It’s finally your time; you’re a senior in high school. Senior year is one of the best years but it also could come with some stress while thinking about college and some other challenges. Being the oldest in my family, I didn’t have someone to tell me what to do and what not to do during senior year. For those of you like me, here are some things I wish I would have known before starting off my last year of high school.

1) Don’t wait until the last second to submit college applications

Submit your applications no later than Thanksgiving! You’ll be thankful you did this when winter break comes along and your friends are all scrambling to get in their applications.

2) Make the best of your year of "lasts"

They don’t call senior year the year of lasts for nothing. Go to the high school games with your friends, cheer louder than you ever have before and don’t be shy with your camera. Go out with your friends and enjoy the time you have left in high school because you will soon be separated from them for some time.

3) “Save the drama for your mama”

It’s simple. Don’t waste your last year in high school always worrying about the latest drama. Be kind and have a fun year!

4) ...But expect the prom drama

Prom drama is inevitable. Even when it’s a week before prom and you think all of your plans are set, something will probably happen. Expect it and embrace it and always have a back up plan.

5) Apply for every scholarship

Yes, filling out those applications are a pain but it will definitely be worth it if you win some of them!

6) Cherish your family

You may be excited that you’re soon going to be out of your house going to college, but you’ll be surprised how much you will actually miss them. Savor everyday you have with them because you may be the one missing them more than they will be missing you.

7) Don’t slack

Yes, senior year is more lenient than all the other years of high school but that doesn’t mean you can stop trying completely. Remember that colleges still look at your senior year transcript. Senioritis is a real thing so don’t let it hit you to hard.

8) Go to every senior event

Even if you don’t want to, go to every school event. This is the last time you’re going to be able to go to prom, school football games, field trips and other school events. When you look back at high school these times with your friends are what you’re going to remember.

9) Don’t waste your absences

Not everyday is senior skip day. Make sure you save your absences for the end of the year or when you actually need one because they start to add up quick!

10) Keep your best friends close

Senior year may expand friendship circles or even shrink them. Instead of fighting for friendships though and worrying about the drama, let them go. You’re going to grow apart from a lot of people when you go to college, so keep the good ones close. Focus on the people who make you happy because they’re going to be the ones who are going to stick with you throughout your whole life.

11) Enjoy the little things

They say it’s the little things that count and that’s so true. Some of your favorite memories come from these little things. Make sure you cherish every moment of your senior year.

12) Be proud of the person you’re leaving behind

Be known as the one who was always kind, caring, nice or funny. You don’t want to be remembered for anything bad so make sure you’re remembered of what you wish from the halls of your high school.

13) Enjoy your last year of high school

Senior year is one of the best years of your life. Make sure you take tons of pictures and have fun. You still live right next to your best friends and the whole school looks up to you. Go to your school events, go to classes and make the best of your last year.