You are a senior in high school, you have made it to the final year that you have been looking forward to since the first day of freshman year. Whether this has been the worst or best four years of your life, appreciate it. You will never have these times back, you will never be in high school again. It is hard for someone still in high school to wrap their brain around, but there will be a day when you wish you could be in the shoes you're in right now. Here are 15 things I have learned being in college that I wish I knew as a high school senior:
Appreciate what you have right now, don’t wish it away.
Seriously. I know you’re seniors and all you want is to get out of high school, but trust me YOU WILL. Be patient and live in the moment. Right now is your last time to ever be in high school, take advantage of that and have no regrets.
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Look around you and take in what you see
There will be a day when you can’t remember that guys name that you had a crush on in history class and there will be a day when you miss that class you had with your best friend. Take it all in. Look around at each person who has impacted you in one way or another and appreciate that you have them right now, because you won’t always.
Don’t slack off on college research
You don’t want to end up at a college you don’t like because you didn’t do enough research...trust me. Look at retention rates, campus housing, majors available, what there is to do outside of campus, clubs available, etc. You will be living there for the next four years, you need to know everything you can about every college you're applying to in order to make a good decision. Collegeboard.com is your best friend right now.
If you like a college, visit it, then visit again, maybe even stay overnight.
The truth is you won't really know what a college is like until you live there. I visited my college twice and even stayed overnight with current freshmen. What I experienced during those visits is much different than what it is like to actually be here, but it is the closest you can get and it is important that you do that.
Don’t care about what anyone thinks
Seriously, in a couple months you will never see half of these people again. If someone called you a loser, screw them. It doesn't matter whatsoever. You're not what others say you are and you need to understand that. You will be surrounded by a whole new group of people in a year and can recreate yourself in any way you want.
Graduation day will go by FAST, take every moment in.
I honestly do not remember the day I graduated at all. It was so surreal and something I had worked so long for, I just couldn't grasp that it was happening. Don't be me. On graduation day, breathe and remember what you see, what you feel, the people who are screaming as you walk to receive your diploma.
While looking at colleges, make sure to take into consideration where they are located.
I go to school in the middle of nowhere and I didn't realize that until I came here. Look at transportation options around the schools, find out where the closest mall is.
How popular you are right now literally doesn’t matter at all.
Honestly, you will go to college and make new friends. If you don't have many in high school, don't sweat it that is one less person you have to say goodbye to when you go off to school.
Don’t stress over your SAT scores
They don't define you, and they certainly don't restrict what colleges you will get into. Try your hardest, but if you don't do as well as you wanted, don't freak out.
Don’t complain about a five-page paper, college will be much worse- get used to it
Your workload will double, maybe even triple in college. Get used to not procrastinating or else you will struggle in college.
Enjoy all of the free time you have
Weekends will be your only free time in college, so enjoy being able to come home from school and relax.
Don’t stress the small stuff
That one test you got a D on, it's not going to alter your future and restrict the rest of your life.
Don’t worry about what colleges others are getting into
This was one of my biggest issues my senior year. If your friend got into Harvard, great for her, but don't be ashamed if you're going to a state school. No one is judging your college choice, and if they are- who cares? Go where you can afford and where you think you can thrive.
Go to prom
This is your last chance. Don't skip out because the boy you like didn't ask you. You will never have another senior prom.
There will be a time when you miss high school
I know you're all rolling your eyes at this one. High school was probably the worst four years of my life and I was the LAST person who would ever miss it. But I do. There are many classes and people and activities and clubs that I wish I could relive. College is crazily different from high school and it will make you miss those four years.
I hope you take these tips to heart. I truly wish I had known these things when I was in your shoes, if I had, I would have spent my last year in high school much differently. Think about where you will be in a year as you walk the halls, as you sit in class, and as you eat lunch with your best friends. Appreciate the moment, it will be over soon.
