how to survive senior year essay

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9 tips for surviving your senior year of high school, this year is going to fly by..

To all the high school seniors out there, everyone will tell you that this year is going to fly by. That this year is going to be so fun and memorable and before you know it, you're saying goodbye to all your friends and family before you're finally shipped off to college. And guess what? It's completely true. So here's advice from a pre-frosh college student reminiscing on the last year of high school while packing up for college.

1. Even if you don't feel up to going out, do it.

I get it, maybe you're perfectly snuggled up in bed, eyes glued to your computer as you binge-watch some show on Netflix, when your friend texts you asking if you wanna meet up for coffee or lunch. And of course, you're too comfortable at the moment to even think about getting up and leaving. But do it. Get up and go out. See your friends while you can. You only so much time left with these people, spend as much as you can with them. Netflix will still be there when you get back.

2. Senioritis is real. Don't let it overpower you.

Sure, you're not on your junior-year game. Not necessarily ship-shape academics-wise, and there's definitely a deflation in motivation. Yes, grades aren't everything at the moment. But don't throw all you've worked so hard for the past three years this year. You don't wanna grow bad school habits that you'll only carry onto college. And don't forget, colleges still ask for a final transcript.

3. Your parents will drive you absolutely nuts. But they love you. And don't forget to tell them how much you love them.

With the stress of college applications, of course there's gonna be an outburst here and there in your family. Trust me, when parents are breathing down your neck about your essays they're only doing it because they care. When they tell you that you can't leave the house until your apps are done, they're doing you a huge favor. Seniors, your parents love you. No matter how much they drive us completely insane, tell them you love them. This is your last year at home. Appreciate every moment that you have left before you go off on your own.

4. Not getting into your first choice school is not the end of the world. Believe me.

For most of my life, I had my entire future planned out. My heart set on one school and only one school. I can honestly tell you that getting rejected from my first choice school was the best thing that could've ever happened to me. Not only have I fallen in love with the my future home for the next four years, I've been presented with many opportunities that I didn't have available at my first choice. Things work out how they're supposed to, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time. You'll see, trust me.

5. If you have the slightest interest in applying to a school, just do it.

Yeah it'll be more essays to tackle, more money in the long run. But having options is important. And honestly, you might be surprised. A school you never even considered going to might just be the right one for you (this is literally what happened in my case).

6. Don't compare yourself to anyone else.

It's gonna be hard once you start hearing all the application results. Just because your best friend gets in and you don't, doesn't mean you're any less qualified. Everyone is different and everyone brings something different to the table. Just worry about yourself. It may be hard when everyone will be pressing you about your results and those of your friends, but you can do it.

7. Stop worrying about what you look like/what you wear.

Yes, it'll feel great to put on that new first-day-of-school outfit, but no one is gonna remember or even care what you wore. Stop fussing about if your outfit doesn't match to the dot. If your hair is a little messy, it's okay. Enjoy your last year, don't waste it trying to impress other people by how you look or by how you dress. If you're happy and confident, that's all that matters.

8. Talk to as many people as you can

Don't be afraid to branch out from your friend group. You only have one year left with your class. You never know who you've been missing out on the past three years. (Shameless shoutout to my best friend who I met senior year.)

9. Have fun, but not too much fun.

Go out, go to a party, have a great time with your friends. But remember to be careful. You don't want to have to be that kid that has to notify your college that you've been suspended from school or had to deal with the police because you thought senior year was going to be the time of your life.

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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Preparing for the Senior Year of High School

Suzanne shaffer.

If you have a student entering their senior year of high school your life is about to get crazy.

Once your child becomes a high school senior with plans for college, your time is not your own. Your family (not just your teen) will eat, drink and sleep all things college.

As the year progresses you might wonder how you will survive mentally, physically and emotionally. It will be a roller coaster of highs and lows for both you and your college-bound teen.

Looking Ahead

We entered the beginning of my daughter’s senior year with anticipation and excitement. She had lofty goals and high expectations. I would like to say we were prepared, but we were not. You can be, however, by taking a quick preparation inventory.

Following these suggestions will help ensure a less stressful admissions process:

Get organized.

Start your filing system now, before school starts. Have your student set up a separate email account ( [email protected] ) for all college-related emails, create a landing zone for all college-related materials, and start adding tasks on a calendar (either a wall calendar or an app that can be synchronized with the family).

Here are some free apps for college prep organization .

Decide what role you will play in the process.

Choose not to be the parent who shoves, manipulates and does the work for their student.

Be the parent who encourages, supports and offers help and advice when needed. Be a coach, not a bully.

You can help them search and apply for scholarships , stay on top of deadlines and brainstorm essay topics. They may want to bounce ideas off you; they may also prefer to talk to their friends about all of this. Either way, let your teen “drive the car” as one admissions officer often told me. They'll feel overwhelmed at times, and it’s acceptable to offer help when needed, but they should take charge of the process.

Prepare for emotional outbursts.

This may be one of the most stressful seasons your family has experienced. There will be meltdowns as the stress intensifies. Your student will say things they don't mean. You'll lose your temper and wish you hadn’t.

Make a conscious effort to bite your tongue, take a deep breath, and count to 10. You are the parent, and your teen needs you to model emotional stability. Just remember that most of what is said is fueled by the stress of the process and when it’s all over everyone will breathe a sigh of relief, hug and move on.

Discuss the money.

If you want to avoid disappointment when offers of admission arrive, have the “money talk” before your student applies to colleges. Decide what you can afford, what you will be willing to contribute toward the costs, and what you expect your student to contribute.

This is a good time to discuss the dangers of too much student loan debt.

Read "Sticker vs. Net Price: Understanding the Real Cost of College" >

Be open and prepared to compromise.

Be open to any college choices your student might make. You will not be the one attending the college and it’s not up to you to choose for them. You can give your advice and direct them toward what you think would be the best path, but don’t shove them toward your alma mater or toward a college with a prestigious name if that is not their choice.

If your student mentions a gap year, don’t panic. Gap years are becoming more popular, and it might be exactly what they need. If college does not interest them, help them explore other options like trade schools, apprenticeships , a year of service or even the military.

Don’t push — it won’t help.

If your student is unmotivated, it won't help to nag and push them to do the college prep work. There is one lesson I learned from both of my kids (and the clients I work with): If your student isn't invested in the college process they won’t be invested in college.

Save yourself time, money and heartache and wait until they're ready and know that college is what they want. Our teens and young adults deserve the chance to determine their own unique paths. My own son needed to study for a while at "the school of hard knocks" but he did graduate from college eventually — after nine years and an unusual journey.

Senior year is jam-packed with tasks and deadlines. Here’s a quick overview of the key elements you and your teen should prepare to act on at the beginning of the school year:

1. Get recommendation letters.

There’s no time to waste. Teachers, counselors and administrators are busy people. With multiple students asking for recommendation letters, your student wants to be first in line.

Choose people who know them well and will be able to make the recommendations more personal.

2. Complete the college essays.

It’s time for your student to put the finishing touches on that college essay they began working on over the summer.

An application essay is your student’s chance to offer the admission officer insights into who they are. The admissions committee wants to know more about the applicant than test scores and grades. The essay gives them that opportunity.

3. Make a final visit to the colleges on the list.

Fall college visits will help your student finalize their list. Visiting a college also demonstrates interest. Once the colleges receive your student’s application, they will check to see how interested they are in attending and that will influence admissions officers.

Of course, in many cases — especially during the pandemic — in-person visits aren't practical or even possible. Your student can also attend virtual tours and events, and encourage them to ask if video or alumni interviews are available.

4. Finalize the college list.

It’s time to nail down the college choices. Look at the entire picture for each college: Is it a fit academically, socially and financially? Is your student at the top of the applicant pool and in the best position to receive merit aid?

Make sure they have some colleges on their final list that are reach schools, some that are perfect fit schools, and some that are schools where they are likely to be accepted.

5. Complete the FAFSA.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available online October 1. Filing when it becomes available should be a priority. Colleges will be awarding financial aid along with their admissions decisions. If eligible, your student wants to be first in line for both need-based and merit aid. Students must complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for federal aid and also for college-based aid such as grants and scholarships.

6. Submit college applications early.

Your student may want to consider applying Early Decision or Early Action to their top choice schools. Applying early means your student will hear from the colleges sooner and also get information on the financial aid award. Applying EA (Early Action) doesn't entail a binding commitment if your student is offered admission, so they can apply to more than one school. If your student is looking at schools that offer Rolling Admission, it would be great to hear from those early as well.

This is an exciting time in the life of your teen! They've worked hard and have so much to look forward to. They should be proud of themselves (and you can be proud as well).

Enjoy the year ahead, even when you feel stressed and overwhelmed. It will pass all too quickly and before you know it, they will be walking across the stage to accept their diploma and get ready to head to college — or out into the big wide world.

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15 Graduates Share Their Secrets For Surviving Senior Year Of High School

After several HuffPost Teen bloggers and other recent grads from the class of 2014 thought about their senior years, they sat behind their computers and pounded out answers to one question: “What advice would you give to rising seniors in high school?” Here are their answers -- along with the best way to get in touch with them if you want to ask them any questions.

