As I contemplate my first semester of senior year, I will never forget how many hours I have spent on college essays and how these essays have overtaken my spare hours for the past several months. Like my three prior high school years, I have maintained being active in extracurricular activities, such as math team, tutoring, or MSA. However, unlike my past three years, my senior year of high school has been very different. As a freshman, I was under the wrong impression that senior year must be the most accessible year ever. I thought incorrectly that senior year meant sleeping in and coming to school late, arriving late, and even leaving early or early dismissal. Moreover, I thought senior year meant having more free time to play video games and watch movies.
Senior year is a vital year of high school because it is the year that bridges high school with college or future career tracks. Consequently, senior year adds the extra work of essay writing. Applying to numerous universities, I have written many essays, from my personal statement to discussions about philosophy, art, opinions, and what I might want to do when I graduate college. These essays meant senior year taught me how to become super organized with my tasks and time management. This year, I have impressed myself with what I can accomplish if I put my mind and heart into doing things. Senior year is also the academic link, so my classes are more challenging, as I am primarily taking all AP classes this year.
For those transitioning to senior year, I recommend that you spend time summer before senior year visiting colleges and in senior year, make sure you sign up for college visits. I also recommend you get a head start on the essays and get your work done before the last minute to avoid unnecessary stress. I recommend that to succeed in senior year, be prepared and list what you want to do in high school. Join clubs you were unsure about joining and make new friends to complement your old friends. Be confident in your skin, and be you. Being a senior means you have made it this far and are almost at the finish line of high school. Enjoy every moment because you will be in your cap and gown soon. Manage time wisely to accomplish what you set out to do. In the summer, spend time before senior year visiting colleges, so you know where to apply. Take advantage of signing up for extra classes you always wanted to take if your schedule permits. Never give up on your aspirations because without goals or passion, there is no drive or motivation.
Senior year with all the micromanaging and time management comes the excess pressure. I have learned how to manage stress better in the past six months. I have learned to study and relax more efficiently. To cope with the stress, I watched short movies and played video games with my friends. I know that it is vital to know how to destress because the stress in college, I am sure, is of more significant proportion compared to the pressure in high school.
There are many lessons that I have learned this semester that I plan to carry on for the rest of the year and beyond. One of the critical lessons I learned is how to destress. The classes are not getting any easier, and I do not think college will be a walk in the park. By learning how to destress and take breaks, I can be more efficient in my work inside and outside the classroom. Another lesson I learned is that having a positive outlook in life is essential. I have come to appreciate the importance of having friends and working together in the classroom and outside activities. Through the friendships I have developed, I have recognized the importance of being immersed in a collegial environment because such an atmosphere maximizes what each person can accomplish. Moreover, I want to spend time with my friends before I graduate as much as possible because once we graduate, we may go to college in different states, making it challenging to meet. Also, I want to enjoy my last semester at North and savor every moment as it is etched in my memory-from the caring teachers to exciting activities. I also look forward to a senior night in the Spring. Naperville North has so much to offer, and I want to graduate knowing I have taken advantage of everything possible. I am proud to be a Huskie and hope to carry the legacy I have built upon at North.
Hi Adam. First of all, I have to say that this is a great post. I can tell that you’ve learned a lot from your senior year, and I’m happy to say that I was there with you and it’s been great to see you learn these things. Hi Adam. First of all, I have to say that this is a great post. I can tell that you’ve learned a lot from your senior year, and I’m happy to say that I was there with you and it’s been great to see you learn these things. I 100% agree with a lot of the recommendations you have put down here. I really thanked myself for starting my college applications early. I also didn’t initially bother to visit any schools, but my parents had a business trip in the Bay area, and so they took me to visit some universities, and I have to say that out of all the components of the college application process, that was the most fun. So definitely a good way to “destress” as you’ve learned to do so well during the application process. Other than that, I look forward to another semester with you and many more lessons and experiences on the way!
Hi Adam! Great blog! Your first sentence was something that I completely agree with. My hours where I used to be able to relax after doing work for school were now taken up by the numerous essays I had to write. I was under the exact same impression as you, relating to senior year. I thought it would truly not be anywhere close to as stressful as it has been. However, I am hoping that some of the burden does come off next semester when all of the fun events start. I think your advice about getting a head start on essays is extremely true. I was able to finish my personal statement in the summer, so it was a big weight off my shoulders – the longest essay that I would have to write for this process was out of the way. I also discussed how to better cope with stress and work around it in my blog. I think this is crucial for high school kids, and really anyone for that matter. I kind of related it to your second piece of advice: have a positive outlook. It is true that many of us will face rejection sometime soon, but the way you rebound from that is what is truly going to make you into a better person. Great blog and cannot wait to read more next semester!
Hi Adam, I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I definitely agree that the single best thing you can do to make senior year easier is get started on the college application process during the summer. I waited until September to start and regretted it; I had to cram to get my personal statement and supplementals done in time for the early decision deadlines. I also wish that I researched each college and made a list earlier on, because I’m just now realizing how many other schools would be good for my major / career goals. I also agree that managing stress is especially important this year. With a competitive course load and college applications and decisions, it seems like there is never a time to relax. I have found that going on errands for my family and or just driving around town by myself is an easy way to calm down and think about things from a different perspective, which helps me work more quickly and efficiently when I do go back to work. That being said, I hope that second semester (after all of my college apps are in) will be easier. Overall, I related with your senior year experience and really enjoyed reading your blog post.
Hi Adam, reading your blog made me feel a bit of déjà vu. I spend so much time on college apps, and as soon as I finished the bulk of my apps in October, I was surprised at how much extra time I had to Hi Adam, reading your blog made me feel a bit of déjà vu. I spend so much time on college apps, and as soon as I finished the bulk of my apps in October, I was surprised at how much extra time I had to do things I wanted to. Right after I turned in my college apps, the new Pokemon game, Scarlet and Violet came out, and I got to play it a lot, unlike Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which I got right before I had to turn in my college apps. I like your tip about going to visit colleges during the summer because you really get to know the college that way. I wish I did that, but I was on vacation, oh well. Also, learning to destress is pretty cool, especially this semester of senior year, because it did get pretty rough. I do hope you get to enjoy your last semester of high school!