The last semester of high school can be filled with worry, doubt, and anxiety, with no foreseeable change in the future. You close your eyes and find yourself hoping, wishing, praying that it was May already and you were walking across the stage to be handed your freedom. You open them and see the third scholarship application of the day staring lazily back at you. Well, this isn’t like High School Musical 3: Senior Year at all. Jokes aside, isn’t there supposed to be another way? Wasn’t this supposed to be the “easy” year? It’s stressful and lonesome, and there absolutely has to be another way around this. To help you in your panic-crazed plight, here are 5 ways to make the most of the last semester of your senior year.

1. Explore the City

If you’re anything like me, you half-heartedly agree to plans that are never followed through with your friends, only to later wish that you actually did go ice skating or out to lunch, etc. Want to give yourself an incentive to actually hang out with your friends before you’re shipped off to college? Plan something earth-shattering. Go explore Atlanta on a school night, hike up a mountain and talk, see that $10 admission concert at the Tabernacle of the band you’ve never heard of. If you find yourself dreading to go do something, make it more exciting. Take control and make your own memories.

2. Try Something New

Learn how to play the ukulele or the guitar that’s been collecting dust in your room for five years. You’d be surprised at how much learning something new can negate the feeling of helplessness you’ve gained over this past year. Start singing, kick around a soccer ball, or take up reading. Finding something new to do will bring some much-needed value you feel has been poured out into all of the essays you have to write.

3. Don’t Procrastinate

Procrastinating is the absolute worst way to combat stress. If you’re anxious about a college deadline you have to meet, leave your phone in another room and get it done. You’ll feel so much better once you’ve accomplished everything you need to do. And once you’re done, celebrate. Giving yourself a pat on the back by going out to get ice cream or watching some TV is a huge self-confidence boost. You should be proud of achieving the deadline, and taking a much-deserved break will give your brain some time to reset.

4. Attend School Events

If there’s any time to have an ounce of school spirit, it’s during your last semester at your school. Go see a sports game that you don’t normally go to or finally support your drama department and see the spring musical! There’s nothing holding you back from embracing the last part of your high school experience. Even if you don’t really like social events, at least you won’t be left wondering what if.

5. Make Transition Plans

Let’s face it. The second semester of high school is hard because you’re full of apprehension about what life will be like in college; sometimes the best way to fix a problem is to attack it straight on. Start learning how to do some of the things you won’t have help with in college, like washing your own clothes and planning a healthy diet. Make a contact list with all of your high school friends and plan pen pal scenarios so you don’t really have to say goodbye. If you feel in control of where you’re going, you’ll be more able to focus on the present and truly enjoy your high school finale.