I loved my senior year of high school. As we enter February, I’ve been reflecting on my senior year of high school. I remember February being the month it got really fun. The whole year had been a blast, but this was the month that all my classes slowly got easier, my friends and I started caring a lot less, and we had more “senior events.” There were so many fun parts, and I can honestly say I enjoyed them all. Even though actually being at school was the worst, my friends and I managed to make each day fun and full of laughs. It was also an exciting part of the year because everyone was figuring which colleges they had been accepted to! Every day teachers would ask if there had been any new acceptances and we all celebrated when we got into our schools of choice. Although the spring semester of my senior year was one of the best times of my life, there is so much I wish I’d known.
1. Cherish every moment.
People tell you your senior year will fly by. This is so true. I laughed when people told me this, but honestly, it really does fly by. May will hit and you’ll think to yourself, “what happened? where did senior year go?” Enjoy every minute and make every second count.
2. Don’t forget to do school.
As easy as it is to blow off any and all schoolwork that needs to be done after being accepted into college, you really shouldn’t. I know you want to, but give it like 1 more month and the homework will slow down drastically. Finish strong! It’s so not worth it to make all A’s all throughout high school until the spring semester of senior year. By the last month of school, I was over at friends houses every night till way late just because I had no more work left to do. It really will slow down, so don’t give up on doing your schoolwork quite yet.
3. Pay attention to the small things.
Listen to the story your teacher tells you, really see the freshman walking down the hall, smile at those you know, be kind. You only have a few short more months left in this place. Pay attention to all the small things, because that will be what you miss the most. Listen to your friend’s voices, love their laughter, and watch them smile. Soon this will not be an everyday occurrence in your life and you will miss the all the laughs you’ve grown accustomed to.
4. Learn to love lasts.
There are about to be so many “lasts.” Last prom, last AP tests, last sport games, last musicals/plays, last choir competition, last band rehearsal, last classes, and the list goes on. For me personally, the lasts started out as a mixture of sad and happy all at the same time. Sad because it was the last time, but happy because it meant almost being done. The lasts are important too. The last times you do all the things you loved about high school will be what you remember long term about senior year. It’s okay to be sad about lasts, but make sure you spend time loving those things you do for the last time also. Make the memories of your lasts great.
5. Invest in your friends.
Spend literally every second you can with your friends. I’m not saying forget everyone else but focus on those who are of value to you. There will come a time when you will say goodbye to these people, but right now is not that time. Invest in those friends! They most likely rock and you will miss them bunches when you are all off at different schools. Spend your time with those who matter to you and make memories with them. I have so many great memories from my senior year with my friends. Relationships are important, and it helps to have a group of people you can turn to with your fears of the future.
6. STOP WORRYING ABOUT COLLEGE.
I know it feels far away and at the same time it feels so close you can taste it. But don't be thinking so far ahead that you forget to live in the moment. Yes, the thought of college can be scary and exciting, but it’s not worth dwelling on for long amounts of time. Talk about future plans and express your concerns to your family and friends, but don’t spend all of your time worrying about how things will work out.
You are going to be fine. You are smart and capable. You wouldn’t be about to graduate high school if you were unable. Enjoy these last few months, they truly do fly by. Spend as much time as you can with those you love because you really won’t be able to soon. Live in the moment. There is so much time to worry about your future. For now, enjoy! It’s going to be great and the feeling you will get on graduation day will be unlike any other.