1. It's not as scary as it all seems.

“Nothing is as intimidating as you think it is. Whether it's a college application, job, or anything else that’s related, just know that nerves are normal and that everything will end up OK.”

-- Madonna Matta

What she’s doing now: Planning to enroll in a Texas university

How to reach her: @MadonnaMomo

2. Don't be afraid of goodbyes.

“Don't be afraid of getting attached to friends you might be leaving behind after graduation. Don't be afraid of those goodbyes. When I started my senior year, I questioned why I would want to continue building relationships when I knew I'd eventually have to tear them down. But in the midst of the overwhelming stress of deciding what to do with my future, my good friends were the ones who were there for me when I felt I was cracking under the pressure. Senior year is a time to make big decisions, and you're going to need people who know the real you to help you through the process. Even if you decide to move nearly 600 miles away from home, like I am, realize that a goodbye doesn't mean forever if you're saying it to someone you care about. So don't go into senior year thinking you need to slowly start cutting ties with people. Honestly, you'll need your friends just as much as they'll need you.”

-- Hannah Strohmeier

What she’s doing now: Freshman at George Washington University

How to reach her: @hanstroh

3. Push yourself outside your comfort zone.

“Senior year may be the ‘end’ per se, but it can in fact be a chance for new beginnings. Don’t hesitate to try something new (even if it’s for fun rather than for college apps), and especially don’t hesitate to get to know your classmates. For me, I went on a Kairos retreat with my school that allowed me to form bonds with a lot of people I had never even talked to in high school, which made the rest of my senior year even more enjoyable. Take chances like this, whether it’s going on a retreat or simply stepping out of your comfort zone. It’ll be worth it when you’re walking across the stage at graduation knowing you’re leaving no regrets behind you.”

-- Annie Schugart

What she’s doing now: Freshman at Harvard University

How to reach her: @AnnieSchugart

4. You are more than just a number.

“Contrary to popular belief, admissions officers are there to help you rather than to induce a premature midlife crisis. A rejection from a school -- even if it is your top choice -- doesn’t necessarily mean that you weren’t qualified to attend that school. It may mean that you and the school were not ‘matches’; i.e. that your interests could not be exercised to their full potential at that school. Flexibility is a key to a successful year... Be true to yourself, and remember that applications are more than just numbers and fees. Find your inner free spirit and let it soar.”

-- Neel Swamy

What he’s doing now: Freshman pharmacy student at the University of Michigan

How to reach him: @neel_swamy

5. Trust your gut.

“When I first started the college process, I was so certain that I would be going and applying to specific colleges. Throughout the process, be open to change. What you think is your first choice when you start the college application process, may not necessarily be your first choice by the time you make a selection. For me, visiting the schools I applied to made it clear which ones were for me and which ones were not. If you’ve read my graduation speech , you’ll know that my next tip is something I hold close to my heart: there will be several people who have plans for you and your college experience. If you feel that you’re thinking differently than other people, respect that. It’s important to listen to others, but ultimately, you’ll have to live with your choice. So do your homework, trust your instincts and have a blast!”

-- Lani Renaldo

What she’s doing now: Freshman at the University of Southern California

How to reach her: @g0ldyl0kz

6. It's OK to cry.

“Cry. Cry all the time, as much as you want. I’m serious! It’s the best stress reliever I can prescribe. The combination of AP classes, college applications, essays, and whatever else was going on left me with so much pent-up anxiety. If I felt a little sad or stressed, I turned up the Bon Iver and just let it happen. If you start getting weepy at even the smallest things, the best thing to do is just ride the wave. I cried my eyes out while watching "Django Unchained," and I felt like a rockstar afterwards. Carrying around all of your baggage will take its toll, so don’t be afraid to get emotional.”

What she’s doing now: Freshman at New York University

How to reach her: @bizzyems

7. Do something a little crazy.

“Do something new. In the monotony of your senior year, you’ll inevitably get really bored and really sick of yourself. You’re going to write what will seem like hundreds of reflective essays, and you’ll be filling up the Common App with everything you’ve ever done. You’ll probably eventually feel like a living, breathing resume. Going a little crazy will help to shake that feeling. Dye your hair a color you never thought you’d try. Go to a concert you never thought you’d attend. Do something you never thought you’d do. As for me? I started blogging for HuffPost Teen, among other things, and whenever I needed a break from my senior year, I turned here. After realizing how awesome it was, I totally wrote HPT all over my college applications (and I have no regrets); however, you are allowed to pursue something with a purpose other than to gain you admission to your dream school. You’re more than an application -- do not forget that.”

-- Jackson Barnett

What he’s doing now: Freshman at Wesleyan University

How to reach him: @jacksonbarnett

8. Sometimes, you need to take a detour.

“Get denied from some schools. OK, maybe don’t go into the application process with that as your number one goal, but don’t let the fear of being denied from a college that may be somewhat of a reach stop you from applying. If you do get rejected, know that it doesn’t mean that you weren’t good enough. Eventually, you will look back and realize that getting into the most competitive college, or even your dream school, is not what will make or break the rest of your life. Another thing -- just because you are graduating from high school does not mean that you have to go to college. I am, but I am taking a year off first. There are so many opportunities for young people to travel or to work. I spent my junior year of high school studying abroad with Rotary Youth Exchange in Turkey; I had plenty of exchange student friends that were taking gap years and learning more about themselves than they would have in their first year of college. Programs like NSLI-Y and YES give high school students scholarships to study abroad for no cost.”

-- Emma McLaughlin

What she’s doing now: Attending The New School after a gap year

How to reach her: @pizzaree / momtrustme.blogspot.com

9. Make time for others -- and for enjoying the little moments.

“Last August I wrote a guide to my senior-self in the form of a blog titled “ 17 Things I Want Myself to Remember Senior Year ." Reading through it now, I’m pretty proud of how relevant my advice turned out to be. Admittedly however, I failed at many of my goals -- way too many cups of coffee, way too little sleep, and sadly, too many tears. My best advice to you now, after having gone through senior year, is to try and enjoy your last moments in high school. Go out of your way to help underclassmen and lift them up to be the next leaders of your school; contribute more to conversations in class; talk to someone new at lunch; support your friends at their sports games; celebrate other people's’ successes. The college application season is so individualistic and competitive that you’ll find it refreshing to turn your focus onto others instead.”

What she’s doing now: Attending Wellesley College studying Political Science and Economics

How to reach her: @mamasgotchu

10. Make it count.

“You’ll probably find that as soon as the school year starts, you’ll start feeling the symptoms of senioritis. My vital advice to you is to try your hardest to beat it, and make your last year count. When you really think about it, this is your last year before you’re endowed with adult responsibilities, so make the most of it; audition for a play, talk to that cute boy who sat behind you in science class or make a goal to win a specific award at Commencement. If you don’t, you might regret it next June.”

-- Erin Mclaughlin

What she’s doing now: Attending York University for film production

How to reach her: youtube.com/HeyItsEwin / @fun6001

11. Do things for you .

“As soon as your senior year starts, engage in a mission to find yourself. This may sound crazy, but it really helped me have a great year. Whether it’s the creative arts or sports, do something that makes you feel like yourself. Invest your energy and emotion into an activity where you don’t feel the need to prove a point to someone. Let every decision you make -- whether it’s something big, like “what college will I attend in the fall?” to something as simple as “should I go out to this party tonight?” -- be for your own benefit and no one else’s. So many people leave high school barely knowing themselves. I’ve seen people get caught in a cycle of doing things to please their parents and even their friends without factoring how those decisions will affect them. Avoid doing that at all costs, and live for yourself.”

-- Rotimi Adeoye

What he’s doing now: Freshman at Hobart and William Smith Colleges

How to reach him: @RotimiA_

12. Where you go to college doesn't matter as much as you think.

“Many people told me not to stress about college admissions, and I did. I'm sure many people have told you the same, and, chances are, you will. It'll be over soon. Apply to enough safeties (schools you know you can afford; getting in is only half), put time into your supplements, and things will work out. Look for schools that give merit aid. Also, honestly, where you go to college does not matter as much as you think it does. Personal qualities will take you further. Here’s a secret of the college admissions process: it's 90 percent bragging rights. Another thing -- senioritis isn't so much laziness but the realization that almost everything you're doing is pointless busywork. Power through and keep your grades up first semester. Just try to focus on the things you like -- spend time with your friends, explore your interests and stop caring so much what people think. Relax a little. One more AP won't make your college decision, so give yourself the free period. You've earned it.”

