Senior year is a busy year for everyone, so here are the top 6 things I wish I knew before it started.

1. Start planning early

This may seem ridiculous, but it’s never too early to start thinking about college, or the ACT’s. I know, high school is a busy time for everyone, but don’t wait until you have no time left. Take advantage of retaking the ACT as many times as you’d like, you’ll be happy you did. Also, you don’t have to decide on a college right away, but start looking and narrowing it down before you start your final year of high school. If you give yourself time to work on applications, you won’t feel so stressed while you’re also trying to take on homework.

2. Find yourself a teacher who is also willing to be your friend

Before my senior year, I didn’t realize that I would want to have somebody to talk to, outside of my friend group. Sometimes there are things that you don’t want others to know, but you need to talk about them. Finding a teacher or staff member who is willing to be the one to talk you through these situations is generally your best option if you want confidentiality.

3. Find your best study method and don’t forget it

Have you debated dropping out because you’re so sick of school? Me too. We’ve all been there. The other day, I said something to my dad about it and he told me, “Find the positives and don’t give up. Find the best study habits for you and use them, because how you finish high school is how you will begin college.” That was, by far, the best advice I’ve received. Once you have the mentality of giving up, you’ll find it difficult to keep up.

4. Challenge yourself

Take the classes that you believe might be hard. The worst thing you can do is “coast” through your last year of high school. It should be the best year of your life, but you don’t want to graduate thinking that you could’ve done better if you would’ve just turned in that one assignment or just studied for that one test.

5. DON’T PROCRASTINATE

The absolute worst thing you can do when you have a big assignment due is waiting until the last minute. I’ve tried, it doesn’t work. Try to make yourself a schedule for when you should work on your homework and stick to it.

6. Don’t be afraid to be yourself

Chances are, you’ve been spending your entire high school career, thus far, trying to impress everyone you meet. Senior year is all about expressing yourself and showing the real you. Put yourself out there, because you probably won’t see most of these people ever again anyway. Stop faking it and do you.