Being a senior in high school is both the most empowering time in your life, but also the opposite all at the same time. Getting accepted to colleges, getting denied, receiving an awesome scholarship, not receiving any financial aid...the list goes on. There is so much going on that at times, you lose who you are. So, today I am going to give you some big sis advice on how to stay true to yourself, and make the most of your senior year in high school.

1. Just get it done

I know, senioritis is real, BUT it also is an easy excuse to make your life more difficult than necessary. For me, time went by slower when I was falling behind and slacking on my work. I was the most efficient, the most relaxed and was having the most fun when I was organized and prioritized. Try using a planner, utilizing Google Calendar, or just using the notes in your phone to put your to-do's into action!

2. Don't feel obligated to be involved

You all have seen the tweets about how if you go to every sporting event, every school dance and every rally or assembly, senior year will be absolutely magic. For some, yeah, it will! But for others, things like that aren't important and that isn't a bad thing. I participated in my school all four years, but I also focused on my own business startup, college decisions and building relationships in my community. There is no right or wrong way to live senior year, so do what is going to make you happy and actually enjoy it!

3. Make new friends

This is very difficult senior year, I absolutely understand that. Making new friends when everyone already has "their group" and "their people," it can be hard to make your way into a new relationship! But, making the effort is really great! I made quite a few new friends in my senior year, and my year would not have been as fun as it was without them. Just turning around and talking to someone who you don't *usually* talk to in English is effort enough.

4. Connect with your teachers

While they may seem they are out to get you with the essays, exams and endless homework, they really do care about you. There are teachers from my high school who have changed my life because I decided to stay after school for extra help. I have learned serious life lessons from opening up to my teachers about my life as a modern-day high school student. And now, after graduating, I have resources and connections with all of those teachers and an awesome support system as I head into my freshman year of college!

5. Understand and trust the process

"The process" being college. Sorry to mention the C word, but it is a huge part of senior year! At times, it is the worst part, but by the end it is an incredible stage of your life. I had a crazy college decision process, I have a whole YouTube video story time about what happened, but by the time May rolled around, I was so happy with how everything turned out. My biggest advice for the process is to just try to not have too much of an expectation for how everything will go down. Keep your mind open to any opportunity that comes your way, you never know!

6. Make some extra cash when you can

College is expensive. Regardless of your scholarships or grants, you will still spend money before and during freshman year. A lot of it. If you can't work a part-time job, try to babysit or dog walk! Something less consistent, but at least you can pocket some extra change! During my senior year, I worked at an After Care until 5:30 everyday. It was a great gig because I still had the whole evening to do homework and I never had to work weekends! If you can find something similar, I highly recommend it. Plus, hanging out with the kiddos was always a fun time.

Take every day one step at a time. It goes by so incredibly fast, so take it all in. You've got this!