-- Madeline Ruoff

What she’s doing now: Freshman at Amherst College

How to reach her: @RaiseTheRuoff

13. Stop comparing yourself to others (really).

“I’m going to give three pieces of advice because I talk a lot: learn something new, don’t compare yourself and have a back-up. During my senior year, I switched from AP French to Intensive Italian (with the journey described in painstaking detail here ) and took up dance instead of just ‘participating’ in gym again. Both switches helped prevent senioritis because I was one of the few seniors amongst a majority of underclassmen, which meant the teachers still expected a good work ethic. Next, class rank is whack: it cannot help to predict what school you get into (at least in my case). A few students in my grade that I outranked got into one of my top choices while I was flat out denied. I still don’t understand, and I probably never will. Also, the percent accepted is not something to go by. I was denied from a few schools that are less selective than the school I will be attending in September. In the end, you will realize the process you just went through makes no sense; but you'll end up exactly where you need to be, so don’t worry. Here’s my last bit: I toured 22schools, applied to 10 (eight of which I had visited), and got accepted to three (a fourth later accepted me off its wait list and I’m still waiting for another waitlist answer). You might only like a certain type of school and might only want to apply to schools similar, but you need a couple of schools that are less selective to apply to so you know you will be attending college in the fall. If you can, apply instant or rolling admission so you’ll know right away. Many high schools, including my former one, have events like that. And, lastly, my parting advice -- this is likely the last year you will be living full time in your hometown, so enjoy your hometown and all its eccentricities while you can.”

-- Lauren Cooke

What she’s doing now: Attending Bard College with intentions to major in Film

How to reach her: @laurensofar / Instagram / Tumblr

14. Spend a night away at college.

“Over spring break, I stayed at Northeastern with my friend. It was the most exciting, nerve-wracking, heart-stopping experience I’ve had thus far in my short 18 years. I got the opportunity to stay at a dorm (not as much fun as you think it would be, by the way!), eat food prepared at various dining halls, and travel around Boston -- without the parental units around. If anyone has the chance to stay with a friend or family member at their college or university, take it. It will open your eyes to the world beyond you. And it will most likely leave a dent on your life.”

-- Amy Yoelin

What she’s doing now: Freshman at the University of Northern Colorado

How to reach her: @AmyYoelin

15. Become your goal.

Make sure that you have goals that actually mean something to you, and then live them. Get into that college, become a tiger trainer, get your pilot certification. You are the goal and the goal is you. Become one with it. Never stop trying to reach it, and be on the lookout for new opportunities to fulfill them around every corner. If you're going to do it, do it 500 percent. It's going to be hard work, and you might not always enjoy it, but if it's your goal (this is very important, that it's your goal), it will be so worth it in the end."

-- Justina Sharp

What she's doing now: She can now be found taking obscure community college courses and slowly turning into Abed Nadir.

How to reach her: @bentpieceofwire / Instagram / abentpieceofwire.com

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How to Cure the New Senioritis? Make Yourself Your Senior Project

The end of senior year is now often characterized by a sense of purposelessness. Here are five ways high school seniors can connect with what matters to them.

By Ned Johnson

As most college-bound high school seniors learn where they’ve gotten in and decide where they’re going, many feel that the pressure is off. Whether they are celebrating acceptances to their dream schools or coping with rejections, nearly all realize at this point that the die has been cast: The push for high school grades that used to drive everything suddenly matters much less.

“Senioritis” used to have positive connotations for students. It meant coasting through their last semester in high school in anticipation of college entry in the fall. Today that mood has shifted. Many students — and their parents — have been driven to believe that high school is merely a four-year audition for the right college. A result? Eighteen-year-olds who feel their lives are not really driven by them.

Rather than being a time of freedom, the new senioritis is characterized by a sense of purposelessness.

Without an external motivator (reward of college admission or threat of college denial), far too many students have little idea of what to do or why.

Psychologists use the terms “external” versus “internal” control, which is the sense that someone other than the individual is responsible for his success or failure . School, and especially the college admissions process, very much fosters this tendency. Students look to teachers and parents for cues to what matters and try to imagine what they need to do to meet the approval of admissions officials. It’s a far cry from reflecting on a more pressing question: “What matters to me?”

It is common for many students, when denied admission to their dream college, to lament that “it’s not fair” or that they’ve “wasted all of this effort,” as though their work as students in high school and their aspirations for college were merely transactional rather than part of their development as learners and, more so, as people. In the aftermath of a rejection, more students than I can count have told me they should have gone to an easier high school or taken easier (or harder) classes, taken more or fewer AP classes, or should have dropped sports, music or debate “to get better grades.”

Typically in this situation, students and their parents cast about for some path or reason that would have delivered the result they wished for. They rarely reflect on the possibility that the sport, class or activity they engaged in may pay off down the road in other ways, through a talent developed or interest kindled. Many of these kids feel that the whole point of working hard in high school is so they can get in to an even harder college, then move on to a future that they know little more about than that it will be hard-charging. It is easy to understand how painfully the rejection hits, since the process has all been framed around the outcome.

In the second semester of senior year, students are still engaged with the same people and activities of the last four years, but the terms, pressures and motivations have changed.

For the next few months, the rules are very different. Teachers and parents complain that they can’t get teenagers to do anything. Some have even proposed eliminating senior year.

But I see the end of senior year as an opportunity for kids to figure out their inner motivation, post college acceptance.

For kids who have been grinding for too long, the second semester can be downtime to recharge. But I also encourage students to use this time with intention, as it will help them enormously to be in touch with what matters to them. They can make themselves their senior project. Here are some suggestions.

Pursue Your Passion

Go deep into things that matter to you, especially what you didn’t have time for or seemed “unimportant” for college admissions. A senior I know who hopes to study medicine used her second semester to train as an EMT. It was a great way to see firsthand whether medicine appealed at a boots-on-the-ground level and whether she was really suited to the field. It also ended up being a well-paying part-time job.

Practice Adulting

Learn how to run your own life. Make a list of adult or college skills you don’t know how to do, like automobile maintenance or cooking. I’ve heard of college kids, clueless as to basic kitchen skills, turning to YouTube videos to learn how to make hot dogs. If you haven’t yet learned to drive, that’s a skill that also belongs on this list. There are real upsides to Uber, but it isn’t yet everywhere. And you may face a situation where a friend is unfit to drive and someone needs to step up.

Try looking for a part-time job — on your own. I was visiting a friend’s business recently when he picked up the phone. It was someone calling to confirm the time of a job interview for a recent college grad named Ben. The caller was Ben’s mom. My friend said, “Well, please tell Ben his interview is canceled and that he should have called himself.”

Date Someone

Like anything that matters, learning how to enter, manage and (when necessary) exit relationships benefits from experience. A 2017 study in Child Development found that young people today are less likely to have dated than young people did during the ’90s; perhaps they are more focused on passing classes than passing notes. According to the General Social Survey , more than half of young adults , aged 18 to 34, do not have a steady romantic partner. A 2013 New York Times piece recounted the “hookup culture” at Ivy League universities, where students shared views like “A relationship is like taking a four-credit class,” or “I could get in a relationship, or I could finish my film.”

A friend who has been an independent college counselor for decades wistfully observes that “Nobody believes me when I tell them, but who you marry will matter much more than where you go to college.” If the first seven semesters of high school were college prep, perhaps let the last one be more about relationship prep.

Put Down Your Phone

Go technology-free for a week — or even a day. Digital downtime is a challenge but can also be an awakening as to the ways that technology impacts our thought processes and ability to pay attention — a recognition students can take to college and beyond. And, while many believe college is where they will develop a coherent sense of self, it can only help to begin that process in senior year.

Ned Johnson is the president and founder of PrepMatters in Washington, D.C., and the co-author of “ The Self-Driven Child : The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives.”

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Teen Guide To Surviving High School

High school is tough, awesome, scary, stressful. . . but mostly awesome . There clubs, sports, dances, friends, relationships and taking pictures that will make you embarrassed to show your children.

But how do you survive high school? Well, we found some great pieces of advice from some amazing Teen Advice bloggers and decided to put them in one spot.

So here you go!

Find your peeps.

“Don’t spend every waking moment of your life trying to be the popular one. If you’re likeable and someone people want to be around, they’ll naturally gravitate towards you for being you. Have good, trustworthy friends with the same values as you who aren’t going to create trouble or unnecessary drama. This can be a huge factor as to whether or not you’ll have a great year.”

– Isabel Song, “ How to Survive High School “

Don’t know what you want to be when you grow up? No Prob!

“If you were to describe who am now to the person I was three years ago, I would think you’re absolutely off your rocker; so why should I trust my foresight into 20, 10, even five years from now? Maybe it’s naive of me to think that the universe is a kind place, but it is my firmest hope that if I work hard at whatever it is I am doing at the moment and always watch for when opportunity knocks, I will end up somewhere awesome, regardless of whether I’m a nuclear physicist or starving artist. So to answer my mother, father, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and random family friends I run into at the supermarket, I paraphrase John Lennon: when I grow up, I want to be happy.”

– Lana Gorlinski, “ In Defense of the Uncertain “

The “best college in America” doesn’t exist.

“Forbes doesn’t know the best college for you. Google doesn’t know. U.S. News & World Report (is that even a real thing?) doesn’t know. When you come across articles with titles like this one, remember that you’re a person, and that I’m a different person, and that the answer lies only with you. And, yes, I do realize that that makes the process hard, and complicated, and maybe even annoying. But it also makes it interesting.”

