It's your last semester of high school. Ever. I remember people telling me, "Live it up. You only have one senior year. Enjoy it while it lasts." But besides the fact that I was completely terrified about my upcoming college decision/what I was going to do after I graduated, getting certain ACT scores, and taking AP exams, the last thing I should have been thinking and worrying about was, "I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING EVER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YEAR LIKE IT AND IF I DONT ALMOST DIE FROM LACK OF SLEEP IM NOT DOING IT RIGHT." So is true about every year you live. Every year is different and new and the last of its kind you will ever have. Relax. Enjoy. If it isn't the best year of your life, don't sweat it. I know a lot of semesters I've had in college that have had much more success in the areas of friendship, joy, and living to the max than my senior year of high school did. Yes, this is the last semester you will be with the same people in the same place so try to enjoy it as it lasts. But don't kill yourself over doing EVERYTHING ever because "well I might never get a chance to do it again!" Learn to take time to enjoy your family and the people in your life that may not follow you to your next phase of life. Maybe this last high school semester is a time of letting go, a time of healing, a time of growth. It doesn't have to be your best or most #turnt one ever. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself, your friends, and the poor school system to make this semester live up to perfection; it probably will not happen. Most of the things that stressed me out senior year ended up being 90% less scary and drastic than they actually are. I've learned that sometimes making mistakes (when it is not life threatening) can help you learn, so don't be afraid to say yes if you are leaning a certain way. Sometimes it is the decision making itself that leads to anxiety. So what, this semester wasn't the best you've ever had; it can only go up from here! Good luck and remember that most things in life are not as scary as they look or feel at first.
