Dear rising high school senior — after three years of dedicated schoolwork, you’re on the cusp of your senior year! Congratulations are in order, but now is not the time to rest on your laurels. It’s time to prepare for the upcoming year, and the next four after that as well!
You’ve probably already started thinking about college and everything that the prospect entails — applications, campus visits, the list goes on and on. All of a sudden, senior year may start to sound pretty intimidating. But don’t fear — here are three ways for you to start preparing to ace your senior year of high school.
1. Start planning for senior year this summer
Whether it’s deciding on a college to attend or just getting your homework done, there’s a lot you’ll need to juggle in your senior year. That’s why it’s important to start planning ahead now!
Take some time to sit down and leaf through the college brochures that have been piling up in your mailbox. You’re going to have a lot of different options to pick from (colleges come in all different sorts and sizes), so start a running list of the colleges that pique your interest. Pick a few local universities and start putting campus visits on your calendar. We know senior year is supposed to be about relaxing after three years of hard work, as well it should be! But don’t neglect the major impact that a small bit of planning now can have for you throughout your year.
2. Embrace all your options as a rising high school senior
When preparing for senior year, it’s important to understand that there is no one right path. This is especially true when we are talking about picking the “right” college. There are many factors to take into consideration. Perhaps a college in a bustling metropolitan area (like Washington, D.C.) is the right pick for you, or maybe it’s a rural liberal arts school in Wisconsin. Your fellow rising high school seniors will all be embarking on the same college admissions journey as you.
In the midst of all this talk about colleges, keep in mind that the right decision for your friends may not be the right decision for you. That’s why it will be important to explore the entire range of schools — from private Catholic universities to large state schools. This will help you pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for in a school!
3. You may be a rising high school senior, but don’t be afraid to ask for help
We know you’ve seen and done it all. And you are right, you probably do have a better idea of what you want for your future than just about anybody else. That doesn’t mean a second (or third) opinion won’t be helpful. In fact, your teachers and guidance counselors at school can probably provide some helpful hints or suggest helpful books about the best way to prep for your senior year and college admissions. There are also admissions teams at universities and institutions across the country who can provide information about what you’ll need to be prepared for the college admissions process.
Marymount University’s friendly admissions counselors, for example, are always more than happy to answer questions from prospective college students. Remember — if you need help, just ask.
It’s your senior year — enjoy it!
You made it here, so why not enjoy it? Monumental decisions don’t have to be monumentally stressful. That’s why you should see friends, get out and enjoy the end of your high school years. By being proactive, embracing various options and asking for help when needed, you’ll be able to jumpstart your senior year plus have time to enjoy it before it flies by.
