Senior year is a year that, for me, I had waited my entire life for. I had grown up going to my high schools sporting events and theater productions. I couldn't wait to be apart of it all. But most of all, I couldn't wait to be on top of it all.
When dreaming about senior year, you dream about leading the student section at sporting events, being the oldest in the school, and being the leaders on your team and in other clubs and activities.
What you don't think about is the reality of what it all means. Being a senior comes with a lot of responsibility. Working on all the college essays, sending transcripts, going for interviews, college tours, and all the other tireless work that is required to get you to the next step in your life. And even though you know it's coming, you will never truly be prepared for all the goodbyes you will have to say.
This year will be a huge year of growth and change. It might be difficult and stressful at times, but just remember to be a kid and have fun through it all. Don't let stress be your number one emotion. Remember to relax and take time to live in the moment and be with your friends!
So with that being said, in order to make your senior year one of the best and most memorable years of your life, here are six tips that I think will help.
1. Make This A Bucket List Year
This school year, do everything that you have always wanted to do, but maybe were too nervous or embarrassed to do in previous years of high school. Audition for the musical or play, join the club you always thought would be fun, take the class or elective you have always wanted to take. Try out for a sport, even though you know you might not play very much, at least you can say you did it and you tried, instead of living with regret. Because the hard reality is, you might not ever have these opportunities again. And don't be afraid to make new friends while you do it! I met some of my closest friends by joining a club and going on a school trip that I had always wanted to do but had always been too nervous too. It is one of my all-time favorite high school memories!
2. Go Out On a School Night
All throughout high school, if an event was happening on a school night, I would not even consider going. I had just been at school all day, then (depending on the semester) I would either go to rehearsal or work, go workout, then go home, eat dinner, and have some time to just be at home and chill out and try to to get to bed at a decent hour. And let's be real, being a high schooler is certainly not always easy. Sometimes after a tough day at school or sometimes feeling like I didn't fit in, the idea of spending any more time than I had too at school, sounded awful.
However my senior year, I just decided to ignore my own rules and go do something that I had not done before and go to a volleyball game on a school night. And you know what? It was so much fun. I was so glad I did it because I was all about making this my bucket list year. So just get out of your comfort zone and be a little braver! You won't regret it, and you're a senior now, so own it!
In addition to going to games, go out with your friends! Go to the movie just because! My favorite thing was to go grab dinner after rehearsal with some of my castmates, or just meet my friends after one of their practices. One tradition I will cherish forever, is that one of my best friends and I would go on Qdoba dates after rehearsal at least once a week. But honestly, it was more like two-three times (but who's counting). We would vent about the stress of the show and our college fears and wonder how we are going to survive to be without each other. And sometimes we would sit there for a couple of hours, fully knowing that one or both of us had a big test or quiz the next morning and we were going to be exhausted. But we didn't care and don't regret any of it for a second. Because now I have those memories and all the laughs to comfort me when we are apart.
3. Take ALL the Pictures You Can
Rehearsal!
Last block exhaustion!
Even if it's just a selfie of you and your friend in English class, you'll cherish it more than you know. We always remember to take the pictures at the football games and the Christmas dances, but to me, the simple ones like a silly selfie in class, are the ones I love the most. Because those truly capture the essence of being a high schooler. While class might not always be fun, being in class together is something not to take for granted, because in less than a year, you will be walking into a room of possibly hundreds of unfamiliar faces, and wish you still had your bestie to sit by.
4. Forgive
This one is huge. In order to be happy in any situation in life, you need to forgive. Otherwise, you are walking around with a heavy heart. A weight that you may not even notice because you have gone numb to its dull ache. And you might not even notice the weight until you feel it lifted. Maybe this person wronged your sophomore year said something hurtful or stole your lab partner in biology. Whatever the case may be, do your best to find it in your heart to forgive. Keep in mind that just because you forgive someone, does not mean you have to let them back into your life. It is just about wanting what's best for your heart and having respect for them as a person. Even if that means you aren't friends anymore. Keep your heart full, loving, and happy.
5. Participate in Themes and Homecoming Week
80s day!
Take the time to dress up and have fun with it! Don't worry about looking silly, because I'm gonna guess you won't be the only one. And again, you're a senior! OWN! IT!
6. Make A Memory Box
Harry Potter World with my bestie on spring break! (P.S. THANK YOU DEIDRE I LOVE YOU!
While I am sure there is something like this on Pinterest, I am proud to say I came up with this all on my own! The summer going into my senior year, I found a shoebox (however I would recommend going to Michael's and getting one of the cute decorative boxes that are only about $10 and will be bigger and more sturdy) and I decided to make a senior memory box. I kept it in my closet and as the senior year went on I would put special items in that was part of a big moment or something simple that was special to me. The best part though is that I did not open/go through the box until graduation day. It was one of the highlights of my day and is one of my most sentimental possessions that I cannot wait to show my own children someday. The great thing about this box is that you save things that you might have just thrown away otherwise. Some of the items in my box are: concert tickets, my corsage from my the Christmas dance, football state game ticket, random cards and letters, my room key from the hotel I stayed at in Universal Studios for spring break, the program from my senior year musical, my tassel, random movie tickets, and so many other things that if I wrote them all down the list would get too long.
I hope you find these tips helpful and that whatever you do your senior year, it is something that makes you truly happy! Remember to love and always have a grateful heart!
All my love,
Claire
