Millions of high schoolers across the country revolve around the word stress. Spending over eight hours thinking in class for days, followed by hours of extracurricular meetings or sports practices, then followed by hours of intense homework and/or standardized test preparation that can sometimes take up to 4 AM, combined with the constant thoughts of where one will attend college and what his or her future will look like, can take a major mental and physical toll on a student.
It is no surprise that high schoolers look forward to the end of their senior year, a time where they can supposedly can take it easy and cruise through school- or can they?
The end of the high school chapter is a bittersweet time - it is both a time of remembrance and a time of excitement. On one side, the stress and rigor of high school is about to end in a matter of a few months or less. On the other side, an entire class of up to hundreds of students is about to part ways, never to see each other again on a regular basis, let alone parting with favorite teachers and one's hometown. The clash of these two feelings or emotions makes senior year in fact arguably harder than junior year, the socially-accepted most difficult year of high school. And unlike junior year, the struggles experienced during senior year are much different- they are much more personal than the academic challenges experienced during the rest of high school. The unique nature of senior year struggles make it seem like it is impossible to survive. However, that notion does not have to be the case. There is almost always a way to get through any struggle, and the emotional rollercoaster one experiences during the final year of high school can definitely be supported. Here are some steps one can take to get through senior year:
1. Talk to a teacher or other adult about motivational problems, emotional problems, etc.
Teens are often faced with the saying "with great power comes great responsibility." Since they are maturing into adults, many teens use this saying and decide to handle everything independently. While doing so, many ignore the vast amount of support available, whether it's a teacher, parent, or any adult who knows them. There are also many formal support groups for teens going through struggles at the local, state and/or federal level. You should not be afraid to seek all this support out as there is no obligation to go through senior year alone.
2. Visit the places you loved the most as a child.
This really applies to those who grew up in one place their entire lives. If you have a place that brings back memories from early childhood, places that shape your perspective of your childhood such as a certain gorge you used to overlook that sparked your curiosity or a certain playground you remember letting out your energy in, it is a no-brainer to visit the place to reflect on how you have grown. During your visit, try to recap and analyze how these places shaped your growth.
3. Have some fun!
Around the second semester of high school, college admissions offices will start to roll out their decisions and you and many others will find out where you will be spending the next four years of your lives. You might find this time extremely stressful and it may take a huge toll on your mental health, however keep in mind that after the college decisions roll out and you have a few schools to decide on, you will have plenty of time to relax. No more grades that will count for college admissions (there is a catch, however; this subject will be continued later on in the article), no SATs to study for, no more college applications- you have truly earned this moment. Now is the time to slack off and enjoy your last days of high school. Make sure you are using this time to de-stress, whether it's engaging in a fun activity often such as seeing a movie or visiting an amusement park or concentrating on hobbies such as playing music or painting, because you'll need the break before entering college.
4. Disclaimer: control your fun, though.
Although the end of senior year is the time to take academics and other high school stressors more lightly, it is not the time to completely detach yourself from high school. Colleges request your second semester senior year grades as they require usually at least a B/B- average throughout the year. Failure to maintain adequate grades can get your college admissions offer revoked, meaning you can be disqualified from attending college in the fall. During the second semester of your senior year, you might feel that completing the task of maintaining your grades or even passing your classes seems harder than ever, however build up the motivation to at least finish all your homework. Don't stress about handing the most top-quality work or handing everything on time, but make sure you have every assignment in and you as well as your grades should be fine.
5. Participate as much as you can in school.
Graduation day is the last day that you will assemble with your classmates as a grade. The last time that you can let out your high school spirit together. The last time that you will be seeing most of your classmates as all of you will be scattering across the nation for college. In the days leading up to graduation, make sure you attend as many school events as possible. After you and your classmates leave high school, the strongest memories you will carry with you are amongst your last. Make sure you make this lasting time the best time of your entire high school career by trying to go to every school-sponsored dance, game, event, etc. and socialize at them so that you have ample memories to take with you out of high school.
