Senior year of high school. Everyone sees it as the "Golden Year," where you're free to relax in terms of schoolwork. You may have three free periods a day, or come into school late or leave early (depending on where your free periods were placed). For me, it wasn't quite as perfect as entertainment romanticizes it. Throughout senior year, I would think about the things I should've done differently, and I still think about it.
1. I wouldn't have taken so many challenging courses.
I was never academically inclined; however, my friends were, so I pushed myself to take courses that involved me putting in a lot more effort than my friends had to to receive the same types of grades. It was strenuous throughout the college application process to be spending every waking moment working on AP coursework I didn't even end up getting college credit for.
2. Don't sweat the petty things. They aren't worth your time.
I spent too much of my time senior year worrying about things that don't even matter now. These trivial incidences may seem important in the moment, but trust me, a year from now you won't even remember to care. Try to remember that the next time you're beating yourself up for not being invited somewhere or getting left behind.
3. Put more effort into the college application process.
Don't let your parents take the driver's seat on this one. I was active in the college process, but I wasn't noticing that my mom was researching colleges that didn't have what I wanted. Not only that, don't let your parents pressure you into doing anything regarding the decision process. You'll hold resentful feelings and it would be better to choose what you think is right, not what your parents want.
4. Realize who your friends are.
It's your final year of high school. Most of the people you spoke to in class aren't going to be around much after you part ways at college. It's fine if you come to the realization that not everyone's your friend like you thought they were. You're not going to be friends with everyone. Just make sure you keep in touch with the ones that count and will be there for you from miles away.
5. Go out and be productive.
Don't spend your final year in your hometown before college cooped up in your room binge watching show after show and studying away. If I could, I would go out, explore and enjoy what's around me before I leave it behind. I would socialize with my friends outside of school more. I wouldn't allow myself to be isolated from the outside world.
6. Take a step back and relax.
Forget about the anxiety and panic that comes with senior year. Enjoy these last few months in high school and being home. Regardless of whether or not you enjoyed high school, you're going to regret taking it for granted. Don't let the tension of college applications, AP courses, activities, etc. get the best of you.
7. Stop regretting things you wish you had done.
Don't get me wrong, senior year was still great. There are always things about the past we wish we could change, so don't let past mistakes prevent you from fixing them and improving in the future. Your experience is what it is. Embrace what you can't change.
