One might expect senior year to be a year of endings- last high school sports games, last homecoming, last prom, last year living at home for many of us. However, I never expected my senior year to have quite so many "firsts". Here's a list of new things I definitely recommend trying before you leave high school.
1. Take a Study Hall. This was the first year I was actually able to fit a study hall in my schedule, and not only one but TWO. Let me tell you, it is amazing; 10/10 would recommend. A study hall gives you that extra time you need so you don't actually have to do much homework at home.
2. Get a Job. I avoided getting a job until this year, and now looking back on it, I wish I would have done it earlier. It doesn't really matter what type of job you do, whether it's at a local store or restaurant, or even babysitting. With a job, you are able to have your own spending money that you actually earned, you meet tons of new people, and you gain so much experience.
3. Talk to anyone and everyone. There are so many people you pass in the hall every day but have never said more than five words to. Even if they seem to be nothing like you, talk to them! You'll probably learn a lot. Everyone has their own unique story, and just starting a conversation allows you to get to know someone better. Truth be told they probably want to talk to you too!
4. Visit your grandparents on your own time. This might not seem like much of a "first", but for the first time, you are getting old enough to make your own efforts to see your grandparents. If you are still lucky enough to have your grandparents around, make time for them! Sadly, they won't be around forever and you should try and spend as much time with them as you can. Also, grandparents are the coolest because they just want to hear all about you and will probably spoil you too. While you're at it, ask them about their life too! You might find out you and your grandma aren't so different after all.
5. Talk to that cute guy/girl you never talk to. You never know, they might think the same way about you! And there's no use putting it off just to find out later they would have said yes if you had just asked them out.
6. Speaking of which, go out! When someone invites you to go do something, do it. You'll never have these teenage carefree days back again so why not have fun? Go out for a girls night, go to all the home football games, go down to state when your team makes it, and go on a date just for fun. Make as many memories as you can because before you know it, high school will be over.
7. Write, write, write. Start keeping a list/journal of all the fun things you do so you can look back and remember the good times. Write down how you're feeling at different stages of your life. Write a letter to your best friend. Write a letter to your mom. Write that essay you're low-key excited to write. Start writing for the Odyssey.
Try new things.
