Senior year is a stressful, exciting, and bittersweet time in a students life. The combination of college applications, "last firsts", and senioritis can leave anyone overwhelmed. Pair that with trying to make the most of your last couple months home, and you have a lot of decisions on your hands. Luckily, I've been through it all and compiled a list of 5 things you should be sure to do your senior year.
1. Cut people who cause drama out of your life
Brigid Garrett
You've got a year left living life as you've known it to be for the last 18 years, don't waste any of it indulging in someone's petty drama. It can be a tough task to do, especially if it is a classmate that you see every day, but you'll feel so much better once that person is out of your life.
2. Go to the dance
Or pep rally! Or a field trip! Or whatever other events your school is holding. As much as you may love or hate them, there truly is nothing like a good old high school dance so enjoy it while you can. And a word of advice from someone who's been there: It is so much more fun to get involved than it is standing on the sidelines. Who cares if you make a fool of yourself, you won't be seeing many of your classmates for much longer anyway.
3. If you haven’t yet, get a job
Brigid Garrett
Senior year is EXPENSIVE. From the senior trip to prom to graduation gifts and everything in between, you're going to be needing a lot of money this year. Then after that's all done, a little thing called college will start coming your way. It's good to start saving as soon as possible to avoid having to skip a senior year tradition because you're strapped for cash. Plus work experience looks great on a college application.
4. Have a conversation with your parents or guidance counselor about paying for college
Brigid Garrett
Doing this early on was one of the most helpful things I did for the college application process. With my parents, I discussed exactly how much money I could take out in loans and if they could help me pay. We came up with a limit on the most that my education could reasonably cost a year, which helped greatly when choosing schools to apply to. Don't let the number you decide on stop you from applying to pricier schools, though. You never know who might surprise you with an extra scholarship!
5. Understand that college admissions are unpredictable
Brigid Garrett
Average SAT scores can be helpful in predicting your chances at admission into a college but they are not always reliable. Last year I was happily surprised with a great scholarship from my top choice school, however I was also surprised with a waitlist letter from a safety school. You never know what schools are going to decide so the best thing you can do is put your best foot forward, and not take their decision too personally.