– Danny Licht, “ What Is the Best College in America? “

Get to know one teacher. . . for who they really are!

“Towards the end of junior year you will have to consider which teacher is going to write your recommendation. This rec is not to be taken lightly. If someone is going to speak on your behalf, make sure that they are going to fight for you to the death. ‘Hardworking’ and ‘good input’ is not going to make you stand out from 20,000 other applicants. Schedule a lunch to discuss what is important to you outside of the classroom so that the teacher can speak holistically. It is OK to be direct about what you want colleges to learn.”

– Riley Griffin, “ 10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Senior Year Of High School “

Listen to your college admission counselors, but don’t treat their words as law.

“College admissions counselors as well as seasoned application veterans of the previous year impart with us the simple, yet worn-out advice: Just be yourself. And be honest, but don’t be too honest. ‘Write about your interests,’ they say. ‘Write about the programs you’ve attended,’ they say. But it’s not that simple. It’s never that simple […] Here’s what we  can  do: Write our hearts out and hope for the best.”

– Theodore Li, “ Oh! Just be Yourself “

The creative thing you truly love doing may not get a grade. . . but do it anyways.

“Students obsess over grades. For what? For success? In the end, it is not this modern ‘education’ that will get you success — because anyone can memorize more than you and beat you. Instead you need something to set yourself apart from this crowd. The ability to memorize won’t help you in real world workforce. The ability to think for yourself, and to create your own ideas and visions, will.”

– Andrea Vale, “ Easy A “

Make a solid effort to get to know your parents. (seriously!)

“I’ve never been particularly close with my parents and while I know they work hard and care a lot, I’ve spent my entire high school years wishing I could just be away from them, free to be myself, unrestricted, the way I want myself to be … When you are away from your parents for the first time, you will discover exactly what and how much they have done for you, no matter what you think about them now.”

– Karielle Stephanie Gam, “ The Things You Discover When You Are Away from Your Parents for the First Time “

Best way to accomplish huge projects, start taking baby steps.

“‘Argh!’ I say when I read one of University of Chicago’s supplement essay prompts. ‘Argh!’ I say again when I see the number of words I have written so far: zero. ‘It will all be worth it,’ I remind myself, closing my eyes and imagining myself as one of those happy, smiling, frighteningly perfect people in the college brochures. ‘It will,’ I promise myself, reluctantly opening my eyes and starting to type. I smile when I look at the new word count: two.”

– Emily Truong, “ Mission: Sanity “

Don’t let boyfriends or girlfriends control your life.

“You have to turn your world upside down (unless you’re chill with it as it is. I don’t know your life). You have to seek out adventure and make your own opportunities. Yes, sometimes good things can and will just happen to you. But, you can’t just expect things to happen. You have to make things happen. This all goes back to the truth that we so often forget: You don’t need someone else to complete you.”

– Alexis Jane Torre, “ Where Your Story Starts “

Create your own meaning for ‘Success’

“Students need to realize that  it’s okay  not to take an advanced class and instead, enroll in one you truly passionate about.  It’s okay  to do something because you truly love it and want to go into the field you’re interested in.  It’s okay  to go to community college; it’s cheaper than a UC, has smaller class sizes, and has a two-year UC transfer program! We need to remember that the meaning of success does not lie in how many points you can accumulate or the prestige of the school stamped on your diploma, but what you actually do with the knowledge you attain.”

– Reema Kakaday, “‘ Success’ Renders Education Meaningless “

Take a deep breath.

“Step back. Relax. Forget it all, even just for an instant — forget the workload, the exams, the intensive four-year high school plan from your counselor, the classes you’re planning to take next semester. Join a club, go outside, take a nap. Take a break. Call a ceasefire in a war that won’t be won by surrendering to pressure… but by taking the reins of your own life into your own hands.”

– Madelyn Chen, “ The Pressure of Pressure “

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The finish line is in sight. Do you slow down and walk to the end? Or, do you push yourself and finish strong? 

Picture yourself on a running track—just you and the clock. Your goal is to finish a mile in your best time. You are on your fourth and final lap. The finish line is in sight. Do you slow down and walk to the end? Or, do you push yourself and finish strong? 

Now, think of your senior year. Even though you might be tired and ready to be done, you know deep down that giving it your all is so much more satisfying than giving up. Don’t underestimate the power of staying on track.   Know what you have to lose. Letting your GPA drop senior year can impact scholarship opportunities and admission decisions. In addition to your grades, colleges and businesses consider several factors when making admissions and hiring decisions. Allowing any of these to waver could have a major impact on your future.

• Course load
• College admissions test scores
• Activities, leadership, and involvement
• College application and essay
• Work-ready skills (including “soft skills,” like teamwork and motivation)

Challenge yourself. 

You can use your senior year to take advanced courses that can help you earn college credits. Look into your options at your high school, local community college, or through online universities.  These courses can help you understand the workload and expectations of a college class.

Get or stay involved.

Many colleges and businesses take your activities into consideration when deciding which students to accept or hire. Most colleges and businesses look for well-rounded applicants who can maintain their workload while juggling other responsibilities. Adding activities, like sports, theater, chorus, or volunteering to your application shows that you’re more than a test score or GPA (plus, they can result in scholarship opportunities).

Commit to lifelong learning.

Learning doesn’t stop when you complete a class, finish a textbook, or reach the end of high school. There is always more to learn. The most successful people are constantly looking to improve themselves by absorbing new facts and knowledge. So, make your education a priority now and choose to be a lifelong learner. 

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Articles & Advice > Majors and Academics > Blog

The Fundamentals You Need to Survive Senior Year Finals

You're this close to being a high school graduate—you just have to survive finals. Here are the foundational skills and tools you need to get through it.

by Etame K. CollegeXpress Student Writer

Last Updated: Jan 25, 2024

Originally Posted: May 7, 2019

High school seniors, all your hard work is about to pay off. Pretty soon you’ll wear the cap of intelligence and the robe of freedom. In front of everyone you know, you’ll receive the reward you’ve been fighting for the past four years: your high school diploma. With this, new doors will be unlocked. You’ll be empowered and emboldened; nothing can stand in your way to college! Well…except maybe one thing. For this to become a reality, you must break through the last high school barrier: senior year finals As a senior, it’s your responsibility to pass them and keep your grades up for your academic future. This may be difficult, however, with all the prep for graduation, the desire to hang out with friends, and the stress studying can induce. But don’t fret! There are fundamental productivity methods you can use to conquer this beast while still enjoying your last month of high school.

A balanced schedule

To balance your academic life, social life, and any other lives you may be living, it’s vital to lay out how much time you wish (and reasonably have) to give to each. However, make sure it’s evenly balanced because you can’t be neglecting your responsibilities. You don’t want to spend 12 hours socializing with friends to only leave yourself 15 minutes to study for a final exam the next day. Try to create a timetable with all your deadlines, exam dates, social plans—everything. Allocate time for when you’ll sleep, work, study, and relax. While doing this, make sure you’re being honest with yourself. If you know you need to study for math the most, don’t block out only 10 minutes in your schedule to work on it. 

Related: Tips for Better Organization and Study Habits in High School

Organized to-do lists

If you have a lot of things on your plate during the last months of school, a to-do list is your best friend. In fact, go so far as to get yourself a planner. It’ll help you with your organization and make it easier to track all your responsibilities. Take a few minutes to write down all your obligations. This can range from purchasing a cap and gown to reviewing a certain set of notes. After that, prioritize them like we discussed before. Activities that need to be done right this minute should be at the top of your list. Things that need to be continuously attended to regularly should be marked throughout your planner or to-do lists.

A strong will against senioritis

Senioritis is popular slang for the behavior many seniors exhibit during their last few months of high school, including skipping class, not completing homework, and not taking the time to properly prepare for final exams! Succumbing to these shared habits can lead to a college withdrawing admission, losing scholarships, and even not graduating from high school. Unfortunately, there’s no magic spell for curing senioritis . As my counselor says, “You’ve just got to wake up!” What she means is no matter how comfy your bed is, you need to go to class, and that’s only half of it. You still need to make an effort to study, turn assignments in, and more. Keep your academic and career goals in mind; this should make you more inclined to stay on track. You can also try getting someone you trust to help keep you in check, like a friend, parent, or even maybe even a school counselor. Do whatever you can to keep your motivation up for school and final exams!

Related: 10 Things Every Second-Semester Senior Knows to Be True

Remember, once you pass your finals, you’re completely done with high school. Use the light at the end of the tunnel as motivation to give these last couple of months your all. By balancing your life, keeping yourself organized, and getting rid of slack-inducing thoughts, you’ll be able to experience all the joys of a second-semester high school senior about to receive their diploma!

