So, you made it to the end of the road. You are now starting a new adventure, and this is where your high school story is wrapping up. This year is really not that different from the rest, but at the same time, it is. This is the last year you and your graduating class will be in the same building.

This is your year of lasts, and also the most expensive. If you haven't already, you'll soon take your senior pictures and be offered a sky-high price for them. You'll fill out papers for your cap and gown, and then in no time, you'll be walking across the field.

During your year of lasts, do things you haven't done before. Turn the "lasts" into "firsts", by making a new friend, joining a club, or maybe even try out for a school play. Your year is what you make it, so make your senior year one too last forever. Hang out with your friends, and make time for them before you all head off to different colleges, get jobs, and get into relationships. Listen to your teachers, and even if you don't have the will-power anymore; actually show up to school.

You should start applying to colleges as soon as possible because, like me, you could lose openings to a majority of much-needed scholarships. Also, Listen to everyone's advice, but at the same time understand that you don't have to follow it. You will be told by countless people that you'll change your major, and for some people that is true.

Remember that just because everyone else is going to go to one college, you don't have to. Chose your college based on what it can offer you, and what your major is. For the most part, you can do whatever you want in college, within reason of course, and it will be ten times more exciting than high school was.

However, Even though your college years are the start of your future, it's also the start of learning financial accountability. By now you should also understand that money you take out in loans needs to get paid back, eventually. So It could be a good idea to try to start work during your last year of high school so you can start saving up to prevent you from having to take out as much in loans or apply for ten million different scholarships.

Another good way to save on college is to take dual enrollment courses if your school offers them, It is a good way to earn both high school and college credit and overall helps you a lot when you start your college classes.

In all, these next few years might be rough and will make you do a lot of growing up. Don't let the cost of everything hold you down and ultimately do what is best for you. You shape your future into what it is now, and these next five-ish years will help you further your goal of becoming who you want to be. Take hold of your future, kiss the past goodbye and let your friends, family, and your heart guide you through the unknown.