When you start senior year, everyone always tells you how exciting it is or how you'll miss it when it's over, but no one tells you how stressful it actually is.

1. The first week of school, you are bombarded with so much homework you just want to cry.

In the years past, the first week of school is a chill week. You basically just establish where you are or you go over rules. All week. It's not even the first month and I've already been so stressed out and engulfed in homework and tests.

2. Deadlines are so much earlier than you expect.

You think when it comes to applying for colleges, scholarships, etc., you'd have the better part of your senior year to do so. No. I've already applied to 3 colleges and sent my transcript. Especially when it comes to taking the ACT, the last test most of them take is the October test.

3. There's an overwhelming amount of stress.

So. Much. Stress. You have no idea how many times I've wanted to cry over school, but I only actually cried once. Deadlines, homework, trying to raise your ACT score, it all is so much.

4. You have to know what college you're going to and what your major will be the first day of your senior year.

Literally that's all they ask you anymore. No one cares how you've been; It's all wanting to know about what you're going to do when you're out of high school. I'm 90% sure about where I'm going to school, but as far as my major goes, I'm not as sure as I was my junior year.

5. Senior pictures are a blast.

No one ever talks about senior pictures. They are SO much fun! It's all about being able to represent your own personality, and if you find the right photographer, it can be such a blast. It can be a tad stressful trying to find the right outfits, but just bring your favorite ones. Also, talk to your photographer about splitting up your session for a summer session and a fall session. That's what I'm doing to get the best of both worlds.

6. You make so many new friends you have to leave behind in a year.

It happens every year. You have your group of friends in your own grade, but you start making friends with the lower class-men. Personally I have quite a few classes with a lot of non-seniors, so I've become close with a few. It's going to suck and it will be quite a few tears on your last day.

Senior year is all fun and games until it's your own senior year. Don't get me wrong, I love being a senior, but it's a bittersweet year. I'm so excited so be done with high school, but also so scared to go out into the real world. I want to stay at school and stay with my squad forever.

So to the class of 2017 and beyond, good luck. Make sure you meet all of your deadlines, and be sure to have lots of fun.