Find more advice on how to survive finals and strengthen your academic planning skills in general in our Majors and Academics section.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Plans After High School — What Is A Senior Year

What is a Senior Year

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Hate Writing? How to Make It Through Senior Year

Essays. Exams. Standardized tests. As a senior in high school, you’re going to be doing a lot of writing. If it feels like a slog now, we have some good news and bad news. The bad news is that writing is going to follow you through the rest of your life—not only in college, but also in most professions, including some unexpected ones, like medicine or engineering! The good news is that you can, with some effort, learn to enjoy writing. Read on to find out about opportunities to hone your writing, so you can condition yourself to make it a painless and even enjoyable part of your routine—and your life.

Why Writing Matters Now

College essays.

If you dislike writing papers, you may be dreading your college essays. Fortunately, your essays can—and should—be more creative than the school papers and tests. You can also choose your own topic, so you’ll be able to write about something that’s meaningful to you.

Your ability to write and communicate effectively is key here, because you need to present who you are as a person and what interests you in a short essay. For more advice on how to wow colleges with your personal statement, check out essay posts on CollegeVine’s blog.

With the exception of some math and art courses, such as Calculus and Studio Art, most AP exams have short answer or essay sections. While these sections mainly test your knowledge of the subject matter, graders will also assess the language you use to articulate your response. You can look up individual courses and exams to see how your writing will be graded on the College Board website .

If you’re thinking of putting off honing your writing skills until college, think again. At some colleges, doing well on certain AP tests will allow you to fulfill introductory writing course requirements and may even earn you college credit, so it’s worth putting in the effort now.

Standardized Tests

Writing sections on the SAT and ACT are optional, but many colleges still require them for admission. Check out our guides to the SAT Essay and ACT Writing sections to learn what these essays entail and view tips on how to earn high scores.

High School

“I’ve had to write tons of papers throughout high school,” you may be thinking. “Why is now any different?”

As you get older, people expect more from you. That includes your teachers. Now that you’ve completed most of your high school career, your teachers are going to expect your writing to be more sophisticated. They also want to help prepare you for next year, when your professors will expect you to have mastered certain competencies before you even set foot in their classrooms…

Why Writing Will Matter Later

…which leads us into our next point: In college, you’re going to have to write. A lot. Most majors require extensive writing in the form of term papers, essays, exams, and other projects. Even many technical science and math majors require research papers, lab writeups, and reports.

Writing is also integral to many careers, even ones with which you may not associate it. For instance, as a psychologist, you will be writing reports. If you become a publicist, you will write press releases. Almost every job requires competent communications skills, whether they show up in the form of emails, presentations, or something else entirely. So start working on those skills now!

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Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.

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Tips for Improving Your Writing and Learning to Love It

Of course, you aren’t going to become a master writer overnight. It’s going to take some work. Here are some tips to help get you there:

• Try to write a little bit every day. If you set a timer and tell yourself, “I’m going to write for 30 minutes,” it will be more manageable and become part of your routine.
• Write in a journal, even if you’re just jotting down random thoughts. That way, writing becomes a confidant and companion.
• Write about topics that are interesting to you. While you can’t necessarily choose every topic for your essays, especially when you have course requirements and exams, if you write about topics that are meaningful to you, you’re more likely to enjoy the process. Set aside some time to writing about things that matter to you, so writing becomes less of a chore.
• To complement the above point, start a blog about a topic that interests you, so that you are engaging with the activity. Love to travel? Share your latest adventures with readers. Doing some volunteer work? Write about your experiences tutoring at an after-school center or working with animals at the local shelter.
• You should write about topics that are important to you in your college essays. When you care about the topic, that passion often shows through, and your audience is more likely to take pleasure in reading it.
• Ask for feedback . While it’s always hard to hear criticism of your work, you need to know what other people think so you can improve. Make sure you ask for both critiques and compliments; not only will this be better for your self esteem, but you’ll also know what you’re doing right .
• Read! Whether you read a book a week or skim the news on occasion, everyone reads to some extent. And every great writer started as a reader. We’re not telling you to steal other writers’ ideas, but reading can be a great source of inspiration.
• For more ideas on improving your writing, check out How to Sharpen Your Writing Skills.

If you start working on your writing now, it will become more tolerable later. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even enjoy it.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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Top 12 Tips to Surviving Your Final Year of High School

Seniorities: how to survive your final year of high school.

Whether you’re a rising senior or already in your final year of high school , you’re probably feeling a mix of emotions: excitement about what the future holds, anxiety about how to navigate the next step, and maybe even some sadness that this chapter is coming to an end. It’s natural to feel all these things, but don’t worry – you’re not alone. This blog post will give you 12 how to survive your final year of high school.

Table of Contents

 How to Survive in Your Final Year of High School

High school is a time of transition. For some, it’s the final year before college; for others, it’s the last chance to enjoy the carefree days of childhood. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, there are a few things that all seniors should keep in mind as they navigate their way through the final year.

1. Get Organized

The first step to surviving your final year of high school is to get organized. This means setting up a system that works for you to keep track of important dates, assignments , and deadlines. This can be as simple as using a planner or setting up alarms on your phone.

Staying organized will help you stay on top of your work and avoid any last-minute scrambling. Trust us; you don’t want to be up all night before your first big test to remember what you need to study.

Getting organized also means staying ahead of the game regarding college applications. Make sure you know when each deadline is, and have your materials ready to go well in advance.

2. Manage Your Time Wisely

In addition to staying organized, another key to surviving your final year of high school is managing your time wisely. This means learning to balance your academics with extracurricular, social activities, and maybe even a part-time job.

Time management can be tricky, but it’s crucial to find a system that works for you. Otherwise, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed and bogged down in all of your responsibilities.

One way to manage your time wisely is to set specific days or hours for each task. For example, you might dedicate Mondays and Wednesdays to homework, Tuesdays and Thursdays to extracurricular, and Fridays to relaxing and hanging out with friends. Whatever system you choose, just make sure it works for you and helps you stay on track.

3. Keep Your Grades Up

Another important tip to help you survive your final year of high school is to keep your grades up. This may seem like a no-brainer, but letting your grades slip during the senior year can be easy. With college applications and decisions looming, now is not the time to slack off.

So how can you keep your grades up? First, create a study schedule that allows you to focus on one subject at a time. And second, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your teachers or parents if you’re struggling with a particular concept. They’re there to support you and want you to succeed.

4. Take Advantage of Opportunities

Another tip for making the most of your final year of high school is to take advantage of opportunities that come your way. This might mean signing up for that club you’ve been wanting to join or taking that trip abroad with your classmates.

It can also mean stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things. After all, this is your last year of high school – why not make it a memorable one?

5. Cherish Relationships

One of the most important things to do to survive your final year of high school is to cherish relationships – with your friends, family, and even your teachers. These people have been there for you throughout your high school journey and will continue to support you long after you graduate.

Take the time to savor your time with them. Go on that group outing, have that heart-to-heart conversation, and enjoy being in their company. These are the relationships that will last a lifetime.

6. Don’t Shy Away From Teachers

In addition to cherishing your relationships with your friends and family, don’t shy away from your teachers during your final year of high school. These are the people who have helped you grow and learn over the past four years, and they can be a great resource as you prepare for college and beyond.

So if you’re struggling with a particular class or just need some advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to your teachers. They’ll be more than happy to help you in any way possible.

7. Set Goals, Not Time Limits

Most people set time limits on their goals. “I’ll finish this project by Friday” or “I’ll get a job within six months.” But if you’re constantly putting pressure on yourself to meet these deadlines, you’ll only end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

A better approach is focusing on the goal , not the timeframe. For example, rather than setting a deadline of “Friday,” simply commit to finishing the project. And rather than saying you’ll get a job within six months, focus on what you need to do to make that happen – update your resume, attend job fairs, etc.

This may seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference in how you approach your goals and, ultimately, whether or not you achieve them.

8. Embrace Your Passions

Your final year of high school is the perfect time to embrace your passions and start exploring potential careers. If you’re not sure what you want to do with your life, now is the time to start experimenting.

Think about what subjects you enjoy most, what activities make you happy, and what causes you’re passionate about. From there, research potential careers that align with your interests. And don’t be afraid to reach out to people in those fields for advice and guidance. The more you know about a particular career, the better equipped you’ll be to decide your future.

9. Give Back

The other way to make the most of your final year of high school is to give back to your community. This can be done in several ways, from volunteering at a local soup kitchen to participating in a beach clean-up.

Not only will you be making a difference in the lives of others, but you’ll also gain valuable skills and experiences that will help you in college and beyond. So don’t hesitate to get involved – your community will definitely appreciate it.

10. Choose Your Friend Group Wisely

In high school, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your friends. So it’s important to choose wisely who you surround yourself with.

Look for friends who share your interests and who will support you in your endeavors. These are the people who will make your high school experience truly memorable. So take the time to get to know them and build strong, lasting relationships.

11. Take a Genuine Interest in Your Subjective Subjects

Your final year of high school is the time to start thinking about your future and what you want to do with your life. But before you can make any decisions, you need to have a strong foundation in the basics. In case you’re not already aware, the basics are the foundation of any future you might want to pursue.

