Juniors, ready for senior year?
ceryseldred'18
If you’re a junior, like me, you have already begun to feel some of the stress and pressure that comes with senior year sneakily moving in as whispers of college, naviance, and SATs make their way into our lives. A little bit of feared “Senioritis” may or may not already be creeping up on you as this new semester starts, causing you to put off studying for that chemistry quiz, or doing your English reading. Now that these hectic, although very important, events are starting to happen, it is important to remember not to freak out, and take the advice of those who have been through it all. Luckily for us, there are a bunch of kids at BHS going through all those things right now: the senior class. Unleashed sat down with 3 seniors to get the real scoop on senior year, and to obtain the much anticipated advice and guidance many juniors would like:
What has senior year been like so far?
Mike Giraldi (MG): “Eh, the usual—just with the stress of applying to college. And answering questions about college every time you run into an adult.”
Elizabeth Murray (EM): “Senior year has been pretty good so far! The workload can be kind of a lot sometimes but I personally chose to continue to challenge myself academically in my last year here. No regrets, but kind of some regrets. Having a top spot in senior lot makes it worth it though.”
Alexa Rainey (AR): “Senior year has been a little rough for me personally. I decided to keep taking the challenging classes I did last year, but when combined with trying to decide what college to go to and that whole process, as well as all of your activities, it can be pretty stressful. Right now, I’m trying to find a balance in my life; I’m sure that will make it a little easier.”
Have you experienced senioritis? / any advice on coping?
EM: I have experienced some symptoms of senioritis, but I don't have a serious case. The biggest thing for me is getting to school on time, but that's just because I'm lazy. Working hard senior year will only prep you better for the future, so why not!
AR: “ I always thought that senioritis would be, ‘I’m just not going to do all my work because I don’t feel like it’, but it has actually been: ‘I have all of this work but I’m just going to put it off until the last possible minute.’ I think the best way to cope is to have a study buddy who can hold you accountable and make you do your work! That way you won’t have an excuse to put it off.”
Advice on senior classes and college apps?
MG: “It helps to have a common app essay rough draft done before school starts. As for classes, it's really just the same old stuff. I wouldn't recommend taking 4 classes just to get loads of managed times. Most people just do what they've been doing. I just continued with the same IB classes. Diploma kids have things pretty planned out but the rest of us have some flexibility. Pick up an elective or something for fun!”
EM: “Choosing senior classes can be tricky because you want to find a balance between showing colleges you still have a pulse senior year vs taking every hard class ever. I would say try to pick classes that interest you and challenge yourself to the best of your ability. As for college applications, limit yourself and only apply to schools you could actually see yourself at! Don’t make more work for yourself.
As for right now and going into the summer, all the seniors suggest visiting schools and find out what works for you. Keep doing what you’re doing in your classes, and sign up for the summer essay writing class: it is highly recommended by most seniors, and will help make the crazy application process easier! Hopefully this advice will help you be less stressed and feel more prepared for upcoming senior year!
What has senior year been like so far?
Mike Giraldi (MG): “Eh, the usual—just with the stress of applying to college. And answering questions about college every time you run into an adult.”
Elizabeth Murray (EM): “Senior year has been pretty good so far! The workload can be kind of a lot sometimes but I personally chose to continue to challenge myself academically in my last year here. No regrets, but kind of some regrets. Having a top spot in senior lot makes it worth it though.”
Alexa Rainey (AR): “Senior year has been a little rough for me personally. I decided to keep taking the challenging classes I did last year, but when combined with trying to decide what college to go to and that whole process, as well as all of your activities, it can be pretty stressful. Right now, I’m trying to find a balance in my life; I’m sure that will make it a little easier.”
Have you experienced senioritis? / any advice on coping?
EM: I have experienced some symptoms of senioritis, but I don't have a serious case. The biggest thing for me is getting to school on time, but that's just because I'm lazy. Working hard senior year will only prep you better for the future, so why not!
AR: “ I always thought that senioritis would be, ‘I’m just not going to do all my work because I don’t feel like it’, but it has actually been: ‘I have all of this work but I’m just going to put it off until the last possible minute.’ I think the best way to cope is to have a study buddy who can hold you accountable and make you do your work! That way you won’t have an excuse to put it off.”
Advice on senior classes and college apps?
MG: “It helps to have a common app essay rough draft done before school starts. As for classes, it's really just the same old stuff. I wouldn't recommend taking 4 classes just to get loads of managed times. Most people just do what they've been doing. I just continued with the same IB classes. Diploma kids have things pretty planned out but the rest of us have some flexibility. Pick up an elective or something for fun!”
EM: “Choosing senior classes can be tricky because you want to find a balance between showing colleges you still have a pulse senior year vs taking every hard class ever. I would say try to pick classes that interest you and challenge yourself to the best of your ability. As for college applications, limit yourself and only apply to schools you could actually see yourself at! Don’t make more work for yourself.
As for right now and going into the summer, all the seniors suggest visiting schools and find out what works for you. Keep doing what you’re doing in your classes, and sign up for the summer essay writing class: it is highly recommended by most seniors, and will help make the crazy application process easier! Hopefully this advice will help you be less stressed and feel more prepared for upcoming senior year!