I wasn’t given much advice on senior year except the cliché “enjoy your last year!” In retrospect, I wish I had heard something more, so for all the high school seniors reading this, here are my words of wisdom.

Honestly, the “enjoy your last year” mentality is great, but I just didn’t appreciate everyone telling me that, especially when first semester, I was swamped with college essays and school work and didn’t have time for a social life.

1. Write your college essays in the summer, which means NOW.

I seriously underestimated how exhausting the college essay writing process was, and I definitely paid the price when I was staying up past midnight between homework and college applications during first semester, which brings me to my next point.

2. First semester will be terrible, so be prepared.

People always say that senior year is a breeze, but the first half is NOT. It’s important to keep your grades up, as colleges see your mid-year grades, and with balancing football games, soccer games, the occasional party, it gets to be a lot. Just be prepared that first-semester senior year can be worse than junior year.

3. Even if you're stressed, go to the football games, soccer games, occasional party, etc.

I know this is hard to do, especially since I just said you should continue to do well in school. But, there’s a strange feeling that settles in senior year that falls somewhere on the spectrum of wanting to do well and staying home to study and going out and not caring. The best way to take advantage of this feeling is to continue to want to do well when it’s time to study for a test or write an essay, but when it’s time for hanging out with friends, move closer to the more relaxed side, and make the most of the moment.

I regret not going to more football games, and there's nothing I can do to change it now, but go when you can! And if your student section is dressing up, participate and have fun.

4. After midterms, take a breather.

Finally, this is the point where senior year is a breeze! Don’t worry about acing that physics test or keeping your GPA perfect because at this point, you already submitted your college applications, and there’s nothing more to do. I know so many people who stressed over things they couldn’t control, and there was just no point to it. This is the best time to do the things you’ve been putting aside because you didn’t have time for it. Do you want to try yoga? Do you want to get a job at your favorite bakery so you get free dessert? Do you want to throw more parties? GO AHEAD!

BUT don’t completely flunk everything. Schools will sometimes rescind your acceptance if your grades drop a lot. Check your college’s website for more details on this.

5. Go on mini road trips with your friends.

It's your time to explore new hobbies, and it's your time to have fun with your friends! It may just be a short drive to a local farm or a long drive to a state park, but all the memories count. I wish I had gone out whenever I had the chance and didn't over complicate it when I did. Take a Saturday off and grab your best friend and take a lot of pictures wherever you're going. There’s something really special about moments like these when the circumstances are absolutely perfect. Once everyone goes to college, nothing is the same – your best friends have other best friends and you have new friends and new academic schedules that may just not line up. So, when you get an opportunity to create more memories, take it.

6. Study for your AP exams!

School grades may not mean so much at the end, but if you are taking an AP class and your college takes the credit, STUDY! You have no idea how much these credits help if you have them, and it’d really suck if you took an AP class, didn’t take the test or didn’t do well and had to retake nearly the same course in college. (And that's exactly what happened to me for one of my classes, but I'll deny it if you ask)

7. Go to prom

I completely understand how some people can hate prom – it’s excessive in every way possible. And don’t worry about having a date, just get dressed up with your friends and take a lot of pretty pictures. If the music is bad, then just leave early and have a sleepover for after-prom.

Prom was more fun than I anticipated, so you never know - maybe you'll be surprised.

8. Enjoy graduation!!

This is the last time your WHOLE CLASS will be together, so make the most of it! Seriously, enjoy the moment. If you’re giving a speech, congratulations and remember that those are your last words to your classmates (no pressure). If you’re not giving a speech, listen to your classmates’ speeches because they spend a lot of time working on them.

I was distracted by how hot it was and trying to find my parents in the crowd and missed the first two speeches (sorry!).

And remember to congratulate your friends and thank your teachers and family because...

YOU MADE IT!