This is why it’s so important to take a genuine interest in your subjective subjects, even if you don’t think you’ll ever need them again. Doing so will ensure that you have the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in whatever field you choose to pursue.

12. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities

In addition to your academic pursuits, your final year of high school is also a great time to get involved in extracurricular activities. These can be anything from sports teams to student organizations.

So if you’re looking for ways to make the most of your final year of high school, be sure to get involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible. You never know what you might end up enjoying.

Final Thoughts!

The final year of high school can be daunting for any student, but it is especially challenging for seniors. With graduation just around the corner, there are a lot of things to do and prepare for.

But don’t worry – we’re here to help! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need some guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at High School of America .

We offer a variety of programs and services that can help make your senior year a success. And remember – it all starts with setting goals!

So take some time to think about what you want to accomplish in the next few months, and let us help you make it happen.

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Five Senior Year Survival Tips (From a Mom Who Has Been There)

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So you survived their junior year of high school–congratulations!

Let’s be honest; it wasn’t always easy for you (or your child).

Now you’re heading into Senior Year and you should feel like a pro, but deep down you’re not so sure you’re going to make it through. ( Related: Creating a Senior Year Bucket List: Experiences to Have With Your Teen Before Graduation )

Of course, you will; this is my second time, so I promise it’s doable.

I got my son to graduation , and I know I will get my daughter there this year too.

But somehow, I don’t think it matters how many kids you usher through this final year, it’s always going to be tough.

It’s just not the same each time.

My teens have very different grades, styles, personalities, and stress triggers (not to mention gender). My daughter isn’t even looking at any of the same colleges as my son.

It’s leaving me totally stressed–almost like I’ve never done this before.

I have lists of things I should do, but I don’t know where to start.

But just like you, I’m going to pull it together.

Related: Do These Five Simple But Important Things to Prepare Your Senior for College

Why is senior year so busy?

While there are oodles of things to do during the senior year of high school (hello, did the test scores get sent with the college application?), and things NOT to do (panic), there are a few truths you just have to accept and some behaviors that aren’t going to benefit your or your teenager.

The best piece of advice I received: you need to concentrate on reducing  your stress load this year, not adding to it.

There are so many moments you want to be fully present for this year so you can enjoy them.  There are senior events and campus visits and future plans and graduation parties.

Don’t let the overwhelm and pressures rob you of this time with your senior. You don’t want to have regrets about how you spent your time nagging about homework and letters of recommendation instead of enjoying this time. There are memories to be made and time to be cherished because before long they’re not going to be under your roof anymore.

I know we’re all going to struggle through this year, even those of us who have done it before. But there are definitely some things we can do to make it a more pleasant experience for all of us.

These are my senior-year survival tips for you.

Stop the comparison trap

The first thing to let go of is worrying about everyone else’s high school seniors. What they are doing doesn’t matter, and the comparisons and competition is brutal. Do we really want to teach them to “keep up with the Joneses” this young?

Believe me, they will be comparing and contrasting with each other, so as a parent, let it go, let it go, let it go!

I really believe our kids will all end up right where they are supposed to be. They will find their place and their tribe. Even a wrong decision can lead them down the right path.

“Comparisons are the thief of joy. Never compare a child’s accomplishments to another. It does not define them, it defines you.” 

Applications suck .

Whether it is college, the military, trade school, scholarships, or finding a job, the application process is daunting and exhausting.

In our case, it was finding the right-fit college for my son. Choosing where they wanted to apply was daunting, but it’s nothing compared to actually completing the applications.

My son found schools he loved, but it required a lot of research, tours, and interviews to happen all on top of his already crazy busy and over-scheduled life.

While we enjoyed some of the activities, like college tours and researching the best dining halls, getting him to complete the applications, not so much.

It’s a painful process for everyone.  While it’s true that our kids are (or should be) doing most of the work, we parents will still actively participate as naggers, proofreaders, project managers, and, most definitely, bankers.

To save everyone headaches, the best approach is an organized one. Start college planning early, make sure you have a calendar with important submission deadlines, and don’t let them wait until the last minute to write those essays.

Oh, and also make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING!!!

Related: Want to Help Your Teen Get Into College? Help Them Find Their Passion

“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” 

Senior year is expensive.

I heard someone call senior year the wallet year once, and they are so right.

The opportunities to spend money are endless – senior pictures, senior rings,  bricks, trips, prom, grad parties, and so much more. Mix in the cost of all those college applications, and you end up with a lot of extra expenses.

Don’t feel you have to do it all or pay for it all.

You can agree on a set budget at the beginning of the year and let them choose what is most important, or they can pay for anything above and beyond.  The reality is they won’t even remember half of it, and they’re going to be managing their own budgets pretty soon, so it’s a good practice run.

Like anything, the most important thing is to have honest conversations with your teenager about what you can afford.

Related: Five Simple Steps to Help You Discuss College Affordability with Your Kids

“If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money.” – Abigail Van Bur en

Let’s talk about senioritis .

By senior year, kids and parents alike are pretty much over it. So yes,  senioritis is a thing.

What does that look like? Like a definite lack of motivation.

They don’t want to work, or clean up–sometimes just getting more than a grunt out of them is a miracle. Honestly,  I don’t really blame them.

Let go, loosen the leash a little because next year you won’t be holding one at all. Let them make their choices– good or bad. Give them–and yourself a break because a lot of change is coming.

Related: Dear Mom and Dad, This Is What I Need From You During My Senior Year

“I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.” – Bilbo Baggins

It’s Okay To Miss Them Before They Are Gone

As your kid gets closer to leaving, you’re probably going to see less of them.

They may be in their room (with headphones on) more. They want privacy and time to chill–time to not stress about all the stuff they have to do and the big decisions sitting on their shoulders.

Or they may be spending a lot more time with their friends. This is your teen’s last year living at home, so try to remember that their time with friends is really important to them.

Either way,  most likely, they will be talking less–at least to you.

You may be sad about that–and kind of miss them even when they are still here.

But I guarantee there will be times when you wish you could pack ’em up and move ’em to their dorm room ASAP! My neighbor once told me this was God’s way of making the split easier–that it’s part of their transition to living independently. Some people even call it soiling the nest.

And fear not…once they move out, they will still need you.

#Money, #Carepackages, #Laundry, #MoreMoney

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” -Dr. Seuss

This was a contributor post from Dana Baker-Williams, a not-so-perfect mom of two, a writer and a parent/teen coach. She offers advice from the trenches, a non judgmental ear and tips based on the science of psychology and the reality of parenting. Her work comes with a good dose of humor and the simple recognition that no matter how hard we may try, none of us is a perfect parent.  https://www. parentinginreallife.org/

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Survival guide: senior year edition

Advice from students, teachers and counselors

Angie Bleau , News Editor | April 29, 2022

Senior year is harder than you think, involving college applications, scholarships, school assignments and fear of what your future holds — so many big decisions that will affect our future. The questions ‘Where do I even start?’ or ‘When do I start?’ was persistent in our minds; it’s like you need a roadmap to survive senior year.

Although I’m a senior, I’m not an expert, nor are my experiences representative of every other seniors’. So, I asked students, teachers and counselors for advice they would give to rising seniors, involving topics such as ideas of where to start on college essays, scholarship searching, senioritis and how to pick the right college. 

Here is a little bit of that advice and guidance.  

THE LAST SEMESTER OF JUNIOR YEAR

As you near the end of one of the most important years of high school, it’s time to start thinking about senior year and college applications, which can be overwhelming. If you start now, you can take time to learn the whole college application process and give yourself space so that your senior year isn’t overloaded. Log into Naviance and explore.

“Take care of yourself as you navigate standardized tests and course expectations; prioritize effectively (don’t forget sleep and fun) and ask for help when you need it. Try to avoid overcommitting yourself, as even the best laid plans can go awry and it

 can help to remain flexible,” Counselor Andrea Lanter wrote to the Talon.

THE SUMMER 

Take a break and get into a better headspace, but also start thinking about the college atmosphere. Going on college tours, for example, can help you get an understanding of what you want for your college experience and if nothing else, college tours make for nice family trips.

“I highly recommend writing the college essays while you’ve got the mental space, but if inspiration is lacking, do some reflecting and answer the following questions for yourself: “Who am I, how do I know, and why does it matter?” Here are the makings of a strong personal statement!” English teacher Jessica Wall wrote to the Talon.

FIRST SEMESTER SENIOR YEAR 

Bring on the college apps! The college application process may be stressful, but use those moments of reflection you took during the summer to start writing those personal statement and college application essays.. Just get the college applications done before deadlines because they can take a while to complete and submit; don’t procrastinate. 

Despite all the work and pressure of college applications, remember to make the best of your senior year. Make those final memories with your friends, play those final buzzer games like they are your last and live your highschool life to the fullest. 

“ The real world is waiting for you, so don’t feel like you have to rush head first into it.  Enjoy your last free year of education, hang out with your friends and also realize that your mom is going to freak out about you leaving the house for college, so give her some grace,” history and social science teacher DJ Cook wrote to the Talon.  

