habits that you'll only carry onto college. And don't forget, colleges still ask for a final transcript.
3. Your parents will drive you absolutely nuts. But they love you. And don't forget to tell them how much you love them.
With the stress of college applications, of course there's gonna be an outburst here and there in your family. Trust me, when parents are breathing down your neck about your essays they're only doing it because they care. When they tell you that you can't leave the house until your apps are done, they're doing you a huge favor. Seniors, your parents love you. No matter how much they drive us completely insane, tell them you love them. This is your last year at home. Appreciate every moment that you have left before you go off on your own.
4. Not getting into your first choice school is not the end of the world. Believe me.
For most of my life, I had my entire future planned out. My heart set on one school and only one school. I can honestly tell you that getting rejected from my first choice school was the best thing that could've ever happened to me. Not only have I fallen in love with the my future home for the next four years, I've been presented with many opportunities that I didn't have available at my first choice. Things work out how they're supposed to, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time. You'll see, trust me.
5. If you have the slightest interest in applying to a school, just do it.
Yeah it'll be more essays to tackle, more money in the long run. But having options is important. And honestly, you might be surprised. A school you never even considered going to might just be the right one for you (this is literally what happened in my case).
6. Don't compare yourself to anyone else.
It's gonna be hard once you start hearing all the application results. Just because your best friend gets in and you don't, doesn't mean you're any less qualified. Everyone is different and everyone brings something different to the table. Just worry about yourself. It may be hard when everyone will be pressing you about your results and those of your friends, but you can do it.
7. Stop worrying about what you look like/what you wear.
Yes, it'll feel great to put on that new first-day-of-school outfit, but no one is gonna remember or even care what you wore. Stop fussing about if your outfit doesn't match to the dot. If your hair is a little messy, it's okay. Enjoy your last year, don't waste it trying to impress other people by how you look or by how you dress. If you're happy and confident, that's all that matters.
8. Talk to as many people as you can
Don't be afraid to branch out from your friend group. You only have one year left with your class. You never know who you've been missing out on the past three years. (Shameless shoutout to my best friend who I met senior year.)
9. Have fun, but not too much fun.
Go out, go to a party, have a great time with your friends. But remember to be careful. You don't want to have to be that kid that has to notify your college that you've been suspended from school or had to deal with the police because you thought senior year was going to be the time of your life.
