Going into senior year, many students don’t know what to expect. Some have started the college process, and many have not even thought about College Board. As two graduating seniors, we decided to spread some of our knowledge on how to survive senior year. Continue reading to learn more about getting into college, having fun, and leaving.

1. It doesn’t matter where you go to college.
   • Both the Huffington Post and the Odyssey agree, if you receive an education where you will be happy, your happiness is all that matters. Taking an extra class or dropping lunch won’t make or break your college decision, so take the classes you want to take.
2. Take a risk.
   • Being at Hall for 4 long years will catch up with you, and you will probably get bored. Take a risk, and do something crazy! Have fun with your friends or go on an adventure. However, Rebecca Margolis reminds seniors, “don’t do anything that will jeopardize graduation; don’t do anything that will ruin it all when you’ve come this far.” So have fun, but stay safe at the same time!
3. You’re more than just a statistic.
   • Whether you receive a rejection, acceptance, or waitlist, you will end up where you are supposed to. Stay honest on your application, because you want to show your admission counselors your individuality. Don’t compare yourselves to other students (or people on College Confidential) because you are your own person, so stay true to yourself.
4. Enjoy your last year of high school.
   • Time will fly by after your first day of senior year that senioritis will hit you. You won’t want to do your work, but instead, you will want to hang out with your friends. Try and find a balance. You want to stay on track with school, but also enjoy the ticking minutes that you have with your friends. Chastidy Hudson elaborates, “Keep going and don’t give up, and reward yourself after you are done with your hard work.”
5. It’s not as scary as it seems.
   • You will get into college, and everything will turn out OK. You don’t need to stress about the little things. James Gadue gives his tip to seniors as “keep sleeping” and Jorge Ponton describes, “Fall asleep during class, you are already in college, it doesn’t matter.” Maybe don’t give up ALL the way, but let loose a little, you will survive.
6. Trust your instincts.
   • Friends, family, and teachers that will try and influence your decisions. Trust yourself, and make your college decision based on where YOU want to go. You will attend the school for four years, so it is all your choice.
7. Take care of yourself.
   • Always put your mental and physical health above anything else. Your well being is the most important thing. Shaina Schnog says, “Stay healthy. Under all the activities, it’s easy to fall ill the entire fourth quarter.” Do things for your own benefit, and remember: sometimes, it’s important to cry. Crying relieves stress in the best way because sometimes, you need to let it all out.
8. Develop long-lasting friendships
   • Even though it is so important to put yourself first, creating friendships keeps you happy and real. Now some friendships will fade over time, but that’s normal and okay. By the time you get older, you will realize who is worth your time and energy, and who isn’t.
9. Cherish your family.
   • You might not realize it now, but your family always supports you. They probably annoy you now, but come December, you can’t wait to come home and see them.
10. Don’t be afraid of goodbyes
    • Sometimes, when you say goodbye to people at the end of summer, it can be the last time you see or talk to them. However, for the people you care about, a goodbye will become a “see you later”. College gives you time for making new friends, but there will be times that you need your old, hometown friends to be there for you.

Now that you have read our ten tips on being a senior, we hope you take our advice and enjoy your last year as a high school student. Next step: graduation!