SECOND SEMESTER

The waiting game is on now — waiting to hear back on college acceptances, scholarship results, and even rejection letters. Everything starts to feel real as time winds down faster than expected and you hit  the senioritis threshold. Remember that everything will be okay! Just focus on what is ahead and keep walking one foot in front of the other.

“Prepare for the fact that the end of high school comes quickly and no matter how you feel about school, there is going to be some sadness as a chapter of your life comes to a close. Also, don’t do anything that will cost you your college admission. Other than that, have fun and quit stressing so much!” Cook wrote to the Talon. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLY TO EVERYTHING! Don’t underestimate how much money you can receive from scholarships. With this money, you may be able to minimize your student loan debt.  Research online portals and local organizations and just apply. Have essays that you can use for the scholarship, and ask for letters of recommendation in advance. Apply even when you think you might not get any money. Applying won’t hurt but not applying will. 

“Focus on scholarships for which you are a good fit if you choose to apply for any; making sure you meet the minimum requirements for scholarships ensures that you have a chance at selection and that your time is used wisely,” Lanter wrote to the Talon. 

FAFSA is also an important tool for receiving financial aid. The FAFSA application opens in October and is to be filled out with a parent or guardian every year you plan to attend college for the following year.

“The FAFSA also includes consideration for grant opportunities based on your expected family contribution, and grants do not have to be paid back. Your future college financial aid office is a good place to check back in every year as there may be other scholarships you become eligible for as you amass more experience and progress through your college career,” Lanter wrote. 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLLEGE 

You are picking the place you will want to call home for the next four years. Finding a school like that will be hard, and sometimes it’s not your dream school; I certainly didn’t think I would be going across the country for college, but I am. Look at the college’s programs and decide if that will help you achieve what you want for your education. It’s all about finding the right balance between looks, feeling of home and programs.

“The right college for you is the one you choose! I attended UC Irvine for college, and although it was not my first choice, I couldn’t have chosen a better university for me because it led me to discover my passion for teaching.

You will find your niche and your people no matter where you go,” math teacher Brianne Hazlewood wrote to the Talon.

SENIORITIS 

Senioritis really does happen and it can ruin motivation to get anything done. During this time period you just have to remember that you have to keep going. You didn’t work this hard for four years to not even be able to graduate. If it’s hard to see the big picture, look at it in small increments.

“Plan ahead and start the Spring semester strong so that you are not digging yourself out of a hole in the Spring of Senior year,” Lanter wrote to the Talon. “You will thank yourself for putting in the work so that you can focus on the fun activities of being a senior instead of worrying about passing all of your classes.”

GRADUATION 

Your four years of high school come to a close at this moment. While you may be nervous about the future, spend this time with the people around you before you all move off in different directions. 

“Do the cheesy stuff. Prom corsages, the pictures in your mortarboard and robes, dropping big money on grad night, hugs for your favorite teachers — do it all. For the rest of your life, people will ask you about your final high school days. Give yourself a story — you might just want to remember it,” Wall wrote to the Talon.

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Angie Bleau is one of the two News Editors for the 2021-2022 school year. This is her second year in journalism, last year she was a staff writer.

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Senior Year of High School: Helping Your Student Survive Senioritis

Just one month remains in my college career. It’s a nostalgic time for all seniors. And I’ve begun to think about the friends I’ve made and the good times I’ve had. But I’ve also thought back on my experiences in high school before graduation . After all, it’s the only other major academic milestone I’ve experienced.

Senior Year of High School: First Stress, Then Apathy

I remember two main phases in my final months of senior year of high school. The first phase was the stress. I was struggling in my AP classes and feeling anxious about college funds . I also feared the impending end to many friendships and relationships I’d formed in high school.

But the second phase that came after the stress was apathy.

This was probably the most problematic part of the end of my senior year of high school—simply not caring. For most of my high-school career, I was a very involved student with many advanced classes. I participated in theater, band, academic team, ski club, and science club. But once I was accepted into my dream university, I wondered, What’s the point of working so hard anymore?

Second semester senior year of high school , senioritis hit, and it hit hard.

My Parents’ Support During Senior Year

Teens deal with stress differently; in my high school, some kids handled stress by working even harder, some by tearing their hair out. During this time in my life, I dealt with it by stepping away from the activities I’d previously spent my time on.

I needed a few breaks, and I took them. I used all of my sick days (we got five per semester) and my parents allowed it. While juggling all of my classes, extracurriculars and college preparations, sometimes the quick fix to my stress was a day spent binge-watching  Saturday Night Live , eating an entire box of mac and cheese, and sleeping in past 7 a.m.

More important than the lazy days was the fact that my parents supported my choices. They were understanding when I needed to take a day off to stay level-headed, and they were also understanding when I had to stay up until 2 a.m. working on an essay.

At the same time, once motivation is lost, it’s difficult to restore it. And I know that from experience. While I didn’t fail any classes, I also didn’t get the same A’s and B’s I’d been used to, and I was okay with that. My parents were okay with that, too. After all, it was my last year of high school.

But I think what helped me most was the effort my parents made to communicate with me during those final weeks of high school. I felt comfortable talking to them about everything I was feeling. We chatted about my friends, the end of my relationship with a long-term boyfriend, and my stress. We talked about it during my bad weeks and during my good weeks, and it helped me keep going despite the life-changing events happening around me.

Anne Nickoloff is a senior at Case Western Reserve University. She worked as the director of print for the school’s newspaper,  The Observer , and the editor-in-chief of its humor magazine,  The Athenian . She has had articles published in  USA TODAY ,  Cleveland Scene Magazine ,  Alternative Press  and Cellar Door.  In her free time, Anne enjoys skiing, knitting, and exploring Cleveland.

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How to Survive Senior High School Life

Published by editorial team on april 29, 2019 april 29, 2019.

Anxious about Senior High School life? Been thinking about how you can survive or at least make it easier? Read on and find out how you can get through Senior High School without a scratch!

First things first, Senior High School will require you to make decisions on your own. These decisions will have consequences that only yourself is responsible for. Your two-year stay will be easy if you make it be. Here are some pieces of advice on how to make Senior High School life easier.

Be decisive and self-aware

Your first major decision before becoming an SHS student is which track to choose . You may like the Humanities track but see the Sciences track to be more employable when you graduate.

However, your first choice may not end up what you like after a year . Be self-aware to think if you can still go through or shift to another track that will be better for you in the long run. Be decisive on things before it is too late.

It is important to know what your strengths and weaknesses are and how much you can compromise and adjust.

Know that you cannot have and beat everything

Peer pressure is everywhere. A classmate asks you to be at her birthday party while your club called for a meeting, all these while the deadlines are approaching.

A basic rule of physics is you cannot be at two places at the same time and a basic rule of time management is you cannot do everything all at once. You may regret not going to some activities in exchange for another, but that is life — a series of hard decisions that are equally as important as the other.

Compromise and do the things that are most needed. Come Monday, it may sting a bit to be out of the loop about the birthday party or the club meeting, but you got your requirements done.

Take notes and organize everything

Having multiple subjects every day and many commitments weekly are hard. A realistic consequence of this is you may forget details of some things. That is why it is important to take notes and have a physical copy of your lessons or meetings which you can go back to.

Organizing everything means keeping things clean and streamlined. This involves putting where things should be are so the next time you look for your Economics class’ notes, you instantly find it, and knowing your schedule.

Be reminded of your priorities

Having a priority is easy, but being reminded of it can be hard for some.

Similar to the second and third advice, you should know what matters most. Of course, passing your subject is a required priority, however, there are more than just one important priority in an SHS student’s life .

You may need to maintain a grade to or regularly attend basketball practice keep your scholarship. It is inevitable you will be missing out on things. Priorities are set for a reason: to guide you to your goal. It will also keep you going forward and work smarter to achieve your objective.

Resting is okay and asking for help is okay too

All work and zero rest may be already a mantra for some. If it works for you, then you do you. But for some, it may lead to an unhealthy obsession for results.

Resting is okay. It puts your mind at ease which makes you more efficient when you get back to work. You cannot be working and exhausting yourself Monday to Sunday. What could happen is a poorly proofread research paper or even fatigue that may lead to a fever.

Also, you will be not knowing things and that is fine. Your instructors have a consultation period, which you should take advantage of, are there for a reason. Ask for help is free and goes a long way. It shows that you are eager and humble enough to gather information from people other than yourself.

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General election latest: Farage holding 'emergency' news briefing - where he could announce he's standing at election

Nigel Farage is holding an "emergency" news conference from 4pm where he could announce he's standing at the general election. Watch live in the stream below.

Monday 3 June 2024 15:50, UK

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Election news

• Farage holding news briefing - watch and follow live from 4pm
• Ex-Ukip leader could announce he's standing at election
• Starmer 'prepared to use nuclear weapons' if needed
• Tories pledge to protect 'biological sex' as characteristic
• Poll to reveal projected election winner at 5pm
• Be in the audience for our election leaders event
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Expert analysis

• Rob Powell: Tories put Labour on the spot over biological sex
• Adam Boulton: 'Starmtroopers' are purging Labour

Election essentials

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Nigel Farage is holding what he's billed as an "emergency" news briefing from 4pm.

