To the Class of 2021,

The Class of 2020 aka the first class to fall victim to COVID-19 really had a hard time. For some of us, we are still having a hard time as our freshman year of college is in jeopardy. This article isn't about us though. We are here to help you. If anyone understands how you feel it is us. We lost a lot of things we had worked four years for like senior prom, senior trips, our last field day, class night, and our graduations weren't like anything we expected. This year, y'all are worried that you might not even have a senior year. We understand. We know that the uncertainty of it all is scary. That is why we are here to offer you some advice.

1. Take it all in. On the first day of school (if you're allowed to actually go back into the building) take it all in. This is your last first day of school as you have known it for the last 12 years of your life. Take it all in. Just sit back and soak it in. Soak in sitting in those uncomfortable desks. Soak in sitting in classrooms full of people you actually know. Take in sitting in the cafeteria joking around and gossiping with your friends. This year will fly by and before you know it you will be graduating.

2. Appreciate your teachers. As much as they may annoy you. As much as they may assign what seems like a butt-load of work. They care about you. They truly care about you. These teachers have watched you grow up for the last four years. They love you. Appreciate that.

3. Live in the moment. The Snapchats can wait. The pictures can wait. The Tiktok can wait. These are moments you won't ever get back. You won't have another high school senior year. Allow yourself to take at the moment before you start recording and taking pictures.

4. Participate and be leaders. Go to football, basketball, baseball games, etc. Sit in the student section. Volunteer for stuff. Participate. You're a senior. This is the last time to do all of this stuff as a student. Show school spirit. The underclassman on campus look up to you. You guys are the leaders on campus.

5. Appreciate your friends. This time next year you all will be moving into different colleges. Appreciate every moment before it is too late.

6. Apply for colleges and scholarships. Apply. Apply. Apply. Apply to colleges especially if they give you fee-waivers. Apply for scholarships. There are so many scholarships; local and countrywide. There are multiple websites like Redkite and Tallo to help you search for scholarships. Pay attention to local businesses and organizations because they will most likely send their scholarship information to your school. Don't be afraid to ask for fee-waivers and scholarships.

7. Take AP classes or Dual Credit. Just get college credit. If AP is for you, go ahead. If it isn't take dual credit classes if you can. If you are in IB that is good as well. Any headstart you can get on college is good. Make sure that the classes that you choose to take will transfer to your college choices too.

8. Go to school events. This kinda goes along with participation. Go to football and basketball games and sit in the student section. Go to homecoming dances. Go to prom. Go on senior trips. Go to senior tailgates. Whatever your school does, go to it. These are the last times you will be able to do these things. Go and have fun.

9. Work hard. Senior year isn't the year to slack off. Colleges will still look at your senior year. If you take dual credit classes those classes will begin your college GPA. Take any class that you can gain college credit from seriously. Take all your classes seriously. Senioritis is real but fight through it.

10. Just have fun. Senior year is a fun year. You're the oldest on campus. You're the leaders on campus. Have fun. Stay out late. Spend time with your friends. Enjoy every moment, big and small. Just soak it all in and have fun.

Sincerely,

The Class of 2020