- Go to all the dances you can
I have a secret…I actually really miss getting all dressed up for school dances. As an adult, you don’t get many chances to shop for an elegant dress, get your hair done and party all night long with your best friends, so take advantage of every opportunity you get!
2. Support your school’s top sports teams
Whether it’s football, basketball, soccer or cross-country, paint your face and wear your school’s colors to cheer on your classmates as they play sports. After you graduate, you can certainly come back and enjoy a football game now and then, but as your adult schedule fills up, making time for high school football will get more and more difficult. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, soak in the feeling of unity and joy that comes from cheering on your team.
3. Do some community service
Your schedule is packed, I know, but from here on out it only gets busier. Make some time while you can to give back to your community in an area you are passionate about. When I was in high school, I volunteered at a children’s hospital. One day, a little girl sat down next to me at the piano, and we began to play together. Before I left, she brought me a drawing she had done of an angel, gave it to me, and said, “you are an angel.” I will never forget that moment or how something so small affected someone in such a big way.
4. Have at least one fun all-nighter
All too soon, the phrase “all-nighter” is going to stop meaning a sleepover with your best friends and start meaning a night spent studying engineering in the library. Whether you go to a lock-in party or host one of your own, enjoy every moment. Play board games, prank call the guys and load up on the most unhealthy junk food you can find, all the while making memories you will never forget.
5. Travel with your friends
Before the weight of responsibility that comes with college and adulthood kicks in, plan a trip with your friends. Whether you fly to London or road trip to the nearest big city, go on an adventure with your best friends.
6. Have a graduation party
You made it! Now it’s time to celebrate! Celebrate your accomplishments and those of your friends by throwing a big party. It won’t be long now before everyone goes their separate ways for college and jobs, so enjoy every moment of your time together.
But it isn’t all fun and games…
7. Narrow down your list of colleges over the summer
Between afternoons at the lake and family road trips, take some time to narrow down your favorite colleges. Don’t forget to consider the colleges that are best for the major you want to pursue. Think outside the box and step outside your comfort zone. Schedule college visits to find out if your dream schools are a good fit for you.
8. Send out all of your applications in the fall
Now that you’ve narrowed down your list of colleges send out your applications ASAP. You don’t want to miss out on the school of your dreams because you accidentally missed a deadline. Additionally, some colleges give housing preference based on when you submit your application, so it can benefit you during your entire college career to get those applications in early.
9. Apply for as many scholarships as you can
Applying for a wide variety of scholarships and grants can make all the difference in whether or not you can attend one of those pricier out of state schools. Future you will emphatically thank you when you graduate college with much less debt in the form of student loans.
10. Take the ACT and SAT once…or twice
If you didn’t get the score you wanted on the first try, no worries! Give it another try. Push your limits. And be sure to take both! Just because you didn’t do well on one doesn’t mean you can’t nail the other. Because this number can make the difference between a yes or no to admission, it’s worth it to make an extra effort on these tests.
Your senior year in high school is unlike any other time in your life, and it will be gone in a flash. Follow my ten tips to get the most out of your senior year and enjoy every moment! Is there an experience or a tip that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
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