Sources have suggested to Sky colleagues that he could announce he's standing for Reform UK in the general election.

It comes just two weeks after he said he wouldn't be.

We'll bring you live updates on what he says - and you can watch the event live in the stream above.

Campaign Q&As can often throw up some unexpected enquiries, especially when those doing the asking are younger in years.

And so it was during a Tory visit to Wantage Town Football Club, where curveballs weren't only limited to the pitch.

To start off with, Rishi Sunak was asked what his favourite Nando's meal was.

The answer – a half chicken with medium spice along with chips and broccoli, which the PM said he had eaten twice last week.

The broccoli caused much amazement among the footballers, with one saying he thought the visiting guest would have been more of a pea man.

"It's good broccoli," said Rishi Sunak - in what is surely the first time a prime minister has ever spoken those words at a media event – before adding he would also recommend the boneless thighs.

There was also the revelation that the prime minister had recently started getting into country music, with Tim McGraw a particular highlight.

But predictably for a Southampton FC, when asked what his favourite song was, he plumped for "when the Saints go marching in".

We're still waiting for YouGov's massive poll at 5pm .

But before that, we've had another big survey come in.

Redfield and Wilton Strategies asked 10,000 people between 31 May and 2 June how they plan to vote in the general election.

Here are the results, with the change from the previous survey in brackets:

• Labour 46% (–) 
• Conservative 20% (-3) 
• Reform 14% (+1) 
• Lib Dem 10% (+1) 
• Green 5% (–) 
• SNP 2% (-1) 
• Other 2% (-1)

In total, Labour has a lead of 26 points. 

The Conservatives have dropped three points, while Reform UK gained one point and the Lib Dems gained one point.

The SNP lost a point, as did the "other" group.

Redfield and Wilton says it is the joint lowest score for the Tories with Rishi Sunak as prime minister.

Spotting and sorting awkward backdrops is an essential skill for any party campaign official.

That can be difficult though when the backdrop is water-based and moving.

Rishi Sunak found this out today when a group of Liberal Democrats photobombed his visit to the banks of the Thames by sailing a placard-laden boat into shot in full view of a pack of TV cameras.

The party has been driving home one of their key campaign messages in the area, on the filthy state of the UK's waterways.

Speaking to some rowers at the Henley club, you do wonder if water quality would have been a more tailored campaign message than the Tories' announcement around gender today.

As Rishi Sunak cleaned a boat, one woman said he didn't really need to do that as it hadn't been in the water recently - pointedly adding that if it had been in the water, it would be covered in "poo" because the Thames is so bad in the area.

Some of the rowers who met the prime minister also seemed in the dark about the gender policy announcement, saying they'd just been told it was a visit connected to women's sports.

Indeed, Rishi Sunak didn't chat to the female athletes about the planned changes to equality law – instead keeping the conversation on rowing.

But when asked, most of the athletes seemed broadly sympathetic to the changes – with some expressing concern about the potential advantage transgender women may have in physical sports like their own.

Rishi Sunak has been facing questions on his party's plan to overhaul the Equality Act and ensure "biological sex" is a protected characteristic. 

Speaking from the Leander Club in Berkshire, he was asked whether his goal is to ensure no transgender woman can access female-only spaces.

The PM said there was a "lack of clarity in the law" that is "risking the safety of women and girls". 

He said sex should mean biological sex, and that providers of single-sex spaces will be "able to protect women and girls and ensure their safety and security". 

Mr Sunak hit out at the SNP's plan to make gender recognition on a self-ID basis, saying it "wasn't right".

But he denied the Tories were "stoking culture wars" on the issue.

"It builds on our track record of treating these issues sensitively and with compassion, as of course we should," he insisted.

But he said protecting women and girls was "paramount in all of our minds".

Reform UK's honorary president Nigel Farage has announced that he will be giving an "emergency" news conference at 4pm.

Sources have suggested to Sky colleagues that he could announce plans to stand as a candidate in this general election.

If he did make such an announcement, it would be a significant U-turn, having said less than two weeks ago that having "thought long and hard" about it, it was "not the right time".

Sunak: Only two people can be PM

Rishi Sunak was asked earlier about the possibility of Mr Farage standing, and he told broadcasters: "At the end of the day, on 5 July, one of two people will be prime minister: either Keir Starmer or me.

"A vote for anyone who's not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in Number 10."

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has just responded to Sir Keir Starmer's speech pitching Labour as the "party of defence".

He pointed to the party's previously leader and now independent candidate, Jeremy Corbyn, "who said we should turn the army into a peace corps".

"Keir Starmer supported him not once, but twice. So the idea that a leopard can change its spots in this way is obviously taking the British public for fools."

He also hit out at the Labour leader for not matching the Conservatives' commitment to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, and instead saying they'll do it when economic conditions allow.

And on the nuclear deterrent, Mr Mercer noted that the shadow foreign secretary and deputy Labour leader voted against renewing Trident eight years ago.

"If you're serious about nuclear deterrent, if you're serious about defence, you're serious about veterans, I think voting for Labour is extremely dangerous."

The Scottish first minister has criticised Sir Keir Starmer's defence speech this morning, where Labour reaffirmed its commitment to the nuclear triple lock. 

Speaking from a dairy farm in Stirling, John Swinney said the SNP believes there is not a place for a nuclear deterrent in our society.

The party has always opposed nuclear weapons, he said. 

Nuclear deterrent 'never going to be used'

Mr Swinney said it was "not acceptable" to spend money on the Trident nuclear missile system while conventional defence forces were being "starved" of funding. 

We are now living in a "dangerous world", he said, and conventional forces are there to defend us. 

He argued Trident is a system "that's never going to be used". 

Labour should "get their priorities right", he said, adding it should be investing in conventional weaponry, getting out of the Trident system and ending years of Conservative austerity. 

It's lunchtime - here's what you need to know as the second full week of campaigning gets under way.

Sir Keir Starmer has been pitching his party as strong on national security, while Rishi Sunak is focusing on gender issues.

Let us get you up to speed on everything you may have missed today…

• Labour  has been pitching itself as the "party of defence" as it hammers home the message that it has "changed" since the Jeremy Corbyn era;
• Sir Keir Starmer  delivered a speech saying that "a new age of insecurity has begun", and that under Labour, "national security will always come first";
• He said he would be "prepared to use nuclear weapons" if needed to defend the UK;
• But he was put on the defensive when it was noted that a number of members of his shadow cabinet - including his shadow foreign secretary and deputy party leader - previously voted against renewing the Trident nuclear deterrent submarine programme;
• Our  political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh  said Labour "clearly have it in their mind that they don't want to go into this election - like they did in 2019 - with a wavering view on the nuclear deterrent";
• Sir Keir was also questioned on the war in Gaza, and he said, if elected, he would request fresh legal advice on Israel's compliance with international law to see if arms sales should be halted.
• The Conservative Party  has announced plans to change the Equality Act to ensure "biological sex" is a protected characteristic;
• The aim is to make it "simpler for service providers for women and girls, such as those running sessions for domestic abuse victims, to prevent biological males from taking part";
• Speaking to Sky News, cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch was put on the spot about why the government had not already done that, and she said the "biggest reason" was the SNP's controversial gender recognition legislation that "took up quite a lot of bandwidth"
• Our political correspondent Rob Powell  said the party is "targeting the traditional Tory core vote", as well as trying to "stop leakage to Reform".
• The Liberal Democrats have been out and about promoting their pledge to expand marine protected areas and bring in a new Blue Flag status for rivers, which would set legally binding targets to prevent sewage dumping in those sites;
• SNP  leader John Swinney has been out on the campaign trail meeting voters and getting his party's message out;
• Reform UK  have also been campaigning - and Nigel Farage has announced an "emergency" news conference for 4pm. Follow Sky News for the latest.

And set your alarms for 5pm when Sky News will be publishing the first YouGov poll-based projection of the campaign.

It will be a seat-by-seat poll, so we'll bring you YouGov's projected election winner and the size of the majority - plus the names of any big beasts set to lose their seats.

Here are a couple of other stories that may interest you:

Our essential political podcast,  Politics At Jack And Sam's , is going out every week day through the election campaign to bring a short burst of everything you need to know about the day ahead as this election unfolds - here is today's edition .

Tap here to follow Politics At Jack At Sam's wherever you get your podcasts .

Stick with us for all the latest throughout the afternoon.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper is on the campaign trail in Henley-on-Thames, an area that she says has been affected by raw sewage dumping.

She says it is an "environmental catastrophe" that has been damaging wildlife as well as affecting the popular Henley Royal Regatta. 

"When people pull up their boats here, they have to wash them down," she tells a crowd of supporters. 

Ms Cooper says her party has a plan to tackle the crisis and will "put an end" to raw sewage dumping. 

She adds that people are "sick of this Conservative government". 

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