Senior year is easily the busiest year in high school and it can be easy to feel like you're falling behind. As I wrap up my senior year in high school, I have compiled the following list of the steps you should take in your final year of high school to make sure that you get everything done on time. Keep in mind that a lot of these points are focused on those graduating seniors who plan on attending college after graduation, but the list can be helpful to any graduating senior.
Summer Before Your Senior Year
1. Make a broad list of colleges you plan on attending or start researching colleges.
The summer before your senior year is the perfect time to start looking into colleges. Look at schools that specialize in the field you want to study. Research professors and student reviews of the school. Make note of things like application deadlines and dates for tours of the campus.
2. Start researching scholarships.
It is no secret that college is expensive, so now would be the great time to look into scholarships. There are a ton of scholarship websites that allow you to look at the requirements and deadlines for a wide range of scholarships. Apply for the ones you can now and make a note of the deadlines for the scholarships you are eligible for.
3. Take/sign up for ACT/SAT.
Most colleges require that you submit either ACT or SAT scores, and most people wait until their senior year to take those tests. If you haven't already taken one or both of these or you aren't happy with your scores, the summer is a great time to study a little and sign up for upcoming dates. There are usually a few test dates for both tests during the summer, so you can even take the test now if you want.
The beginning of the School Year
1. Make an appointment with your guidance counselor.
It is important to set up a meeting with your guidance counselor or graduation coach as soon as school starts to make sure that you are on track to graduate. They will be able to tell you if you have met all the requirements and that you are on track to meet the rest. As it is also early in the year, they will most likely be able to switch you into a class that you would need to graduate and tell you what else you have to do in order to graduate. They will also be able to tell you if you are eligible for waivers for the SAT/ACT or college applications.
2. Narrow down your college list.
Application season is fast approaching and it is important to make sure that you have a solid list of schools you want to apply for.
3. Start your applications.
Once you've finalized your list of colleges, you can start on the applications. Starting this early may seem unnecessary, but college application essays can be difficult to write and this time will allow you the freedom to explore your options without a looming deadline.
4. Start your resume.
Most applications, for both colleges and scholarships, require you to turn in a resume, so start one now. Writing a resume may seem complicated, but it's not. Make sure to include any work history, volunteer hours, and where you did them, achievements and extracurriculars.
5. Collect letters of recommendation.
Much like resumes, letters of recommendation are usually required for college and scholarship applications, so ask a few of your teachers and counselors. Don't be afraid to ask past teachers and even non-teachers like coaches and administrators. Just make sure that you know it is someone that knows you well and is reliable enough to get it done and back to you well before it is needed.
6. Apply for your first round of scholarships.
Look into the scholarships you were eligible for and apply for any with impending deadlines. Most scholarships with deadlines this early won't require proof of acceptance to a college yet, so don't worry about that.
Before Winter Break
1. Take part in homecoming week.
I know up until now, this list has been all academic things to do, but it is also important to enjoy your last year in high school. Try and participate in your homecoming week, which is usually sometime before winter break for most schools. Dress up for the themed days, go to the big game, go to the dance with some friends and try to forget about everything you have to get done.
2. Take the SAT/ACT.
If you haven't already, now is the time to take these tests. You will have time to retake them and submit new scores later, but you will want to at least take it once before winter break.
3. Apply for early decision.
Depending on your list of schools, and whether you have decided to apply for early or regular decision, now could be the time for you to turn in your applications. Early decision deadline is November 1st, so make sure you're not late!
4. Apply for your second round of scholarships.
Another round of scholarship deadlines usually roles out in the months before winter break, so make sure you're turning those in.
5. Update your resume.
By now, you have probably received some type of reward or have completed more volunteer hours, so make sure you are continuing to update your resume.
6. Complete the FAFSA.
Pull your parents aside and have them help you fill out the FAFSA to see how much you are eligible for.
7. Set up college visits.
Now that you have, most likely, finalized your lsit of schools and have applied to some of them, it is important to visit some of them. Try and visit any local schools that you've applied to, if you can, and look online for tours of the others. Most schools have some kind of digital tour or campus tour videos on YouTube. Also look at videos that were posted by students from that school like "A Day in My Life" or "Dorm Tours."
8. Pay for your cap and gown and other graduation materials.
Make sure that you pay for any necessary graduation materials.
Beginning of the New Year
1. Finish the FAFSA.
Make sure that your FAFSA is complete and that all of the necessary paperwork has been sent in to ensure that you the most money you are eligible for to pay for college.
2. Finish college applications.
Finish any unfinished college applications and make sure that you get them turned in by the January 1st or February 15th deadline.
3. Meet with your counselor again.
Set up another meeting with your counselor to make sure that you are still on track for graduation and that there is nothing you are missing.
4. Additional program applications.
Send in applications for additional programs like honors programs and dual-credit programs.
5. Submit a third round of scholarships.
It may becoming harder and harder to find scholarships that you are eligible for, but, if you can find nay, apply for them.
6. Retake SAT/ACT.
If you aren't completely satisfied with the scores you've sent in, now is your chance to retake them and send in your new scores.
7. Update resume.
It may seem pointless to continue to update your resume if you have already applied to or have gotten into schools, but if you are planning on applying for any more scholarships, it is important that you keep your resume up to date.
Senior Spring
1. Make your final school choice.
Sit down with all of your school choices and make your final decision on the school you will be attending.
2. Send in deposits.
Make sure that your tuition and room deposits are sent in by May 1st to ensure your place in your new school.
3. Submit a fourth round of scholarship applications.
Submit your final round of scholarship applications so you don't miss out on any money you are capable of getting.
4. Research and apply for student loans.
Look into what student loans are offered to you and which ones are the best fit and then go ahead and apply for them. Remember, college is expensive.
End of the Year
1. Give your teachers thank yous.
Put together small thank you gifts for some of your favorite teachers to thank them for everything they have done for you these past four years.
2. Clear your obligations.
Make sure you have returned any library books or textbooks you might have and that you have no other outstanding obligations like a school issued laptop or a negative lunch account balance.
3. Pick up your cap and gown.
Pick up that sacred gown and make sure that you have all other graduation materials, like cords and tassels.
4. Request your final transcripts and send them to the school you are attending.
Request your final transcripts from your high school and make sure that they are sent to the college you are attending.
5. Study for and take your finals.
By now, I know the senioritis is hitting hard, but it is important that you study for your finals and pass to ensure that you will graduate.
6. Go to prom.
Again, it is important to have fun once in a while and prom can be fun, just don't stress too much over what you're wearing or who you're going with.
7. Graduate.
The time has arrived, you are now officially a high school graduate.
I know it seems like a lot, but senior year can easily be one of the best years of your school career, just make sure you stay on top of things!