Dear high school seniors,

Well, here you are. You've just finished the next to last semester of your high school career. You are almost done. So close to the finish line! Spring break, prom -- then, graduation and you are out of that place forever! Hello, real world!

Plot twist – you are nowhere near done! It may be your final semester of high school, but please for the love of Jim and Pam, do not give up now. Do not quit trying on your homework, please do not slack in class, please do not let the very real senioritis take over your life. If you are like me and have had senioritis since the second semester of freshman year, you will regret not trying as hard in high school. This last semester is where things get real. I expected it to be easy, smooth sailing and a straight shot to graduation, but instead, I got scholarship deadlines, housing contract deadlines, financial aid deadlines, AP test registration, ordering cap and gown, sending out graduation invites, and tough decision making left and right.

I know, all of that might sound crazy, overwhelming and maybe even a little scary, but don't worry, you've got this. There will be a whole lot that you have to take care of this upcoming semester, but the good news is, once you get through it, you will be done with high school forever! Or I at least hope!

Here's my suggestion -- take it one day at a time. Try to fill out one scholarship application every day. Make a list of all the deadlines you can't afford to miss. Make sure you don't miss that housing dead line! If you take it day by day and make sure that you stay up to date on deadlines or important dates, you'll be able to get things done and not have done everything either late, or not at all. I understand finding the perfect prom dress, but if you put that before signing up for a dorm, you could end up living in the worst dorm on campus and trust me when I tell you that six months after prom, no one really remembers or cares what dress you wore.

Senior year, so far, should have been one of the best years of your life. Cherish every moment that you have with your friends around you. You may have an idea of what is coming next but I promise doing the last semester of senior year right is so crucial to how well you succeed in college. Don't forget about your grades, either. Your final transcript gets sent to the university that you chose, and if your grades slip the second semester your admission could be taken away from you! I believe in you, and trust me, I know it's hard, but you're so close! Don't give up!