Well we’ve made it. The days we thought we would never come back in the midst of the college application season and the start of senior year, but here we are: finals week. As I look back on this semester, it has definitely been one of my favorites. My schedule was amazing. The teachers were awesome, and I made so many new friends. I felt that it almost went too fast, and I know that next semester is all going to be about the “last” of everything. These last six months have helped me learn so much in terms of how I want to go about my life, and it opened my eyes to the person that I could be, but there were also some things that I definitely would have changed if I could do it again. So without further ado, here is my first semester advice and lessons, brought to you by Snoopy.

My first piece of advice to an incoming senior would be to join clubs and activities! I learned that I absolutely love taking my personal passions and sharing them with other people. I participated in cross country, National Honor Society, Top Dawgs, and a few other things. I helped make videos on homeroom and finals to help other students as well. Staying involved helped me feel proud of what I am accomplishing at Naperville North. It also helped me realize that I need to cherish every opportunity given to me because I might not get it back, so join clubs, sports, theater. Anything that you love, just go for it! Let Naperville North give you its resources because trust me, this school is one in a million!

My next piece of advice would be to do your college research during the summer. I failed miserably at this and suffered the consequences. Senior year gets extremely busy really fast. One minute everything is calm and serene, and the next thing you know you have 15 assignments and application deadlines all on the same day. Not to mention trying to figure out what you want to study and where you want to continue your education next year, so my advice would be to not only research the schools that you want to apply to and visit over the summer, but fill out the common application with all the information you already know. This will help you TREMENDOUSLY because all you will have to worry about during school is the essays, which most of your English classes will help with. Planning ahead is the best thing you can do. Trust me on this one. You will save yourself a lot of overwhelming mental breakdowns if you do. Plus, it makes you excited about the possibilities that you are working towards!

Next, Snoopy says SLEEP. Obviously this is cliche, but I prioritized sleep this semester unlike any other year of high school, and it helped tremendously. I felt a lot happier and was able to really enjoy all of my classes, even if I had some extra stress from having to put off some assignments that I had wanted to complete early. This semester has taught me that sometimes going to sleep an hour earlier than normal is the best thing I can do for my mental and physical health, and it all worked out, so don’t be afraid to take a nap!

My last piece of advice is to reach for the stars. This is probably the biggest lesson I have learned, and one that I will not only take with me to next semester, but to college and beyond. Especially after Covid, it is important to remember that you only get high school once, so make it count. Go to the dances and activities with your friends, laugh in classes with your teachers, and most importantly, HAVE FUN. This semester has changed my perspective on school drastically. It is no longer just a place to learn, but a space where I can collaborate with other students that have just as much passion for certain things as I do. Whether that is having a laugh over drawing Snoopy all over the school, or competing in the Track and Field State Meet, this school has taught me to try new things, be outgoing, and work hard, so that I can achieve my goals. I am so excited for what next semester will bring, and I can’t wait to experience what North has to offer the senior class for our last semester here! Work hard, stay strong, and reach for the stars, Huskies!