To all of the seniors reading this right now: you guys are in for the time of your lives. After three years of high school, you're finally at the top. College, graduation, and new jobs and opportunities are all just around the corner. There's a lot of talk about the future, but don't look too far ahead or you'll miss what's going on right in front of you: a year full of friends, excitement, and bittersweet goodbyes. As the first child in my family, the whole senior year/college thing was new to my entire family. There were a lot of unknowns and unanswered questions. That being said, this article is some advice that helped me out and that I wish I had known sooner.

1. Senior year isn't as easy as everyone says it is.

Let's just get this one out of the way. Don't get me wrong, senior year is a TON of fun. There are so many opportunities to enjoy time with friends and spend time with your class before the big graduation day. With that being said, senior year is no walk in the park. Speaking from experience, my work load didn't get easier until late into the third marking period, and keeping up my grades did take some hard work and late nights. Add college applications and extracurriculars to the mix and senior year can feel a little stressful, but don't worry! With some hard work, some organization, and some prioritization, senior year can be one of the most exciting years to date!

2. Stay organized!

This one is huge. With college applications around the corner, it's super important to organize your information to know what each school wants and needs and what your deadlines are. Just a simple Excel spreadsheet can make your whole college application process go a whole lot smoother. Know dates of assignments, tests, and extracurriculars so you can know what free time you have for friends, college applications, or anything else.

3. It's okay to hang out with people during the week days.

For me, hanging out on week days was something I rarely did, but something I really wish I did more. This is not to say that you should not do work and just hang out with friends instead, but when you have time, make time for friends. Especially toward the end of the year when classes get easier, a simple lunch outing with some friends can really go a long way in having some fun your senior year.

4. Take classes you genuinely love.

My senior year, I took three history classes. I loved each and every one of my classes in my senior schedule, and that made my senior year so much more enjoyable. Take the classes you love and are genuinely interested in; it'll definitely help when that sneaky little thing called senioritis tries to sneak in.

5. Get those letters of recommendation done as early as possible!

This one is pretty self-explanatory. The longer you wait, the more hectic, difficult, and stressful this part of the application process can be.

6. It's okay to not know where you're going until Decision Day!

I remember people committing to college before I had even gotten my acceptance letters; it drove me crazy. If you're in a similar situation as I was, please do not worry. Things will work out the way they should. You will find the place where you are meant to go, and it's okay to not know for awhile. It's part of the process. Stay positive and know that it'll be your turn to commit really soon.

7. Reach out to new people.

It's your senior year! Isn't it crazy to think that you're probably graduating with people you've never talked to? Reach out to new people and make new friends! You never know who you'll get close to.

8. Use your resources.

Senior year can be overwhelming, and that's what makes reaching out for help so important. Guidance counselors, parents, and teachers all want you to succeed and want to help you! Don't be afraid to ask for help at any point within the year. Whether it's about college applications, tests, or even personal matters, getting help from others can make senior year that much better.

9. Try new things!

It's your senior year--why not? I tried cross country for the first time ever and it's one of the best decisions I made. Is there something you've always wanted to try? A new sport? A new club? A new hobby? Now is the time to test your boundaries. You never know the people you'll meet and the things you'll learn just by leaving your comfort zone.

10. Self-care is important!

As silly as this one sounds, at the end of the day, you come first! Senior year comes with a lot of stress and big decisions, and it's so important to put your happiness, well-being, and mental and physical health first. Take time for yourself and do what makes you happy. Trust me, it goes a long way.

11. You're going to be okay.

Although in the thick of college applications it might not seem it, everything will turn out fine. Although you might not know you future fate at this very moment, eventually you will. Although you might've gotten a rejection letter from one of your schools, you're going to get some amazing acceptances. Although you're scared to leave friends for college, the true ones will stay in touch no matter what. Although you might not think it, you are going to be just fine.

Enjoy your senior year because people weren't kidding when they said it goes by in an instant.