Everyone looks forward to their senior year in high school--your last prom, last homecoming, last football games-- everything seems so exciting. Don't get me wrong, senior year is great, but it can be disastrous if you go into it with the wrong mindset. Here are 5 Things I wish I'd known before my senior year in high school:

1. Senior year isn't easy.

You often hear that senior year is easy, or at least it's easier than junior year. Granted, this depends on how rigorous your schedule is, but I have found that senior year is the hardest year of high school. Classes are harder, sure, but that isn't the half of it. You have standardized tests (way too many SAT's and ACT's if you're trying to get a certain score), applying to colleges, applying for FAFSA and scholarships; it seems the list never ends. And on top of all this, you have to juggle your social life, which becomes more important to you since you may not see many of your friends again after graduation.

2. Colleges look at your grades from senior year.

There's this funny misconception that colleges don't look at your schedule or grades from senior year. Now if you are applying early action, your first semester GPA may not be factored in yet, but they certainly know at least what classes (including how many AP/DE) you're taking. If you apply rolling or regular decision, they will most likely be able to see most if not all of your class and GPA information. Also, once you're accepted into a college, it doesn't mean you can give up. Colleges can rescind their acceptance letters if you tank second semester.

3. Take your Standardized (ACT and SAT) tests junior year.

You'll probably still want to take one or two tests senior year, but take at least one SAT or ACT junior year. It will reduce so much stress and give you more time to focus on other things during your final year of high school. Even if it's just for practice, I highly recommend taking a test junior year, especially if you will be applying Early Action for colleges.

4. You don't have to find a "perfect" college.

People think picking a college is like picking a soul mate that they will live with for the rest of their lives. Deciding on a college is a huge decision, but you most likely won't find one "dream college" that fits all your needs perfectly. It's important to look at several things when choosing, such as cost of attendance, college size, majors, and how good of a school it is. But most importantly, remember that you'll probably be great at any college you go to.

5. Don't rush through high school.

Everyone is so excited for graduation that they let important moments pass without notice. Senior year and graduation are very exciting, but life flies by too quickly if you're only trying to get to the next stage. Live in the present. Go to the football games, school dances, and spend time with your friends. Cherish every moment you have while you can, because you'll be graduating before you know it.