It’s that time again. The end of the semester and the end of the school year is upon us. Saying goodbye to junior year and hello to being a big, bad senior comes along with its mixture of emotions, whether you are a junior in high school or a junior in college. Either way, the feelings are quite similar. The end of the year signals that you have made it through another level -- with how much sanity and success is at your discretion -- and are ready to move up in the world. A little scared? Me, too.

As one year ends and another begins, it isn’t actually an ending; it’s continuous. The fun times, memories, and friendships don’t cease to exist, instead, they continue on with you eagerly awaiting the new arrivals from the coming year. These new additions add to the person you are, as well as the person you’ve become, as you grow from new experiences. The same can be said for the new friendships you have built along the way. The people you’ve laughed and cried with are the ones who will have the biggest impact on your life because they are a part of the memories you’ll carry forever.

Senior year is filled with its ups and downs like any other year. However, unlike the others before it, there are some added pressures. One of the best things about being a senior is the fact that you are the top person on campus (except for the graduate students, of course). You’ve worked so hard starting at the bottom of the pole trying to find your way around as a freshman, to knowing the secret ins and outs to get through your last year.

But beware of senioritis. The feeling of wanting to do absolutely nothing because it is your last year can sneak up at any moment. It’s okay to give into this feeling sometimes, but if done too often work has a way of piling up. As much fun as you thought junior year was, your senior year will be much more. However, there is a balance of work and fun. Along with all the excitement come many decisions. As a senior in high school, it’s time to make decisions about college. Before you know it, applications are due, then decision day is upon you. Although you don’t have to know your exact life plan at this very moment, having some idea of what you want your future to look like could simplify the process.

For those of you going into your senior year of college, the stakes are a bit higher. At this point, knowing what you want to do with your life is vital. It’s time to transition into the adult world, or “adulting” as some might say. Internships and a detailed resume are your ticket to the beginning of a successful future. As much as graduation seems like a triumphant finish to the endless years of classrooms and studying, it’s also a marker for the beginning of your adult life.

Even with all the necessary work that goes along with moving up in the world, don’t forget to enjoy the fun times. The nights out with friends filled with adventure and laughter will make all the work worthwhile. So let loose a little. Enjoy the crazy days and nights of

summer before you buckle down for senior year. Even though it may seem like it’s not entirely fun and games like you’d want it to be, the year can be as fun as you make it. If you want a crazy year, make it one. If you want a relaxed year, make it one. Either way, make it a year you’ll never forget.