The last few months of high school. So sad, remember to cherish it, blah blah blah. This is not a sappy article about how special your last couple months are, because that’s not what you want to hear right now. At this point you are so done with high school. The finish line is in sight and you just want out. I don’t blame you for it, but I’m sure you’re feeling a little bit guilty about wishing the time would go by faster. So here is some advice on how to make the rest of your senior year go as smoothly as possible (plus allow you to put in as little effort as possible) and set you up for a summer of nothing but soaking up the sun with your friends.
1. Feel free to let it slide
Whether it be that busy work your English teacher assigned, your dedication to dressing nice for school, or that subtweet that Rebecca was totally directing at you for flirting with Brad. You’ll be much happier if you just give yourself some wiggle room and let things go. Now I’m not saying to give up on all your classes or let your GPA tank, but "senior-itis" is real, and sometimes it’s better to focus what little academic energy you have on that big essay rather than the math worksheet. No one cares how you dress anymore, everyone looks as ugly as possible. Just embrace it. If possible, avoid the petty drama you let yourself get entangled in the last three years. Rebecca is going to go to a different college and find new people to harass, and Brad is going to get a Frat Freshman Beer Belly. They’re just not worth your time or attention.
2. Start packing your things up now
As scary as it is to pack up your whole life for school, the sooner you do it the better. If you can pack one box of things up every week, starting now, you will be done before you know it. If you wait until a week before you move you will spend those last few days at home the same way I did: sad, cranky, and turning down invitations to hang out because you’re still packing. Save yourself the stress.
3. Form a college game-plan
At this point you probably know where you're attending school next year, so start scoping out your new home. Join the freshman class Facebook page, stalk the heck out of your future classmates, see what clubs are available that you might want to join, start the roommate hunt, etc etc. Knowing what things your college/university offers that you are interested in and might want to join before arriving on campus can make your first few weeks go so much smoother. Some groups, such as fraternities and sororities, start having recruitment events before classes even start, so being prepared is key. It is easiest to connect with people and make friends the first few weeks of a semester, capitalize on this.
4. Talk to your parents about extending your curfew
If you are one of the lucky few who don’t have a curfew, skip this step. For the rest of you this is important to guaranteeing yourself a fun summer. Your parents are scared, soon their babies are going to be leaving the nest and doing God-knows-what. Often this results in them shortening the leash and digging in their heels, especially when you suggest that them letting you stay out until 3am isn’t unreasonable. Start working on an extended curfew now so they have time to warm up to the idea. Remind them that when you are in college you will be completely independent and you need to learn how to handle that now. However, don’t betray the trust they are putting in you by not coming home at all or doing illegal things with your friends. That’s not the note you want to move out on.
5. Spend as much time as possible with your friends
I know I promised you I wouldn’t be sappy so I’ll keep this one brief. You’re moving away from each other soon and it’s not easy. Spend time together, make memories, take pictures, cherish their presence.
Good luck you guys. The home-stretch of high school is as wonderful as it is terrible, and it’ll be over before you know it. See you around campus next fall.
