Four Tips for Finishing Senior Year Strong
It’s finally senior year; you’ve been waiting for this moment since freshman year. The years of hard work have finally paid off but it’s not time to slow down yet (just a little). Here are four tips to help you finish off your senior year strong!
Finalize your college process
If only it were as simple as just submitting an application, the college process would be a lot less tricky than it is. Now that you have done your part, make sure that everyone else has done theirs. Catch up with your recommendation writers and make sure that they are not having any issues submitting your letters (and don’t forget to thank them!). Review and submit financial information with your parents or guardians to make sure you have met all of your colleges requirements.
Start thinking about your summer
A huge part of finishing off your high school career strong is what you plan to do during your summer vacation. The summer after your senior year of high school is a time for you to focus on your own self-enrichment and improvement. Some common things that students like to do are summer internships, jobs, summer sessions at a near-by college, or travelling. The summer time also gives you an opportunity to study topics that you are passionate about at greater lengths than you could in high school. I spent my summer after senior year at a paid internship where I gained experience not only related to my intended major but also allowed me the opportunity to learn office skills that I can utilize and other job opportunities. An eventful summer is a great icebreaker for the upcoming fall semester!
Start applying for scholarships
There is an infinite amount of scholarship opportunities for high school students that can be put towards college education. Now that most of your college applications and testing are already through, you can finally stop giving into the excuse of being “too busy.” Not all scholarships require 1,000-word essays and video submissions. There are many 250–500-word scholarships for all kinds of students from various areas of the country and world. There are even scholarships that do not require you to submit a writing sample at all. The possibilities are endless and only one Google search away. Senior year is a great time to start thinking about the money and doing the best you can to pull your weight in the payment of your education.
Participate in and attend all you can!
Talent shows, plays, festivals, and all sorts of school-wide activates happen every year and now that it is your final year, its time to make all the memories you can. It’s your time to create your own act or finally try out for the school play. You decide!
Keep up those grades
While it is popular belief that grades do not matter senior year, that notion could not be farther from the truth. Many colleges require students to send in a mid-year report and some even require a final report at the end of senior year. These reports can not only have an impact on your admission to a college but also influence your merit-based honors. Another thing to keep in mind is when you are applying for scholarships between senior year and the end of your first semester in college, the grades that you will use for scholarships will be your high school GPA. So, make sure you keep it up!