Advice to Future Seniors

As we all grow older we learn new things. Sometimes we may wish we had the insight to know what will happen in the future. I know when I was a younger classman, I wished the upperclassmen would have told me so much more and I wished I would have asked more questions.

People are not always going to have the exact answers you need but whatever they can give you is helpful. It can be nerve-racking to go out of your way to ask an upperclassman or counselor some of your curious questions, that is why I would like to share some advice to some of those who may need it.

My first piece of advice to those who may need it is making sure you have somewhat of an idea of what you will do with your future. I know this is a repetitive statement that everyone at our school has heard countless times but once you are almost done with school, you realize how important this piece of information is.

Whether or not you are going to attend a college or do any sort of school out of high school, it is important to have a plan. For instance, if you are planning on attending a four-year university, make sure you have an alternative major you can rely on. I witnessed many seniors this year pick their major and chose their secondary major as something that would not benefit them or they just chose something at random hoping they'd get accepted with their first choice.

In addition to knowing your path, I want all younger classmen to realize that going to a community college should not be seen as a horrible thing. All my years of high school I have heard so many people talk bad about community college or make people feel down about themselves for choosing to attend a community college. Choosing a community college over a four year does not make you less than your peers. Your education will be just as good, you are just taking a different path.

Another common problem I noticed in my graduating class is people were too scared to ask for help when help was needed. Some people tend to start their year off a bit too headstrong and once they get overwhelmed, they’re too prideful to seek help. The counselors and teachers are there to help you, they may not be able to fully answer your question sometimes but it is better to look for help and get part of an answer than not have anything at all. They all went through the same things we are currently going through so it is best to never let fear hold you back from seeking help from others.

When it comes to your grades, do not run behind the deadline. This piece of advice is crucial for all grades and any deadline you will have in the future. During your senior year you will experience yourself being piled under a load of work and you will catch yourself leaving things until the last minute. Making this a habit will make your year miserable, especially when you are trying to scrap together credits at the last minute. A way you can stay on top of your work that I found helpful is to set your own deadline for your assignments or tell yourself you can’t do a certain thing until you finish an assignment. Whether you remind yourself through a planner, an app on your phone, or sticky notes, you should try and find your own routine that works best for you. This will become a good habit and save you from stressing over your grades throughout the year.